|
The History Of Scots Gaelic Language |
Article Submitted by: Thomas Archibald
Saturday, 13 February 2010
|
In the 10th and 11th centuries Scots Gaelic was at its most popular as a language where most people who lived in Scotland spoke the language. Today there is only around 1.6% who can speak Gaelic. Most pro- Gaelic speakers would say that this was the plan of the English - to rid the British Isles of its Gaelic language and replace it by the English language. But there are a number of reasons for the decline of Gaelic as a language. Firstly, by around 1400 the distinction between the Highlands and the Lowlands was firmly established. A scholarly man named John of Fordun had this to say about the differences between the highlanders and the lowlanders in 1380: "The people of the coast are of domestic and civilised habits, trusty, patient, and urbane, decent in their attire, affable, and peaceful, devout in Divine worship, yet always ready to resist a wrong at the hands of their enemies. The highlanders and people of the islands, on the other hand, are a savage and untamed nation, rude and independent, given to rapine, ease-loving, clever and quick to learn, comely in person, but unsightly in dress, hostile to the English people and language, and, owing to the diversity of speech, even to their own nation, and exceedingly cruel. They are however faithful and obedient to their king and country, and obedient to their king and country, and easily made to submit to law, if properly governed." So it could be argued that the main reason for the decline in the Gaelic language was due to the great divide between the differing parts of Scotland. And by the sixteenth century the divergence between the two was at an all time high due to in the main, historic reasons and a different language being spoken. James VI had two main principles for his Highland policy - one being a way to make an income and the other was for it to be used for plantation. He considered that the highlanders and particularly the islanders were not paying their fair taxation and he wanted to change this. In 1597 he set up three burghs in the Highlands with the intent of allowing a number of the lowlanders to rule. With the strengthening Campbell clan and the dislike for the lowlanders of the Highlanders and the Islanders, more disruption was to follow. It was costing the King more money than he cared to spend. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
About The Author:
Scots gaelic and the sheer pleasure of driving a Shelby GT500 are not at all similar. However, the shelby gt 500 for sale so take a look at this beautiful car and assess the shelby gt 500 price range for yourself.
Scots gaelic and the sheer pleasure of driving a Shelby GT500 are not at all similar. However, the shelby gt 500 for sale so take a look at this beautiful car and assess the shelby gt 500 price range for yourself.
You are welcome to publish this article free of charge on your website, newsletter, or e-zine, provided:
- You don't change the article in any way
- You include the entire article, including the "about the author" box
- All hyperlinks must remain intact, including email addresses, and the link to ArticleBlast.com at the bottom
- In doing so you agree to indemnify the article's author, and ArticleBlast.com and its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities which arise out of its use
- It is also recommended that you provide a courtesy copy of your publication to the author of the article
