Quote Originally Posted by slohairt View Post
Whenever I read or hear about things that claim to physically determine one as a Celt, I mull about what it to be Celtic in the 21st Century.

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The Anglicisation (and therefore disintegration) of Celtic culture was almost completed by the turn of the 20th Century. The near-death of the Celtic languages has struck a very serious blow to the integrity of these cultures. Once the languages and cultural practices are gone, so too will the Celts disappear. It is possible that some may die within our lifetime.

Perhaps I am off-base, but I sometimes feel we are clutching at anything when we bring up genetics and physical traits. Culture meant more to them and should mean more to us.
Very well said sir!
It does mean more to me than one's toe being longer than the other, or if I have reddish hair roots or not.

I have noticed in recent times a resurgence in the learning & practice of the Celtic/Gaelic language, both locally and elsewhere, in an attempt to both preserve it for future generations & as a way to connect with ones ancestral past.

Here in Washington state, for instance we have Slighe nan Gaidheal:
http://www.slighe.com/
a non-profit educational society that teaches and promotes the Scottish Gaelic language and culture in the Pacific Northwest.
As matter of fact I just attended the first (of what is hoped to be many) Scottish Gaelic study group in my town of Bellingham (which I helped to organize incidentally), & which also includes the current board president of Slighe nan Gaidheal.

As an aside, we also have a punk band out of Seattle called Mill a h-Uile Rud:
http://www.millahuilerud.com/
who sing entirely in Scottish Gaelic & promote the use of the language in daily life etc, (as much as can be done in everyday American life that is).

There are those of us trying to keep the language & culture alive in many ways, rather it be learning the Gaelic language, attending cultural events, playing the music, discovering and cooking the recipes & brewing the drinks, or wearing of the kilt etc etc., otherwise as you say it will die.
And that would be a shame for all!