If you’ve ever ventured further north into Scotland or west into Wales, you will maybe have heard a completely different language than English – and I don’t mean accents or dialects – real languages!!!
Let’s look back in history to help understand where we are now. WARNING: This is the KISS (keep it short and simple) version so that you get an insight into why there are 5 languages in one Island – English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Scots (an old Germanic language) and Cornish. For a more detailed video, check out this very interesting vid ‘Languages of the British Isles’ https://youtu.be/ODeYttUY4VI
The Celts came to the Great Britain and settled with the Anglo-Saxons closely behind them. The Anglo-Saxons drove the Celts west to Wales – Welsh, Cornwall – Cornish, Isle of Man – Manx) and some went to Bretagne in France (Breton).
A different group of Celts landed in Ireland (Irish Gaelic), settled and even crossed over to Scotland (Scottish Gaelic).
As a result you have two main roots of Gaelic which developed into different languages. Welsh and Co and Irish & Scottish Gaelic. The Welsh & Co would more or less understand each other – at least that’s what I’ve been told, and the Irish and Scots could get the gist of what the other is saying. Unfortunately, putting them all in one room, the Welsh & Co wouldn’t be able to understand Irish and Scots.
Want to listen to a bit of Scottish Gaelic, then check out the BBC Radio Scotland or in Gaelic (Nan Gaidheal) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_nan_gaidheal
Want to listen to a bit of Welsh, then check out the BBC Radio Wales or Cymru. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_cymru
Have a great Weekend.
to venture (wagen), get an insight into sth (Einblick bekommen), to settle (sich niederlassen), roots (hier: Stamm), to get the gist of sth (das wesentliche erfassen)