LWI Conference on Endangered Languages

Manx (also known as Gaelg) is a Goidelic language likely derived from Primitive Irish, related to Irish and Scots Gaelic. Believed to have originated around the 13th century AD, with first recorded usage in 1615. From the 15th to 20th centuries, Manx diverged considerably from Irish and Scots Gaelic. During the 18th century, England suppressed Manx in schools & churches on the island. In 2009, UNESCO incorrectly declared Manx extinct - sparking outrage and renewed effort. The 21st century has seen increased revitalization, including by Lost Worlds Institute.

Many aspects of Manx culture derive from its Gaelic and Celtic roots, as well as its proximity to the United Kingdom. Most surviving literature has a religious context - primarily Anglican Christianity. Traditional foods: smoked fish, scallops (Manx Queenies), and Bonnag (traditional bread). Folklore: Moddey Dhoo (ghost-black dog of Peel Castle), Glashtyn (water-dwelling shapeshifter). The Isle hosts the TT motorcycle race since 1907 - a pillar of Island identity and economy.

LWI's three-stage research methodology: 1. Parsing Online Sources - Student researchers parse credible linguistic papers. 2. Compiling Shared Findings - Researchers compile into shared documents and mutually review. 3. Formatting with Experts - Research is typed and formatted with PhD mentor guidance (Ms. Madeline Snigaroff, UChicago).

Phonology: Manx distinguishes “slender” vs “broad” consonants - a feature shared with Irish and Scots Gaelic that fundamentally shapes the phonemic inventory. Orthography - Ç ç denotes /tʃ/ in the digraph [çh]; the diaeresis separates vowel sounds and marks irregular plural formations; spelling conventions remain unstandardized - an active area of debate among speakers.

Noun Classes: 5 classes with subclasses. Classes make no masculine/feminine distinction. Verb System - Aspects: Simple, Progressive, Perfect, Perfect Progressive. Moods: Indicative, Imperative, Conditional, Interrogative. Tenses: Present, Past, Future. Forms: Independent/Dependent (finite); Verbal Nouns, Gerunds, Passive Participles (non-finite).

Periphrasis (Verbal Noun + Auxiliary): ymmyrkey + ta shin = ta shin gymmyrkey (“bearing” + “to be” (1pl) = “we are bearing”). Table for ynsee (to learn): t'ad gynshagey - they are learning; jean ad gynshagey? - will they learn?; jean gynshagey! - learn!; ren ad gynshagey - they learned.

Manx uses VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) order - one of the defining features of Goidelic languages. Hug yn saggyrt e laue urree. ‘The priest put his hand on her.’ Cha jarg shiu fakin red erbee. ‘You all can't see anything.’

Can Manx be preserved like Irish? The team examined Irish preservation tactics: Gaelscoilenna - state-sponsored and private schools teaching Irish-based curricula; Modern Cultural Adaptation - Irish bands, artists, fashion brands, and movies centered on heritage; Regional State Agencies - government financial and educational support to Irish-speaking regions. The Manx revival is already underway - with Bunscoill Ghaelgagh (Manx-medium primary school) producing new speakers. LWI's documentation contributes to this effort.

The published research paper covers four areas: Phonology (phonemic inventory & slender vs. broad consonant distinction); Orthography (unstandardized spelling conventions & sound correspondences); Morphology (noun classes, conjugation, declension, tense-aspect-mood); Syntax (VSO sentence order, modal/auxiliary verbs, semantics). Mentored by Madeline Snigaroff (UChicago PhD Candidate): “I am impressed at the scope and conclusions you guys draw.”