As I thought about how best to introduce myself to this new world of bloggers I could feel the rising anxiety caused by blank page syndrome. Then I suddenly remembered an Irish proverb: 'Níor eitigh páipéir bán dúch ariamh'. O'Dónaill's dictionary tells us it means 'blank paper never rejected ink' and interprets that juxtapositioning of English words as 'youth is impressionable'.
Ah! I love the Irish language for providing me with so many of these tantalizing, open-ended phrases over the years. Anyway, I asked my wife from Chicago, Susan, what she thought 'blank paper never rejected ink' meant. She dismissed the dictionary interpretation and instead believed the phrase meant 'take the risk and express yourself'.
I invite you to 'express yourself' and let me know what meaning you take from the phrase 'blank paper never rejected ink' ( 'Níor eitigh páipéir bán dúch ariamh' )
Slán,
John
Ceanneile will teach you how to talk and think in Irish. Translation from English into Irish is the key focus of this Irish blog. All explanations, memory techniques, translation tips, etc will be in English. Step 1. Identify structures in English that you use all the time. Step 2. Find equivalent structures in Irish. Who will benefit from reading this blog? Students of Irish, language enthusiasts, people of Irish heritage, anyone interested in the language, culture and music of Ireland.
