Blair Collection > Treatise on the language, poetry, and music of the Highland clans

conclusions, not the less when they result from ignorance and prejudice; but I
also believe that there is in this country enough of justice, candour, learning,
and talent, to test this qiiestion on the merits. I submit ample materials for
the investigation, and am convinced that whoever shall peruse them with the
care necessary to enable him to decide intelligently on the subject, will agree
with me. But, to enable those who are unacquainted with the language to
form a sound opinion on the question, I considered a more simple orthography, a
sine qua non. Hence the system adopted in this treatise. Although unaccustomed
to write Gaelic, I believe I understand the language well, and have kept faith
with such subscribers as are enamoured of the present orthography by spelling
the specimens which I quote in accordance with that orthography, although, as
already stated, want of practice may have occasioned many mistakes, which
the verbal critic will be glad to pounce upon ; but I have under-written every
word so spelt phonetically, for the English reader, convinced that this will enable
him to form a more sound opinion of the language and poetry than he could
otherwise have formed of them without a vocal teacher, and much trouble and
expense.
The writing of Gaelic, and especially phonetically, being new to me, I
take it for granted that innumerable mistakes and omissions may have escaped
me in correcting the proofs. Any critic but the merely verbal one will, how-
ever, I think, find enough to convince him that such mistakes and omissions
are more to be ascribed to want of practice than to want of knowledge of the
subjects. For the former I might expect to be excused ; for the latter I could
not. The phonetic spelling is on a carefully considered uniform plan, but being
thoroughly new to myself, there is no doubt that many letters will be found
undetected that are inconsistent with uniformity, and unnecessary to the
pronunciation. This will, I trust, be excused in the first edition of a ncAv system of
orthography. I am aware that my phonetic spelling will give the English reader
but a very imperfect idea of the beauty of the language when compared to a
chaste and elegant pronunciation by the living voice ; but every well-educated
person knows that letters without a vocal teacher never can teach any foreigner
to speak any language like a native. I have endeavoured to make this Preface
embrace my whole case, and submit it to the public with perfect confidence in
its truth and honesty; and therefore I have some hopes that it may assist in
creating among English readers some interest in the Language, Poetry, and
Music of the Highland Clans.
Port-Glasgow, Zrd July 1862.