Words for ducks in Celtic languages.
Old Irish (Goídelc) | *lachu [ˈl͈axu] = duck |
---|---|
Irish (Gaeilge) | lacha [ˈl̪ˠaxə] = duck lacha bhreac / lacha chriosrua / seil lacha = shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) iolar mara / coirneach / mallard = mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) |
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | lach [l̪ˠax] = (wild) duck crà-ghèadh / cràighiadh / crà-eun = shelduck lach-Mhoire / lach-riabhach = mallard |
Manx (Gaelg) | laagh = duck, wild goose laagh chryss-ruy = shelduck laagh voirrey / mallard = mallard |
Etymology: possibly from the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Lithuanian word lak (to fly).
Irish (Gaeilge) | tonóg = duck; dumpy little woman |
---|---|
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | tunnag [ˈtʰun̪ˠak] = duck tunnag-mhonaidh / tunnag-fhiadhaich = mallard |
Manx (Gaelg) | thunnag = duck thunnag vreck = shelduck |
Etymology: unknown
Proto-Celtic | *awis = bird (?) |
---|---|
Irish (Gaeilge) | aí / ai / aoi = swan |
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | ai = swan |
Proto-Brythonic | *(s)awyetos = duck (?) |
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) | hwyat / hwyeit = duck |
Welsh (Cymraeg) | hwyad(en) [ˈhʊɨ̯.ad / ˈhʊi̯.ad] = (female) duck hwyaden yr eithin / hwayaden fraith = shelduck hwyaden wyllt / meilad = mallard |
Old Cornish | hoet = duck |
Cornish (Kernewek) | hos = duck hos eythyn = shelduck hos gwyls / mallart = mallard |
Breton (Brezhoneg) | houad = duck tadorn toveel = shelduck houad-korz = mallard |
Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂éwis (bird) [source], which is also the root of such English words as avian, aviary, aviation and aviator, via the Latin avis (bird).
The species of ducks included here are found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of ducks are available.
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis