Here's a breakdown:
What does "Celtic" mean?
* Origin: The term "Celtic" originates from the ancient Greek term "Keltoi," referring to a group of people inhabiting parts of Europe during antiquity.
* Cultural Group: "Celtic" doesn't just refer to language; it encompasses a broader cultural and historical group with shared traditions, art, mythology, and sometimes religion.
What are Celtic languages?
* Family: They are part of the Indo-European language family, specifically a branch called "Insular Celtic".
* Branches: Insular Celtic has two main branches:
* Goidelic: Includes Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx.
* Brythonic: Includes Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.
* Extinct languages: Several other Celtic languages have become extinct, such as Gaulish, Pictish, and Cumbric.
Where are Celtic languages spoken today?
* Ireland: Irish (Gaeilge) is an official language alongside English.
* Scotland: Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a recognized minority language.
* Wales: Welsh (Cymraeg) is an official language alongside English.
* Brittany (France): Breton (Brezhoneg) is spoken by a smaller number of people, but it's experiencing a revival.
* Isle of Man: Manx (Gaelg) is considered critically endangered.
* Cornwall (England): Cornish (Kernewek) is revived and has a small number of speakers.
What makes Celtic languages unique?
* Grammar: They often have complex grammar systems with features like grammatical gender, inflections, and verbal conjugations.
* Vowel system: They often have rich vowel systems with complex sounds and vowel mutations.
* Vocabulary: They share some unique vocabulary related to specific cultural practices or historical events.
* Influence: Celtic languages have left their mark on the languages spoken around them, particularly English.
Important Notes:
* Diversity: Each Celtic language has its own unique features and evolution, making them quite diverse within the family.
* Revival: Several Celtic languages face challenges from the dominance of English or other languages, but there are ongoing efforts to revitalize and promote them.
If you're interested in learning more about Celtic languages, you can explore specific resources for each language or look into general resources about Celtic culture and history.