Here are some attempts, with explanations of their strengths and weaknesses:
Scottish Gaelic:
* Bàs ro na mì-urram: This is a fairly literal translation. "Bàs" (death), "ro" (before), "na" (the), "mì-urram" (dishonor). It's grammatically correct but lacks the punchy feel of the English phrase.
* Am bàs na b'fhearr na mì-urram: This translates to "Death is better than dishonor." It's more idiomatic and flows better than the first option but is a statement rather than a motto.
Irish Gaelic:
* Bás roimh mhí-onóir: Similar to the Scottish Gaelic literal translation. "Bás" (death), "roimh" (before), "mhí-onóir" (dishonor). Again, it's grammatically correct but less impactful.
* Is fearr an bás ná an mhí-onóir: This translates to "Death is better than dishonor," mirroring the Scottish Gaelic alternative. It's a more natural-sounding phrase in Irish.
Considerations:
* Context: The best translation will depend on the context. Is it a motto for a clan, a personal creed, or something else? The phrasing could change depending on the situation.
* Emphasis: Do you want to emphasize the willingness to die, or the abhorrence of dishonor? A more nuanced translation might better reflect this.
* Poetic license: A truly idiomatic translation might require a more poetic or figurative phrase in Gaelic that captures the spirit of "death before dishonor" without being a direct word-for-word equivalent.
In summary, while a direct translation is possible, a more natural and impactful Gaelic expression might require a slightly different phrasing to capture the full weight and meaning of the original English proverb. The options provided above give a good starting point, but a native Gaelic speaker could offer a more refined and culturally appropriate translation.