Post by Lady Rosalind Avalle on Mar 22, 2009 9:32:43 GMT -6
Part I
Scots Gaelic
Scots Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. This branch includes Irish and Manx languages and is distinct from the Brythonic branch of Celtic languages, which includes Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. The languages of the Goidelic branch are all descended from Old Irish.
Scottish Gaelic is often described as Scottish Gaelic, Scots Gaelic, or Gàidhlig to avoid confusion with the other branches. Unlike Irish Gaelic, outside of Scotland, the language is generally referred to as "Scottish," a usage that dates back over 1,500 years. In Old English, it was called Scottas. Another distinct difference from Irish Gaelic, the word "Gaelic" itself is pronounced "gah-lik." Yes, just like the odoriferous bulb.
The language has a considerable history in Scotland and was widely spoken across the country by the Scotti or Gael people after replacing the previous popular languages -- Pictish (an early language spoken from the North and Central regions of Scotland that became extinct by the 9th century), then Cumbric (a Brythonic language from the Northern English kingdom Cumbria that became extinct by the 1100s), and finally, Old Norse (a North Germanic language introduced by the Vikings that became extinct in the 1300s).
Though scholars are unsure how long Gaelic has been spoken in Scotland, it is believed it was spoken in Argyll before the Roman period, and greatly expanded after the 4th century consolidation of the Dál Riada, which linked the province of Ulster to Western Scotland. Scottish Gaelic as a widely spoken, commonly recognized, and unifying language did not happen until about the 1400s, but unfortunately, it had already entered a period of decline as English became standard in towns and cities starting in the 13th century.
By the 15th century, a distinct cultural divide was clearly demonstrated by the Lowland Scots adaptation of English, while the Highland Scots and denizens of the islands spoke Gaelic.
Scottish should not be confused with Scots. Scots is a Lowland Anglic language, which developed from the northern form of Early English, and may be considered a dialect of English, or at its most generous, a bastard cousin of Scottish Gaelic.
A fun dictionary of Scots terms can be found here, while you can listen to real time Scottish Gaelic speakers here at the BBC Scotland website.
Another great site to check out is this one. If you scroll down, you can hear radio clips of three distinct Scottish accents by English speakers.