Incomprehensible Taliesin!

nellie Eog Posts: 265	Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 20, 2011 14:07:16 GMT -1 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by nellie on Jan 20, 2011 14:07:16 GMT -1 What is he talking about? What does it all mean?! I've been trying to read the poems but I feel like I'm reading a different language! Any pointers?
	www.abitofgardeningspirit.blogspot.com

Tegernacus Draig Posts: 1,372	Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 20, 2011 16:01:03 GMT -1 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Tegernacus on Jan 20, 2011 16:01:03 GMT -1 you ARE reading a different language
	“If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought or deed; I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance which does harm.” Marcus Aurelius, Bk. VI, xxi.

Heron Draig Posts: 1,256	Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 20, 2011 18:23:06 GMT -1 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Heron on Jan 20, 2011 18:23:06 GMT -1 Which translation are you using? The most reliable one is Marged Haycock's and she provides extensive notes which might give some clues as to what he is talking about - but don't bank on it!
	Cronicl yr Awen : greghill.wales The Horse Goddess: rigantona.net

nellie Eog Posts: 265	Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 20, 2011 19:20:14 GMT -1 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by nellie on Jan 20, 2011 19:20:14 GMT -1 It's the translation available online at the sacred texts archive - William F. Skene Good or bad translation?
	www.abitofgardeningspirit.blogspot.com

Heron
Draig

Posts: 1,256

Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 20, 2011 22:52:00 GMT -1

Post by Heron on Jan 20, 2011 22:52:00 GMT -1

Skene's translation was made in the 19th c. when the state of knowledge about early Welsh was rudimentary. The thing to understand with regard to these poems as that, although they were originally thought to be the work of a sixth century bard, only a very few of the poems - if any - could possibly be from this period. The manuscript has been dated to the 14th century and many of the poems take on the mantle of Taliesin as a persona for a legendary figure who claims to have been around since thew beginning of the world.

So if you are looking at these poems in translation you need to ask yourself what you are looking for. They are often obscure and make grandiose claims for the Taliesin figure. There are plenty of tantalising details for those pursuing Brythonic lore. So if you're looking for answers or any sort of clarity - forget it!

But Marged Haycock's edition does provide lots of fascination background much in the way that the notes to Rachel Bromwich's Trioedd Ynys Prydein do. So it's worth reading as much for the notes as for the text, perverse as that may seem.

Cronicl yr Awen : greghill.wales

The Horse Goddess: rigantona.net

nellie
Eog

Posts: 265

Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 21, 2011 7:46:32 GMT -1

Post by nellie on Jan 21, 2011 7:46:32 GMT -1

Thanks Heron.
I'd add it to the book list.
To be completely honest I'm not sure what I'm looking for! But hanging around CF has made me realise that I need some sort of foundation to build upon. I've realised that I know bugger all lol! I've read books where the sources are mentioned or paraphrased, but never tried to read the literature itself.

I'm trying to educate myself!

www.abitofgardeningspirit.blogspot.com

Rion Carw Posts: 120	Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 21, 2011 19:13:04 GMT -1 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Rion on Jan 21, 2011 19:13:04 GMT -1 The longer you hang around this lot, the more you realise you know bugger all And other words of encouragement...
	To be on a quest is nothing more or less than to become an asker of questions. discoveringbrython.blogspot.com/

deiniol Carw Posts: 171	Incomprehensible Taliesin! Jan 21, 2011 21:10:23 GMT -1 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by deiniol on Jan 21, 2011 21:10:23 GMT -1 Ignotum per ignotius...