old irish
Definition
Proper noun 1. The Gaelic language of Ireland as recorded in manuscripts and inscriptions from the 8th to the 10th centuries AD: This term refers to the earliest attested form of the Goidelic (Gaelic) branch of the Celtic languages, spoken in Ireland and parts of western Scotland. It represents the ancestral stage of Modern Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx.
Usage and Examples
- As a subject of study:
- Old Irish is known for its complex system of initial consonant mutations.
- Scholars study Old Irish to understand the development of the modern Celtic languages.
- In historical context:
- The glosses in the manuscripts are written in Old Irish.
- Many early Irish laws and sagas were composed in Old Irish.
Advanced Usage
- In linguistic terminology: The term is used precisely to denote the specific chronological stage of the language, distinct from Primitive Irish (its unattested predecessor, known only from Ogham inscriptions) and Middle Irish (its successor from c. 900-1200 AD).
- The verb system of Old Irish is notably intricate.
Variants and Related Words
- Middle Irish: The form of the Irish language used from the 10th to the 12th centuries, representing a transitional phase from Old Irish.
- Primitive Irish: The earliest known form of Irish, found in Ogham inscriptions from the 4th to 7th centuries.
- Old Irish grammar: A sub-field of Celtic studies focusing on the structure of the language.
Synonyms and Related Terms
- Early Irish: A broader term sometimes used to encompass both Primitive Irish and Old Irish.
- Gaelic (historical): While "Gaelic" can refer to the modern languages, in a historical context it may be used to refer to their earlier forms, including Old Irish.
Notes on Usage
- Capitalization: The term is typically capitalized as because it is a proper noun referring to a specific historical language.
- Context: It is primarily used in academic, historical, and linguistic contexts. It is not used to refer to any modern form of speech.
Noun
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Irish Gaelic up to about 1100
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