gaelic
gaelic — noun
1. the Celtic tongue used today by communities in the Scottish Highlands and along
the Celtic tongue used today by communities in the Scottish Highlands and along the country's western islands.
Owen took weekend classes in Gaelic before his trip to the Isle of Skye.
uncountable: noun referring to the Scottish language
Road signs across the Highlands are written in both English and Gaelic.
common collocation: written in Gaelic
Christopher's grandmother still sings old folk songs in Gaelic at family gatherings.
Many primary schools in the Western Isles now teach lessons in Gaelic.
- Scottish Gaelic
the formal name; clearer when Irish Gaelic is also in the discussion
- Erse
an older, now dated label sometimes applied to both Scottish and Irish Gaelic
用法筆記
Often called Scottish Gaelic to distinguish from sense 2 (Irish Gaelic). Used as an uncountable noun; never takes 'a' or a plural.
常見錯誤
2. the Celtic language of Ireland, which is one of the country's official languages
the Celtic language of Ireland, which is one of the country's official languages and a required subject in Irish schools.
Diego studied Gaelic for six years at his secondary school in Dublin.
context: Ireland's compulsory school subject
Many shop signs in Galway display their names in both English and Gaelic.
collocation: signs in Gaelic
Anjali was surprised that Irish news bulletins are broadcast daily in Gaelic.
Kabir asked his Dublin friends to teach him a few simple greetings in Gaelic.
- Irish
the preferred everyday name within Ireland
- Irish Gaelic
fuller form, useful in contrast with Scottish Gaelic
用法筆記
Speakers in Ireland more commonly call this language 'Irish' or 'Irish Gaelic'. Distinguish from sense 1 (Scottish Gaelic) — they are related but mutually different languages.
常見錯誤
3. the Celtic tongue once widely used on Man, an island between Britain and Ireland
the Celtic tongue once widely used on Man, an island between Britain and Ireland — now mostly known from older speakers and revival projects.
Henry studied poems written in Gaelic on the Isle of Man in the 1800s.
historical context: Isle of Man, past usage
By the 1970s, only a few elderly islanders still spoke Gaelic at home.
context: decline of native speakers
Volunteer groups on the island now record fluent speakers reading children's books aloud in Gaelic.
Élise visited a small museum that displayed old letters and church records written in Gaelic.
- Manx
the standard modern name in English
- Manx Gaelic
fuller form, makes the family link clear
用法筆記
Today this variety is more commonly called Manx or Manx Gaelic. Sense 3 differs from senses 1 and 2 by being a third distinct Celtic language, not a dialect of either.
常見錯誤
gaelic — adjective
- gaelicpositive
- more gaeliccomparative
- most gaelicsuperlative
1. having to do with western Scotland's Celtic tongue, the communities who use it,
having to do with western Scotland's Celtic tongue, the communities who use it, or the songs, stories, and customs that go with it.
Ziad bought a CD of Gaelic folk songs after the concert in Edinburgh.
Gaelic + noun (folk songs)
The university offers a summer course on Gaelic poetry from the Western Isles.
Gaelic + noun (poetry)
Sivan attended a Gaelic mass at a small chapel near Stornoway.
The children loved hearing old Gaelic stories about sea creatures and brave fishermen.
- Scottish Gaelic
fuller form for the Scottish Celtic variety
- Highland
broader cultural label tied to the same region
文法句型
Gaelic + noun
用法筆記
Used before a noun (attributive). For the people themselves, sense 2 is more typical. Compare with sense 3 (Irish-language sense).
常見錯誤
2. describing Scottish people, especially Highlanders, or anything that is typical
describing Scottish people, especially Highlanders, or anything that is typical of their character, traditions, or way of life.
Sirin wrote her thesis on the warm Gaelic hospitality she met in the Hebrides.
Gaelic + noun (hospitality)
Old guidebooks often praise the proud Gaelic character of the Highland communities.
collocation: Gaelic character
Andrew traced his Gaelic roots back to a small fishing village on the west coast.
The festival celebrates the music, dance, and food of Gaelic communities from across Scotland.
文法句型
Gaelic + noun (person, community, etc.)
用法筆記
Functions as a near-synonym of 'Scottish' but narrows the focus to Celtic-Highland heritage. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about the language and its products.
常見錯誤
3. having to do with Ireland's native Celtic tongue, the communities who use it, or
having to do with Ireland's native Celtic tongue, the communities who use it, or the songs, stories, and customs that go with it.
Liang joined a Gaelic conversation group at the community centre in Cork.
Gaelic + noun (conversation group)
Constanza was moved by the old Gaelic prayer sung at the small country wedding.
Gaelic + noun (prayer)
Jenna keeps a small book of Gaelic blessings on the kitchen shelf.
The Dublin library has a fine collection of Gaelic manuscripts from the medieval period.
- Irish Gaelic
fuller form, makes the Ireland link explicit
- Irish
everyday preferred label in Ireland itself
文法句型
Gaelic + noun
用法筆記
Used before a noun (attributive). For the people or culture themselves, sense 4 is more typical. Compare with sense 1 (Scottish-language sense).
常見錯誤
4. describing Irish people, or anything that captures their traditional spirit, cus
describing Irish people, or anything that captures their traditional spirit, customs, or way of life.
Zayd wrote a fond essay about the lively Gaelic humour at every Dublin pub.
Gaelic + noun (humour)
Kofi traced his wife's Gaelic ancestry back to a farming family in County Mayo.
collocation: Gaelic ancestry
The village still keeps many old Gaelic customs alive at its summer festival.
Old folk tales celebrate the warm Gaelic welcome offered to every traveller at the door.
文法句型
Gaelic + noun (person, community, etc.)
用法筆記
Near-synonym of 'Irish' that highlights the Celtic-cultural side. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about the language and its products.