The Celtic Languages - Live or Die?

[wilpuri]

Greetings to all Celts!

I've been doing some research on the condition of the Celtic languages today, mainly those spoken on the British Isles. However, it is always more interesting to have a discussion and hear the views of those who are there, on the 'front', so to speak, and who are living the situation as it develops.

I've always been somewhat intersted in the 'Celts', (I know its a rather wide-ranging term) specifically those of the British Isles and in Brittany. The Irish in particular appeal to me. It seems us Finns and Irish share a lot, in terms of (enlightenment to modern) history, at least. For example The national awakening of the 19th Century, foreign rule and oppression, independence and subsequent civil war and so on.
Of coure, both nations appreciate alcohol to a great extent. Also the melancholic nature and stubborness run paralell.

So, I would very much like to know what the state of the different Celtic (Goidelic, Brythonic, etc,) languages are in their respective homelands, and what are the trends pointing towards. I have heard that there has been signs of revival of the Irish language and that their speakers are increasing. I am interested in what you think is the future of these languages. Will they slowly die among native speakers and become extinct, only to be studied as second languages, or will they experience a renaissance and become dominant in their homelands once more?

I look forward to your answers, cheers.

[Hael]

Hello!
Don't forget Breton language. Couls you be more precise about what you need to know?

He did mention the family of the Breton language: Brythonic (Breton, Welsh and Cornish).

[Galaico]

What about continental Celtic, such as Galician and Gaulish?

Damned Romans and their language...

Just joking, but there's still quite a lote of Celtic vocabulary in the Iberian languages (including Basque), especially in toponims.

Originally Posted by Galaico

What about continental Celtic, such as Galician and Gaulish?

There is no trace left of a Celtic language in Galicia. There is, however, written evidence of the Celtiberian language (assumed to be a Continental Celtic language written with the Iberian alphabet).

Damned Romans and their language...

LOL! Yes, but think of Castilian as a Romance language of people little "romanicised/latinicised".

Just joking, but there's still quite a lote of Celtic vocabulary in the Iberian languages (including Basque), especially in toponims.

Specially in the pronounciation in the Castilian language (a.k.a. Spanish), assumedly through the Cantabrians.

[Delbáeth]

Native Gaelic speaking populations in Scotland.

[Aptrgangr]

Gaeltacht holidays in Irish (gaelic) speaking regions - Gaelsaoire gaeilge language

[Menydh]

Interesting that the areas where there is a larger concentration of Gaelic speakers in Ireland, coincide with the larger R1b percentages in population. Isn't it the same for Scotland?

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Interesting that the areas where there is a larger concentration of Gaelic speakers in Ireland, coincide with the larger R1b percentages in population.

Well, it's basically the down to the same reason.
Invaders in Ireland tend to come from the east. Thus you have the English establishing their main bastion of influence, The Pale, around the area of Dublin.
The most remotest parts being the west, not only geographically but therefore also genetically and linguistically - these areas have generally had the least degree of contact with incomers.

coincide with the larger R1b percentages in population. Isn't it the same for Scotland?

It's somewhat similar. Again, in the NE you would have had quite a bit of Norse influence and in the SE you had Angle input too.
The west would have been areas settled by the Gaels (although not an insignificant Norse input in the western islands too).

[Ricardo Reis]

How many of them speak a celtic language at home?

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Reis

How many of them speak a celtic language at home?

There are no monoglot speakers anymore, those died out in the 19th century with An Gorta Mor. However, the people living in the Gaeltachtai speak a Celtic language as their first tongue.

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Milesian

However, the people living in the Gaeltachtai speak a Celtic language as their first tongue.

I wondered what a Gaeltachtai was. Apparently each of the areas where Gaelic is spoken as a first language, which together form the Gaeltacht or Gaeldom, in Ireland.



Its equivalent in Scotland is the Gàidhealtachd, which is represented in the map posted by Highland Thistle:

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

I wondered what a Gaeltachtai was. Apparently each of the areas where Gaelic is spoken as a first language, which together form the Gaeltacht or Gaeldom, in Ireland.

That's right, although to be more accurate - Gaeltacht is the singular whilst Gaeltachtai is the plural
They have official recognition within the nation - although they are already trying to make English mandatory in school lessons there now, and suggesting foreign road signs for the immigrants. Sad.

[Cirrus]

Originally Posted by Hael

Don't forget Breton language.

Indeed. Hundred years ago, the Breton language was the most spoken Celtic language, before Welsh. But now, and thanks to France, it will probably become the least spoken. But of course, as some say, this evolution is "normal".

[Slavni]

Save your language.I'm glad that for a few years exists Serbian-Gaelige dictionary.As we Serbs say: ''Speak Serbian,and whole world will understand you''.

[Marulus]

Irish Language courses - Irish Gaelic - Gaeilge - at Oideas Gael, Donegal, Ireland. Cultural holidays.

Beo, Nollaig*2007

[Slavni]

Is there any connection between Gaeligue and Baskque languages?