Erse

Erse is an archaic English term used to refer to the Irish language, and in some contexts to Gaelic languages more broadly. In historical linguistic writing, Erse designated the Goidelic branch of the Celtic language family, which includes Irish (Gaeilge) and Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig). Over time, the use of Erse shifted: by the 20th century, scholarship largely replaced it with 'Irish' or 'Irish Gaelic' when referring specifically to the language of Ireland, while 'Gaelic' serves as a broader term. In some older texts Erse was used for Irish, and in others for Gaelic varieties; the term can be ambiguous and is generally avoided in contemporary usage. Modern classifications place Irish as part of the Goidelic subgroup of Celtic languages, alongside Scottish Gaelic and Manx. The language has undergone standardization and orthographic reforms, with Irish now officially recognized as one of the official languages of Ireland. Attitudes toward the term Erse reflect shifts in postcolonial and linguistic sensitivities, with preference given to precise naming. See also: Goidelic languages; Irish language; Scottish Gaelic; Manx language; Celtic languages.