Category:Irish

From Namespedia - Names Meaning and Origins

The Irish language is part of the Indo-European family of languages, belonging to the Celtic branch, same as Welsh, Cornish and Breton. These are considered to be the oldest languages living in Europe.

The history of the language begins at an uncertain date, ranging from year 3000 B.C. to 1200 B.C. One thing is certain, it all began with the arrival in Ireland of the Celtic languages speakers. Then around the 5th century, with the conversion to Christianity when Latin was used for administrative purposes, the Irish scribes used to annotate the margins of their manuscripts some Old Irish words and this glosses contain most of the information we have today of the language spoken back then. That is the oldest form of Goidelic or Old Irish languages ('Gaeilge' is the Irish word for the language) and Ogham alphabet was used for the numerous inscriptions dating back then. These inscriptions show similarity of Irish language with Gaulish, Latin, Greek and Sanskrit.

Old Irish is quite distinct from Middle Irish that starts to exist around the 10th century. The language transformed during that period as a consequence of the numerous Vikings invasions. Scandinavian words have made their way into Irish and changed the language forever. Middle Irish was spoken at that time in Ireland, Scotland and Isle of Man. Then in the 12th century the Normans have brought their irreversible influence on the language, many French words being introduced in the language spoken back then. Therefore, as we approach the 13th century an early Modern Irish starts to evolve. Modern Irish seems to have emerged around 19th century when the country was anglicized and people were no longer forced to speak Greek or Latin.