Manx language

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Manx language, (known in Manx as "Gaelg" or "Gailck"), is a language spoken in the Isle of Man.

It is a Celtic language of the Goidelic language family. It is in the same family as Scottish and Irish.

Manx is spoken mainly by people who learn it through interest. It died out as a natural community language in the 20th century. The last of the old native speakers died in 1974.

[edit] History

Manx was beginning to differ from Middle Irish in about 900 - 1600 AD, and it is called Yn Ghaelg / Yn Ghailck by Manx speakers. There became less and less Manx speakers during the 19th century and the language was replaced by English. In 1901 9% of the people in the Isle of Man were said to speak Manx but in 1921 the it fell down to only 1%.

Today Manx is used as the only language taught at 5 of the Isle of Man’s pre-schools. Manx is taught as a 2nd language at all of the Island's primary and secondary schools.