Craftsman

7th April 20197th April 2019 By Simon

Words for craftsman in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*saɸiros = craftsman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sáer [saːi̯r] = craftsman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saer = craftsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	saor [sˠeːɾˠ / sˠiːɾˠ] = artificer, craftsman, (stone)mason
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saor [sɯːr] = joiner, carpenter
Manx (Gaelg)	seyr = carpenter, wright
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saer [saːɨ̯r / sai̯r] = carpenter, joiner; craftsman, skilled worker, artisan, builder
Old Cornish	sair = craftsman, carpenter
Cornish (Kernewek)	ser [sɛ:r / ze:r] = craftsman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *sapiros, from *sap- (skill) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

6th April 20196th April 2019 By Simon

Words for old woman, crone, hag in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	caillech = nun, housekeeper, elderly woman, crone, hag
Irish (Gaeilge)	cailleach = nun, old woman; hag; precocious girl; spineless fellow, coward; spent, shrivelled, thing; stump; truss, bundle (of straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailleach [kaʎəx] = old lady, old woman; old biddy, hag; her indoors, the wife, the old lady; landlady
Manx (Gaelg)	caillagh = witch, crone, old woman, single woman; glaucous gull

Etymology: from the Old Irish caille (veil), from the Latin pallium (cloak, coverlet) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrach = ugly old woman, crone, hag, witch, sorceress
Old Cornish	gruah = old woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwragh [gwra:x / gwræ:h] = hag, witch, wrasse (fish), woodlouse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrac’h = old woman, witch, fairy, mermaid

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Poet, bard

26th March 20192nd April 2019 By Simon

Words for poet, bard in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bard [bar͈d] = poet, bard
Irish (Gaeilge)	bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàrd [b̊aːɹʃd̪̊] = rhymer, poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard
Manx (Gaelg)	bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic	*barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bardd [ˈbarð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish	barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek)	bardh [barð / bærð] = poet, bard
Middle Breton	barz = poet, bard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barzh = poet, bard

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Sons

17th March 201927th April 2022 By Simon

Words for son in Celtic languages.

My sister and her son (my nephew)

Proto-Celtic	*makʷos [ˈma.kʷos] = son
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚐᚊᚔ (maqi), ᚋᚐᚊᚊᚔ (maqqi), ᚋᚐᚊ (maq), ᚋᚐᚉᚉᚔ (macci) = son
Old Irish (Goídelc)	macc [mak] = boy, bond, surety macc foesma = adoptive son macc muine = love child macc raite = illegimate child macc tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Irish (Gaeilge)	mac [mˠɑk / mˠaːk / mˠak] = son, descendent, boy mac dearthár = nephew (brother’s son) mac deirféar = nephew (sister’s son) mac mic = grandson (son’s son) mac iníne = grandson (daughter’s son) mac uchta = favourite son, pet; adopted son mac Dé = the Son of God mac léinn = student (“son of the learning”) mac rí = prince mac tíre = wolf (“son of the land”) macacht = childhood, youthful state macán = little son, young boy, youngster, pet child macánta = childlike, gentle, meek, mild; honest macántacht = boyhood, childhood; gentleness, meekness, mildness; honesty macaomh = young person, youth, boy macaomhact = youth, youthfulness; youthful beauty garmhac = grandson, adopted son, sister’ son leasmhac = stepson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mac [maxg] = son, offspring mac-bràthar = nephew (brother’s son) mac-peathar = nephew (sister’s son) mac-céile = stepson mac-màthar = everyone, every man mac-mallachd = the Devil mac an duine = mankind, human being macail [maxgal] = filial, affectionate mac Dhé = the Son of God mac-tìre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Manx (Gaelg)	mac = son mac braarey = nephew (brother’s son) mac shayrey = nephew (sister’s son) mac braar ayrey = first cousin (father’s brother’s son) mac braar mayrey = first cousin (mother’s brother’s son) oe mac = grandson lhiass vac = stepson mac mollaght, mac imshee = devil
Gaulish	mapos = son
Proto-Brythonic	*mab [ˈmaːb] = son
Old Welsh	map = son
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	map = son
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mab [maːb] = boy, son, infant, child, minor, youth; descendant; man, male mab anweddog, mab gwedde = bachelor mab bedydd = godson mab caru = lover, suitor mab cynnwys = adopted son Mab Duw = the Son of God mab (y) dyn = man, human being, living soul mab mam = mother’s son, human being, living soul mab maeth = foster son, foster child mab yng nghyfraith = son-in-law, stepson maban = baby, infant, young child, little boy, young son
Old Cornish	mab, map = son
Cornish (Kernewek)	mab [ma:b / mæ:b] = son, male child, boy mab meythrin = foster son mab wynn = grandson mab den = humankind mab an pla = devil, annoying man maban, meppik = little son
Old Breton	map, mab = son
Middle Breton	mab = son
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mab = son mab henañ = older son mab yaouañ = younger son mab-kaer, mabeg = son-in-law mab-bihan = grandson mab-den= son of man mab-lagad= pupil (of the eye) mabel = filial

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱwos, from *meh₂ḱ- (to raise, grow) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Woman / Wife

16th March 201922nd February 2020 By Simon

Words for woman / wife in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*benā = woman
Gaulish	benā = woman, wife
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ben [bʲen] = woman
Irish (Gaeilge)	bean [bʲanˠ] = woman, wife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bean [bɛn] = woman, wife
Manx (Gaelg)	ben = woman, lady, wife
Proto-Brythonic	*ben = woman
Old Welsh	ben = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	benyw = female, girl, woman, feminine menyw = woman, female, feminine
Old Cornish	benen = woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	benyn [‘bɛnɪn / ‘bɛnən] = woman
Old Breton	ban = woman
Breton (Brezhoneg)	e-ben = woman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷḗn (woman) [source], which is also the root of the English words queen and gynecology, words for woman in some other Germanic languages, such as kvinna in Swedish, and words for woman / wife in Slavic languages, such as žena in Czech.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrėg [ˈɡwre̝ːɡ] = woman, (human) female, wife
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gureic, gwreic = wife, woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwraig [ɡuˈrai̯ɡ] = wife, woman, (human) female
Old Cornish	greg, grueg = wife
Middle Cornish	gurek = wife
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwreg [gwrɛ:g / gwre:g] = wife
Middle Breton	gruec = wife
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwreg [ˈɡwʁɛːk] = wife

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Man / Husband

3rd March 201922nd April 2022 By Simon

Words for man / husband in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wiros = man, husband
Celtiberian	*uiros = man, husband
Gaulish	*wiros = man, husband
Primitive Irish	ᚃᚔᚏᚐᚄ (viras) [u̯irah] = man
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fer [fʲer] = man, husband
Irish (Gaeilge)	fear [fʲaɾˠ] = man, husband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fear [fɛr] = man, husband, male
Manx (Gaelg)	fer [fɛr] = male, man, gentleman, individual, fellow, bloke, chap
Proto-Brythonic	*gwur [ˈˠwur] = man, husband
Old Welsh	gur = man, husband
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gur = man, husband
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵr [ɡuːr] = man, person, anyone, valiant warrior, brave man, hero; vassal; married man, husband; chessman, pawn
Old Cornish	uir = husband
Cornish (Kernewek)	gour [ɡu:r] = husband
Middle Breton	gur = man, husband
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gour [ˈɡuːʁ] = man, person, husband (rare)

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (man, husband, warrior, hero) [source], which is also the root of the English words virile and werewolf.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Troop, host, throng

19th February 20194th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at troop, host, throng and related word in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*slougos = troop, army
Gaulish	*slugi = troop, army
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slóg, slúag = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slúagh = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Irish (Gaeilge)	slua [sˠl̪ˠuə] = host, force, army; crowd, multitude, throng sluaghán = slogan sluamhar = having large forces, multitudinous slógadh = mobilization, hosting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sluagh [sl̪ˠuəɣ] = folk, people, populace; the fairy host; crowd sluaghmhor = populous, densely, inhabited sluagh-ghairm = slogan an sluagh cumanta = the common folk sluagh na sìthe = the fairies (poetic) sluagh Innse Fàil = the people of Ireland (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	sleih = commonalty, crowd, family, inhabitants, people, populace, public, relations sleih gerrym = slogan
Proto-Brythonic	*lʉɣ [ˈlʉːɣ] = troop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llu, llv = host, throng, multitude
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llu [ɬɨː / ɬiː] = host, a large number (of people), a great many, multitude, throng, crowd, flock (of birds); army, body of armed men, regiment lluaf, lluo = to throng, crowd, flock together, gather, bring together lluarth = military camp lluarthaf, lluarthu = to pitch camp, encamp, camp heddlu = police
Old Cornish	lu = army
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lu = a great multitude, host, army
Cornish (Kernewek)	lu [ly: / liˑʊ] = army, military, troop morlu, lu lestri = navy
Old Breton	lu = army
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lu = army morlu = navy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lu = army aerlu = airforce morlu = navy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *slowgʰos / *slowgos (entourage), which is also the root of the English word slew [source].

The English word slogan comes from the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm [ˈsɫ̪uəɣɤɾʲəm] (battle cry) from the Old Irish slóg/slúag (army, host, throng, crowd), and gairm (call, cry, crow, proclamation) [source].

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Person, people, human

18th February 201922nd July 2022 By Simon

Words for person, people and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gdonyos = person
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duine [ˈdunʲe] = person duineta = human dóenacht [ˈdoːi̯naxt] = humanity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duine = human, human being, man, mankind, person
Irish (Gaeilge)	duine [ˈd̪ˠɪnʲə] = human being, man, mankind, person, people, one duineata = human, kindly duineatacht = humaneness, kindliness duiniúil = human, natural, kindly duiniúlacht = humanity, kindliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duine [dɯn̪ʲə] = fellow, person, man, husband, (any)one daonnachd [dɯːn̪ˠəxg] = humanity, charity, benevolence, liberality, hospitality duine-uasal = gentleman
Manx (Gaelg)	dooinney [ˈd̪uːnʲə] = human, man, fellow, husband deiney = human, man, menfolk dooinnalys = humanity, human nature dooinnidaght = humaneness
Proto-Brythonic	*dün [ˈdyːn] = human, person
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	din, dyn = man, human being
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dyn [dɨːn / diːn] = man, human being; person, one, anyone; mankind, the human race; manservant, vassal; manly or competent person dynes [ˈdənɛs] = woman dynegwr, dynegydd = anthropologist dynfarch [ˈdənvarχ] = centaur dyneidd(i)o = to render man-like or human, personify, humanize, civilize, tame, refine dyneiddiol = humanistic, humanitarian, humanizing, civilizing
Old Cornish	den = man, person
Cornish (Kernewek)	den [dɛ:n / de:n] = man, guy, human, person dengerenjedhek, dengerensedhek = humanitarian denladh = homicide, manslaughter denladhyas = assassin, killer, murderer denses = humanity
Old Breton	den / don = man, person
Middle Breton	den = man, person
Breton (Brezhoneg)	den [ˈdẽːn] = human being, person, man, husband

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰéǵʰom-yo- (earthling, human), from *dʰéǵʰōm (earth), which is also the root of the English words human, humus and (bride)groom [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	popul [ˈpobul] = people; tribe, nation, inhabitants; folk; populace, crowd
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	popul = people
Irish (Gaeilge)	pobal [ˈpˠɔbˠəlˠ / ˈpˠʌbˠəlˠ] = people, community; parish, congregation; population pobalscoil = community school poblacht = republic poblachtach = republican teach pobail = church, chapel teange an phobail = vernacular
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	poball [pobəl̪ˠ] = folk, people; community; laity, lay people poballach [pobəl̪ˠəx] = popular, populous poblachd [pɔbl̪ˠəxg] = republic
Manx (Gaelg)	pobble = people, population, community, folk, congregation, masses pobbylagh = public, populous pobblaght = republic
Proto-Brythonic	*pobl = people
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pobyl = people
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pobl [ˈpʰɔbl̩ˠ / ˈpʰɔbl̩] = people, public, nation, tribe, crowd, inhabitants pybl = people, the common person, folk poblog = populous, peopled, populated; popular, acceptable; common poblogaeth = population, populousness poblogedig = populated, inhabited poblogeiddio = to popularize poblogi = to populate, people, inhabit; to popularize
Old Cornish	popel = people
Cornish (Kernewek)	pobel = people pobla = to populate poblans = population poblansorieth = demographics poblansoriethek = demographic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pobl = people, multitude

Etymology: from the Latin populus (people, nation, community), from the Proto-Italic *poplos (army) [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

To Sit

14th January 201919th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to sit in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sedo- = to sit
Irish (Gaeilge)	suigh [sˠɪɟ / sˠiː] = to sit; set, let, rent; seat, place, locate, settle, arrange, fix, establish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	suidh [suj] = to sit down; incubate, sit on eggs
Manx (Gaelg)	soie = to sit, situate, mount, invest
Proto-Brythonic	*estied = to sit
Old Welsh	estid = to sit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eistedd [ˈei̯sdɛð / ˈei̯sdɛð] = to sit, be seated, kneel, exercise judicial authority, sit in judgement; be in session, rest, be still; fit well; occupy, be in possession (of land), settle, remain, dwell; incubate, brood
Old Cornish	estid = to sit
Cornish (Kernewek)	esedha [ɛ’zɛða / (ə)’zɛðɐ] = to sit, take a seat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sichañ = to sit, lie, be located; beseige, lay siege to

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sed- (to sit) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Snow

28th December 201814th February 2021 By Simon

Words for snow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	snigʷ = snow snigʷyeti = to snow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	snechtae [ˈsʲn͈ʲexta] = snow
Irish (Gaeilge)	sneachta [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ˠə / ˈʃnʲæːxt̪ˠə] = snow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sneachd [ʃn̪ʲɛxg] = snow
Manx (Gaelg)	sniaghtey [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ə] = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nyf = snow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *snígʷʰs (snow) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	arg = drop (of water)
Proto-Brythonic	*ėrɣ = snow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eiry = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	snow [ˈei̯ra] = snow
Old Cornish	irch = snow
Cornish (Kernewek)	ergh = snow
Middle Breton	erch = snow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	erc’h = snow

Etymology possibly from the Proto Celtic *argyos (white), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥ǵ-yó-s, from *h₂erǵ- (white). Or from the Proto Celtic *ɸarg(y)os (sprinkling, spatter) from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)pregʰ- (to scatter, jerk). [source].

The English word freckle comes from the same root, via the Old Norse freknur (speckles) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here are a few snow-related songs:

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Cornish

Craftsman

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

Poet, bard

Sons

Woman / Wife

Man / Husband

Troop, host, throng

Person, people, human

To Sit

Snow