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Dys Robin Briw, ny quoierbee ehhene ta shirrey chur lesh stiagh y ghailck reesht.
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To Robin Briw, or whoever himself seeks to restore the Manx Language.
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Doolish, Jecrean, yn unlaa-yeïg jeh
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Douglas, Wednesday, the eleventh, of
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Meeveanagh y yeuree, 1821.
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December, 1821
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Cha sayms nee Robin, na Thom, na Juan, t’ort ; agh dy veeït mee rish yn ennym Robin Briw ’sy phaabyr, as dyn ennym elley; agh ta mee ourryssagh ny yeï dy vel shiu myr y chenn legion roish nish, as dy vel shiu ymmodee; son cheayll mee jiu roïe. Ta mee gooaill yindys cre ta jannoo ort, solla ta!
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I don’t know if you’re called Robin, or Tom, or John; except that I encountered the name Robin Briw in the paper, with no other name; but I nevertheless suspect that you are like the ancient legion before, and that you are many, for I heard of you before. I’m wondering what’s up with you, so I am!
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Va mee dy slane karail loayrt rhyt roish nish, agh duirree mee orrym tammylt, jerkal rish tooilliu ommijys voïd. Te jeeaghyn nish myr dy row ’er nghoaill fea; agh ta mee dooteilagh dy bee oo ec obbyr reesht, cha leah’s yiow caa. Cre wooishagh oo? Nee dy chur lesh gailck reesht er e toshiaght, as myr shen dooney magh schleï, as soiljey as tushtey veih Manninee?
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I was a hundred percent made up in my mind to speak to you before now, but I held myself back a while, expecting more idiocy from you. It seems now as if you had taken a break; but I suspect that you’ll be at work again, as soon as you get a chance. What would you wish? Is it to bring the Manx Language forward, and so close out skill, and light, and learning from Manx people?
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Tou steetagh dy lioor, raad tou gra nagh vel oo shirrey liettal y vaarle, —ec y tra cheddin dy vel oo moylley gailck! Vel oo sheiltyn ayns dty chree, dy re blebbinyn sleih? Verryms fys dhyt er, nee blebbinyn Manninee, mannagh nee!
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You’re sly enough, where you say that you aren’t looking to hold back English, — at the same time that you’re praising Manx! Do you imagine, in your heart, that people are simpletons? I’ll let you know, whether Manx people are simpletons, or not!
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Manninagh, tou fakin mish, chamma rhyts:—agh goïn nearey moylley meehushtey as lhagynsagh da my gheiney cheerey. Shinney lhiam ad foddey roa vie dy chraiddey mou myr shen, na dy churr lheid y vranlaadee ayns nyn ghing, as cheumooie jeh shen cur shiaghrynys er y cheeloghe aeg ta girree. Wooishin ad heet myr cheernyn elley—ynsit—as gêyrit, as coamrit lesh schleï; chouds t’ou uss, ta laick, son freayll ad sheese dys nyn shann oayll, nagh loayr ad dys earishyn foddey, brenneein dy ghlaare agh gailk. Gow coyrle, leh, as bee feagh.
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I am a Manxman, you see, as well as you, but I would be ashamed to praise ignorance and lack of education to my countrymen. I love them far too well to mock them like that, to put such ravings in their heads, and besides that, to mislead the growing young generation. I would wish for them to become like other countries – educated – and sharp, and clothed with skill, whilst you, it seems, are for holding them down to their own familiar ways, so they won’t speak, for ages and ages, a speck of any language but Manx. Take advice, boy, and be quiet.
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MANNINAGH DOOIE.
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A TRUEBORN MANXMAN
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