Thursday, April 11, 2013

translation



I realized that I should probably explain what Ashla Piwape means.  When I first moved to California we lived in area that used to be inhabited by the Luiseno Indian Tribe.  I felt I wanted a name that fit with the land. 


So I found a wonderful site that will personally help with many Native American language translations.  I told the lady I wanted a name that embodied my animals: donkeys, horse, dogs and how protective they are.  There were several choices. Ashla pronounced ahhsh-la, means both guardian spirit and domesticated animal.  Syunla means heart.  The words for long ears or small hooves would be very long: Tavulvush Nagla and Alu’mal Syulat respectively.  But the word for gray fur is Piwape pronounced pee-wah-pay.

Obviously the words had to flow a bit so I chose Ashla Piwape: gray fur guardian spirit. 

In Ohio my farm name was Gramadoelas which is an Afrikaans word meaning way out in the back of beyond, since I was in the ‘sticks’ of southern ohio at the top of a hill at the end of a dead end road it seemed fitting (it was a word a heard in a wonderful movie about the Truth and Reconciliation Trials in South Africa called In My Country based on a book Country of My Skull).

7 comments:

  1. I was wondering about that, just one of the many little tangents my brain is always skipping off on. Now maybe I'll be able to sleep tonight.

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    1. Again you bring a smile to my face at the end of very long day!

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  2. Thanks for the translation. Are you in Riverside County?

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  3. So I guessed right that Ashla Piwape must be Native American! Right after reading your first post I googled these words in search of the meaning, but I only found your name at various sites advertising horses for sale - which confuses me... I know you are very busy and have too much on your worried mind as it is, but if at some point you could explain? Thanks, and best wishes, especially for Badger!

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    1. Hi, well that is interesting! I googled as well and sure enough on equine now. I have no idea what that is about. I have never had any of my guys for sale. I dont even remember going to that site before. I emailed them to question it. thanks for bringing it to my attention. And thanks for the badger wishes!

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    2. Yes, equine now, horses now, stallions now. I'm glad I asked, it just didn't seem plausible; thanks for your reply! I love the meaning of Ashla Piwape and your thoughtful choice - may it bring good fortune for you and your animals.

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