Focal an Lae #214
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: Gael (GWAY-uhl) [geːl]
Meaning: Gael = Irish person; person of Gaelic culture or heritage
Usage:
- teanga na nGael (CHANG-guh nuhng WAY-uhl) [t′æŋgə nə ŋeːl] = the language of the Irish
- Gaelscoil (GWAY-uhl-skwehl) [geːlskel′] = Irish-medium school
- Gaeltacht (GWAY-uhl-tuhkht) [geːltəxt] = Irish-speaking community
History: Old Irish “Goídel” was not originally a native word.
It was borrowed from a British (P-Celtic) word similar to Modern Welsh “Gwyddel” (Irishman).
The term that the Gaels originally used to refer to themselves was Old Irish “Féni” (freemen, freeholders).
Today linguists use the term “Goidelic” to encompass all the forms of the language, from Primitive Irish down to
present day Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx.
Scottish Gaelic: Gaidheal