UNIT 4 TWO LANDS – MANY LANGUAGES

In this unit we learn about the many mixture that we get the languages Map of invaders, raiders, settlers and migrants Scots, Ulster-Scots, modern Irish and who were in Ireland and Scotland Gáidhlig (Scottish Gaelic). From Colm Scandinavia between 500 AD and 1500 AD. Cille’s time the Irish language spread During this time Norse, Norman, throughout Scotland and as far as the English, Gaelic languages and Scots Isle of Man. At the same time another were all spoken in Ireland and Scotland, race of people were beginning to make Sweden and each language borrowed words their mark on Ireland, Scotland and from one another. It was from this throughout all of Europe. Norway They were known as Vikings or Norsemen. The Viking lands were known as Scandinavia, which is in northern Europe.

Denmark

Viking warrior 20 21 anchor/akkeri/ancaire boat/bád/bátr

window/vindauga/fuinneog

Key: English / Norse / Irish

VIKING RUNES The Norse language had a beautiful alphabet made up of runes or runic script. Like Ogham, the script used by the ancient Celts, the Vikings used to carve their runes on rocks, stone, metal and wood.

Viking longship F U P A THE VIKINGS IN The Vikings learned the languages of IRELAND AND SCOTLAND Ireland and Scotland and the Irish and Scots learned theirs. So, for centuries, The first Viking raids in Ireland the people of Ireland and Scotland happened in the 8th century. The spoke a number of languages. The R K H N Vikings who attacked the coasts of native language of the Vikings was Ireland and Scotland mostly came Norse. It didn’t really spread very far from Denmark and Norway. At first, throughout Ireland and Scotland, but they attacked monasteries and other some words from it came into our coastal areas where they thought they languages. could find riches. However, they later I A S T started to trade with the people and built towns and settlements on the coast. They built settlements in Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford. B L M Y

22 23 THE VIKINGS SURVIVE English became split into two dialects. IN SCOTLAND Many people in Scotland spoke a dialect of English which was known as ‘Scots’. So the Vikings lost their power in Ireland after 1014, but they stayed Words such as mingin, meaning ‘rotten’ in Scotland until the 15th century. or ‘smelly’, or wee, meaning ‘small’, At this time, people in Scotland are examples of Scots words. English spoke a mixture of Norse, Gaelic and speakers in England or Australia would English. Some towns in Scotland have not use these words, but they would very Norse-sounding names such as have been used commonly in parts of Collafirth, Stein and Lerwick. Others Scotland, and still are today. The Scots have names which sound more like language eventually arrived in Ireland, names of places in Ireland, such as and some very important historical Ardmore, Tobermory or Coolnacreggan. Brian Boru, High King of Ireland events such as the Plantation of Ulster (TCD MS 9932/143/2), reproduced courtesy of All these different languages began meant that it spread throughout Ulster. The Board of Trinity College Dublin to change and influence each other. English was no different. The Gaelic language became two separate CLONTARF languages in Scotland, and similarly, The Battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD was important to the history of the Vikings in Ireland. It was a battle that did not go well for them.

An army of Vikings had arrived to Clontarf attack Ireland in 1014. However, they faced the Irish led by Brian Boru, who had the help of many Vikings already settled in Ireland. This meant that Vikings were actually fighting against each other.

The Irish won the Battle of Clontarf, meaning that the Vikings had much less power than before. This was the main reason their language and culture did not spread.

Viking warrior 24 25 SUMMARY • Between 500 AD and 1500 AD • In Scotland, English changed many different groups invaded under the influence of the other and settled in Ireland. languages spoken in the country and a new dialect developed which • In the 8th century Vikings we call ‘Scots’. attacked Ireland and raided monasteries and coastal areas in • The Normans arrived in Ireland in search of riches. the 12th century and influenced many of the words used in Irish • The Vikings settled in Ireland and today. their language influenced some of the words we use today.

THE NORMANS IN Before long, the Normans became part IRELAND of the Irish community and learned to speak Irish. They also brought Normandy Another people who left their mark new words from French into Irish. For on Ireland were the Normans. The example the Norman word for ‘bottle’ Normans came from a place called is botel and the Irish word is buidéal. Normandy in northern France and Also, the Norman word for ‘sky’ is spere they were ancestors of the Vikings. and the Irish word is spéir. It is quite The word ‘Norman’ comes from the easy to see the Norman influence in word Norseman which is another these words. France name for Viking. So when we think about Ireland, England, The Normans arrived in Ireland in Scotland and Wales between 1000 AD 1169 AD. Dermot MacMurrough, an Irish and 1500 AD, we shouldn’t think of them king who had previously ruled Leinster having only one language per country. but had lost his power, invited them to People spoke English in all four countries, come. He wanted the Normans to help along with Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Welsh, him get back his kingdom. Irish and Norman French.

Norman knight 26 27