Question about Clan Fraser Crest

**piperdbh** · 12th December 11, 09:51 AM

Sounds like a few minutes with a seam ripper would solve the problem.

**Mark R** · 12th December 11, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

Sounds like a few minutes with a seam ripper would solve the problem.

Wish it was that easy, lol. Two layers of embroidery work over top of a piece of tartan. Going to be tough to remove the tightly embroidered letter from the bottom layer of threadwork and the tartan.

Have to deal with shipping costs both ways as well. Hopefully he will change his mind and keep it as is.

**BCAC** · 12th December 11, 10:29 AM

I can't really say much about the Fraser motto, but having lived in France (or a French speaking community) for 28 years, and considering myself a fluent French speaker, the phrase "Je suis pres" (without the final "t") means "I am ready". If you add the final "t", it doesn't mean anything. "Prest" is not a French word.

Maybe a mistake was made long ago and they've just kept the motto with the mistake? I really can't say.

Hope this helps.

**Mark R** · 12th December 11, 10:32 AM

That is helpful, BCAC, as that is the gist of what the customer is saying. Guess he is of the mindset that the french has to be accurate rather than wearing the motto as approved by the clan Chief.

Thanks for taking the time to help.

**GoodGirlGonePlaid** · 12th December 11, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by BCAC

I can't really say much about the Fraser motto, but having lived in France (or a French speaking community) for 28 years, and considering myself a fluent French speaker, the phrase "Je suis pres" (without the final "t") means "I am ready". If you add the final "t", it doesn't mean anything. "Prest" is not a French word.

Maybe a mistake was made long ago and they've just kept the motto with the mistake? I really can't say.

Hope this helps.

Ooops, I'm wrong. Well, that's the first time that's happened.
#Sarcasm
#IamClueless re: French

Please disregard my prior response.

**GoodGirlGonePlaid** · 12th December 11, 10:38 AM

Whoa, like 3 of my worlds colliding in this thread! (applique/ embroidered garments, high school French, clan Fraser motto)
Je parle un petit peu de francais.

****EDIT** I am wrong.
I can't imagine dropping the t on "prest". It's not a French word then, "pres". "Près" is, but that changes it from "ready" to "almost/ or close" I don't think they want their motto to be "I am Close".
**END***
All I know of the Fraser (of Lovat) clan motto is from the Outlander book series. It's always "Je Suis Prest".

It's even on some Outlander SWAG.
http://www.zazzle.com/je+suis+prest+gifts
http://www.cafepress.com/+clan_fraser_button,111469204

Hope that helps.
Yeah, you don't want to have to remove some applique. That's brutal.

**Tobus** · 12th December 11, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by GoodGirlGonePlaid

I can't imagine dropping the t on "prest". It's not a French word then, "pres". "Près" is, but that changes it from "ready" to "almost/ or close" I don't think they want their motto to be "I am Close".

I don't know a lick of French, but out of curiosity, I typed "I am ready" into the Google translator, and it told me that the French phrase should read "Je suis prêt." Interesting that they show the "t" but not the "s".

**Paul Henry** · 12th December 11, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I don't know a lick of French, but out of curiosity, I typed "I am ready" into the Google translator, and it told me that the French phrase should read "Je suis prêt." Interesting that they show the "t" but not the "s".

I was taught that the "ê" was used to show that a letter had been deleted at some time in the past, and that letter was often a vowel or the letter "s"
an example would be fête instead of feste
just a memory from my childhood french!

**Tobus** · 12th December 11, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

I was taught that the "ê" was used to show that a letter had been deleted at some time in the past, and that letter was often a vowel or the letter "s"
an example would be fête instead of feste
just a memory from my childhood french!

Now we may be getting somewhere! Perhaps the Fraser clan motto is an archaic form of French, which would make perfect sense. It would be correct for the way French was written then, but outdated in today's French.

Can someone else verify this? That would almost be too perfect of an explanation!

*edited to add:

I do take particular interest in this, because the Fraser of Lovat clan crest is very similar to Colquhoun. They both have the stag's head. Fraser says "Je suis prest" while Colquhoun says "Si je puis". It's very easy to confuse one for the other at first glance!

**Mark R** · 12th December 11, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

I was taught that the "ê" was used to show that a letter had been deleted at some time in the past, and that letter was often a vowel or the letter "s"
an example would be fête instead of feste
just a memory from my childhood french!

Thanks for your input, paulhenry, as it does add a new and very plausible explanation to understanding the motto and the apparent confusion.

Has just been odd as this is the 1st time someone has questioned the clan Chief's verified motto even though I have done numerous items this way. That is the reason why I never knew to ask the customer for a clarification as I didnt know this other possibility even existed.