Name

Speak Like a Manxman

Description

Manx Gaelic is closer to Irish than to any form of English. It was the everyday language of the island until the nineteenth century. The last native speaker, Ned Maddrell, died in 1974 — but the language didn’t die with him. It’s being taught again, spoken again, lived in again.

Learn ten Manx words and phrases:

Cronk-y-Keeillown — the old name for Tynwald Hill. Raad Mooar Ree Gorree — the Milky Way, named after King Orry. Bollan bane — the mugwort gathered at midsummer. Mooinjer veggey — the little people. Hop-tu-Naa — the old New Year’s Eve. Laa Mie — Good day. Ny tree cassyn — the Three Legs. Mannin — the Isle of Man. Ellan Vannin — Island of Mann. Traa dy liooar — Time enough.

Say them out loud. Teach them to someone else. A language lives when people speak it.

Key Stage / Type

Family Activity

Ages 5+

At Home / Language

Period

Enduring

Topic

Language & Culture