I would tend to agree with you Greg. I am no expert on how languages developed or spread in America from early immigration to the decision to adopt English. I suspect that different ethnic groups settled in particular areas. Presumably slaves adopted the language of their masters? I would anticipate someone somewhere has done a study of this. I would not be in the least surprised if it were the case that 18th century slaves spoke Swedish, German, French Spanish, or any number of other European languages.

Please forgive my ignorance, but could you be a little more specific by what is meant by oldtime music?   My limited understanding is that some of the European musical traditions 'branched' some surviving more less intact others going into the melting pot as it were. This depending as much on geographical location as much as intent. I understand some bands and performers today, like 'Le Vent du Nord' from Quebec can trace their origins back to the French Breton tradition. Cape Breton in Canada as has been pointed out in earlier postings is rich in Scots Gaelic traditions. Although there was once a strong link between Scotland and the Carolinas, I understand Gaelic has not been spoken in the south for some generations, although interest still survives.   Are there regions of America that might be thought of as being Irish Gaelic or Galician? In this context I fear oldtime music might be one of those terms that means different things to different people.

Galen, I hope all these various points of view are not giving you too much of headache. There must be some Gaelic singers here on Mudcat who could drop into your pub sing or circle. And as you point out this is an oral tradition.

SM