Scottish Gaelic

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig [ˈkaːlɪkʲ] (listen)), also known as Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to Scotland. It is a member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, and shares strong similarities with Irish and Manx, the other Goidelic languages.

History

Scottish Gaelic, like all modern Celtic languages, has its roots in the Proto-Celtic language. The first Gaelic speakers arrived in Scotland around the 4th or 5th century AD, from Ireland where the language had originated.

Status

Scottish Gaelic is a minority language in Scotland, spoken by just over 1% of the population. Despite this, it has a strong presence in the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles, where the majority of speakers reside.

Dialects

There are several dialects of Scottish Gaelic, which can be broadly grouped into two categories: Hebridean Gaelic and Mainland Gaelic. Each of these dialects has unique features and vocabulary.

Grammar

Scottish Gaelic grammar is complex and shares many features with other Celtic languages. It uses verb-subject-object word order and has a system of initial consonant mutations.

Phonology

The phonology of Scottish Gaelic is characterized by a complex system of consonants and a relatively simple system of vowels.

Literature

Scottish Gaelic has a rich literary tradition, with notable works including the Book of Deer and the Fenian Cycle.

See also

• List of Scottish Gaelic-speaking people
• Scottish Gaelic literature
• Scottish Gaelic phonology
• Scottish Gaelic grammar

External links

• LearnGaelic - A comprehensive resource for learning Scottish Gaelic
• BBC Alba - Scottish Gaelic language television and radio

Scottish Gaelic Resources
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