Gaelicisation facts for kids

Gaelicisation (pronounced Gay-lick-eye-zay-shun) is when something becomes more like the Gaels and their culture. The Gaels are a group of people who share a language and history. They are thought to have originally come from Ireland and then spread to Scotland and the Isle of Man.

When we talk about "Gaelic," it usually means the Gaelic languages. But it can also mean other parts of Gaelic culture, like their customs, music, and sports. This process is a part of Celtic identity. Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man are known as Celtic Nations, and the Gaelic languages are a type of Celtic languages.

Early History of Gaelicisation

Throughout history, different groups of people have become more Gaelic. Some examples include the Picts, the Hiberno-Normans, the Scoto-Normans, and the Norse-Gaels. This shows how Gaelic culture and language spread over time.

Modern Efforts to Revive Gaelic Culture

Today, Gaelicisation, or often "re-Gaelicisation," is a planned effort. People are working to bring back Gaelic placenames, surnames, and given names. This helps to promote the Gaelic languages and undo the effects of centuries of Anglicisation, which is when things became more English.

Gaelic Revival on the Isle of Man

The Manx language, which is very similar to Irish, has made a big comeback recently. For a while, the language was used so rarely that a United Nations report in 2009 even mistakenly called it extinct. The language declined because people felt it was not important and many Manx people moved to England.

Now, there are primary schools where students learn in Manx Gaelic. These efforts are based on how Ireland revived its language. People have praised these efforts, and new ways, like using technology, are helping to teach the language even more.

Gaelic Revival in Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, the number of people who speak Irish has grown. In 2000, estimates suggested there were between 20,000 and 80,000 native speakers. By 2011, about 94,000 people used Irish daily outside of school. Around 1.3 million people used Irish at least sometimes. This means about 5 to 10 percent of Ireland's population actively speaks Irish.

More and more people in cities, especially in Dublin, are speaking Irish. This group of educated, middle-class Irish speakers, called Gaeilgeoirí, enjoys a lively cultural scene. They are supported by the growth of Irish medium education (schools teaching in Irish) and Irish-language media.

In some official Gaeltachtaí (Irish-speaking regions), Irish is still spoken every day alongside English.

In Northern Ireland, the process of Gaelicisation is slower. It also gets less support than in other parts of the island. The status of the Irish language in Northern Ireland is often a topic of political discussion.

Gaelic Culture in Scotland

In Scotland, Scottish Gaelic and traditional Gaelic customs are mainly found in the Highlands and islands. These customs include events like the Highland Games, where people compete in traditional sports like the caber toss.

In the 21st century, Scottish Gaelic literature has grown, especially in prose fiction. Phrases like Alba gu bràth (Scotland forever) are now used as a popular rallying cry. Areas where Gaelic culture is strong are called Gàidhealtachd.

See also

• Celticisation
• Hiberno-Normans
• More Irish than the Irish themselves
• Norse-Gaels