Photocopy of translation of Carl Marstrander's diary 1929-1933

Date(s): 1929-1933

Creator(s): Marstrander, Carl Johan Sverdrup

Scope & Content: The translation of Professor Marstrander's daybook during his visits to the Isle of Man, first visit 4 June to July 1929, second visit August and September 1930, third visit to record on the wax cylinder phonographs 29 January to 05 February 1933. On Marstrander's way to his first visit to the Island he visited Robin Flower (Bláithín) and met up with J.G. O'Keffe in London. Marstrander arrived on the Island on the 12 June 1929 and stayed initially in Douglas, he met up with P.M.C. Kermode, William Cubbon and J.J. Kneen at the Manx Museum, later visiting Braddan church with Kneen to look at the crosses. Kneen talked about the condition under which scholarly works were done on the Island. Marstrander was given the impression that 'the English Government couldn't care less'. Marstrander describes his bicycle tour of the Island over several days to seek Manx speakers: he met or tried to were: Thomas Taggart and William Preston at Grenaby, William Kneen Croit-E-Caley, Thomas Leece Kerroomoar, Karrans and Harry Kelly Cregneash, Mr. Watterson of Glen Chiass, Joseph Woodworth and Edmond Maddrell Port Erin, Thomas Crebbin Bradda Village, William Keggin near Barrule farm, William Quane and Caesar Cashin Peel, Daniel Cain Little London, William Caley Sulby, Mr. Gawne West Nappin, Wilfred Wade Sandygate, John Joseph Corrin Jurby, John Sayle Ballalona, Mr.Kneen The Lhen, Mrs Craine, Cooilbane, Ballaugh, Thomas Christian, Ramsey and Tom Looney Maughold. Whilst touring the Island he stayed at various hotels including The British, The Union, Falcon's Nest, The Marine, The Mitre, Kirk Michael and visiting many Manx crosses and historic sites.He comments on translations of some of the runes on the crosses. On his second visit in August to September 1930 there is not so much detail, visited Edward Kennaa Ballacleary and was back in Norway by the end of September. Marstrander's third visit in late January early February 1933 was to conduct phonographic recordings, he writes of problems with the temperature for recording on the wax cylinders and clarity of pitch. He recorded Quane and Cashin in Peel, Mr. Fayle Sulby, John Cain Jurby and recording in the South at The Station Hotel. The translation from Norwegian is by Knut Janson, minor revisions by Bo Almqvist and Mícheál Ó Siadhail, transcribed and edited by George Broderick.

Administration / Biographical History: Carl Marstrander (1883-1965) was a Norwegian linguist known among other things for his work on the Irish and Manx Gaelic languages. Between 1913 and 1954 he was Professor in Celtic Languages at the University of Oslo. During the German occupation of Norway (1940-1945) he was jailed several times, initially for an etymological paper referring to 'NS' (the initials of the Norwegian Nazi Party) being an unstable formation in nordic languages.

Language: English, Manx

Extent: 2 volumes

Item name: Translation of diary

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: FONDS

ID number: MS 08384

Retrieval number: MD 945

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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