What is modern Celtic language? The Celts are ancient tribes, the name of which was given by the ancient Greeks. The Romans called the Celts Gauls. About three thousand years ago, this people settled almost throughout the territory of modern Europe. It was their culture that gave rise to such characters as Tristan and Isolde, the wizard Merlin, the knights of Percival and Lancelot. The Celtic people could not create their own state. However, they have reached tremendous heights in culture.
Origin of language
Celtic language belongs to a huge group of Indo-European languages. It is believed that his ancestor is Proto-Celtic. Scientists are not reliably aware of the moment when the Proto-Celtic dialect budded from the common Indo-European tree. Celtic languages are similar to both Scandinavian and German and Italian language groups.
The first mention of this nationality in the territory of modern Britain dates back to 800 BC. e. From this moment begins the so-called Celtic era in the UK.
Already in the 1st millennium BC, various Celtic dialects were distributed throughout Europe. Among these territories can be called France, Britain, part of Germany, Ireland, Spain. Over time, the Celtic language zone begins to shrink significantly. Many of his dialects became extinct. Forever disappeared such dialects as Manx, Celtiberian, Cornish, Lepontic. Today there is no such thing as a living Celtic language. This group includes several modern languages. It is Gaelic, Irish, Welsh and Breton.
The cultural achievements of the Celtic tribes
The Celts were quite skillful and skilled for their time. For example, on the territory of modern Switzerland, archaeologists found a horse harness designed by the Celts. In the book of the German researcher Helmut Birkakhn it is said about the invention of the Celts, unique for that time, - the joiner's machine. In addition, the Celtic tribes were the first to lay salt mines, and also managed to extract iron from iron ore. And with this they put an end to the Bronze Age throughout Europe. Their horse carts were some of the best in Europe. The Celts were the only tribes who knew how to make glass bracelets without a seam.
Language in the Scottish Kingdom
Celtic Scottish is called Gaelic. Gaelic Scottish is spoken by a very small group of the population - only about 2 thousand people. Outside the Scottish kingdom, it is distributed in two regions: the island of Cape Breton and the province of Nova Scotia in Canada. In no case should you confuse Gaelic Scottish with the English version of Scottish.
Welsh and Breton
Welsh also came to our days. It communicates about 650 thousand inhabitants of Wales, as well as in other parts of the world. For example, these are Canada, USA, Australia, where its carriers are found. At the beginning of the twentieth century. for about half the inhabitants of Wales, Welsh was the language of everyday communication. Then the number of its carriers began to decline.
Another Celtic language is Breton. About 360 thousand people communicate on it. This language is mainly spoken in Brittany - the northwestern French region. Here, Breton can be heard on radio stations. However, this does not happen so often: only a few hours a week. Also in Breton, several prints are issued. Breton has a very strong connection with Welsh. But it cannot be argued that these languages are mutually intelligible. In the Breton language, a large number of vocabulary from Latin, French and Gallic languages is borrowed, which did not reach our times.
Gaelic in Ireland
Along with English, Celtic (Gaelic) is the official language of Ireland. From the language that was brought here by the overseas conquerors, it turned into a dialect of the indigenous inhabitants. For a long time, Gaelic was the main communication in Ireland. But a number of historical events entailed his overthrow. Since 1922, the Irish government has been working hard to revive the Gaelic Irish language. Recently, Gaelic has become a compulsory subject in a comprehensive school, and is also used in official office work and in road signs.
Celtic language: current status
Today, living Celtic languages are losing their prestigious status. Of all the listed, only Irish is state-owned. But even a very small percentage of the population speaks it. Spontaneous Irish speech can be heard very rarely. The situation is slightly better in Wales, where the Welsh language education system is in good condition.
It should be noted that Celtic words can be found in modern English. For example, these are the words whiskey, plaid, slogan. It is believed that the word "Britain" itself came from the Celtic brith, which means "colorized." In the annals there are references to the fact that the Celts, before setting off on a hunt, were painted with bright colors on their faces and bodies.