Celtic Language Shift explores how Gaelic and Brythonic languages in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have transformed under persistent political and cultural dominance. This study investigates the structural adaptations within these languages and the sociolinguistic factors driving language shift and maintenance. The book highlights the impact of historical events like the Norman and English conquests and the Highland Clearances, providing a comprehensive view of language evolution in the face of external pressures. The book presents a historical, political, and social context to understand the complex forces at play.
Examining the decline of the Irish language due to English colonization and comparing the experiences of Scottish Gaelic and Welsh, it reveals both shared challenges and unique adaptations in language maintenance. This comparative analysis offers insights into broader patterns of language contact, endangerment, and revitalization worldwide, challenging simplistic notions of language decline.
Structured in four parts, the book introduces the Celtic language family, examines the situation in Ireland, then Scotland and Wales, and synthesizes the findings to draw broader conclusions about language shift. Using historical documents, linguistic corpora, and sociolinguistic surveys, Celtic Language Shift provides a nuanced perspective suitable for specialists and general readers interested in linguistics, Celtic history, and language preservation.
