Lainnir a' Bhùirn - The Gleaming Water: Essays on Modern Gaelic Literature

The Gaelic poet Derick Thomson alludes to the Scottish Gaelic language in his poem, ‘An Tobair’: ‘chunnaic mi lainnir a’ bhùirn ud/ a ni slàn gach ciùrradh/ gu ruig ciùrradh cridhe (I saw the sparkle of that spring/ that makes whole every hurt/ til the hurt of the heart). The image of the well is a powerful and fitting symbol in relation to the current position of Scottish Gaelic language and culture and its future potential, and the essays in this volume show the depth and richness of Gaelic literature in the 20th century onwards. Covering topics as diverse as literary theory, translation and publishing, as well as dealing with the work of specific poets and writers, this collection highlights many of the themes of Gaelic literature in the 20th century and begins to explore the direction it is taking in the 21st century. This book, edited by Dr Emma Dymock and Dr Wilson McLeod, originates in a conference held in the department of Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh in April 2009 on the subject of Gaelic literature in the 20th and 21st centuries. Half the essays in the volume were originally presented at that conference, and the other half were invited from other leading scholars in the field.

Table of Contents:
Contributors. Acknowledgements. Introduction: Modern Gaelic literature – creative and interpretive challenges (Emma Dymock, University of Edinburgh); Ro-ràdh: sgrìobhadh breithneachail sa Ghàidhlig: pàtranan agus atharrachaidhean (Wilson McLeod, University of Edinburgh); 1: Saoghal caillte: an nobhail san fhicheadamh linn (Raghnall MacilleDhuibh, Peebles); 2: Contemporary Gaelic fiction: development, challenge and opportunity (John Storey, Gaelic Books Council, in a personal capacity); 3: Luasganach, neo-chàirdeil, sìorraidh: a’ mhuir agus uisgeachan ann an sgeulachdan goirid Gàidhlig (Moray Watson, University of Aberdeen); 4: Gaelic drama: the forgotten genre in Gaelic literary studies (Michelle Macleod, University of Aberdeen); 5: Sorley MacLean’s ‘The Woods of Raasay’ (Máire Ní Annracháin, University College Dublin); 6: ‘Cas agam anns a’ bhoglaich agus cas air a’ Chuilithionn’: unstable borders in the poetry of Sorley MacLean’ (Emma Dymock); 7: ’s trom an èire, an Eire, an èirigh, an èirig: Somhairle MacGill-Eain agus Èirinn (Pàdraig MacAoidh, Glasgow); 8: Self-translation: in dialogue with the outside world (Corinna Krause, North Uist); 9: Duanairean Gàidhlig, poilitigs an eadar-theangachaidh agus taisbeanadh na Beurla: ath-sgrùdadh (Wilson McLeod); 12: The making of a poem: ‘Ceum Air Cheum’ (Christopher Whyte, Budapest); 13: Translating Christopher Whyte’s poetry (Niall O’Gallagher, University of Glasgow); 14: Mother-tongue, father-tongue (Gréagóir Ó Dúill, Dublin). Index.

About the Author :
Dr Emma Dymock is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh and has co-edited Sorley MacLean's poems. Dr Wilson McLeod is senior lecturer in Celtic at the University of Edinburgh.

Review :
'Lainnir a’ Bhuirn – The Gleaming Water fills a spot within Gaelic literary criticism that has for all too long been left empty. In its commendable attempt to highlight some of the many neglected contemporary aspects of Scottish Gaelic literature this collection is sure to become an inspiration to many Gaelic scholars for years to come.' Northwords Now!