Words for harp, crwth and similar instruments, in Celtic languages:
Words marked with a * are reconstructions.
| Proto-Celtic | *kruttos = string instrument |
|---|---|
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | crott [krot] = harp, lute cruittire = harper |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | cruit [kɾˠɪtʲ] = (small) harp cruitire = harpist cruitireacht = (act of) harping |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | cruit [kruhdʲ] = (small) harp, lyre cruit-chòrda = harpsichord cruit-chiùil = strong instrument cruit-rotha = hurdy-gurdy, barrel-organ cruiteag = small harp, small lyre cruitear = harpist, lyre-player |
| Manx (Gaelg) | cruitçh = (small) harp cruitcheragh = harpist cruitcheraght, kruiteryght = harping |
| Proto-Brythonic | *kruθ = crowd, fiddle, violin |
| Old Welsh | crud = crowd, fiddle, violin |
| Middle Welsh (Kymraec) | crwth, croth = crowd, fiddle, violin crythawr = crowder, fiddler |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | crwth [kruːθ] = crwth, crowd, fiddle, violin, viol crythor, crythwr = crowder, fiddler |
| Middle Cornish (Cernewec) | crowd = fiddle, violin crowder = fiddler |
| Cornish (Kernewek) | krowd = violin |
Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic *krundis (round). [source].
The crwth is also known as a crowd, cruth, crowth, crouth or rote in English. It is a kind of bowed lyre. It is particularly associated with Wales, but similar instruments were played in many parts of Europe from about the 11th century. It went out of fashion in the 18th century, but was revived in the 20th century. More information.
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | cláirsech = harp |
|---|---|
| Irish (Gaeilge) | cláirseach [ˈklˠɑːɾˠʃəx / ˈklˠæːɾˠʃa(h)] = harp cláirseoir = harpist cláirseoireacht = (act of) playing the harp, harping |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | clàrsach [klˠaːrˠsəx] = harp, clarsach clàrsair = harper clàrsaireachd = harp music, harping |
| Manx (Gaelg) | claasagh = harp claaseyr = harpist claaseyraght = harping |
Etymology: from the Old Irish clár (board, plank, table), from the Proto-Celtic *klāros / *klārom (plank, board, table), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂ro- (plank) [source].
The Welsh word clawr (cover, lid), and the Breton kleur (stilt peg) come from the same Proto-Celtic root [more details].
| Irish (Gaeilge) | teillén = swarm of bees (may not be related) |
|---|---|
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | teilinn = musical instrument |
| Manx (Gaelg) | tellyn = Welsh harp |
| Middle Welsh (Kymraec) | telyn = harp |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | telyn [ˈtɛlɨn / ˈteːlɪn] = harp telyn(i)af, telynu = to play the harp telynaidd = pertaining to the harp, like a harp, lyric (poetry) telynan = small harp, cithern, gittern, minstrel telyngord = harpischord telyn(i)wr, telynores, telynydd = harper |
| Old Cornish | telein = harp |
| Middle Cornish (Cernewec) | telein = harp teleinior = harper |
| Cornish (Kernewek) | telyn = harp telynnya = to play the harp telynnyer, telynynores = harpist |
| Breton (Brezhoneg) | telenn = harp telennour = harpist |
Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to seilleann (bee) in Scottish Gaelic [source]
Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis
Siw’ mae?
Beth yw crwth yn Gernyweg?
Diolch yn fawr,
Dewi.
Y gair cyrtas i grwth yn Gernyweg ydy krowd, ond mae hynny yn golygu ffidl neu fiolin.