21-05-2025
5 lost Gaelic words and phrases rediscovered by linguists in Scotland
Faclair na Gàidhlig (the Historical Dictionary of Scottish Gaelic) is the first dictionary of the language which aims to detail the origins and meanings of every known Gaelic word.
Compilers expect that it will contain more than 100,000 entries, with researchers investigating historical manuscripts dating back to the 12th century.
Rediscovered phrases and word meanings include:
'Ciod fo na rionnagan' ('what under the stars') was used in the early 1900s to emphasise a point similar to 'what on earth'.
The Gaelic word for prickly pear fruit, 'peur stobach', was first used in a letter documenting a visit to Saint Helena in 1900.
'Uircean', which is the Gaelic word for 'piglet', also used to mean "whale calf" in the 1800s.
"Dulchas", which means an inherited physical characteristic, and was used in a song in 1707 to mean "Classical Gaelic Birthright, rightful due, what belongs to a people".
"Feàrna" means an alder tree, but was used in figurative context in reference to a person's negative qualities, in the 18th and 19th century.
Faclair na Gàidhlig intends to use the funding to reach new audiences including learners, researchers, writers and speakers of Gaelic.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes announced the funding as part of a wider £500,000 package.
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The investment will also support the publication of Gaelic language books, local mòd events throughout Scotland and Gaelic cultural activities including a summer school and musical events.
'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," Forbes (below) said.
'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 £35.7 million in initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26.'
Ola Szczesnowicz, senior editor of Faclair na Gàidhlig, said: '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.'
