Assistance needed

[Scott Gilmore]

Well, as Clan Morrison is an Isle of Lewis tribe, I'll chime in on this thread if you don't mind.

Many Hebridean Web sites carry an English and a Gaelic version. Here are a few examples:
The West Highland Free Press
An Lanntair (art center)
The Gaelic Arts Agency
Ness Historical Society

And even when the Web site is in English, Gaelic can clearly be seen as a part of the culture by its liberal use. In this example, for most of the place names: Ness - Isle of Lewis, which states that "Rural Lewis has traditionally been Gaelic speaking, which has largely shaped the unique culture and way of life of the Nisich – the people of Ness." And in this example: Fios - Ness Community Newspaper.

Gaelic is far from being a dead language.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

[porrick]

Irish (Gaelic) is the official first language of the Irish Republic...

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Apart of the use of gaelic in Ireland, scottish isles and some parts of Wales, there's also a gaelic language spoken in French Brittany

Actually, this is one of my pet peeves. They don't speak Gaelic in Wales or in Brittany. I have to correct people on this point frequently.

Gaelic is one of several Celtic languages (Just like English is a Germanic language, and Spanish is a Romance language, etc.).

There are two main branches of Celtic languages, Q-Celtic and P-Celtic. Unless I have the reversed in my head (which is very well possible!), the Q-Celtic branch consists of the Gaelic languages spoken in Scotland and Ireland, and the Isle of Man. P-Celtic would consist of Welsh, Breton, Cornish, and more than likely the lost language of the Picts.

So the languages spoken in Scotland and Ireland, and the languages spoken in Wales and Brittany, can said to be *related* in the sense that they are both Celtic languages, but they are not the same language, and in fact Gaelic belongs to a completely different branch of the Celtic languages than do Welsh or Breton.

Aye,
Matt

[MacWage]

For what its worth,

many churches in Scotland (at least the ones not used for cafes, museums, and visitor centers ), have English and Gaelic services. For example, Grayfriars in Edinburgh has an early one in Gaelic and then one at the "normal" time in English. When I was there in 2000, I learned that the pastor's wife was from my hometown-> Lilburn, Georgia, USA!!!!!

It was DEFINATELY a living language!

Yet one I do not speak it me self.

(I am a Hitory and Religion double major and have a masters degree in Church History and a Masters of Divinity-> so let's say I have definate opinions on maters of contemporary religion -> BUT-> let's keep this out of being a religious discussion! I will keep my mouth shut, as long as anyone else will. If you want to discuss or argue with me, do it through PM or email NOT HERE!!!!!!!!!!)

[GMan]

I knew that I could count on the vast knowledge here, thanks all.

[Pour1Malt]

the Isle o' Skye...

the Isle o' Islay... (pronounced Aye- Lay)

the Isle o' Lewis...

the Isle o' Harris...

the Isle o' Mull...

and the Oban Distilleries daes tours in Gaelic...

[Rex_Tremende]

There will be a Gaelic Mass held on Sunday July 30 at the Dayton Celtic Festival.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

[Barclay]

There are areas of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and others in the Canadian Maritimes where Gaelic is still spoken with some regularity. I remember being mesmerized by the language when I first heard it as a child. My maternal grandfather spoke it, but I, regretably, never learned much.

[Galloglaich]

...There are two main branches of Celtic languages, Q-Celtic and P-Celtic. Unless I have the reversed in my head (which is very well possible!), the Q-Celtic branch consists of the Gaelic languages spoken in Scotland and Ireland, and the Isle of Man. P-Celtic would consist of Welsh, Breton, Cornish, and more than likely the lost language of the Picts..

No reversal there, spot on. "Q" celtic has a "harder" edge to the pronounciation, whereas "P" celtic languages are a bit softer on the consonants.

Just for some clarification too, Scots Gaelic & Irish Gaelic have their differences. I studied some Irish 2 summers ago and the teacher, (a native Dubliner) was unfamiliar w/ some common Scots Gaelic phrases. However, her fiance (a Newry native, if I remember correctly) was able to get the main ideas w/o knowing the exact translation.

[Riverkilt]

I believe there's a radio station on Skye that still broadcasts in Gaelic. A distant cousin, James Macdonald, is/was an announcer for them.

Skye Glen, Nova Scotia on CBI was a hotbed of Gaelic.

Believe they're even teaching Gaelic down in Tucson, Arizona...

There used to be a Gaelic language group on Yahoo that disolved over egos.

Ron