Scottish Gaelic language

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The Scottish language (Gàidhlig) (often commonly referred to simply as Gaelic in English) is a sister language of Irish and Manx; all three are Goidelic languages and part of the Celtic language family. It is also related to the Welsh language, Cornish language and the Breton language (these three are Brittonic or Brythonic languages).

[edit] History

In past times, the language was spoken across all of Scotland, except for the Northern Islands (Orkney and Shetland). In the later part of the Middle Ages, the kings of Scotland began to speak the English language, and looked down on the Scottish language. When the country of England took over Scotland, the language was snubbed and looked down on even more. The English language took over.

[edit] Scottish Gaelic today

Today, it is spoken only by about 60,000 people in Scotland and perhaps 1,000-2,000 in Nova Scotia, Canada. Only the Western Isles of Scotland have more people who can speak the language than not.

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