#general:reference

[guillemelgat]

FOLKTRONICA IBERICA - A Playlist

Hello everyone, @minglana and I have been working on trying to compile a playlist of all the incredible folktronica-adjacent music coming out the Iberian Peninsula in the past couple of years, and it's finally here and ready for your listening pleasure! Including everything from electro-fado and trance-like muiñeiras to arrangements of 14th century liturgical chants and revamped jotas, and spanning from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the playlist is roughly ordered by geographical location, starting in Portugal and moving up across the north from Galicia and Asturias through the Basque Country to Aragon and the Catalan Countries, then south to Andalusia and Extremadura. Languages include Portuguese, Galician, Asturian, Basque, Aragonese, Catalan, and Spanish. If there's any artists or song you'd like to see included, let us know and we'll add them!

[guillemelgat]

Hey hello I made a thing! As perhaps a few of you know, I have spent the last half a year being completely unhinged about Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin books, and I’ve always been particularly interested in the character Stephen Maturin and his relationship to Catalonia. I saw that there was a lack of stuff about this part of his identity, and, being me, I felt the need to fill it in the only way I could: compiling music and yelling about it for thirty pages. Hence this playlist.

You really don’t need to know anything about these books to listen to this playlist. You also don’t need to know anything about Catalan (I hope). Catalonia and the Catalan Countries in general (including Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and parts of southern France, Aragon, and Sardinia) have a really interesting musical and literary tradition, and I wanted to make that more accessible, so I put together a few songs I liked, translated them, and wrote a bit about each of their significance, including the most important cultural tidbits I could. Some things don’t translate super well, and I hope my Catalan followers will forgive me for trying to adapt them more for English-speaking audiences than perhaps would be preferable; I usually don’t choose to do that, but in this case I wanted to open the door, and not to intimidate people.

Now that that’s out of the way, here is a link to the PDF of the liner notes (graphic design is my passion, as they say): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MUpRM84W8aypznEIrt0eA1jG5OxaRZvz/view?usp=sharing

Under the cut I’ve included the ephimera and unnecessary commentary that you know and love, feel free to read or ignore it as you will

These roughly follow the order of the songs and are varying levels of seriousness

If you like "Sant Joan, feu-lo ben gran" then I'd highly recommend listening to the whole Tornaveus album. I almost included the “Stabat Mater de Sudanell” and the “Goigs de Sant Julià de Lòria”, which are both from western Catalonia, and they also have more cançons de pandero, in perhaps a slightly more traditional style. A lot of the other songs have interesting cultural commentary in them, especially on feminist topics, and they’re very well-researched because literally one of the members of the group is basically the ethnomusicologist of Catalan music at the moment. Anyways, if people would like the liner notes perhaps next time I’m home I’ll scan them, they’re in Catalan and English and very well-written. Also note the legendary Lluís Llach song which has been turned into a polyphonic piece lol (and I did not include the “Goigs de la Nostra Senyora de la Llibertat” but tbh that might have been a mistake on my part) (Blorbo side note that I think this fits Stephen’s childhood very well which is mostly why I chose it)

“L’Hereu Riera” is one of my favorite Catalan folk songs I love it so much and if you want to hear the Catalan version (as opposed to the Valencian one included here) and see the dance and also see a cobla, I am including a link to this version by Germà Negre which is tragically not on Spotify. I chose the Valencian one because (1) Al Tall and (2) I think it fits The Blorbo better (specifically I was thinking of his fiancée who dies before Book One who idk if anyone ever remembers shdjfhskf). That being said, Stephen would probably know the Catalan one (and almost certainly not the Valencian one). Also, on a memey-er note, Hereu Riera bisexual king and literal icon <3 love how he has to remind his girlfriend on her deathbed that actually he'd technically be interested in both her sisters AND her brothers if he wasn't so into her that he never wanted to marry anyone else

I literally did put in Roger Mas just so there would be at least one person with a Lleidan accent, #diversity win

Many points about the “Cançó de pandero de l’Urgell” and “Jo no canto per la veu” so here we go:

I put these two songs in mostly because I got very obsessed with the cançó de pandero from Alcarràs (which is a great movie that came out last year about a farming family in a village near Lleida that is winning all the awards atm). Anyways, since Carla Simón has been too busy winning things to put up the gotdam soundtrack, I did a bit of digging and it turns out that it was written for the movie?? By her brother??? It's excellent and very anticapitalist and you can listen to it here and see the trailer for Alcarràs all in one! (Includes English subtitles)

The original “Canto per un amic meu que per mi daria la vida” is probably from a Valencian cant de batre, although I could not get any confirmation on that. But regardless everyone should listen to Pep Botifarra's version of it, which I would literally marry if it had a physical form it’s so so good. (I posted it here back in ye olden days but it's been long enough I think I can post it again)

Valencian music side note because I can’t stop myself: the second pair of verses in the "Cançó de pandero de l'Urgell" (starting with “vos esteu ben acotxada…”) are sung by Miquel Gil, who is a very famous Valencian traditional singer, anyways you should listen to this version of him singing “Del Sud” by Obrint Pas (you want to go down a Valencian music rabbit hole so so bad)

I firmly believe that Stephen would canonically be obsessed with Ausiàs March, and the fact that he has not yet recited any of his poems is Patrick O’Brian’s biggest failing in my eyes. Anyways I have more thoughts but I’m saving them for other posts shdfjsd

If you read this before listening to the playlist please just listen to "El testament d'Amèlia" and follow along with the lyrics in real time before reading the blurb, it's such a good experience to let that song hit you as it comes. I won't say more than that but you'll get it when you get it. (Also obligatory listen to Marala they're so good <3)

From the Càntut album, I also quite like the songs "El pomeró" and "El divino vull cantar", and Càntut in general is an incredible resource, it's a database of folk song field recordings from northeastern Catalonia.

Brief pause to scream about the fact that Maria Arnal and Marcel Bagés WERE ON NPR??? AND NO ONE TOLD ME???? Anyways link in the sources section, also they're great and you should listen to their whole discography

As the #1 Roba Estesa stan blog on Tumblr, listen to Roba Estesa. And Ebri Knight. And El Diluvi.

I chose this version of "La presó de Lleida" because I like it but here's a more traditional one sung by Joan Manel Serrat, another Catalan legend. Here's another one in Catalan rumba style with Sílvia Pérez Cruz singing, the sound is a bit wonky but it's also one of my favorites. The Valencian version of this song is called "La presó de Tibi" and El Diluvi have done a very explicitly anti-monarchical rendition of it (the Balearic one is "La presó de Nàpols").

I'm sorry for never putting the Sílvia Pérez Cruz version of "Corrandes d'exili" but if you want it here it is. Also note that the statue of the Virgin in the poem is a reference to the Virgin of Montserrat, it literally all goes back to her shfjkshdf (also apologies for being very bad at Christianity and Catholicism, if I mistranslated things let me know)

HOO BOY SARDANA TIME

Okay so I have a whole essay to deliver on this that I've been holding inside for the past like two months or so, I apologize in advance for my excessive pedantry on the topic.

In Master and Commander, Stephen delivers this speech:

"‘Then I must tell you that on Sunday mornings it is the custom, in that country, for people of all ages and conditions to dance, on coming out of church: so I was dancing with Ramon Mateu i Cadafalch in the square before the cathedral church of Tarragona, where I had gone to hear the Palestrina Missa Brevis. The dance is a particular dance, a round called the sardana.’"

I hate to be a hater but it is very, very unlikely that anyone would have been dancing a sardana as far south as Tarragona in this time period. The sardana as the symbol of equality and brotherhood emerged in the Renaixença and would not yet have been a thing; Stephen could well have heard sardanas in Ullastret, but they would have been a more typical folk dance, and not anything like the way they're described in the book. It's very ironic, then, that they've become THE Catalan music style for Aubreyad readers, but hopefully this playlist can change that a bit :)

(also sorry for being a sardana-hater on main, someone bring me to dance a sardana and maybe I'll feel better)

Songs that didn't make the cut: La cançó del lladre, Rossinyol que vas a França, La balanguera, La gavina - I'm always happy for more recs!

Originally, this list was also going to include songs in Irish; I quickly realized that I was in over my head with that one, but the working list of songs is here (may be subject to changes so save songs elsewhere if you like them!). Also I would add "Fé Bhláth" by Imelda May and Kíla if it was on Spotify but alas it is not; and "Amhrán na Leabhar" which I have not had time to add but was kindly recommended by someone. I'd love it if someone was interested in actually doing a proper playlist for Irish though—it's a gap in my knowledge that I'd love to start filling.

Aaaaaaand that's a wrap. I hope. Final comment to say thank you to everyone who voted in the cover image poll, turns out you all won :) (Pirineus did win and take the cover of the liner notes though)

[guillemelgat]

Torno amb una altra traducció d'una cançó tradicional en anglès, aquest cop "Lowlands", també coneguda com "Lowlands Away", que és un capstan shanty o una cançó que es cantava mentre els mariners feien aixecar una àncora o un altre gran pes. Els capstan shanties solen ser molt lents i suaus, ideals per la feina ponderada de fer girar l'argue o cabrestant. Aquesta té nombroses versions, però en general explica la història d'un mariner a qui se li mor la nòvia, i arriba a saber de la seva mort a través d'un "somni estrany", com diu la cançó. Jo ho he invertit, per cap raó a part de la facilitat de fer la lletra, però crec que el sentiment es manté igual. També val a dir que he triat la del cançoner que la meva família té a casa i gràcies al qual vaig arribar a conèixer la cançó en primer lloc, però que té la curiositat de que l'arranjament és en clau menor, tot i que en la gran majoria de les versions és en tonalitat major. Dit això, podeu triar el que us agradi més—la lletra val per a les dues.

I aquí, com amb l'altra, teniu una carpeta amb la imatge de dalt en forma de PDF, l'��udio, i el fitxer de Musescore, per si de cas els voleu!

(Com amb "Brindem pels companys/Here's a Health", cal dir que vinc de l'anglès i això només ha estat un exercici en ampliar i treballar el meu català, així que segurament podria ser millor 😅)

Lletra a sota / Lyrics & English translation below

Lletra original en anglès (Fireside Book of Songs)

I dreamed a dream the other night Lowlands, lowlands away my John My love she came all dressed in white My lowlands away

She came to me by my bedside Lowlands, lowlands away my John All dressed in white like some fair bride My lowlands away

And buried in her bosom fair Lowlands, lowlands away my John A red, red rose my love did wear My lowlands away

She made no sound, no word she said Lowlands, lowlands away my John And then I knew my love was dead My lowlands away

Lletra

Un somni estrany tenia anit Ai las, ai las estimat meu El meu amor, de blanc vestit Ai las, amor meu

Venia a seure al meu costat Ai las, ai las estimat meu Blanc com la neu dels peus al cap Ai las, amor meu

Premuda fort al seu ventrell Ai las, ai las estimat meu Duia una flor color vermell Ai las, amor meu

En un moment, m’assabentí Ai las, ai las estimat meu Que no el tindria més amb mi Ai las, amor meu

English Translation

I had a strange dream last night Alas, alas my beloved My love dressed in white Alas, my love

He came and sat by my side Alas, alas my beloved White as snow from feet to head Alas, my love

Pressed hard to his stomach Alas, alas my beloved He carried a flower, red in color Alas, my love

In a moment, I realized Alas, alas my beloved That I wouldn’t have him with me anymore Alas, my love

[guillemelgat]

He fet una traducció de la cançó (no és ben bé un sea shanty, però podria ser) "Here's a Health" al català! Com que vinc de l'anglès, això ha estat més aviat un intent de posar el meu català a prova que no pas una versió definitiva, però crec que ha quedat bastant bé. Aquesta cançó té com deu mil versions, així que he triat la de The Longest Johns, que també s'assembla molt a la versió de The Chieftans. Dit això, he fet quatre estrofes, que ve d'una versió amb constància de Paddy Tunny, com ha comentat algú en aquest fil a Mudcat. Sigui la versió que sigui, és una cançó molt bonica i espero haver transmès una mica d'això en la meva traducció. Pels que ja la coneixeu, sisplau digueu-me com us ha semblat!

Aquí teniu una versió de la imatge en PDF, l'àudio, i el fitxer de la partitura en format de MuseScore per si us interessa. (Dit això, la imatge aquí té molt bona qualitat, la pots imprimir.)

Lletra a sota / Lyrics & English translation below

Lletra

Estimats compares, canteu tots amb mi Aclariu-vos la gola amb un bon glop de vi Haurem d'acomiadar-nos quan demà surti el sol Però fins aleshores deixarem el dol

Aixequem una copa i brindem pels companys Per sort i fortuna en tots els afanys I en la tristesa, deixem de pensar Qui sap si mai més ens tornarem a trobar

Ara vull fer un brindis per al meu amor Que té un somriure tan encantador I amb la bellesa i amb la bondat No queda cap dubte que el cor m'ha robat

S'acosta el trenc d'alba, i amb l'alba el comiat No hi haurà melangia, marxem de bon grat Si en una altra vida ens trobéssim de nou Tornaríem a fer junts un bon enrenou

Però tot ja s'acaba, ens n'haurem d'anar Perquè tota història té el seu final Un desig permeteu-me, estimats amics meus Que porteu bons records del moment dels adéus

English Translation

Beloved compatriots, sing all with me Clear your throat with a good draught of wine We’ll have to say goodbye tomorrow when the sun comes up But until then we will abandon our grief

We’ll raise a glass and toast to our companions To luck and fortune in all our labors And in sadness, we’ll stop from thinking Who knows if we’ll ever meet again

Now I’d like to make a toast to my love Who has such an enchanting smile And with their beauty and with their goodness There’s no doubt remains that they’ve stolen my heart

Dawn is getting close, and with dawn our farewell There won’t be melancholy, we’ll leave of our own accord If in another life we were to find each other again We’d make a racket again together

But everything is ending, we have to go Because every story has its end One wish allow me, my beloved friends That you bring good memories with you from the moment of parting

[guillemelgat]

Solomon a Gaenor (1999)

1h40m | Welsh, Yiddish, & English

Y wythnos diwetha', nes i weld y ffilm 'ma. Mae hi'n am Solomon Levinsky, sy'n dod i'r Cymoedd De Cymru o Rwsia efo'i deulu, a Gaenor Rees, sy wedi byw yna ei holl fywyd. Mae Solomon a'i deulu'n Iddewon Uniongred, a mae Gaenor yn dod o deulu Anghydffurfiol, ond mae'r dau'n disgyn mewn cariad. Mae'r stori'n dipyn bach fel Romeo a Juliet, ond mae hi'n wahanol hefyd—mae'r cymeriadau'n mwy cymhleth, yn fy marn i, ac yn y diwedd o'n i ddim yn siwr beth i feddwl amdanyn nhw. Er hynny, mae'r hanes yn ddiddorol iawn, a mae'r ffilm yn sôn am y streiciau yn y Cymoedd ac am hanes Iddewig yng Nghmyru. Mae'r sinematograffi'n wych, ac o'n i'n licio'r trac sain hefyd, ond dwi'n dal i drio penderfynu am y plot. Rhaid i chi'w gweld a deud beth ydach chi'n meddwl!

Last week, I watched this film. It's about Solomon Levinsky, who comes to the South Wales Valleys from Russia with his family, and Gaenor Rees, who's lived there all her life. Solomon and his family are Orthodox Jews, and Gaenor is from a Noncomformist family, but the two fall in love. The story is a bit like Romeo and Juliet, but it's different too—the characters are more complex, in my opinion, and at the end I wasn't sure what to think about them. The history was really interesting, though, and the film talks about the strikes in the Valleys and about Jewish history in Wales. The cinematography is great, and I liked the soundtrack as well, but I'm still trying to decide about the plot. You have to watch it and tell me what you think!

Geirfa - Vocabulary

(Note: The movie is set in South Wales, so some of these are Southern Welsh variants)

swllt - shilling cefn gwlad - countryside cenhadwr - missionary perthyn i - belong to, be related to pai' bod yn ddwl - don’t be silly rhywpryd eto - another time tost - sick moddion - medicine damwain - accident twymo - to heat up darn - passage tlawd - poor cwlwm - knot siort - type pobi - to back carthu - to clean bod mas o gyrraedd - out of reach of, past main - fine cyhuddiad - charge, accusation dieithryn - outsider cosb - punishment disgwyl babi/plentyn - to be expecting a child, to be with child cywilydd - shame bradychu - to betray gwlân - wool sodli - heel gweddi - prayer rheol - rule haearn - iron lliain - towel pyped - puppet dere ymlaen - come on, let’s go carchar - prison cyfeiriad - address gwau - to knit

Os ti isio gweld y ffilm, mae hi ar Youtube // If you want to watch the movie, it's on Youtube:

Fersiwn Gymraeg (heb isdeitlau/isdeitlau i'r Iddew-Almaeneg yn Gymraeg) / Version in Welsh (no subtitles/subtitles for the Yiddish in Welsh)

Fersiwn Saesneg (y rhan amla' yn Saesneg efo rhannau yn Gymraeg a Iddew-Almaeneg/isdeitlau i'r holl ffilm) / Version in English (mostly English with parts in Welsh and Yiddish/subtitles for the whole film)

[guillemelgat]

GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | Catalunya (Catalonia)

A stall at Santa Llúcia’s Fair in Barcelona (source). The Fira de Santa Llúcia is a Christmas fair set up around the Barcelona Cathedral, starting in late November and ending right before Christmas. Vendors sell Christmas decorations of all kinds, as well as other crafts. The oldest reference to the fair is almost 300 years ago, making it a very long-running tradition.

A traditional Nativity scene at a shop in San Cugat (source). Like many of the other Christmas traditions we’ll look at, Catalans enjoy making large and detailed Nativity dioramas, often taking up entire displays in shop windows or in homes. It’s also common to go around and look at neighbors’ scenes, especially with all the hidden figures in each!

The traditional caganer figurine (source). One of the most (in)famous figures in the Catalan Nativity scene, the caganer (’pooper’) is traditionally tucked away in a corner for viewers to try to find. Traditional caganers are made to look like a Catalan peasant man, in farmer’s clothes and a red barretina hat. In recent years, however, caganers of public figures such as politicians or celebrities have become very popular as well.

A plate of Christmas stew (source). The traditional first dish of the Christmas meal in Catalonia is escudella de Nadal, a hearty soup made of large shell pasta (galets) with a meatball filling.

The Sybil’s Chant being performed in Mallorca (source). Sung at the midnight mass on Christmas Eve, this haunting Gregorian Chant was traditionally performed all across Southern Europe before being pushed away by the Church in the 16th century. The tradition only remained in Mallorca and Alguer (Sardinia), and in the late 20th century it began to be revived in Catalonia and the Valencian Country as well. Historically a young boy performed as the sybil, dressed in luxurious clothes and carrying a sword in front of them; now, it is also performed by girls as well as adults (the singer Maria del Mar Bonet in particular is known for her version).

A stall selling Christmas logs (source). A key part of Catalan Christmas celebrations is the Tió de Nadal, a log which is usually decorated with a cartoonish painted face, two legs to prop it up, and a barretina hat. The log is brought out in early December, and children feed it every day and cover it with a blanket to keep it warm. Then, on Christmas, all the children in the house take turns hitting the tió with sticks while singing a song to make it “shit” presents. Typically, these are sweets to be shared or other small gifts; larger presents are given on Three Kings’ Day.

A plate of neules, traditional Catalan Christmas cookies (source). After Christmas dinner, one of the traditional desserts in Catalonia are neules, thin, rolled-up wafer cookies, usually eaten dipped in cava (Catalan sparkling wine). The other common dessert is a type of nougat-based sweet called torró.

The St. Stephen’s Day concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana (source). The Orfeó Català, resident choir at the Palau de la Música Catalana, hosts a concert every year on the day after Christmas. The music selection typically includes tradtional Christmas carols, classical pieces, and new works for the occasion. It usually fills the entire concert hall, and is also broadcast on public television.

A plate of canelons, typically eaten on St. Stephen’s Day (source). The day after Christmas, the traditional meal is canelons, made from meat or fish rolled in sheets of pasta and covered with cheese. The filling is usually leftovers from Christmas dinner, and the tradition arose as a way to make use of them.

[guillemelgat]

Hello @kutyozh​! I was your Secret Santa for @langblrsecretsanta2021​, and since you said you were interested in/studying Aymara, I thought that I would give you a gift related to that. This is a scan of a comic from Literatura aymara: antología, compiled by Xavier Albó and Félix Layme; the comic itself was drawn by Moshó for the Proyecto Bilingüe de Puno in Peru and is based on a traditional story. I’ve transcribed it below, including the original Aymara, the Spanish translation from the book, and my own English translation of the Spanish for non-Spanish speakers who are interested. Hope it’s helpful and/or enjoyable, and best of luck with your studies! 💖

MANQ’AT JIWAT QAMAQI • EL ZORRO MUERTO DE HAMBRE • THE STARVING FOX

—¡Kamisaraki k’usillu! Jutma, manq’antañatakiw ajllsma. —¿Cómo estás, mono? Ven, te he escogido para comer. “How's it going, monkey? Come, I’ve chosen you to eat.”

—¡Amust’ma! Uturunkuw qhipaxankaski. —¡Piénsatelo! Detrás tuyo está el oso. “Think carefully! There’s a bear behind you.”

—(Kusillux sarawxa rakitay nasa.) —(¡Oh! El mono se ha escapado.) (Oh no! The monkey escaped.)

—(¿Kawkinkis ñanqha k’usilluxa?) —(¿Dónde está el maldito mono?) (Where’s that damn monkey?)

—¡Pirqaw thuñxatasitani! ¡Yanapt’ita! ¡Nayax mä k’ullu aptiriw sara! ¡Nukxasma! —¡La pared está por caerse! ¡Ayúdame! Yo iré a buscar un palo: ¿Podrías aguantar? “The wall’s about to fall! Help me! I’m going to go look for a stick, can you hold it up?”

—(¡Wali jayäxiwa, janipuniw k’usillux k’ullu apt’at kutinxiti! ¿Kamachpachasa?) —(¡Ya hace mucho rato y el mono nunca llega con el palo! ¿Qué hago?) (It’s been a long time and the monkey never brought the stick! What do I do?)

—(Jichhax jakipunimamäwa.) —(Ahora sí que te voy a encontrar.) (Now I’m really going to find you.)

—¡Kamisasktasa! —¿Cómo estás? “How are you?”

—Manq’at wali awtjatatwa, jumasti wali suma manq’araktawa. —Muerto de hambre. Y tú eres muy buena comida. “Starving. And you’re very good food.”

—Nayraqatax khä quqar makhatt’ayita pä achu manq’ant’aniwa! —Antes déjame subir a aquel arbol para comer un par de frutas. “First let me climb that tree to eat a couple of fruits.”

—¡Sarma! ¡Makhatma! ¡Manq’antanma! ¡Ukat jank’akiw saraqanïta! —Ve, sube y come. Pero baja rápido. “Go, climb up and eat. But come down quickly.”

—¡Ayy! ¡Ayy! Janiw kuns uñjkti. ¡Janiw uñjkti! —¡Ay! ¡Ay! ¡No veo nada! “Oww! Oww! I can’t see anything!”

Qamaqisti, niya juykt’ataw k’usill thaqiri qullu parki makhatatayna. Y el zorro, casi ciego, dice que subió a la ladera del cerro buscando al mono. And the fox, almost blind, they say he climbed up the side of the hill looking for the monkey.

K’usillusti niya mä p’iyar purisin qamaqirux jak’achkatatayna. Pero el mono llegó a la orilla de un pozo y se acercó al zorro: But the monkey came to the edge of a well and brought the fox over.

—Jilat qamaqi: “Nina jalluw purini” qulipakaw situ. Nayax aka p’iyaruw imantasi, jallu aphjtipanuw mistsunxä. —Hermano zorro: “Está por llover fuego” me ha dicho la señora Aguila. Yo me meteré en este pozo y saldré cuando haya pasado la lluvia. “Brother Fox, Mrs. Eagle told me, ‘It’s about to rain fire.’ I’m going to get into this well and I’ll come out when the rain is passed.”

—(Alax pachax rusaruptatawa.) —(Pues sí, el cielo está rosado.) (Well indeed, the sky is pink.)

—¡Aka p’iyax nayatakipana! —¡Este pozo es mío! “This well is mine!”

K’usillux qamaqiruw allintxatayna. Dice que el mono enterró bien al zorro. They say that the monkey buried the fox well.

K’usillux larusisaw ch’apinakamp qamaqirux imantatayna. El mono, riéndose, dejó bien guardado al zorro con espinos. The monkey, laughing, left the fox well-guarded with thorns.

[guillemelgat]

GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | Euskal Herria (Basque Country)

Vendors at the Santo Tomas Fair in Donostia (source). On December 21, many Basque towns and cities host a winter market, celebrating local farmers. Donostia hosts one of the largest ones, with lots of different vendors selling both raw and prepared products.

A family in traditional Basque clothing at the Santo Tomas Fair in Donostia (source). For the fair, it’s common for people to dress in the traditional Basque clothing: abarka shoes; long skirts and a kerchief over the head for women; and a txapela hat and kerchief around the neck for men.

A plate of txistorra sausage at the Santo Tomas Fair in Irun (source). The most common treat at the Santo Tomas Fair is txistorra, a type of sausage which is often eaten wrapped up in a talo, which is similar to the Central American tortilla.

Two servings of intxaur-saltsa, a typical Basque Christmas dessert (source). Made from walnuts, this sweet has a creamy texture and is traditional on Christmas Eve.

A model Olentzero (source). Olentzero is often called the Basque Santa Claus; however, he is a bit different. Originally said to be one of the giants of the Pyrenees and a frightening figure, over the centuries, Olentzero evolved into a kind and generous gift-giver. His current origin story is as a charcoal-burner and wood-carver who sacrificed his life to save children from a burning house. Because of this deed, he was granted eternal life in order to keep making gifts for children. Olentzero parades through many towns at Christmastime and is a beloved figure for Basque people, having survived and come out strong on the other side of Francoist repression.

Txoronpio collects letters to Olentzero in a town in the Debagoiena region (source). Olentzero has two helpers called Txoronpio and Txoronpia, who walk around with sacks and collect letters from children to deliver to him. They are depicted by people on stilts with painted faces and dressed in traditional clothing.

The creche in the life-sized Nativity scene at Florida Park in Gasteiz (source). Every year in Gasteiz, life-sized statues fill Florida Park, creating a Nativity scene that takes up a section of the park and includes over 200 figures. Nativity scenes on a smaller scale are also common across the Basque Country and surrounding areas.

The Three Kings arrive in Donostia (source). The Spanish tradition is to give gifts on January 6, with the Three Kings leaving them in children’s shoes on the night of January 5. While Olentzero gives gifts on Christmas, children in the southern part of the Basque Country often also participate in Three Kings’ Day and get double the presents! There are also parades for the Three Kings, similar to Olentzero.

A traditional roscón de reyes (source). Another shared tradition with Spain in the southern Basque Country is making roscón de reyes, a sweet cake to be eaten on January 6. The tradition goes that however finds a certain object hidden in the cake gets to wear the crown and be king for the day—similar to other Christmas sweet traditions across Europe, such as English Christmas pudding.

(Thanks to this post for inspiration)

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Food Vocabulary in Basque

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Vocabulary related to food from my Basque class notes! Let me know if there are any mistakes. You can find the Quizlet set here!

Barazkiak - Vegetables

alberjinia - eggplant

arbi - turnip

aza - cabbage

azalore - cauliflower

azenario - carrot

baba - fava bean

babarrun - bean

baratxuri - garlic

dilista - lentil

erremolatxa - beet

garbantzu, txitxirio - chickpea

ilar - pea

kalabaza - pumpkin

kalabazin, kuiatxo - zucchini

leka - green bean

orburu, alkatxofa, artixot - artichoke

perretxiko - mushroom

perrexil - parsley

piper - pepper

porru - leek

tipula - onion

tomate - tomato

uraza, letxuga - lettuce

zainzuri - asparagus

zerba - Swiss chard

ziazerba - spinach

Frutak - Fruits

ahuakate - avocado

angurri, sandia - watermelon

gerezi - cherry

laranja - orange

limoi - lemon

mahats - grapes

mandarina - mandarin

marrubi - strawberry

meloi - melon

platano - banana

sagar - apple

txirimoia - custard apple

udare, madari - pear

Esnekiak - Dairy

esne - milk

gazta - cheese

gurin - butter

jogurt - yogurt

mami, gatzatu - curd

Haragia - Meat

azpizun - sirloin

hanburgesa - hamburger

odolki - blood pudding

oilasko - chicken

saltxitxa - sausage

solomo - loin

txistor - chistorra, pork sausage

txorizo - chorizo

txuleta - chop

urdaiazpiko - jamón, Spanish ham

xerra - steak

Arrainak - Fish

antxoa - anchovy

atun - tuna

bakailao - cod

berdel - mackerel

itsaski - shellfish

legatz - hake

muskuilu - mussel

muxila, txirla - clam

olagarro - octopus

sardina - sardine

txipiroi - squid

Janari Prestatuak - Prepared Food

albondiga, haragi-bola - meatballs

arroz-esne - rice pudding

eltzeko, erregosi - stew

entsalada - salad

entsaladilla - potato salad

ezti - honey

flan - flan

izozki - ice cream

kroketa - croquettes

natilla - custard

ogitarteko - sandwich

oilasko erre - roast chicken

opil - roll, bun

patata frijitu - french fry

patata-tortilla - potato omelette

salda - broth

tarta - cake

txokolate - chocolate

zopa - soup

Bestelako jakiak - Other Foods

arrautza - egg

arroz - rice

arto - corn

azukre - sugar

fideo - noodle

fruitu lehor - nut, dried fruit

gatz - salt

irin - flour

kafe - coffee

kamamila - chamomile

makarroi - macaroni

ogi - bread

oliba - olive

olio - oil

ozpin - vinegar

piperbeltz - pepper (spice)

te - tea

Edariak - Drinks

ardo - wine

freskagarri - soda

garagardo - beer

patxaran - pacharan (sloe aniseed brandy)

sagardo - cider

txakolin - chacoli (tangy white wine)

ur - water

zuku - juice

Jatorduak - Meals

gosari - breakfast

bazkari - lunch

askari - afternoon snack

afari - dinner

hamarretako, hamaiketako - elevenses, midmorning snack

Aditzak - Verbs

jan - eat

edan - drink

prestatu - prepare, cook

irakin - boil (water)

egosi - boil (food), bake

erosi - buy

eskatu - order

gosaldu - eat breakfast

bazkaldu - eat lunch

afaldu - eat dinner

gose izan - be hungry

egarri izan - be thirsty

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GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | ኢትዮጵያ (Ethiopia)

A Nativity scene drawn in traditional Ethiopian religious art style (source). The Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church (the main Christian denomination, and main religious denomination in general, in Ethiopia) celebrates Christmas on January 7, similar to other Orthodox Christian traditions. Christmas is referred to as ገና (gänna) or ልደት (lïdät), the second of which translates to ‘Nativity’ or ‘birth’. The most important holiday in the Tewahedo Orthodox tradition is Easter, but the Advent fast, Christmas, and Epiphany (ጥምቀት) are all also important dates in its religious calendar.

A procession of Orthodox deacons and bishops during Christmas at the holy city of Lalibela (source). Christmas services, led by Orthodox priests, are the most important part of the Christmas tradition, which is largely religious in comparison to more festive European celebrations.

A group singing Mezmur (source). An important part of Tewahedo Orthodox worship is the singing of liturgical music, known as መዝሙር (mäzmur). Though not at all exclusive to Christmas celebrations, it is often performed during them.

Pilgrims to the Church of St. George at Lalibela during Christmas (source). Built to be a second Jerusalem, and one of Ethiopia’s holiest cities, ላሊበላ (lalibela) draws in many pilgrims for Christmas celebrations. The hewn-rock churches were built in the 12th century by Emperor Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, and was declared a world heritage site in 1978. Pilgrimage is a common show of devotion for Ethiopian Orthodox members.

Worshippers at Lalibela during an overnight Christmas service (source). In the Tewahedo Orthodox tradition, as with some other Christian denominations, the Christmas mass begins at night on Christmas Eve, and often lasts until early in the morning. The candle lighting is traditional.

Boys playing the traditional Christmas game of Yegena Chewata (source). In rural areas, especially in the Ethiopian Highlands, there is a traditional Christmas game called የገና ጨዋታ (yägäna c’äwata), which is similar to field hockey. It is many centuries old and its origins are unclear; the apocryphal story of its birth is that shepherds invented it while celebrating the Nativity. It was very popular in the later period of the Ethiopian Empire, but is waning in popularity now.

A preparation of the spicy chicken stew eaten on Christmas morning (source). Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia often fast during the Advent period, and after a long night of religious services, they break that fast on Christmas morning with ዶሮ ወጥ (doro wät), a spicy chicken stew. Christmas feasts are common during the day after the service.

Ethiopian mead being poured for a customer at a bar in Lalibela (source). Another part of the Christmas feast is ጠጅ (t’äj), a drink made from fermented honey which is one of the most famous Ethiopian beverages. It is not particularly tied to Christmas; it’s drunk as an everyday alcohol as well.

Ethiopian boys in traditional clothing (source). Gift-giving is not a tradition for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, but for Christmas children are generally given a new set of nice clothes.

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GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | കേരളം (Kerala)

A traditional Kerala church is lit up with Christmas lights (source). It’s typical for churches in Kerala to be strung with festive lights during the Christmas season. Around one-fifth of Malayalis are Christian, belonging to a variety of denominations; Christianity has had a presence in Kerala since the 1st century AD.

The altar of a church in Kottayum, Kerala (source). As with many Christian traditions, the most important part of Christmas is the midnight mass. Syrian Christians also often abstain from meat and fish during the Advent period.

A crib, or Nativity scene, set up by local residents for a competition in Peringammala (source). It’s common to set up elaborate Nativity dioramas, called a പുൽക്കൂട് or crib, in front of the house.

A meat curry, one of the foods often eaten for Christmas dinner (source). There is usually a large meal on Christmas, especially if people were abstaining from meat and fish or fasting beforehand. The dishes are usually meat curries, biryanis, or any traditional holiday food similar to what is served at an Onam sadya.

A traditional Syrian Christian snack food which is eaten on Christmas and other holidays (source). Called അച്ചപ്പം, the snack is made from a simple batter that is placed in an elaborate mold and fried.

A Christmas plum cake (source). Another traditional Christmas food is plum cake or fruit cake, which made and shared with friends and neighbors.

Lit-up Christmas stars hanging from a vendor’s stall (source). One of the most emblematic symbols of Christmas for Malayalis are the Christmas stars. Made from paper that has been cut and decorated, and lit up from inside, they are hung all over churches, homes, and towns at Christmas time. The star is meant to be a representation of the star that directed the Three Kings to Jesus in the original Nativity story.

A child holds a sparkler during a celebration in Kerala (source). Like other festivals in Kerala, fireworks and firecrackers are an important part of the Christmas revelry.

Children sing Christmas carols at Pallippurum Church in Ernakulu (source). It’s common from groups of performers to go around the neighborhood singing carols at people’s doors at Christmas time. In fact, the tradition, while largely Christian, is not limited by religion, and members of other religious groups sometimes go caroling as well— Christmas joy is open to all.

(Thanks to this post for being a very helpful jumping off point)

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Constel·lacions en anglès / Constellations in Catalan

Imatge: el cúmul de les Plèiades, les set cabretes, fotografiat des de Pinyana, a l’Alta Ribagorça (tret del web de Celístia). / Image: The Pleiades star cluster, the Seven Sisters, photographed from Pinyana, in l’Alta Ribagorça, Catalonia (from the Celístia website).

Una llista dels noms i significats de les 88 constel·lacions oficials designades per la Unió Astronòmica Internacional, en anglès i en català (alguns dels noms i significats no són equivalents en les dues llengües, però he intentat de fer-los concordar al màxim possible).  / A list of the names and significances of the 88 official constellations designated by the International Astronomical Union, in English and Catalan (some of the names and meanings aren’t equivalent in the two languages, but I’ve tried to make them agree as much as possible).

🌌 Andròmeda - Andromeda ⭐️ (personatge mitològica) - (mythological character)

🌌 Aquari - Aquarius ⭐️ l'aiguader (m.) - the water bearer

🌌 Àries - Aries ⭐️ el corder - the ram

🌌 Capricorn - Capricorn ⭐️ el boc - the sea goat

🌌 Cassiopea - Cassiopeia ⭐️ (personatge mitològica) - (mythological character)

🌌 Cefeu - Cepheus ⭐️ (personatge mitològic) - (mythological character)

🌌 El Bover - Boötes ⭐️ el bover - the herdsman

🌌 El Burí - Caelum ⭐️ el cisell - the chisel

🌌 El Ca Major - Canus Major ⭐️ el gos major - the greater dog

🌌 El Ca Menor - Canus Minor ⭐️ el gos menor - the lesser dog

🌌 El Camaleó - Chamaeleon ⭐️ el camaleó - the chameleon

🌌 El Cavallet - Equuleus ⭐️ el poltre - the foal

🌌 El Cavallet de Pintor - Pictor ⭐️ el cavallet de pintor - the painter's easel

🌌 El Centaure - Centaurus ⭐️ el centaure - centaur

🌌 El Cigne - Cygnus ⭐️ el cigne - the swan

🌌 El Compàs - Circinus ⭐️ el compàs - the compasses

🌌 El Corb - Corvus ⭐️ el corb - the crow

🌌 El Cotxer - Auriga ⭐️ el cotxer - the charioteer

🌌 El Cranc - Cancer ⭐️ el cranc - the crab

🌌 El Dofí - Delphinus ⭐️ el dofí - the dolphin

🌌 El Dragó - Draco ⭐️ el drac - the dragon

🌌 El Fènix - Phoenix ⭐️ l'au fènix (m.) - the phoenix

🌌 El Forn - Fornax ⭐️ el forn - the furnace

🌌 El Gall D'Indi - Pavo ⭐️ el gall d'indi - the peacock

🌌 El Linx - Lynx ⭐️ el linx - the lynx

🌌 El Llangardaix - Lacerta ⭐️ el llangardaix - the lizard

🌌 El Lleó - Leo ⭐️ el lleó - the lion

🌌 El Lleó Menor - Leo Minor ⭐️ el lleó menor - the lesser lion

🌌 El Llop - Lupus ⭐️ el llop - the wolf

🌌 El Microscopi - Microscopium ⭐️ el microscopi - the microscope

🌌 El Pegàs - Pegasus ⭐️ (personatge mitològic) - (mythological character)

🌌 El Peix Austral - Piscis Austrinus ⭐️ el peix austral - the southern fish

🌌 El Peix Volador - Volans ⭐️ el peix volador - the flying fish

🌌 El Rellotge - Horologium ⭐️ el rellotge de pèndola - the pendulum clock

🌌 El Reticle - Reticulum ⭐️ el reticle - the reticule

🌌 El Sagitari - Sagittarius ⭐️ l'arquer (m.) - the archer

🌌 El Serpent - Serpens ⭐️ la serp - the serpent

🌌 El Serpentari - Ophiuchus ⭐️ el portador de la serp - the serpent holder

🌌 El Sextant - Sextans ⭐️ el sextant - the sextant

🌌 El Taure - Taurus ⭐️ el bou - the bull

🌌 El Telescopi - Telescopium ⭐️ el telescopi - the telescope

🌌 El Triangle - Triangulum ⭐️ el triangle - the triangle

🌌 El Triangle Austral - Triangulum Australe ⭐️ el triangle austral - the southern triangle

🌌 El Tucà - Tucana ⭐️ el tucà - the toucan

🌌 Els Bessons - Gemini ⭐️ els bessons - the twins

🌌 Els Llebrers - Canes Venatici ⭐️ el llebrers - the hunting dogs

🌌 Els Peixos - Pisces ⭐️ el peixos - the fishes

🌌 Hèrcules - Hercules ⭐️ (personatge mitològic) - (mythological character)

🌌 L'Àguila - Aquila ⭐️ l'àguila (f.) - the eagle

🌌 L'Altar - Ara ⭐️ l'altar (m.) - the altar

🌌 L'Au del Paradís - Apus ⭐️ l'ocell del paradís (m.) - the bird of paradise

🌌 L'Eridà - Eridanus ⭐️ el riu Eridà - the River Eridanus

🌌 L'Escaire - Norma ⭐️ l'escaire (m.) - the level

🌌 L'Escorpió - Scorpio ⭐️ l'escorpí (m.) - the scorpion

🌌 L'Escultor - Sculptor ⭐️ l'escultor (m.) - the sculptor

🌌 L'Escut - Scutum ⭐️ l'escut (m.) - the shield

🌌 L'Hidra Femella - Hydra ⭐️ l'hidra de molts caps (f.) - the many-headed hydra

🌌 L'Hidra Mascle - Hydrus ⭐️ la serp d'aigua - the little water snake

🌌 L'Indi - Indus ⭐️ l'indi americà (m.) - the Native American

🌌 L'Octant - Octans ⭐️ l'octant (m.) - octant

🌌 L'Orada - Dorado ⭐️ la peix espasa - the swordfish

🌌 L'Ossa Major - Ursa Major ⭐️ l'ós gros - the great bear

🌌 L'Ossa Menor - Ursa Minor ⭐️ l'ossa menor, el carro menor - the little bear, the little dipper

🌌 L'Unicorn - Monoceros ⭐️ l'unicorn (m.) - unicorn

🌌 La Balança - Libra ⭐️ la balança - the scales

🌌 La Balena - Cetus ⭐️ la balena, el monstre marí - the whale, the sea monster

🌌 La Brúixola - Pyxis ⭐️ la brúixola - the compass

🌌 La Caballera de la Berenice - Coma Berenices ⭐️ la caballera de la reina Berenice - Queen Berenice's hair

🌌 La Coloma - Columba ⭐️ el colom - the dove

🌌 La Copa - Crater ⭐️ la copa - the cup, the chalice

🌌 La Corona Austral - Corona Australis ⭐️ la corona del sud - the southern crown

🌌 La Corona Boreal - Corona Borealis ⭐️ la corona del nord - the northern crown

🌌 La Creu del Sud - Crux ⭐️ la creu del sud - the southern cross

🌌 La Girafa - Camelopardalis ⭐️ la girafa - the giraffe

🌌 La Grua - Grus ⭐️ la grua - the crane

🌌 La Guineueta - La Vulpecula ⭐️ la guineu - the fox

🌌 La Lira - Lyra ⭐️ la lira - the lyre

🌌 La Llebre - Lepus ⭐️ la llebre - the hare

🌌 La Màquina Pneumàtica - Antlia ⭐️ la bomba d'aire - the air pump

🌌 La Mosca - Musca ⭐️ la mosca - the fly

🌌 La Popa - Puppis ⭐️ la popa - the stern

🌌 La Quilla - Carina ⭐️ la carena - the keel

🌌 La Sageta - Sagitta ⭐️ la sageta - the arrow

🌌 La Taula - Mensa ⭐️ la muntanya de la Taula - Table Mountain

🌌 La Vela - Vela ⭐️ la vela - the sail

🌌 La Verge - Virgo ⭐️ la verge - the virgin

🌌 Orió - Orion ⭐️ (personatge mitològic) - (mythological character)

🌌 Perseu - Perseus ⭐️ (personatge mitològic) - (mythological character)

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GUILLEMELGAT’S CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD | Cymru (Wales)

A Mari Lwyd with her retinue at St Fagans in Cardiff (source). The Mari Lwyd is one of the most famous Welsh traditions. A ribbon-bedecked horse skull on a pole which is covered by a bedsheet, she comes knocking on doors and challenges anyone who answers them to pwnco, a rhyming battle (or sings them carols if it’s a gentler version).

A Plygain service at Capel Jewin, a Welsh church in London (source). Plygain is another very well-known Welsh Christmas tradition. The Plygain service was held early in the morning on Christmas day (the word plygain is said to come from the Latin for the cock’s crow, since it began before dawn). Because it was dark in the church, the people in the village would all bring candles to light up the space.

Two people singing Plygain carols at the church in Llansilin (source). Plygain services traditionally centered on the singing of carols, which would be performed a capella by one or two people. The services typically lasted until breakfast time. Many of the older carols were highly religious and almost a substitute for a sermon; modern Plygain is generally less intense. The tradition nearly died out, but several communities around Wales have maintained it for the unique singing rather than for its religious character.

A woman making Welsh treacle toffee (source). The night before Christmas, it was common to gather together and make Christmas taffy, typically during the hours before the Plygain service. The taffy was made over the stove and stretched by hand, usually while talking with family and neighbors. Another tradition in some areas was to cool off the taffy by dropping bits of it into cold water and to try to figure out who someone’s future spouse would be by seeing what letters the taffy looked like it had formed.

A greeting card with a song about Siôn Corn (source). The Welsh version of Santa Claus is Siôn Corn (‘[Chimney] Stack John’). The song on this card was written by J. Glyn Davies and is still commonly sung by children during Christmas concerts.

A box from Pembrokeshire which would be used to hold the captured wren, decorated on the outside with ribbons (source). The tradition on Twelfth Night in Pembrokeshire—or other days during Christmastide in other parts of the British Isles—was to capture the wren, a tiny bird. The wren was considered to be bad luck, and capturing it was a way to ensure a prosperous new year.

A modern group parading around the wren (source). Once captured, the wren would be brought from house to house, and people would pay to look at it within the box.

A sprig of holly, like that used for older St Stephen’s Day traditions (source). Up until several centuries ago, there was a tradition on the day after Christmas (Gwyl San Steffan) of groups of young men going around and beating the arms of girls with holly branches—or, in some cases, family members beating the last person up in the morning. This tradition, needless to say, has died out.

Two boys in Llangynwyd with their decorated apples, out to ask for Calennig (source). While not a Christmas tradition, the New Year’s tradition of Calennig is just as important of an occasion. Children would decorate an apple with three sticks and adorn it with hazelnut and boxwood leaves. They would then go from door to door, singing a song to wish the family good luck in the new year and asking for a gift (usually food or money).

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Steam Railway Vocab in Catalan

Image: The Monistrol steam engine, a restored locomotive which runs on the Llobregat-Anoia line. Photo by Luis Zamora (eldelinux) on Flickr (used under Creative Commons license 2.0).

Tipus de tren - Types of Train

el ferrocarril - railway

el tren - train

la locomotora - locomotive

de vapor - steam engine

dièsel - diesel engine

elèctrica - electric engine

de via estreta - narrow gauge engine

de tènder - tender engine

tanc - tank engine

de mercaderies - goods engine, freight train

de viatgers - passenger engine

mixta - mixed-traffic engine

de maniobres - shunting engine

la cremallera - rack railway

el tram - tram

Components - Parts

la llar - firebox

el cendrer - ashpan

la caldera - boiler

el tub - pipe

la caixa de fums - smokebox

la graella - grate

la tovera de sortida de vapor - blast pipe

la xemeneia - funnel

la cúpula - dome

de vapor - steam dome

sorrera - sand dome

el xiulet - whistle

el tènder - tender

el bastidor, el xassís - chassis, frame

el carretó - carriage

la roda - wheel

motriu - driving wheel

davantera - leading wheel

posterior - trailing wheel

l'eix (m.) - axle

el bogi - bogie

el cilindre - cylinder

el pistó - piston

la biela - connecting rod

el cigonyal - crankshaft

la manovella - crank

la barra de connexió, d'adaptació - coupling rod

el coixinet - bearing

la cabina - cab

els controls - controls

la vàlvula - valve

de seguretat - safety valve

el regulador - regulator

l'indicador (m.) - gauge

del nivell d'aigua - water gauge

de pressió - pressure gauge

el ventilador, el bufador - blower

el tir - draught (UK), draft (US)

l'injector (m.) - injector

la bomba - pump

de vapor - steam pump

d'aire - air pump

la palanca - lever

el carregador automàtic de carbó - stoker

el calfador d'aigua - water heater

el condensador - condenser

la marxa - gear

l'aixeta - spout

el flux de l'aire - air flow

el fre - brake

d'aire - air brake

la sabata de fre - brake shoe

el topall - buffer

l'enganxall (m.) - coupling (UK), coupler (US)

l'aparta vaques (m.) - cowcatcher

el llum frontal - headlight

Funcionament - Operation

el combustible - fuel

el carbó - coal

el foc - fire

el fum - smoke

el vapor - steam

l'aigua (f.) - water

Infraestructures - Infrastructure

la via - track

l'amplada de via - rail gauge

èstandard - standard guage

estreta - narrow gauge

ibèrica - Iberian gauge

la plataforma - platform

l'estació - station

la columna hídrica - water column

la senyal - signal

el canvi d'agulles, l'agulla (f.), el desviament - point (UK), switch (US)

la caseta de guardaagulles - signal box (UK), signal tower (US)

la via morta - siding

el dipòsit - yard

el garatge - shed

la cotxera - coach shed

la plataforma giratòria - turntable

el material rodant - rolling stock

el cotxe - coach

el vagó - truck (UK), freight car (US)

el taller - workshop, works

el manteniment - maintenance

la inspecció - inspection

Gent - People

el maquinista, la maquinista - driver (UK), engineer (US)

el fogoner, la fogonera - fireman

el revisor - conductor

el cap de tren, la cap de tren - guard (UK)

el guardaagulles, la guardaagulles - signalman

l'inspector (m.), la inspectora - inspector

el passatger, la passatgera - passenger

Accions - Actions

paletar - to shovel

enganxar - to couple

conduir - to drive

xiular - to whistle

cremar - to burn

bullir - to boil

canviar de via - to shunt

encendre - to light

remolcar - to pull (coaches)

xocar - to crash

arreglar - to fix

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Animals in Malayalam! The header image is an Indian giant squirrel, they are very good and very big and very friend shaped.

മൃഗം /mṛgam/ - animal, beast

ആന /āna/ - elephant

സിംഹം /simham/ - lion

പുലി /puli/ - leopard

കടുവ /kaṭuva/ - tiger

പന്നി /panni/ - pig

കരടി /karaṭi/ - bear

കാള /kāḷa/ - bull

പശു /paśu/ - cow

കുറുക്കൻ /kuṛukkan/ - jackal

നായ /nāya/ - dog

കുരങ്ങ് /kuraṅṅŭ/ - monkey

കുതിര /kutira/ - horse

ഒട്ടകം /oṭṭakam/ - camel

കഴുത /kaḻuta/ - donkey

എലി /eli/ - rat, mouse

പൂച്ച /pūcca/ - cat

പോത്ത് /pōttŭ/ - buffalo (generic)

എരുമ /eruma/ - female buffalo

ആട് /āṭŭ/ - goat, sheep

പക്ഷി /pakṣi/ - bird

മയിൽ /mayil/ - peacock

കുയിൽ /kuyil/ - cuckoo

പ്രാവ് /prāvŭ/ - dove, pigeon

കാക്ക /kākka/ - crow

ഊമൻ /ūman/ - owl

കടവാതിൽ /kaṭavātil/ - bat

തത്ത /tatta/ - parrot

കിളി /kiḷi/ - sparrow, bird, parrot (?)

കഴുകൻ /kaḻukan/ - vulture

അന്നം /annam/ - swan

[guillemelgat]

Vocab related to feelings in Malayalam! A lot of these are more Sanskrit-y but I think they’re still fairly common.

വികാരം /vikāram/ - feeling

സന്തോഷം /santōṣam/ - happiness, joy

അനന്ദം /ānandam/ - happiness, bliss

ദേഷ്യം, കോപം /dēṣyam, kōpam/ - anger

ചിരി /ciri/ - smile, laugh

സങ്കടം /saṅkaṭam/ - sadness

കരച്ചിൽ /karaccil/ - crying

സ്നേഹം /snēham/ - affection, platonic love, friendship

പ്രേമം /prēmam/ - romantic love

ഇഷ്ടം /iṣṭam/ - liking, love (esp. non-people)

വിരോധം /virōdham/ - enmity, resentment

ദയ /daya/ - compassion

സുഖം /sukham/ - comfort

ദുഃഖം /duhkham/ - sorrow, grief

പേടി, ഭയം /pēti, bhayam/ - fear

ധൈര്യം /dhairyam/ - boldness, courage

നൈരാശ്യം /nairāśyam/ - disappointment

വിഷമം /viṣamam/ - difficulty