What is a Celtic language?

A Celtic language is a member of the Indo-European language family that belongs to the Celtic branch. These languages are spoken by a group of people known as the Celts, who were once scattered across Europe, but now have their main settlements in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, and the Isle of Man.

Here are some key features of Celtic languages:

* Common ancestry: They all share a common ancestor, known as Proto-Celtic, which existed roughly 2,500 years ago.

* Unique features: They have distinctive grammatical features, such as verb-final word order (the verb comes at the end of the sentence) and a complex system of mutations.

* Distinctive vocabulary: They have a significant number of words that are not found in other Indo-European languages.

* Diverse dialects: Many Celtic languages have developed a variety of dialects over time.

* Endangered status: Sadly, several Celtic languages are endangered, with some only spoken by a handful of speakers.

Here are some examples of Celtic languages:

* Insular Celtic:

* Goidelic: Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx

* Brythonic: Welsh, Cornish, Breton

* Continental Celtic:

* Gaulish: Extinct language of ancient Gaul

* Celtiberian: Extinct language spoken in the Iberian Peninsula

The Celtic languages have a rich and fascinating history, with each language having its own unique cultural and literary heritage. They are a vital part of the cultural landscape of Europe, and it is important to protect and preserve them for future generations.