|
|
Irish Gaelic Glossary
"Chan 'eil fhiss ciod an claidheamh a bhiss 'san truaill gus an tairnar e."
Irish Gaelic (Gaelige) is a Celtic language of the Goidelic(Gaelic) branch. There were approximately five branches of Celtic languages: Gaulish/Leptonic, Celt-Iberian (Celto-Hispanic), Galatian, Goidelic (Q) and Brythonic (P).
All but the Goidelic and Brythonic Celtic languages are now obsolete.
The Brythonic (British) Celtic languages include Breton (Brittany, France), Cornish (Cornwall, England) and Welsh (Wales). Breton and Welsh are still taught in schools and used today. Cornish died out in the eighteenth century, but a vigorous movement to revive it is underway.
Goidelic includes Manx Gaelic (Gailck), Scots Gaelic (Gàidhlig) and Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge). Manx died out in the 1970's, but an effort to revive it is also underway. Irish Gaelic is spoken in Ireland (mostly western) with several distinct dialects. Scots Gaelic is spoken in the highlands and western isles but has a larger number of speakers in eastern Canada, where many Scottish emigrants called their new home during the Highland Clearances when many Scots were forced from their land. In fact, Nova Scotia means "New Scotland".
It is still debated whether the Picts are considered Celts. If they are, then Pictish is another branch.
Galician is a Romance language spoken in northwestern Spain and Portugal. It is a descendent of Celt-Iberian.
For lessons in Irish Gaelic, check the Mizzou Celtic Society Celtic Languages programs.
These phonetic pronunciations are of the North Connacht dialect, which stands midway between the other dialects
| Taoiseach |
TEE-shuhkh |
chieftain/leader |
| Suaimhneach |
SOO-iv-nyakh |
peaceful |
| Ta' Tu |
Taw Too |
You are (singular) |
| Ta' sibh |
Taw Shiv |
You are (plural) |
| Seasaimid |
Shassimij |
We stand |
| Clu' Sli |
Kloo Shlee |
Way of honor |
| Each cogaidh |
AKH Ko-gwee |
War (fighting) horse |
| Colg |
KOL-uhg |
Sword, blade |
| Amach |
Uh-MAHKH |
Out, outward |
| Isteach |
Ish-CHAKH |
Into, inward |
|
Schedule