Gaelic is the first language of the Outer Hebrides. Today the islands are the main stronghold of this lyrical language in Scotland, and one of the few places you’ll hear it spoken as you travel around – on the croft, in church, in a café or on the ferry. Dating back centuries, Gaelic is one of the oldest languages in Europe and is more than a thousand years older than English.
GAELIC PLACE NAMES
Most of modern Scotland was once Gaelic-speaking, as evidenced especially by Gaelic-language place names.
Look around you, read the road signs, admire place-names and you’ll see the influence. There are thousands that carry origins from Gaelic:
Aviemore - An Aghaidh Mhòr / "The Big Hill Face"
Dundee - Dùn Dè / "Tay Fort"
Glasgow - Glaschu / "Green Hollow"
Inverness - Inbhir Nis / "Confluence of the Ness"
Gaelic Names
Gaelic names are becoming more popular throughout Scotland and beyond in their traditional or Anglicised spelling, for example, Ruaraidh, Kirsty, Angus, Mairi, Dougal, Iseabail. Some other English names have Gaelic translations and others have been “twinned” with English names over the centuries.
Malcolm - Calum
James - Seumas
John - Iain
Johnny - Seonaidh
Donald - Dòmhnall
George - Seòras
Charles -Tearlach
Jean - Sìne (Sheena)
Rachel - Raonaid
Clare - Sorcha
Christine - Catrìona
Helen - Eilidh
In practice, island folk often don’t use surnames and are instead known by their sloineadh or patronymic. This varies from place-to-place but is a summary of your lineage and tends to be your own first name, followed by that of a parent, and then a grandparent - Ruaraidh Iain Fhionlaigh (Rory son of Iain, son of Finlay) or Catriòna Sine Mhòrag (Catriona, daughter of Jean, daughter of Morag). This tradition goes back to the very heart of Gaelic culture, and reminds you on a daily basis of the important linkages between the generations. A trip to the islands is a great opportunity to think of your own sloineadh!
Unlike in English, where both men and women use ‘Mac” as their surname meaning "son of", in Gaelic men use Mac, but women use Nic (a short form of "nighean" or daughter) in its place. So Helen MacIntyre would be Eilidh Nic an t-Saoir in Gaelic.
GAELIC REVIVAL
Centuries of state hostility meant Gaelic had no place in public life until the end of the 20th century but, today Gaelic is experiencing a great resurgence in the arts, music, media and education. The Outer Hebrides are central to this revival. They are the last place in Britain where Gaelic is still spoken on a daily basis by the majority of the population.
TRY SOME GAELIC
They ask…
Co às a tha thu? (Co as a ha oo) - Where are you from?
You reply…
Tha mi à Paris (Ha mi a Paris) - I’m from Paris
They ask…
Dè tha dol? (Jay tha doll) - What are you up to?
You reply…
Chan eil mòran (Han ayl more an) - Nothing much
They ask…
Dè do chòr? (Jay do chore) - How are things?
You reply…
Obh, obh, obh (Ov, ov, ov) - You don’t want to know
If the conversation is going well with your new acquaintance, tell them your name and ask their’s.
You say…
‘S mise Katie (Smeesha Katie) - I am Katie
You ask…
Cò thusa? (Co husa) - Who are you?
By then it should be time to share an uisge-beatha (whisky).
For beginners, Duolingo now has a Gaelic course, which makes picking up a few words easy and fun.
For those taking things further, LearnGaelic has a dictionary, lots of videos and learning support.
Enrich your Gaelic conversation skills while visiting our island communities with immersion courses and one-off local lessons.
