The Evolution of Languages in Scotland Before Scots and Gaelic

Scotland's linguistic history is rich and complex, with numerous languages having been spoken on the land over the centuries. In this article, we explore the evolution of languages, focusing on Pictish, Brythonic, and Gaelic.

Pictish: The Early Language of Scotland

According to some scholars, Pictish was a member of the Common Brythonic language that existed in Britain before the Roman invasions. This language persisted until the 6th century AD, during which it split into Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. As a Brythonic language, Pictish was spoken by the Picts, who inhabited the northern and eastern parts of Scotland during the early medieval period.

Brythonic: Predecessor to Modern Welsh

The term Brythonic refers to a group of Celtic languages spoken in Britain during the early Middle Ages and before. Brythonic was the predecessor to modern Welsh, and it was spoken by the Pictish people in Scotland. Some scholars suggest that a significant portion of mainland Scotland was inhabited by people, including the so-called Picts, who spoke Brythonic. The Picts were known for their distinctive stones and symbols, some of which provide valuable insights into their language and culture.

Gaelic: A Distinct Celtic Language

Scottish Gaelic, also known as Scottish Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Goidelic language in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family. It was the native language of the Gaels of Scotland and developed out of Old Irish in the Middle Irish period. While Old Irish was a common literary language shared by the Gaels of both Ireland and Scotland until the 17th century, Scottish Gaelic became a distinct spoken language by the 13th century.

The Evolving Linguistic Landscape

During the late Roman era, the Germanic Angles settled in southeastern Scotland and northeastern England, leaving a lasting influence on the region's linguistic landscape. However, Gaelic continued to spread widely in other parts of Scotland, particularly areas like Argyll in the western coast.

Following the departure of the Romans, the Vikings arrived, bringing their languages—particularly Old Norse—to parts of Scotland. This resulted in significant changes in place names and the evolution of the Gaelic language in those regions. Furthermore, the arrival of the Normans in the 12th century added another layer to the linguistic complexity of Scotland, with Norman French, Early English, and Gaelic coexisting alongside each other among some Scots.

Multi-Lingual Scots in the Medieval Period

The late medieval period was characterized by a diverse linguistic environment in Scotland. Some Scots were multi-lingual, proficient in Norman French, Early English (or Anglish, a precursor to Modern English), Latin, Gaelic, and the remnants of the old Brythonic tongue. This period saw the interplay of various languages shaping the cultural and linguistic identity of the region.

Conclusion

The evolution of languages in Scotland offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and cultural dynamics of the region. From the early Brythonic languages spoken by the Picts to the later Goidelic languages, the linguistic landscape of Scotland has been shaped by a multitude of influences. Understanding these complexities not only enriches our historical knowledge but also enhances our appreciation of the diverse linguistic heritage of Scotland.