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It is #IrishHeritageMonth and this is the story of the Newfoundland Irish Language!
Irish immigrants began to arrive on the island to work in the fishery in the late-1600s. They continued to arrive well into the 1800s, with one-quarter coming from County Kilkenny.
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Irish immigrants began to arrive on the island to work in the fishery in the late-1600s. They continued to arrive well into the 1800s, with one-quarter coming from County Kilkenny.
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The Irish language was used heavily on the island, and became its own dialect. Church services were even done in Newfoundland Irish on the island.
Irish poet Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Commara sailed around the island & used Newfoundland Irish in his Irish language poems.
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Irish poet Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Commara sailed around the island & used Newfoundland Irish in his Irish language poems.
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By the 1780s, the Irish were the dominant ethnic group of St. John's and by 1815, 19,000 Irish lived in Newfoundland.
In Newfoundland, the Irish were able to preserve their language and culture.
Court defendants often used Irish-speaking interpreters as well.
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In Newfoundland, the Irish were able to preserve their language and culture.
Court defendants often used Irish-speaking interpreters as well.
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It is not known who were the last speakers of Newfoundland Irish and how far Newfoundland Irish evolved as a language is debated today.
Newfoundland English has traces of Irish, including scrob for scratch, sleveen for rascal and streel for slovenly person.
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Newfoundland English has traces of Irish, including scrob for scratch, sleveen for rascal and streel for slovenly person.
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