Information Fiosrachadh

Quotes On the left you can find links to some very detailed information about Gaelic. For some quick answers, the LearnGaelic FAQs may have what you need. Air an làimh chlì, gheibhear fiosrachadh mionaideach air a' Ghàidhlig. Airson freagairtean luatha, cùm a' dol gu Ceistean Cumanta.

Frequently Asked QuestionsCeistean Cumanta

Where did Gaelic come from? Co às a thàinig a’ Ghàidhlig?

Gaelic came from Ireland sometime before the 6th Century. The name 'Scot' is commonly ascribed to settlers from Ulster in Ireland, and it is thought that these people brought the language to Scotland. Some modern scholars now believe that a form of Gaelic was spoken in Argyll before this particular period of Irish settlement. Thàinig Gàidhlig às an Èireann ron t-siathamh Linn. Bha an t-ainm ‘Scot’ a’ ciallachadh daoine à Uladh, agus tha daoine ag ràdh gun tàinig Gàidhlig còmhla riutha. Tha cuid dhe sgoilearan a’ dèanamh a-mach gun robh seòrsa de Ghàidhlig anns an Earra-Ghàidheal ron chòigeamh Linn.

Is Gaelic not the same as Irish and Welsh?Nach eil Gàidhlig co-ionann ri cànan nan Èireannach is nan Cuimreach?

Scottish Gaelic is part of the Celtic family of languages. There are two branches in this clan; Scottish Gaelic is part of the Goidelic (Q-Celtic) branch, along with Irish Gaelic and Manx Gaelic. This means that they may share similar language structures and some common words, and are thought to derive from the same original source. The other branch includes Welsh, Breton and Cornish. Although the languages may all derive from the language of the ancient Celts, there are more differences than similarities and you can be assured that they are definitely not the same. Tha Gàidhlig na h-Alba na pàirtde theaghlach nan cànanan Ceilteach. Tha dà mheur san teaghlach seo; tha Gàidhlig na h-Alba na pàirt de na cànanan Q Ceilteach còmhla ri Gàidhlig na h-Èireann agus Gàidhlig Eilean Mhanainn. Tha seo a’ ciallachadh gu bheil na cànanan coltach ann an structair gnè fhacal agus thathas a’ meas gur ann bhon aon thùs a thàinig iad. Tha a’ mheur eile a’ gabhail a-steach Cuimris cànan a’ Bhreatainn Bhig agus cànan na Còirn. Ged a tha na cànanan a’ tighinn o chànannan seann Cheilteach, tha gu leòr rudan eadar-dhealaichte ann eadar na cànanan.

Why is Gaelic important?Carson a tha Gàidhlig cudromach?

The Gaels have been vital to the spread of knowledge in the British and Irish Isles and beyond. In the Dark Ages, monks in Ireland and then Scotland learned how to write and became familiar with Greek and Latin. Evangelists, such as St Columba spread knowledge and learning along with Christianity. Many aspects of Scottish culture are derived from Highland and Gaelic culture. Many placenames, all over Scotland are derived from the Gaelic. The Gaelic place names often provide a physical description of the place and provide a warning to travellers. Kyle, Inver, Dun, Ben and Loch all stem from Gaelic. Bha na Gàidheil cudromach airson fiosrachadh is eòlas a sgaoileadh ann am Breatainn is Èireann. San Linntean Dorcha, bha manaich ann an Èirinn , agus Alba aig an robh Gàidhlig ag ionnsachadh sgrìobhadh a’ faighinn eòlas air Laideann is Grèigis. *** Chan eil fios agam an e seo a bha e a’ ciallachadh Bha soisgeulaichean, , mar Naomh Calum Cille a’ sgaoileadh fhoghlaim is eòlas còmhla ri Crìosdachd. 'S ann bho chultar nan Gàidheal a thàinig cuid denithean cultarach na h-Alba. 'S e àite làn ainmean-àite Gàidhlig a th’ ann an Alba. Tha na h-ainmean Gàidhlig ag innse dhuinn tric co ris a tha an cruth-tìre coltach agus uaireannan tha iad a’ toirt rabhadh do luchd-siubhail. Tha faclan mar “Kyle”, “Inver”, “Dun”, “Ben” agus “Loch”, uile a’ tighinn bho Gàidhlig.

Why do people learn Gaelic today?Carson a tha daoine ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig san là an-diugh?

People learn Gaelic today for many reasons. They want to connect with their culture. They want to understand placenames of Scotland. People often learn gaelic because they want to learn Gaelic. Tha daoine ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig airson iomadh adhbhair. Tha iad ag iarraidh ceangal a dhèanamh rin cultar fhèin. Tha iad ag iarraidh tuigse fhaighinn air an àrainneachd mun timcheall. Uaireannan, tha daoine ag iarraidh Gàidhlig ionnsachadh airson na h-òrain àlainn a sheinn.

Which legendary figures would have spoken Gaelic?Cò na daoine uirsgeulach a bhiodh a’ bruidhinn Gàidhlig?

Gaelic was the language of the old kings of Scotland and MacBeth, King of Scotland, the subject of Shakespeare’s play spoke Gaelic. As did the famous Scottish legend Robert the Bruce. William Wallace was a well known scholar and had a command of many different languages; Gaelic was one of them. B’ e Gàidhlig an cànan a bh’ aig seann rìghrean na h-Alba agus bhiodh MacBeatha, rìgh Alba agus cuspair dealbh-chluich Shakespeare air a bhith a’ bruidhinn Gàidhlig. Bha Gàidhlig aig Raibeart am Brusach. Bha Uilleam Uallas , Na sgoilear iomraiteach le eòlas air iomadh cànan, agus bha Gàidhlig nam measg!

Where is Gaelic spoken?Càite a bheil daoine a’ bruidhinn na Gàidhlig?

Gaelic is most closely associated with the Highlands and Islands and the highest concentration of people who speak Gaelic live in the Western Isles. However, Gaelic speakers can be found in Edinburgh, Glasgow and all over the world. There is even a Gaelic college in Canada. Mar as tric, tha daoine a’ dèanamh co-cheangal eadar na h-Eileanan is a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus Gàidhlig. An-diugh, tha 55% de mhuinntir na Gàidhlig a’ fuireach sna h-Eileanan is 45% a’ fuireach sa Ghalldachd.

I don’t live in the Highlands, why is Gaelic important in my area?Chan eil mise a’ fuireach sa Ghàidhealtachd, carson a tha Gàidhlig cudromachnam sgìre-sa?

Gaelic place names can be found all over Scotland. Words like Kyle, Inver, Dun, Ben and Loch are all from the Gaelic. The town of Dumbarton has an interesting name, it means “Fort of the Britons” as it was the seat of the Brythonic tribe. The modern day name comes from the Gaelic “Dùn Bhreatainn”. Another example is the interesting name Milngavie. It means David’s Mill, but again we have a name from the Gaelic for this “Muilinn Dhàibhidh”. 'S e àite loma-lain ainmean-àite inntinneach a th’ ann an Alba. 'S ann às a’ Ghàidhlig a tha faclan mar Kyle (Caol), Inver (Inbhir), Dun (Dùn), Ben (Beinn) agus Loch a’ tighinn. 'S e ainm inntinneach a th’ ann an Dùn Bhreatainn agus tha e ag innse dhuinn gur e àite air leth cudromach a bh’ ann aig aon àm.

What is Gaelic for hello?Dè a' Ghaidhlig airson "hello"?

The loanword 'hàlo' has been introduced, but generally you would greet people according to what time of day that it is.

Madainn mhath – Good morning
Feasgar math – Good afternoon/evening
Also, you could use the same greetings to bid people goodbye.
Oidhche mhath – Goodnight The loanword halò has been introduced, but generally you would greet people according to what time of day that it is.

Madainn mhath – Good morning
Feasgar math – Good afternoon/evening
Also, you could use the same greetings to bid people goodbye.
Oidhche mhath – Goodnight

I’ve heard there is no Gaelic for yes, or no, is this true?Chuala mi nach eil Gàidhlig ann airson "yes" is "no", an e an fhìrinn a th'ann?

There are many words to agree or disagree with a question in Gaelic, but it depends on the way that the question is posed. There are many words to agree or disagree with a question in Gaelic, but it depends on the way that the question is posed.

Is Gaelic not really hard to learn?Nach eil e doirbh Gàidhlig ionnsachadh?

This depends on how hard you work and how many hours you put in to learning Gaelic. Bidh seo a rèir na h-obrach a nì thu agus na h-ùine a dh’fhaodas tu cur seachad ag ionnsachadh a’ chànain.

How do you pronounce ‘Gaelic’?Ciamar a tha thu a' fuaimneachadh "Gàidhlig"?

Scottish Gaelic is pronounced 'Gah-lick'. Mar seo: 'Gah-lick'.

Find a classLorg clas

Abairt na seachdain

An t-ÒgmhiosAn t-Ògmhios

June. The sixth month in the Gregorian calendar. An t-iathamh mìos sa bhliadhna.