Surprise: Gaelic isn't the Irish language

What do you call the Irish language? Here's a clue. It's not Gaelic or Irish. 

Whilst folk in the UK may realise there is an Irish language, they may not realise there's also a Scotish one. In fact there are more than one. Gaelic is the collective term for languages and dialects spoken by the Gaels and Celtic highlanders in Scotland, but also by Celts in Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Scottish highlands.

The Irish form of Gaelic, or Gaeilge as it's referred to in the Irish language, is closely aligned to the Celt language spoken in the western highlands of Scotland. What is more commonly known as Scots Gaelic is the spoken elsewhere in Scotland. The languages are similar, but have diverged and diversified over the centuries into their own distinct dialect. 

To confuse matters even further, Welsh isn't considered a Celtic language despite the Welsh being Celts. Welsh is closely related to Breton. In fact most Welsh speakers wouldn't be able to understand a native Gaeilge speaker, and vice-versa.

These two forms of Gaelic are distinct and different, belonging to different sub-groups of the Gaelic tongue. Today there are six distinct Gaelic languages:

• Breton: Spoken mainly is parts of north western France (Normandy & Brittany).
• Irish: This is still the first language of islanders on some of the remotest parts of the country, and is compulsorily taught in all government funder schools.
• Manx: Spoken in the Isle of Man.
• Scots Gaelic: Not to be confused with Glasgow slang at closing time, this is still spoken in some communities.
• Cornish: Closely related to Breton, you can still find it spoken among locals.
• Welsh: Although similar in some ways to Cornish, it is quite different in others. Their closeness geographically belies their differences.

So don't make the mistake and think Gaelic is all the same. Just like how the UK can call a bread roll a roll, cob, pan, or bap, language and dialects change depending on where you are. Don't take a language for granted. Just remember it is a living thing that changes with the seasons.