Re: Celtica (was: Maggel)

Tristan Mc Leay wrote:

> Stephen Mulraney wrote:
>
>>
>> I've noticed that (as Barbara suggests) "Gaelic" when referring to Scots
>> Gaelic is pronounced [gal1k], or when referring to Irish, [gEjl1k].
>
>
I meant [I] in these, not [1].

>
> As for me, [g&ilIk] refers to the Scottish language. [g&lIk] is French
> :)
Fair enough. To be honest, I've only ever heard [gEjlIk], meaning of
course Gaeilge (Irish), but I came across the pronunciation [galIk] to
mean "Scots Gaelic" on an instructional tape. I don't know if the
distinction is actually made anywhere :).

> Referring to anything Irish as Gaelic seems bizarre and not something
> done.
Ok, but it's not as simple as that. "Gaelic" does refer to Irish things,
but it's not used as the name of the language. For example, it *is* used
in the names of Irish institutions, especially the "Gaelic Athletic
Association". But I think most people here would accept this use of
"gaelic" to refer to general Goidhealic culture, not just Irish. I
should also point out that the name of the Irish language is "Gaeilge",
which to most people clearly suggests "Gaelic", even in Ireland. As it
happens, that name isn't used.

> If I was describing Irish as anything but Irish, it'd be [k&ltIk].
> As far as I can tell this is normal usage for Australia.

Well that's just not right :). *Celtic*? I don't see what the Celts have
to do with it. First of all, pop-culture Celticness is as Irish as the
Leprechaun on a box of Lucky Charms. Second, "Celtic" is not a synonym
(synadjective?) for "Irish", nor is Irishness prototypically Celtic. In
term of Irish culture, the Celts are a substrate, nothing more. They're
about as representative of Irish culture as convicts are of Australian.
And if that makes you roll your eyes, well, that's the intended effect :).

Well, it could be worse... at least you don't say [s&ltIk].

s.
--
Stephen Mulraney        ataltane@ataltane.net        http://ataltane.net
In 1869 the waffle iron was invented for people who had wrinkled waffles.

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