Re: Celtica (was: Maggel)

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].

As for me, [g&ilIk] refers to the Scottish language. [g&lIk] is French
:) Referring to anything Irish as Gaelic seems bizarre and not something
done. 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.

> However, In Ireland, "gaelic" is really only used to refer to gaelic
> culture, most often gaelic sports. Using "Gaelic" meaning "the Irish
> language" has a rather contemptuous ring to it, I think, though I'm not
> sure why (similar to "Erse", in fact). I suppose it might be because
> either it's a typical name used by people who are ignorant about the
> languages (or their distinctness), or because it was the standard term
> in the bad old days when most Irish people knew as much Irish as they
> did Dyiribal.. However, there are certainly people in Ireland who,
> rather old-fashionedly to my ears, use the name "Gaelic" without malice.
> But generally it's not done.
>
>
> As for it's use by Forringers, well, there's no accounting for that...
> but Irish people call "Gaeilge" "Irish", and that's about as authoritive
> as you can get, I think.

--
Tristan.

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