Goidelic languages

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The Goidelic languages, also known as the Gaelic languages, are one of the two major groups of Insular Celtic languages. They are spoken natively in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The Goidelic languages include Irish (Gaeilge), Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig), and Manx (Gaelg).

History

The Goidelic languages are part of the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family. They are derived from the Old Irish language, which was spoken in Ireland from the 6th to the 10th centuries. The Goidelic languages are also referred to as Q-Celtic languages, distinguishing them from the Brythonic or P-Celtic languages.

Classification

The Goidelic languages are classified as follows:

• Irish (Gaeilge)
• Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)
• Manx (Gaelg)

Geographic Distribution

The Goidelic languages are primarily spoken in:

• Ireland: Irish is spoken mainly in the Gaeltacht regions.
• Scotland: Scottish Gaelic is spoken mainly in the Scottish Highlands and the Hebrides.
• Isle of Man: Manx is spoken by a small number of people, with efforts underway to revive the language.

Linguistic Features

The Goidelic languages share several linguistic features, including:

• Initial consonant mutation
• VSO word order
• Use of inflected prepositions
• A rich system of verbal nouns

Revitalization Efforts

There have been various efforts to revitalize the Goidelic languages, particularly in education and media. In Ireland, the language is taught in schools and used in some television and radio broadcasts. In Scotland, there are Gaelic-medium schools and a dedicated Gaelic television channel, BBC Alba. On the Isle of Man, there are initiatives to teach Manx in schools and promote its use in the community.

Related Pages

• Celtic languages
• Insular Celtic languages
• Brythonic languages
• Old Irish
• Gaeltacht
• Scottish Highlands
• Hebrides
• BBC Alba

See Also

• Q-Celtic
• P-Celtic
• Indo-European languages