Celtic words for goose, waterfowl of the genus of the family Anatidae.
Words marked with a * are reconstructions.
Proto-Celtic | *gezdā = goose |
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Old Irish (Goídelc) | géd = goose |
Irish (Gaeilge) | gé [ɟeː] = goose gé ghlas = greylag goose (Anser anser) gé ghiúrainn = barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) cadhan = brent goose (Branta bernicla) gé Cheanadach = Canada goose (Branta canadensis) |
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | gèadh [gʲiəɣ] = goose gèadh-glas = greylag goose cathach [ka.əx] = barnacle goose gèadh-got = brent goose gèadh Canadach = Canada goose |
Manx (Gaelg) | guiy = goose guiy glass = greylag goose guiy twoaie = barnacle goose guiy breck = brent goose guiy Canadagh = Canada goose |
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) | guit = goose |
Welsh (Cymraeg) | gŵydd [ɡuːɨ̯ð / ɡʊi̯ð] = goose, simpleton gŵydd wyllt (gyffredin) = greylag goose, wild goose gŵydd (g)wyrain = barnacle goose gŵydd ddu brent goose gŵydd Ganada = Canada goose |
Old Cornish | guit = goose |
Cornish (Kernewek) | goedh = goose goth wyls = greylag goose, wild goose morwoth = barnacle goose goth mannow = brent goose goth kanada = Canada goos |
Breton (Brezhoneg) | gwaz = goose gwaz louet = greylag goose, wild goose garreli dremm wenn = barnacle goose garreli boutin = brent goose garreli-Kanada = Canada goose |
Note: the types of goose mentioned here are commonly found in Celtic-speaking areas. Other types of geese are available.
Here’s a tune I wrote inspired by a couple of geese (pictured above) who used to live on the seashore in Bangor, and who I called Bertie and Gertie: Goosing Around / Gwyddio o Gwmpas
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, fócloir.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis