You are watching: What is the difference between scottish and irish
A language or a language
There room some disputes regarding whether or no Irish and also Scottish Gaelic are different languages or if they room simply various dialects of the very same language. The distinction between a language and a language is generally drawn in ~ the suggest when speakers deserve to no longer recognize each other. The basic consensus however is that irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic have actually enough differences to be considered a various language. Visually both language look similar in the same method that visually Spanish and Portuguese re-superstructure similarities. When talked they sound really different and also there are definitely enough distinctions to think about them different languages.
What’s in a name?

A allude of confusion for those that aren’t overly familiar with the languages is the they both re-publishing the very same name. They room both Gaelic language in the sense that they share their roots native the language the the Gaels. The common term used when talking around Irish Gaelic in Ireland is simply Irish. Rarely, if ever, will you hear someone in Ireland introduce to the language as ireland Gaelic. Words Gaelic is additionally pronounced an extremely differently in both countries with the ireland pronouncing the word like GAY-lik and also the Scottish pronouncing it choose GAA-lik.
Phonetics/pronunciation
This is a major difference with the 2 languages. While both languages do have a lot of words in usual they sound an extremely different. Some indigenous Irish speakers, specifically those from the more northern parts of the nation like Donegal, deserve to understand a higher volume of Scottish Gaelic. As this area the Ireland is geographically closer come Scotland it expected historically there to be a an excellent dialogue between the two areas which leader to the an excellent understanding.
But because that the most part Irish speakers cannot understand Scottish Gaelic. When the language still shares a most the same sounds in the most component they are really different.
Spelling/orthography

Another big give away once spotting the differences between the two languages is the usage of accent marks. At one allude both languages used both right-slanting and also left-slanting accents. However as the language have advanced accent marks constantly slant come the appropriate in Irish and also to the left in Scottish Gaelic. A good example of this is exactly how the welcome is composed in every language. In Irish words is created fáilte when in Scottish Gaelic words is created fàilte.
There are likewise a lot of of significant spelling differences in both languages. A lot of this stems from the reform and simplification of irish spelling which began in the 1950’s. This eliminated a the majority of silent consonant combine in irish that Scottish Gaelic has kept. You have the right to see a number of examples the this below.
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Spelling differences
English | Irish | Scottish Gaelic |
Open | Oscail | Fosgail |
Gov | Rialtas (before 1950s this to be spelled riaghaltas) | Riaghaltas |
Island | Oileán | Eilean |
Authority | Údarás | Ùghdarras |
Year | Bliain (before 1950s this was spelled bliadhain) | Bliadhna |
Night | Oíche | Oidhche |
Inside | Isteach | a-steach |
Vocabulary distinction
English | Irish | Scottish Gaelic | |
Germany | An Ghearmáin | A" Ghearmailt |
London
Londain
Lunnain
Talking
ag caint
bruidhinn
Road
Bóthar
Rathad
Minister
Ministir
ministear
In
i, in
(ann) an
Irish enjoys constitutional condition as the national and an initial language the the Republic of Ireland. Scotland"s main language by custom and also usage is English, through Gaelic, Scots, British sign Language and also minority languages making up the country"s other main language groups. Gaelic is recognised as an official language.**From the main website the the Scottish Government.