New Words ? A (new?) idea that might stir up debate! Is this nutso?

[Seinneadair]

To all speakers and lovers of Gaelic...
Maybe it's because I don't have a large enough Gaelic library. If so, this renders my idea moot.
But am I correct in inferring that as Gaelic is an ancient (beautiful) language, it also has a shortage of modern day words? Even the French of my province, have to marr their fluid conversation when they converse about "la Weekend".
My idea comes not from a wish to stir up trouble or insult anyone here, but I'm writing this because languages die out when they can no longer express ideas succinctly, or at least when they no longer have their own terms within the language for modern day lifestyles, devices, etc.
I noticed, happily, a Gaelic word for television.
But where will it go from here?
One can't learn or let alone try to revamp a language without considering its culture.
Many Gaelic speakers are strong Catholics, for instance, so, would it even be appropriate to consider adding a term that is 100% Gaelic to describe the modern state of people living together 'common - law?"
How about "emails"?
This post may sound crazy, but if the powers that be over the course of the Gaelic language were receptive to this possibly not new idea,(?)...one could 'break down' the English words for translation into a meaningful and useable Gaelic term..ie: break "email" down into "electronic letter" .
As for the wierdness of common law in Gaelic...(unless this has already been done, as I said!)...it could be referred to as "pre marriage" "pre-wife" "pre-husband" "dwelling without marriage" the less appealing "sub spouse" (this doesn't reflect MY views on common law living, by the way!;-) or if you want to get a little bit more ancient, namely, medieval (anglo saxon?) common law could be broken down as "pre-handfasted".
Anyway, my point is probably an old one, but I hope my thread isn't, and I do hope any supporters will add their ideas or inform me on whether there's a need for this or if it's been done, or is being done.
Any against this idea, all I ask is that you be easy on me!I'm a sensitive person/care alot what others think, etc.
And, if I'm simply ignorant to a process of modernizing Gaelic that's already been done, please inform me as to how it's been done, as I'm really interested.
I realize some may not like this whole idea because it just feels odd to change or modernize a language that's been around for centuries..but then, if the other option was for it to fall out of popular use in everday life, wouldn't our ancestors want us to hold fast to it if we could?!
Thanks to anyone who's endured the rant~~~~~~~~~~~
A Proud Canadian Scot & Lover of Scotland.

[The_Lowlander]

>I noticed, happily, a Gaelic word for television.

I don't have much Gaelic so i can't comment on most of your post. However i do know the French word for Television is Television, Portugese for Television is Telvisao, Italian is Televisione and Spannish is Television. I imagine quite a lot of modern words are common to many languages. Especially words relating to modern technology.

[Steaphan]

Yes, gaelic has to some extent already been modernised, but because the native speakers of gaelic have not been educated at school or university in their own tongue, many of them still use English words for a lot of modern terms.

If you look at Sabhal Mor Ostaig's online dictionary you can find gaelic terms for email:"post-dealain", website "larach-lin"etc. Anyway, English itself has borrowed countless words from other languages such as latin and french, and there is no reason for Gaelic not to do the same if it is appropriate. What must be guarded against is the tendency to look to English in order to borrow for ALL modern terminology when there are perfectly good and better (for Gaelic)older Gaelic terms that can be adapted.

[jacobitedreamer]

I have seen in my Latin classes that even Latin has been modernized so far that you will find terms for "submarine" and "computer" in any modern Latin dictionary...

As far as to Gaelic, I think the French example should be followed. In France there is a program to avoid anglization of the language, so a walkman is called "balladeur", which would be the French word for walkman. And a comuter is not called computer, as for instance in German, but is named by the French word "ordinateur".

It would be nice to find a similar way for Gaelic, I think.

By the way, I have got a pocket dictionary of Gaelic published by Lomond books, and they even included Gaelic terms for "dishwasher" and other modern things. I like it.

[Seinneadair]

Thank you all, for your intelligent thoughts on the subject,...as I was a bit worried I'd get booed and hissed outta here;-)
I agree with "The French Approach" as well...I hope I didn't make it sound as if the Gaelic words for something modern should be used in a sentence a la :"La Weekend"...as Canadian French have taken to calling it.
The point is not to ruin the essence of the language, but not to let it fall behind the times, so that there is a chance of revival, as I noticed recently a little report on the 'net about the slight upsurge of the usage of Welsh among small communities in England, this revival having stronger support than that for Gaelic, due to more money given by the gov't towards awareness programs.
But as I never remember exact quotes, etc...don't take my word for it if you're curious, but do a web search or something!
Here in Canada, Quebec is getting in trouble for forcing truly odd language laws on the English speakers of Montreal..perhaps some of you have heard of their fines for those who use signs with English in them, etc.
That's the worst way to try and revive a language, in my opinion.
I realize the plight of so called dying languages...because when you think in the language, you intuit the culture, and vice versa...?
So there's a real fear of the culture going down la toilette with the language.
Nevertheless, I hope that even here in Maritime Canada, we can find a way to offer programs aimed at those with Celtic roots, to learn this language and thus think and feel in dif't ways.
To give an example of the point I'm trying to make here of the language/culture connection..what would we do without the dejas vous?(spelling?;-)
There is no exact way to translate that feeling, or nuanced word...again, nuance, a word many of us rely on..and it's within these words we learn how closely tied the thoughts and feelings of the French, and thus our ancestors' thoughts and feelings are tied to their ancient and beautiful language.
I'm personally trying to learn Gaelic with that as a big reason...to come closer to understanding how they thought and felt by learning the things that cannot be translated, as if to bring them a little closer to me.
Thanks for listening to the rant, and I hope more opinions keep coming!
~ Seinneadair with a piano ~

[The_Lowlander]

>I noticed recently a little report on the 'net about the slight upsurge of the usage of Welsh among small communities in England,

I don't think the English speak Welsh!

[Seinneadair]

No. Wales is part of the British Isles, but it's not in England.
You had the correct answer!;-) *l* You win..something, but unfortunately I'm too broke to hand out a monetary prize;-)