Irish language: Difference between revisions
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[[Image: | [[Image:Irish-speaking-areas-ireland.png|right|thumb|400px|Irish-speaking areas of [[Ireland (island)|Ireland]].]] | ||
'''Irish''' | '''Irish''' (Ir. ''Gaeilge'') is the original [[language]] of the [[Celtic people]]s of [[Ireland (state)|Ireland]]. It is a [[Celtic language]] of the [[Goidelic]] branch, and is related to [[Scots Gaelic language|Scots Gaelic]], [[Welsh language|Welsh]], [[Manx language|Manx]], [[Cornish language|Cornish]], and other early Celtic languages of the [[British Isles]]. While for many centuries it was the primary language of Ireland, and possesses a rich [[Literature|literature]], it is now the [[native speaker|natural]] (as opposed to the learned) language of only a small minority of the Irish people, primarily in the west of Ireland in a region known as the [[Gaeltacht]]. Nevertheless, it remains an [[official language]] of the Irish state; its teaching is mandated in public schools. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 23:49, 6 October 2007
File:Irish-speaking-areas-ireland.png
Irish-speaking areas of Ireland.
Irish (Ir. Gaeilge) is the original language of the Celtic peoples of Ireland. It is a Celtic language of the Goidelic branch, and is related to Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Manx, Cornish, and other early Celtic languages of the British Isles. While for many centuries it was the primary language of Ireland, and possesses a rich literature, it is now the natural (as opposed to the learned) language of only a small minority of the Irish people, primarily in the west of Ireland in a region known as the Gaeltacht. Nevertheless, it remains an official language of the Irish state; its teaching is mandated in public schools.