Relating to Scottish Gaelic language or culture; sometimes used as a noun to refer to Scottish Gaelic itself.
From Scottish Gaelic 'Eirinn' meaning 'Ireland,' eventually applied to the Gaelic language of Scotland. The term evolved as a way to distinguish Scottish Gaelic speakers from other populations in medieval Scotland.
Erse is a wonderfully stubborn word—it technically refers to Scottish Gaelic, but it's rarely used today because 'Scottish Gaelic' is clearer. It's a linguistic fossil, preserved mainly in historical texts and academic writing.
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