27-05-2025
Long-forgotten Scottish Gaelic words rediscovered as language funding announced
The meaning of three long-lost Gaelic expressions have been revealed.
An online dictionary has rediscovered lost Gaelic phrases and words. The meanings of the long-forgotten expressions have also been revealed.
Faclair na Gàidhlig seeks to provide a better understanding of Gaelic's history and culture. Translating to 'the Historical Dictionary of Scottish Gaelic', it is the first dictionary of the language that seeks to detail the origins and meanings of every known Gaelic word.
According to the Scottish Government, compilers predict that the dictionary will contain more than 100,000 entries. It is one of 12 projects set to benefit from new government funding.
As part of the initiative, researchers have investigated historical manuscripts that date back to the 12th century. Among the rediscovered phrases and words are 'Ciod fo na rionnagan', 'peur stobach', and 'uircean'.
The phrase 'Ciod fo na rionnagan' translates to 'what under the stars '. It was initially used in the early 20th century to emphasise a point, similar to the modern-day phrase 'what on Earth'.
Meanwhile, 'peur stobach' is the Gaelic word for prickly pear fruit. Its first usage came in 1900, when it was seen within a letter that documented a visit to Saint Helena.
Finally, 'uircean' is the Gaelic word for 'piglet'. According to the experts, it was also used to mean 'whale calf' in the 19th century.
The £17,500 investment from the Scottish Government will build on 20 years of work by Faclair na Gàidhlig. It is hoped that it will help the online dictionary to reach new Gaelic learners, researchers, writers, and speakers.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes, announced the funding as part of a larger £500,000 package to support the growth of Gaelic across Scotland.
The investment will also support the publication of Gaelic language books, local mòd events throughout Scotland, and Gaelic cultural activities such as a summer school and musical events.
In addition to Faclair na Gàidhlig, other organisations that will benefit from funding include the National Association of Scottish Gaelic Arts Youth Tuition Festivals, the Gaelic Book Council, and the Islay Gaelic Centre. Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland, Ceòlas, and Comunn na Gàidhlig will also receive funds.
Forbes commented: "The dictionary initiative is providing researchers, writers, speakers and learners of Gaelic with new insight into the language and it will be a valuable resource for future generations.
"Gaelic is a core part of Scotland's culture, heritage and history. To support the language's growth across Scotland, I am announcing funding for a range of Gaelic publishing, education, arts and community projects today.
"This will build on measures set out in the Scottish Languages Bill to strengthen Gaelic education provision and our investment of £35.7million in initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26."
Senior Editor of Faclair na Gàidhlig Ola Szczesnowicz added: "Faclair na Gàidhlig will be the most comprehensive dictionary of Scottish Gaelic compiled on historical principles, similar to the Oxford English Dictionary. This is a big undertaking, and we welcome the Scottish Government's funding to help continue our work.
"Our dictionary entries are already going online, freely available to Gaelic speakers and everyone interested in the language."
More information can be found on the Scottish Government website. Meanwhile, Faclair na Gàidhlig is available to read online.
