'Antiquity, genius and affinity of the chief surviving Celtic dialects', 19th century
Scope and Contents
This appears to be a dissertation or thesis on Celtic historical linguistics. It comprises of seven notebooks, listed below, as well as some loose pages that have become separated from their original notebooks.
1. Dissertation proposal
2. Dissertation (titled 'The antiquity, genius and affinity of the chief surviving Celtic dialects')
3. Notebook titled 'Gaelic jottings and remarks, no. I'. This notebook appears to outline some observations on linguistic features in Scottish Gaelic
4. Notebook titled 'Loose observations, no. 2'. This notebook appears to have notes on ideas, hypotheses and evidence for the dissertation's arguments and claims.
5. Notebook titled 'Gaelic words with remarks, no. I'. This notebook appears to be a handwritten dictionary, with some notes on etymology and where or how the words were collected for the dissertation.
6. Notebook titled 'Gaelic words with remarks, no. II'. This notebook appears to be a handwritten dictionary, with some notes on etymology and where or how the words were collected for the dissertation (i.e. a continuation of the notebook above)
7. Notebook titled 'Loose observations, no. III'. This appears to be an account of a single encounter with a speaker of Scottish Gaelic or a description of the character of a Gael or Highlander.
Dates
- Creation: 19th century
Language of Materials
Main language: English. Word list in Scottish Gaelic.
Physical Description
There are seven notebooks made of paper, but they are difficult to distinguish, especially given the number of pages which have become separated from their original notebooks. Each notebook appears to be loosely bound by some string, or comprised of pages folded and inserted within each other. The pages are in excellent condition. The manuscripts are written in a clear hand, though the ink is sometimes faded. The pages are in danger of becoming separated and lost. Some pages are already separated and may require attention to place them with them in the correct part of their original notebook. They are all head together with a piece of modern string.
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Extent
7 notebooks
Physical Description
There are seven notebooks made of paper, but they are difficult to distinguish, especially given the number of pages which have become separated from their original notebooks. Each notebook appears to be loosely bound by some string, or comprised of pages folded and inserted within each other. The pages are in excellent condition. The manuscripts are written in a clear hand, though the ink is sometimes faded. The pages are in danger of becoming separated and lost. Some pages are already separated and may require attention to place them with them in the correct part of their original notebook. They are all head together with a piece of modern string.
Physical Facet
Material: Paper
Binding: Varying. String, inserted leaves, or no binding at all
Dimensions
10 cm x 16.5 cm
Creator
- From the Fonds: Mackinnon, Donald, 1839-1914 (Professor of Celtic, University of Edinburgh) (Author, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk