Goidelic languages

The Goidelic languages are one of two major divisions of modern-day Insular Celtic languages (the other being the Brythonic languages). It is also known as Q-Celtic, because words in Brythonic Celtic languages that begin with "B" or "P" begin with "C" or "K" in Goidelic Celtic languages. This grouping is also sometimes called Gaelic or Gaelic languages.

Related Topics:
Insular Celtic languages - Brythonic languages

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E.g.GaulishWelsh.Breton.Irish.Gàidhlig.Manx .English.

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pennospennpennceannceannkione"head"

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pentuariospedwarpevarceatharceithirkiare"four"

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pinpetospumppempcúigcòigqueig"five"

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?pwypivcécòquoi"who"

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Only three Goidelic languages survived into modern times: Irish (Gaeilge), Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig), and Manx (Gaelg). Shelta is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a Goidelic language when it is, in fact, a cant based on Irish and English, with a primarily English-based syntax.

Related Topics:
Irish - Scottish Gaelic - Manx - Shelta - Cant - English

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Although Irish and Manx are often referred to as Irish Gaelic and Manx Gaelic ? and it is correct to describe them as Goidelic or Gaelic languages ? this is unnecessary because the words Irish and Manx only ever refer to these languages whereas Scots by itself refers to the Germanic language. The word Gaelic by itself is somewhat ambiguous, but most often refers to Scottish Gaelic and it is the word that Scottish Gaelic speakers themselves use when speaking English. Furthermore, due to the peculiar politics of language and national identity, some Irish speakers are offended by the use of the word Gaelic by itself to refer to Irish. Similarly, some Scottish Gaelic speakers also find offensive the use of the obsolete word Erse (i.e. "Irish") to refer to their language.

Related Topics:
Scots - Germanic language - ''Erse''

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