The word ‘Gaelic’ pertains to the language of the Gaels. Phrases in this language are really fun to know and understand, so ‘Saol fada chugat’ to you and carry on your journey through an old, foreign language.
English is not the only language spoken in the British Isles, you know! Several other languages too exist and one of the more popular ones among them is Gaelic.
Getting to Know the Gaels
While the word ‘Gael’ may tempt a primary association with Ireland, these people also thrived in parts of Scotland and the Isle of Man. Popular folklore suggests that the Gaels are descendants of Iberian conquistadors who entered and conquered Ireland sometime in the pre-Christian era. Of course, there may perhaps be no historical evidence which may establish this as a fact, but this particular story of their origins has been told over several centuries. Gaelic culture, being of the pre-Christian time, follows pagan and polytheistic forms of worship.
It is said that the Gaels primarily occupied Ireland, but later they forayed across the sea to Scotland in the era known as the Gaelic expansion. This created a different sub-culture known as Scottish Gaelic. But some accounts suggest otherwise, saying that a clutch of the Gaels resided in Scotland prior to their Scottish conquests. Gaelic is hence spoken by Irish people across the world, and even by some Scots.
Words in Irish Gaelic
| Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| Éirinn go Brách | Erin guh brawk | Ireland forever! |
| Dia dhuit | Dee-ah dwit | God be with you. (also used as ‘Hello’) |
| Sláinte | Sloynta | Cheers! |
| Slán agus beannacht leat | Slawn og-us bann-ockt lat | Goodbye and blessings on you |
| Tabhair póg dom, táim Éireannach | TOO-irr pogue dum, toyme AY-ron-ock | Kiss me, I’m Irish! |
| Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! | Ban-ock-tee na fay-lah paw-rig ur-iv | St. Patrick’s Day blessing upon you |
| Pionta Guinness, le do thoil | Pyunta Guinness leh duh hull | A pint of Guinness, please. |
| Lá Fhéile Pádraig | Law ae-leh paw-rig | Saint Patrick’s Day |
| Is tú mo ghrá | Iss two muh guhraw | I love you |
| Grá | Graw | Love |
Words in Scottish Gaelic
| Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| Slàinte mhòr agad | SLAHN-tchuh VORR AH-kut | Great health to you |
| Tha gaol agam ort | Hah GEUL AH-kum orsht | I love you |
| Dè an t-ainm a tha oirbh | Jeh un TAH-num uh HAW-ruv | What’s your name |
| Ciamar a tha sibh? | KIM-mer uh HAH shiv | How are you |
| Dè tha thu a dèanamh? | Eh HAH oo uh JEE-ah-nuv | What are you doing |
| Nach i tha teth an-diugh | Nahch ee hah TCHEH un-DJOO | Isn’t it hot today |
| Ceart gu leòr. Tha an t-acras orm | Kyarsht guh LYAWR. Hahn TAH-krus AW-rum | You bet. I’m hungry |
| Bu toigh leam bracaist a ghabhail | Boo tuh LUH-oom BRAH-kawsht uh GAH-ull | I would like to have breakfast |
| Càit a bheil an taigh beag? | KAHTCH uh vehl un tye bek | Where’s the bathroom |
| An toir thu dhomh pòg | Un TUH-r oo ghawnh pawk | Will you give me a kiss |
Gaelic is an interesting language, although not very widely spoken. But if there is an Irish person you’ve been trying to impress, there is no doubt that a bunch of these phrases will come in pretty handy!
