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imram

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

An Irish voyage poem describing a hero's journey across the western sea to supernatural islands, a form central to early Irish literature and a persistent metaphor for spiritual and poetic quest.

Detailed Definition
The imram (voyage) is one of the distinctive narrative genres of early Irish literature, describing sea journeys to paradisiacal or terrifying otherworld islands beyond the western horizon. The most celebrated examples are the Imram Brain (Voyage of Bran) and the Imram Curaig Maíle Dúin (Voyage of Máel Dúin). These texts blend Christian and pre-Christian otherworld concepts, imagining the ocean as a space of spiritual testing and wonder. The imram provided Irish and Anglo-Irish poets with a powerful metaphor for artistic and spiritual quest, and its imagery of islands, waves, and transformation recurs throughout the tradition from medieval times to the twentieth century.
Example
Example in poetry:
The imram describes sea voyages to mysterious distant islands; Heroes undertake imram that lead to encounters with supernatural beings; The imram tests navigational skills and courage against ocean dangers; Poets use imram framework to explore themes of exploration and discovery; The imram often results in transformation of protagonist's understanding of world; Maritime imram reflect Ireland's geographical relationship with surrounding seas.
Additional Notes
Imram is a genre of voyage poem describing a journey across the sea to otherworldly islands. It combines adventure with spiritual quest, often leading to enlightenment or transformation. The sea is a dangerous but necessary medium for crossing boundaries. In poetry, imram explores themes of exile, discovery, and the limits of human knowledge. It reflects Ireland's island geography and maritime culture. The imram structure allows for episodic encounters with marvels, testing the hero's faith and courage.
Also Known As
voyage poem sea journey otherworld voyage
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