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| A '''Gael''' is a member of a distinct culture existing in ], ] and the ] whose language is one that is ]. The word in English was adopted in 1810 from Scots ''gaedheal'' (compare Irish ''gaoidheal'') to designate a Highlander ('']''). Gael or Gaoidheal was first used as a collective term to describe people from Ireland; it was a Welsh word, meaning ''raiders''. | |||
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| == Mythological origin == | |||
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| The Gaels during the beginning of the Christian era (at which time Gaelic people were most likely restricted to Ireland) believed themselves to be descendants of ]. This belief persisted in the Gaelic cultures of Ireland and Scotland up to the present day, with many if not most clan leaders in either country claiming descent from their predeccesor, back to famous historical kings going back into pre-history. | |||
| == Historical expansion == | |||
| Starting sometime around the 5th century Gaelic language and culture spread from Ireland to the southwest coast of Scotland where it may have already existed since Roman times. This area was known as ]. The Gaels soon spread out to most of the rest of the country. Culturo-linguistic dominance in the area eventually led to the Latin name for Irish people, "Scotti", to be applied to what is now Scotland. Since that time Gaelic culture rose and, in the past three centuries, greatly diminished, in most of Ireland and Scotland. The most culturally Gaelic regions are in the north of Scotland, the west of Ireland and ] in ] where the descendants of the ] were transplanted. | |||
| The Isle of Man (Manx Gaelic '''Ellan Vannin''', "Mannin's Isle", from the pre-Christian deity known as ]) also came under Gaelic influence in its history. The last native speaker of Manx died in the 1970's, but there is now a resurgent language movement and Manx is once again taught in some schools. A large part of the island's cultural heritage is still Gaelic. | |||
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Revision as of 01:49, 15 June 2005
A Gael is a member of a distinct culture existing in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man whose language is one that is Gaelic. The word in English was adopted in 1810 from Scots gaedheal (compare Irish gaoidheal) to designate a Highlander (OED). Gael or Gaoidheal was first used as a collective term to describe people from Ireland; it was a Welsh word, meaning raiders.
Mythological origin
The Gaels during the beginning of the Christian era (at which time Gaelic people were most likely restricted to Ireland) believed themselves to be descendants of Míl Espáine. This belief persisted in the Gaelic cultures of Ireland and Scotland up to the present day, with many if not most clan leaders in either country claiming descent from their predeccesor, back to famous historical kings going back into pre-history.
Historical expansion
Starting sometime around the 5th century Gaelic language and culture spread from Ireland to the southwest coast of Scotland where it may have already existed since Roman times. This area was known as Dal Riada. The Gaels soon spread out to most of the rest of the country. Culturo-linguistic dominance in the area eventually led to the Latin name for Irish people, "Scotti", to be applied to what is now Scotland. Since that time Gaelic culture rose and, in the past three centuries, greatly diminished, in most of Ireland and Scotland. The most culturally Gaelic regions are in the north of Scotland, the west of Ireland and Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia where the descendants of the Highland Clearings were transplanted.
The Isle of Man (Manx Gaelic Ellan Vannin, "Mannin's Isle", from the pre-Christian deity known as Manannan Mac Lir) also came under Gaelic influence in its history. The last native speaker of Manx died in the 1970's, but there is now a resurgent language movement and Manx is once again taught in some schools. A large part of the island's cultural heritage is still Gaelic.
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