Ireland Languages: Difference between revisions

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The native language of Ireland is Irish (also known as Gaelic, a name shared with the Manx and Scottish versions). In the [[Republic of Ireland]], Irish has official status, but in [[Northern Ireland]] it has little or none, although it
==Description==
In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland '''Republic of Ireland'''], under the Constitution of Ireland, both '''English''' and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_language '''Irish or Gaelic'''] have official status, with Irish being the national and first official language.<br>


Most records used in Irish research were begun in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries and were written in English. The other language you may have to deal with is Latin. Government records were written in Latin until 1733, some Catholic Church records used Latin until the mid-nineteenth century, and older records written in English often latinized names and relationships. Some knowledge of Latin will help you read these records.
In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland '''Northern Ireland'''], '''English''' is the primary language for 95% of the population, and de facto official language, while '''Irish or Gaelic''' is recognized as an official language under the Identity and Language Act of 2022 and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Scots_dialect '''Ulster Scots'''] is recognized as a minority language. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Languages of Ireland," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Ireland, accessed 24 May 2023.</ref><br>


== Irish language ==
Most records used in Irish research were begun in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries and were written in English. The other language you may have to deal with is Latin. Government records were written in Latin until 1733, some Catholic Church records used Latin until the mid-nineteenth century, and older records written in English often latinized names and relationships. Some knowledge of Latin will help you read these records.<br>


Irish (Gaeilge, formerly written as Gaedhilge) is a member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages. It is closely related to [[Isle of Man Languages|Manx]] and [[Scotland Languages|Scottish Gaelic]], and more distantly to [[Wales Language and Languages|Welsh]], [[Cornwall Language and Languages|Cornish]] and [[Brittany Language and Languages|Breton]].
'''[https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Ireland_Languages#:~:text=Language%20Information%3A More Detailed Information]'''<br>


Irish was spoken natively in Northern Ireland into the twentieth century, in areas such as Rathlin Island, and the Sperrin Mountains. The 1901 & 1911 Censuses reveal that it was spoken by both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant communities.
==Word List(s)==
Helpful Genealogical Word List:
*[[Latin Genealogical Word List|Latin Genealogical Word List]]
*[[French Genealogical Word List|French Genealogical Word List]]
*[[German Genealogical Word List|German Genealogical Word List]]
*[[Spanish Genealogical Word List|Spanish Genealogical Word List]]
*[[Polish Genealogical Word List|Polish Genealogical Word List]]
*[[Portuguese Genealogical Word List|Portuguese Genealogical Word List]]
*[[Russian Genealogical Word List|Russian Genealogical Word List]]


In the Republic of Ireland, formerly the Irish Freestate, Irish has been an official language since independence in the 1920s. One can see both Irish and English used on official documents from the ROI. The republic has also set up Gaeltachts, which are areas in which Irish is supposedly used by much of the community (the definition and the reality are often at odds) - these are generally scattered along the west coast.
'''Irish or Gaelic'''
*[https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/irish.php Useful Irish phrases (Omniglot)]
*[https://wikitravel.org/en/Irish_phrasebook Irish phrasebook (Wikitravel)]


Irish gives rise to many Irish surnames, including any beginning with:
'''Ulster Scots or Scots'''
*[https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/scots.php Useful Scots phrases (Omniglot)]


* Mac, Mc, M' or Mag- e.g. Maguire, McDonnell, MacGuinness. "Mac" means "son of".
==Alphabet and Pronunciation==
* O' e.g. O' Dwyer, O' Higgins. "O" means "grandson of".
'''Irish or Gaelic'''
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_phonology Irish phonology (Wikipedia)]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_orthography Irish orthography (Wikipedia)]
*[https://www.omniglot.com/writing/irish.htm Irish Alphabet and Pronunciation (Omniglot)]
*[https://forvo.com/languages/ga/ Irish pronunciation dictionary (Forvo)]


It was quite common for many families to drop the Mac or O' from their surnames, so some of the surnames above might also reappear as Dwyer, Higgins, Guinness etc, in the same family. In certain names, "Mac" also became "Fitz" e.g. Fitzgerald.
'''Ulster Scots or Scots'''
*[https://www.omniglot.com/writing/scots.htm Scots Alphabet and Pronunciation (Omniglot)]


Many other Irish names also derive from Irish Gaelic, e.g. Branagh (Breathnach)
==Language Aids and Dictionaries==
'''Irish or Gaelic'''
*[https://glosbe.com/en/ga English to Irish Dictionary (Glosbe)]
*[https://www.lexilogos.com/english/irish_english_dictionary.htm Irish English dictionary (Lexilogos)]
*[https://www.mustgo.com/worldlanguages/irish-gaelic/ Irish Gaelic (MustGo)]
*[https://www.duolingo.com/course/ga/en/Learn-Irish Learn Irish (Duolingo)]
*[https://www.liofa.eu/learning-irish/useful-links Learning Irish Courses (Liofa)]
* Joyce, James. ''Step-by-step Irish : an Irish language workbook for beginners.'' Columbia, SC: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/1090138739 WorldCat].


The old Gaelic naming system is extremely complex, and exists mainly in oral tradition.  
'''Ulster Scots or Scots'''
*[https://glosbe.com/en/sco English to Scots Dictionary (Glosbe)]
* Kingsmore, Rona K and Michael Montgomery. ''Ulster Scots speech : a sociolinguistic study.'' Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1995. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/30779230 WorldCat].


Many personal names such as Shaun (John), Kevin, Conor, Neil, Maeve and Kathleen all ultimately derive from the language too. There are other, traditional, Gaelic names which have no direct equivalents in English: Domhnall, which is normally rendered as the unrelated Daniel or Donald; Grainne, for which there is nothing similar in English, and it is rendered as 'Grace'; Cathal, which is "matched" with Charles.  
==Additional Resources==
*[https://www.britannica.com/place/Ireland Ireland (Britannica)]
*[https://wikitravel.org/en/Ireland Ireland (Wikitravel)]
* ''Oxford English Dictionary Online.'' Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2002. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/586002392 WorldCat].
* ''The Irish genealogist.'' London: Irish Genealogical Research Society, 1937. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/1798086 WorldCat].
* McLaughlin, Eve. ''Simple Latin for family historians.'' Aylesbury, Bucks: Varneys Press, 1999. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/43358619 WorldCat].
* Martin, Charles Trice. ''The record interpreter.'' London: Stevens and Sons, 1910. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/932846326 WorldCat].<br>


In the last hundred years, many people have given their children Irish names in the original spelling, e.g. the actors Saoirse Ronan and Ciarán Hinds. This is more common in the Republic, and when it occurs in Northern Ireland is usually connected with people who come from a Roman Catholic or Nationalist/Republican background.
'''Language Information''':


== Ulster Scots ==
''Irish language''<br>
Ulster Scots (also known as Ullans or Ulster-Scotch), is a vernacular used by a few people in County Donegal in the Republic and parts of Northern Ireland, especially County Antrim. Although commonly portrayed as a "Protestant" language, it is in fact used by members of both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant communities. It has very limited official recognition.
Irish (Gaeilge, formerly written as Gaedhilge) is a member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages. It is closely related to [[Isle of Man Languages|Manx]] and [[Scotland Languages|Scottish Gaelic]], and more distantly to [[Wales Language and Languages|Welsh]], [[Cornwall Language and Languages|Cornish]] and [[Brittany Language and Languages|Breton]].<br>
*Irish was spoken natively in Northern Ireland into the twentieth century, in areas such as Rathlin Island, and the Sperrin Mountains. The 1901 & 1911 Censuses reveal that it was spoken by both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant communities.
*In the Republic of Ireland, formerly the Irish Freestate, Irish has been an official language since independence in the 1920s. One can see both Irish and English used on official documents from the ROI. The republic has also set up Gaeltachts, which are areas in which Irish is supposedly used by much of the community (the definition and the reality are often at odds) - these are generally scattered along the west coast.
*Irish gives rise to many Irish surnames, including any beginning with:
** Mac, Mc, M' or Mag- e.g. Maguire, McDonnell, MacGuinness. "Mac" means "son of".
** O' e.g. O' Dwyer, O' Higgins. "O" means "grandson of".
*It was quite common for many families to drop the Mac or O' from their surnames, so some of the surnames above might also reappear as Dwyer, Higgins, Guinness etc, in the same family. In certain names, "Mac" also became "Fitz" e.g. Fitzgerald.
*Many other Irish names also derive from Irish Gaelic, e.g. Branagh (Breathnach)
*The old Gaelic naming system is extremely complex, and exists mainly in oral tradition.
*Many personal names such as Shaun (John), Kevin, Conor, Neil, Maeve and Kathleen all ultimately derive from the language too. There are other, traditional, Gaelic names which have no direct equivalents in English: Domhnall, which is normally rendered as the unrelated Daniel or Donald; Grainne, for which there is nothing similar in English, and it is rendered as 'Grace'; Cathal, which is "matched" with Charles.
*In the last hundred years, many people have given their children Irish names in the original spelling, e.g. the actors Saoirse Ronan and Ciarán Hinds. This is more common in the Republic, and when it occurs in Northern Ireland is usually connected with people who come from a Roman Catholic or Nationalist/Republican background.


Genealogists may encounter an occasional word of Ulster Scots when looking at old documents, but the language is not distinct enough to cause major problems.
''Ulster Scots''<br>
*Ulster Scots (also known as Ullans or Ulster-Scotch), is a vernacular used by a few people in County Donegal in the Republic and parts of Northern Ireland, especially County Antrim. *Although commonly portrayed as a "Protestant" language, it is in fact used by members of both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant communities.
*It has very limited official recognition.
*Genealogists may encounter an occasional word of Ulster Scots when looking at old documents, but the language is not distinct enough to cause major problems.


== Latin ==
''Latin''<br>
Latin was used for written records in Ireland over a thousand years ago, prior to the Anglo-Norman, and even the Norse invasions. It continued to be used long after the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
*Latin was used for written records in Ireland over a thousand years ago, prior to the Anglo-Norman, and even the Norse invasions.
*It continued to be used long after the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.


== Shelta ==
''Shelta''<br>
This is the traditional language of Irish travellers. One is unlikely to ever come across this in records, much less so than Irish.
This is the traditional language of Irish travellers. One is unlikely to ever come across this in records, much less so than Irish.<br>
== Online Databases ==


*[http://emeraldtiger.com/general/ emeraldtiger]
Spelling may make some records difficult to read. Prior to 1900, spelling was often phonetic. Family and place-names were often spelled as they sounded to the writer. And given names were often abbreviated.<br>
*[http://islandireland.com/Pages/ islandireland]
Handwriting may also make records difficult to read. Writing styles have changed over time. With practice you should be able to decipher most of the difficult words and letters you will encounter in Irish records.<br>


== Books ==
==References==
For help in reading Latin, see:


*Ainsworth, Robert. ''Thesaurus Linguae Latinae Compendiarius: Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary. 1752''. Reprint. London, England: Frederick Westly and A. H. Davis, 1836. (Family History Library {{FHL|599788|film|disp=book Ref 473 Ai65a 1836; film 599788}}.) This is a Latin dictionary. Most libraries have a similar work.
*''[[Latin Genealogical Word List]]'' provides translations of Latin words often used in genealogical records.
*Martin, Charles T., comp. ''The Record Interpreter''. 2d ed. Dorking, England: Kohler and Coombes, 1976. (Family History Library book Ref {{FHL|422.471 M363re|disp=422.471 M363re}}.) This book is a collection of abbreviations, Latin words, and names used in British historical manuscripts and records.
*McLaughlin, Eve. ''Simple Latin for Family Historians''. 3rd ed. Birmingham, England: Federation of Family History Societies, 1988. (Family History Library {{FHL|478 M222s|disp=book Ref 478 M222s}}.) This book lists Latin words that frequently appear in parish registers.
The meanings of words may also have changed over time, making some records difficult to understand. The following book can help you understand strange usages as it provides examples of British word usages in different time periods:
*Murray, Sir James A. H., ed. ''Oxford English Dictionary''. 13 vols. plus supps. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1933. (Family History Library {{FHL|423 M964o|disp=book Ref 423 M964o}}.)
Spelling may make some records difficult to read. Prior to 1900, spelling was often phonetic. Family and place-names were often spelled as they sounded to the writer. And given names were often abbreviated.
Handwriting may also make records difficult to read. Writing styles have changed over time. With practice you should be able to decipher most of the difficult words and letters you will encounter in Irish records.
Other language helps available at the Family History Library are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under:
:IRELAND - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES
{{Place|Ireland}}
[[Category:Ireland Language and Handwriting]] [[Category:Language and Handwriting]]
[[Category:Ireland Language and Handwriting]] [[Category:Language and Handwriting]]

Latest revision as of 12:18, 20 March 2024


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Description[edit | edit source]

In the Republic of Ireland, under the Constitution of Ireland, both English and Irish or Gaelic have official status, with Irish being the national and first official language.

In Northern Ireland, English is the primary language for 95% of the population, and de facto official language, while Irish or Gaelic is recognized as an official language under the Identity and Language Act of 2022 and Ulster Scots is recognized as a minority language. [1]

Most records used in Irish research were begun in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries and were written in English. The other language you may have to deal with is Latin. Government records were written in Latin until 1733, some Catholic Church records used Latin until the mid-nineteenth century, and older records written in English often latinized names and relationships. Some knowledge of Latin will help you read these records.

More Detailed Information

Word List(s)[edit | edit source]

Helpful Genealogical Word List:

Irish or Gaelic

Ulster Scots or Scots

Alphabet and Pronunciation[edit | edit source]

Irish or Gaelic

Ulster Scots or Scots

Language Aids and Dictionaries[edit | edit source]

Irish or Gaelic

Ulster Scots or Scots

Additional Resources[edit | edit source]

  • Ireland (Britannica)
  • Ireland (Wikitravel)
  • Oxford English Dictionary Online. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2002. Available at: WorldCat.
  • The Irish genealogist. London: Irish Genealogical Research Society, 1937. Available at: WorldCat.
  • McLaughlin, Eve. Simple Latin for family historians. Aylesbury, Bucks: Varneys Press, 1999. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Martin, Charles Trice. The record interpreter. London: Stevens and Sons, 1910. Available at: WorldCat.

Language Information:

Irish language
Irish (Gaeilge, formerly written as Gaedhilge) is a member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages. It is closely related to Manx and Scottish Gaelic, and more distantly to Welsh, Cornish and Breton.

  • Irish was spoken natively in Northern Ireland into the twentieth century, in areas such as Rathlin Island, and the Sperrin Mountains. The 1901 & 1911 Censuses reveal that it was spoken by both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant communities.
  • In the Republic of Ireland, formerly the Irish Freestate, Irish has been an official language since independence in the 1920s. One can see both Irish and English used on official documents from the ROI. The republic has also set up Gaeltachts, which are areas in which Irish is supposedly used by much of the community (the definition and the reality are often at odds) - these are generally scattered along the west coast.
  • Irish gives rise to many Irish surnames, including any beginning with:
    • Mac, Mc, M' or Mag- e.g. Maguire, McDonnell, MacGuinness. "Mac" means "son of".
    • O' e.g. O' Dwyer, O' Higgins. "O" means "grandson of".
  • It was quite common for many families to drop the Mac or O' from their surnames, so some of the surnames above might also reappear as Dwyer, Higgins, Guinness etc, in the same family. In certain names, "Mac" also became "Fitz" e.g. Fitzgerald.
  • Many other Irish names also derive from Irish Gaelic, e.g. Branagh (Breathnach)
  • The old Gaelic naming system is extremely complex, and exists mainly in oral tradition.
  • Many personal names such as Shaun (John), Kevin, Conor, Neil, Maeve and Kathleen all ultimately derive from the language too. There are other, traditional, Gaelic names which have no direct equivalents in English: Domhnall, which is normally rendered as the unrelated Daniel or Donald; Grainne, for which there is nothing similar in English, and it is rendered as 'Grace'; Cathal, which is "matched" with Charles.
  • In the last hundred years, many people have given their children Irish names in the original spelling, e.g. the actors Saoirse Ronan and Ciarán Hinds. This is more common in the Republic, and when it occurs in Northern Ireland is usually connected with people who come from a Roman Catholic or Nationalist/Republican background.

Ulster Scots

  • Ulster Scots (also known as Ullans or Ulster-Scotch), is a vernacular used by a few people in County Donegal in the Republic and parts of Northern Ireland, especially County Antrim. *Although commonly portrayed as a "Protestant" language, it is in fact used by members of both the Roman Catholic and the Protestant communities.
  • It has very limited official recognition.
  • Genealogists may encounter an occasional word of Ulster Scots when looking at old documents, but the language is not distinct enough to cause major problems.

Latin

  • Latin was used for written records in Ireland over a thousand years ago, prior to the Anglo-Norman, and even the Norse invasions.
  • It continued to be used long after the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.

Shelta
This is the traditional language of Irish travellers. One is unlikely to ever come across this in records, much less so than Irish.

Spelling may make some records difficult to read. Prior to 1900, spelling was often phonetic. Family and place-names were often spelled as they sounded to the writer. And given names were often abbreviated.
Handwriting may also make records difficult to read. Writing styles have changed over time. With practice you should be able to decipher most of the difficult words and letters you will encounter in Irish records.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Languages of Ireland," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Ireland, accessed 24 May 2023.
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