The famine has an effect on the Gaelic language and tradition because many of the poorer families who died or left spoke only Gaelic while the rich and political leaders were very familiar with English. Losses by famine were greatest among the cotter class and in most Gaelic parts of the country. Many months passed in the beginning of the famine and many thousands died before the government would admit the necessity of direst financial help. When help was given it was free soup kitchens and public works that were designated to be useless so that they would not interfere with private enterprise. By 1847 half the population was being fed at public expense (Costigan, 1969). Very few counties were left with a large Irish speaking population, a language that dominated Ireland for two thousand years. English became the language of patriotism, politics, religion, and the fireside among the Irish (Curtis, 1950).