Ireland is a very small state. Its area is only 70.2 thousand square meters. km The structure of the country includes 4 provinces, as well as 26 counties. Another 6 counties belong to the UK. Irish comprehensive schools teach their native language, but graduates are familiar with it in much the same way Russian students know English .
What language is spoken in Ireland?
In fact, in this country two official languages are the so-called Gaelic and English. The original Irish language - Gaelic (aka Celtic) - belongs to a large group of Indo-European languages. It is considered an integral part of Celtic history. But today, the Celtic language is most used by the inhabitants of the Isle of Man. Historians believe that in the VI century. BC e. this language was brought to Ireland by Celtic immigrants. Since then, he became his native people. Neither Scandinavian nor Anglo-Norman migrants were able to change the language spoken in Ireland.
History influencing language use
But subsequent events affected the spread of the Irish for the worse. The next stage in the linguistics of Ireland is the conquest of the Tudor and Stuart dynasties. They lasted from 1534 to 1610 and contributed to the suppression of the Celtic dialect in Ireland. In 1654, Oliver Cromwell created his settlements here . This fact also negatively affects the everyday use of the Gaelic language. The adoption of the Penal Code in 1695, as well as the war against the veljamites, worsened the situation. Thus, the number of those who spoke Irish became less and less.
The struggle for the return of the Gaelic
To determine exactly what language is spoken in Ireland, you need to keep in mind the following: Gaelic, which is truly Irish, is actually a dialect of Celtic brought to this area. The closest related language for Gaelic is Scottish. In order to popularize its use again, at the end of the 19th century the so-called Gaelic League was organized. To this day, in Ireland, a huge number of measures are being taken to make people speak their language again. The Celtic language is actually a must-have for learning by all politicians.
However, despite all the measures, in Ireland, it is still English that plays the main role in communication. Therefore, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question: "What language is spoken in Ireland?" The official language here is Irish (along with English). However, this is only the letter of the law. Indeed, most of the population, despite all the efforts of the authorities, still does not know their native language. The classic Gaelic language is used only by a small number of ethnic Irish. Even the French language is spoken by a larger number of people - about 20%. English is used in everyday communication by the vast majority - 94%. Despite this, 70% do not consider English to be their native language.
Gaelic dialects and generally accepted variant
To understand what language is spoken in Ireland, local dialects need to be noted. The Ulster accent is popular in the northern part of the country. In the west it is Connaught. In southern Ireland, people communicate using the Munster dialect. In the process of many reforms, a single version of the Irish language has been created. All books and newspapers are printed on it, and it is also standard on the international Gaelic language exam. Currently, the Irish government is trying hard to promote the Gaelic. In many counties, for example, the use of English names on maps and road signs is prohibited.
There is some difference in the language spoken in Ireland and Scotland. Since Scotland became part of the United Kingdom, the official language here, of course, is English. But not only him. Two other languages are also considered state languages: firstly, it is English-Scottish, and secondly, Celtic-Scottish (aka Gaelic-Scottish) languages. The latter came to the territory of Scotland much earlier than the Anglo-Scottish. Seven centuries ago, it was official in the country.
Celtic features
This language is a kind of linguistic phenomenon and the object of numerous studies of scientists. For example, in Gaelic there is no category of “having” as such. If an ethnic Irishman wants to say, “I have a hundred dollars,” it will sound like the Russian “I have a hundred dollars.” But in Gaelic there is no such thing as the English verb to have. For the phrase “I'm afraid,” the Gaelic equivalent is “there is fear in me.” “I love you” will sound something like “I have love for you in me.” The language spoken in Ireland, perhaps, reflects the characteristic features of the worldview common to the entire ethnic group.
The future of language
Scientists say that the odds of hearing Celtic in Ireland today are equal to the odds of running into a Mandarin Chinese accent here. Gaelic is inextricably linked with the history of the country and reflects the bygone era - those that are completely different from today. However, the best poetic works of Ireland were written in Gaelic. Although he, of course, is unlikely to be honored to become conversational, intensified teaching in schools and universities may not allow the amazing Gaelic language to completely disappear.