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It is not Gaelic
- The Irish language is sometimes referred to as “Gaeilge” (pronounced Gwal-gah), but it is not Gaelic; Gaelige is the name of the Irish language in Irish. Like its Gaelic cousin, both are Indo-European languages, but Irish is actually a language unto its own. The term “Gaelic”, as a language, applies only to the language of Scotland.
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What is the difference between Irish and Gaelic?
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Is Scottish Gaelic a Celtic language?
The Irish language is sometimes referred to as “Gaeilge” (pronounced Gwal-gah), but it is not Gaelic; Gaelige is the name of the Irish language in Irish. Like its Gaelic cousin, both are Indo-European languages, but Irish is actually a language unto its own.
- Is It A Dialect Or A Language?
- The Question of Names
- So, Just How Different Are They?
- How to Learn More
Formally, the dividing line between a dialect and a language is the point at which speakers can no longer understand one another. In reality, however, the division really isn’t always terribly clear. The definition of “language” is often as political as it is linguistic! It’s sometimes said that a language is a dialect with an army and a navy! The ...
A source of confusion for many is the English names of the two language. Aren’t they both “Gaelic”? If so, how can they be considered different languages? They are both “Gaelic” in that they are both descended from the language of the Gaels: a Celtic people who relocated from the European mainland to Ireland (and later to Scotland and the Isle of M...
Defining all the ways in which two languages differ is beyond the scope of a single article (though this entry from Wikipedia is a good start for the linguistically inclined!), but here are some of the more immediately noticeable differences:
Watch our video Irish vs Gaelic, and then you’ll be able to set the record straight with your friends!
In English (including Hiberno-English), the language is usually referred to as Irish, as well as Gaelic and Irish Gaelic. The term Irish Gaelic may be seen when English speakers discuss the relationship between the three Goidelic languages (Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx).
Oct 18, 2023 · Nowadays, when referring to such languages, ‘Gaelic’ refers to Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) while the Celtic language of Ireland and Northern Ireland is known today as ‘Irish’ (Gaeilge).
- Thomas Mackay
Mar 26, 2024 · Irish refers to the nationality or culture of people from Ireland, encompassing its heritage, language, and traditions. Gaelic, on the other hand, specifically denotes a subset of Celtic languages, which includes Irish, but also extends to Scottish Gaelic and Manx.
Jun 30, 2019 · Gaelic is the common but incorrect term for Irish and Scottish traditional languages, both of which are Celtic in origins from the Goidelic branch of the Indo-European family of languages. In Ireland, the language is called Irish, while in Scotland, the correct term is Gaelic.
When a distinction needs to be made between Irish (Gaeilge), Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) and/or Manx (Gaelg), Irish is referred to as Gaeilge na hÉireann (Irish Gaelic). Relationship to other languages. Irish is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages, also known as Q-Celtic.
