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→Alphabet and pronunciation
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Though the Scottish Gaelic and English alphabets are very similar, each has some letters not used in the other. The letters j, k, q, v, w, y, x and z are not used in the Gaelic language except in some 'adopted' words. Gaelic also uses the grave accent above vowels, and until recently used the acute accent over some of them as well. | Though the Scottish Gaelic and English alphabets are very similar, each has some letters not used in the other. The letters j, k, q, v, w, y, x and z are not used in the Gaelic language except in some 'adopted' words. Gaelic also uses the grave accent above vowels, and until recently used the acute accent over some of them as well. | ||
Putting an "h" after a consonant changes its sound (much like in certain English combinations) and serves a grammatical function: | |||
*bh/mh (a V or W sound) | |||
*ch (a guttural sound as in German - known as the velar fricative.) | |||
*dh/gh | |||
**dhe/ghe-, dhi/ghi-, -idh (like a y) | |||
**dha-/gha-, dho-/gho-, dhu/ghu-, -adh, -odh (guttural sound, similar to g) | |||
*fh (silent, occasionally "h") | |||
*ph (f as in English) | |||
*sh, th (an h sound) | |||
Spelling is similar to Irish, although some combinations such as "ae" and "bhf" will not be found in modern Scottish Gaelic. Older documents will use a spelling more similar to Irish, or are often in English phonetics. | Spelling is similar to Irish, although some combinations such as "ae" and "bhf" will not be found in modern Scottish Gaelic. Older documents will use a spelling more similar to Irish, or are often in English phonetics. | ||