Page:A dictionary of the Manks language (Cregeen).djvu/19

Rh

In concluding my Observations and Remarks, I cannot but admire the construction, texture, and beauty of the Manks Language, and how the words initially change their cases, moods, tenses degrees, &c. It appears like a piece of exquisite network, interwoven together in a masterly manner, and framed by the hand of a most skilful workman, equal to the composition of the most learned, and not the production of chance.—The depth of meaning that abounds in many of the words must be conspicuous to every person versed in the language.

Having but few verbs, its brevity may be complained of by some, but this deficiency is amply supplied in the same manner as when a like want occurs in the English. When a substantive or adjective has no verb belonging to itself, another verb is placed before the noun or adjective; as, (to be);  (to take);  (to get);  (to give, put, send), &c.;  (to do, make, or perform), &c.

We have no verb for (happy)—neither has the English—nor its noun,  (happiness); but we say,  (to be happy), &c. That our ancestors (the translators of the Scriptures) were tenacious that no infringement should be made in this particular is obvious, as the Scriptures, with a few exceptions to their orthography, &c., are an invaluable work. The verb to pray occurs above two hundred times in the English Scriptures; yet the translators have not once used that mongrel word,, or its parent, , (see Remark 79), which, and the like, are now generally used without reserve. I do not, however, allude to the Clergy, who, to their credit, always say ; ;, &c.; and when there is no necessity, we should not borrow from the English, but endeavour to keep the language as pure as possible.

A. C.

''Kirk Arbory. 5th June'', 1834.