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carline

Dialect
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A term used to refer to an old woman or a witch, often associated with folklore.

Detailed Definition
In Scottish dialect, 'carline' refers to an old woman, often with connotations of witchcraft or supernatural abilities. In the context of the poem, the carline wife is portrayed as a mother deeply affected by the loss of her sons, embodying themes of grief and longing. The use of this term adds a layer of cultural specificity and depth to the character's portrayal.
Example
Example in poetry:
"The carline wife's three sons came hame" (Scots for 'old woman' or 'witch'); "The carline at the crossroads" (folklore); "An auld carline of the hills" (dialect); "The carline's curse" (supernatural); "Nae carline's spell can harm me" (bravado)
Additional Notes
The word 'carline' is used in the poem to describe the wife, highlighting her role and emotional state.; Found in the poem, The Wife of Usher's Well by Anonymous
Also Known As
old woman witch crone
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