Secret cant used by stonecutters from Galicia, Spain
Stone monument from Beariz with a poem by Xesús Antonio Gulías Lamas in the cant. Latín dos canteiros verbo dos arxinas [ 1] argot employed by stonecutters in Galicia , Spain , particularly in the area of Pontevedra ,[ 2] Galician language . They handed down their knowledge in the art of how to split and cut stone by means of this secret language to the next generation.
Description
The argot contains a number of Basque loanwords.[ 1]
Sample of text
In latín dos canteiros [ 3]
English translation
Morrón: pra cubicar muriar xidavante da argina, Boy, if you want to practise the job as a stone breaker well,
xeres interbar o verbo das arginas xejorrumeando explicas es deeglase dadellastadaria e xeras enenvestar moxe xido. you have to know the language in which the laws of how to cut stone are explained [...].
Cando anisques solóte polo deundo a murriar como artina, When you go out into the world alone to work as a stone breaker,
xera jalrruar toi compinches o nobis verbo you will talk to your job comrades in our language,
si xeres te ormeando aprecio os do gichoficienes if you want to be esteemed by them
e nente de xerian perreamente os lapingos e buxos. and not be treated badly by the masters and misters.
Xilón, nexo agiote; Boy, you will not be a thief,
xilón, nexo chumar; boy, you will not be a drinker,
xilón, nexo esqueirar; boy, you will not be a liar;
xilón, xido cabancar; boy, you will be well doing;
xilón, xido entileger; boy, you will be taught;
xilón, xido vay; boy, you will be true.
xilón, xido murriar. boy, you will be a worker."
See also
References
