Today we’re looking at the words for brother and related people in Celtic languages.
| Proto-Celtic | *brātīr [ˈbraː.tiːr] = brother |
|---|---|
| Gaulish | *bratir = brother |
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | bráthair [ˈbraːθirʲ] = brother, cousin, kinsman bráthardacht = brotherly bráthardae = brotherly, fraternal derbráthair = brother (by blood), from derb (certain) & bráthair sinserbráthair = elder brother, senior kinsman |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | bráthair [ˈɑhəɾʲ/ˈahæɾʲ] = brother (member of a religious community), friar, kinsman; monkfish, angelfish bráithriúil = brotherly bráithriúlacht = brotherliness deartháir = brother, male sibling |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | bràthair [ahɪrʲ] = brother, male sibling bràithreil = brotherly bràthair-altraim = foster brother bràthair-athar = parternal uncle bràthair-màthar = maternal uncle bràthair-cèile = brother-in-law comh-bhràthaireil = fraternal leth-bhràthair = half-brother |
| Manx (Gaelg) | braar = brother, monk, friar braar ayrey = parternal uncle braar mayrey = maternal uncle braar keeilley, braar ‘sy leigh = brother-in-law braar lannoonagh = twin brother braaragh, braaroil = brotherly, fraternal braarys = brotherhood jarroo-vraar = blood brother lhiass-vraar = stepbrother lieh-vraar = half brother |
| Proto-Brythonic | *brọdr = brother |
| Middle Welsh (Kymraec) | brawt, braud, bravt = brother |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | brawd [brau̯d] = brother, half-brother, male relative; clansman, fellow-countryman, male friend, fellow-man, like-minded person; monk; friar brawd crefydd = friar, brother of a religious order brawdoliaeth = brotherhood, brotherliness, brotherly feeling, brotherly love, fraternity, fellowship, relationship brawdoli = to fraternize brawdoldeb = brotherliness, brotherhood, brotherly love brodorol = brotherly, fraternal; native, indigenous, vernacular brawdyn = (little) brother, poor brother, wretch, male friend |
| Cornish (Kernwek) | broder [taːz/tæːz] = brother hanter-broder = half-brother broder da = brother-in-law brederedh = brotherhood |
| Old Breton | brotr = brother |
| Middle Breton | breuzr = brother |
| Breton (Brezhoneg) | breur [ˈbrøːr] = brother breur gevell = twin brother breur-kaer, breureg = brother-in-law breur-laezh, breur-mager = foster brother breurel = fraternal breuriezh = frairie breuriad = siblings hantervreur = half-brother |
Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰréh₂tēr (brother) [source].
Words marked with a * are reconstructions.
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic
I am curious about the figurines in the picture. Where are they from?
I don’t know. I searched for brothers on Flickr and found this photo. They are figurines owned by the photographer, but it doesn’t say where they come from.