Gealic Language?

Question

Why the hell do Americans insist on calling the Irish language "Gealic"?

there is no such language as Gealic. Its a family of languages like Scott, Welsh, Manx, IRISH and many more.

Why do yuo people insist on calling it something else?

Also - dont try to tell me that it is spoken in the west of Ireland. Im from the west of Ireland and very few places speak Irish - none speak "Gealic"

I speak IRISH fluently btw. So dont tell me that I need to educate myself on the language. I learned it for 16 years and grew up watching Irish programs on TV in Ireland.

Answer 1

Ciarán It a bad time to ask questions in the late evening it attracts yanks. We are now advised that Gaelic is spoken in the Wehst of Ireland and told how our own language fits into the grand scheme of things as epostulated by our western friends. Its no wonder they trip over themselves when they try to chew gum. codhlath sámh is go n-eiri an t-ádh leat and just imagine the fallout if they had any idea of what I've just said. They went to Iraq on much less. Gáire láidir ó Sasanna

Answer 2

Agreed. Gaelic can refer to the language of Scotland, Wales or Ireland. Today, the proper name for the original language of Ireland is Irish. I am so sorry to hear that few people still speak Irish, though. It's a lovely language. I love hearing Clannad since in Irish, or even some Enya. I hope that the Irish language is always spoken at least in a few places in Ireland. I do know that a wonderful variation of Irish is still spoken in at least one part of Newfoundland. It's not the true Irish, but very closely related

Answer 3

OK Negative Nancy! Calm down.

At the end of the day there are only tens of thousands on Irish that speak Irish. As I'm sure you are aware, the real name for the language is Gaeilge. I'm sure it got lost in the translation.

And while we are at it, what fool decided to call it Gaelic Football? Is that played in the other Celtic areas of the world? I'd say it's not just the Yanks that have it wrong buddy:)

Answer 4

Funny, I went to Kylemore Abby for 2 years and during that time spent two weeks at Gaelic School on the Aron Isles. There you would hear the inhabitants readily conversing in Gaelic.

Furthermore Irish, Scottish & Manx are merely dialects of Gaelic - "pertaining to the Gaels." Learn your history before trying to lecture.

Answer 5

Dia dhuit... I'm an American and have studied both Irish and Gaelic (the language of the Scots which is NOT referred to as "Scott" as you put it in your question). I am fully aware of the difference between the two as are many of my fellow Americans. You have obviously encountered Americans who had some confusion in this matter and chose to ignorantly generalise that experience and assume all Americans are confused on this matter. I'm sure you wouldn't want Americans to make any rude assumptions about Irish people based on the tone of your question and the tone of the person above who assumed no Americans understand your language. Perhaps the next time you run across someone who has travelled thousands of miles to visit your lovely island, and they happen to have some confusion about the name of your language, you can take that opportunity to educate them. Go raibh maith agat.

Funny, the French don't get angry when we don't call their language francais...and they were supposed to be the ones who hate us the most.

Answer 6

While I agree there is some confusion as to what language is spoken in Ireland, Gaelic is spoken in the Western parts of Ireland. There are several towns that do not speak English and all of their signage is in Gaelic as well.

Answer 7

Because we are international idiots. At our ripe old age of 300, we know everything...did you not know that??!! What IS a good project is trying to devise a way to get all the US tourism dollars spread around the world....without the tourists! And I must thank you and your countrymen...my first trip abroad was to Ireland last July (coming again in 30 days-watch out!), and I realized very, very quickly why other countries don't like us--we are rude, selfish, have no manners and are EXCEEDINGLY arrogant. Even though it is still a pretty good place to live, I'm not much of a patriot due to how we handle our international relationships.

Answer 8

I've tried to correct so many people on this. The word is Irish or Gaeilge, nobody I know speaks Gaelic. Any time i hear a reference to Gaelic, I think they are talking about scots gaelic.

Answer 9

what does it really matter it's hardly offensive! well it dosnt offend me anyway.