Geese

Celtic words for goose, waterfowl of the genus of the family Anatidae.

Geese / Gwyddau

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *gezdā = goose
Old Irish (Goídelc) géd = goose
Irish (Gaeilge) [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

Swallows

Words for swallows, swifts and martins in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *wesnālā = swallow
Old Irish (Goídelc) ainnel, fannall = swallow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) áilleóc, fainleóc = swallow
Irish (Gaeilge) fáinleog, áinleóg = swallow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) (f)ainnleag [(f)ãĩn̪ʲl̪ʲag] = swallow, martin, storm(y) petrel
Proto-Brythonic *gwennọl = swallow
Old Welsh guennol = swallow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwennawl = swallow
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwennol [ˈɡwɛnɔl] = swallow, martin; weaver’s shuttle
Cornish (Kernewek) gwennol = swallow
Old Breton guennol = swallow
Middle Breton guennel = swallow
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwennel = swallow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wós-r̥/*wés-n̥s (spring) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge) gabhlán = martin
gabhlán-binne = house martin (delichon urbicum))
gabhlán gainimh = sand martin (riparia riparia)
gabhlán gaoithe = swift (apus apus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gòbhlan [gɔːl̪ˠan] = swallow, martin; prong, small fork
gòbhlan-gaoithe [goːl̪ˠan’gɤjə] = barn swallow (hirundo rustica)
gòbhlan-gainmhich [goːl̪ˠan gɛnɛvɪç] = sand martin, bank swallow
gòbhlan-dubh [goːl̪ˠan du] = (common) swift
gòbhlan-mara [goːl̪ˠan marə] = storm(y) petrel (hydrobatidae)
Manx (Gaelg) gollan = swift, martin; fork
gollan geayee = swallow
gollan gheinnee = sand martin
gollan mooar = swift
gollan thie = house martin

Etymology: from the Old Irish gabul (fork, forked branch), from the Proto-Celtic *gablā (fork, branch, gallows), from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Flying swallow

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Swallow / Y Wennol:

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

Swans

Words for swan (cygnus) in Celtic languages.

Swans, etc

Proto-Celtic *eli- = swan
Gaulish ala = swan
alauda = skylark
Old Irish (Goídelc) elu = swan
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ela(e) = swan
Irish (Gaeilge) eala [ˈalˠə] = swan
ealach = frequented by swans
eala bhalbh = mute swan (Cygnus olor)
eala ghlorach = whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eala [jal̪ˠə] = swan
eala bhàn = mute swan
eala fhiadhaich = whooper swan
ealag, eala-ghlas = cygnet, young swan
eala-bheag = Bewick’s (tundra) swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)
Manx (Gaelg) olla, ollay = (mute) swan
ollay chiaulee = whooper swan
eean olla = cygnet
Proto-Brythonic alarkos = swan
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) alarch = swan
Welsh (Cymraeg) alarch [ˈalarχ/ˈaːlarχ] = swan, the constellation Cygnus
alarchaidd = pertaining to a swan, swanlike
alarchen = cygnet
alarches = female swan
alarchwedd = swanlike
alarch dôf, alarch mud = mute swan
alarch y gogledd, alarch chwibanol, alarch gwyllt = whooper swan
Old Cornish elerch = swan
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) elerch = swan
Cornish (Kernewek) alargh = (mute) swan
Middle Breton (Brezonec) alarc’h = swan
alarc’hez = female cygnet
Breton (Brezhoneg) alarc’h = swan
alarc’h roueel = mute swan
alarc’h-kristilh = whooper swan

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁el- (swan, bird, waterfowl) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include alondra (lark) in Spanish, alouette (lark) in French, and allodola (skylark) in Italian. They were probably borrowed from the Gaulish alauda (skylark), from ala (swan) [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include auk (swan) in English, alke (auk) in Danish and Norwegian, and álka (razorbill) in Faroese and Icelandic [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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Starlings

Words for starling (sturnus vulgaris) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *trozdis = starling
Old Irish (Goídelc) truit = starling
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge) druid [d̪ˠɾˠɪdʲ] = starling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg) truitlag = starling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) trydw, drydwen, drudwy, drydw, drudw = starling
Welsh (Cymraeg) drudw [ˈdrɨ̞dʊ/ˈdrɪdʊ], drudwy, drydwy, drydw = starling, stare
Old Cornish troet = starling
Cornish (Kernewek) trojen = starling
Middle Breton (Brezonec) tret = starling
Breton (Brezhoneg) tred [ˈtʁeːt], tridig = starling

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trosdos (thrush) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Starlings

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

Pigeons and Doves

Words for pigeon and doves in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) columb [ˈkolumb] = dove
colmán = wood-pigeon, ring-dove
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) colum [ˈkolumb] = dove
Irish (Gaeilge) colm [ˈkɔl̪ˠəmˠ / ˈkʌl̪ˠəmˠ] = dove, pigeon
colmán = (little) dove, pigeon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) calman [kal̪ˠaman] = dove, pigeon
colman [kɔl̪ˠɔman] = dove, pigeon
Manx (Gaelg) calmane / colmane = pigeon, dove
Welsh (Cymraeg) colomen / clomen = dove, pigeon, culver; symbol of peace
Old Cornish colom = dove, pigeon
Middle Cornish colomen = dove, pigeon
Cornish (Kernewek) kolom = dove, pigeon
Breton (Brezhoneg) koulm / koulom = dove

Etymology: from the Latin columbus (dove, pigeon), from Ancient Greek κόλυμβος (kólumbos – a diver), from κολυμβάω (kolumbáō – dive, plunge headlong, swim) [source].

Breton (Brezhoneg) pichon = pigeon

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Our Doves

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Curious Pigeon / Y Colomen Chwilfrydig:

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

Hawks and Falcons

Words for hawk / falcon in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) sebac [ˈsʲevak] = hawk
Irish (Gaeilge) seabhac [ʃəuk] = hawk; warrior
seabhac gorm/seilge = peregrine falcon
seabhac buí/gaoithe = kestrel, windhover
seabhac mara = sea-hawk, skua
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) seabhag [ʃo.ag] = falcon, especially peregrine falcon
seabhag na seilge / seabhag-ghorm / seabhag-shealgair = peregrine falcon (falco peregrinus)
seabhag-ghorm an fhraoich / seabhag-bheag ghlas = merlin (falco columbarius)
seabhac mara = sea-hawk, skua
seabhag nan uiseag = hobby (falco subbuteo)
Manx (Gaelg) shawk = hawk, falcon
shawk eeastee = osprey
shawk ny sperriu = goshawk
shawk sperriu = sparrow hawk
shirragh = buzzard, falcon, seeker, bird of prey, kite
shirragh ny bogleeyn = marsh harrier
shirragh ny giark = hen harrier
shirragh ny ree = peregrine falcon
Welsh (Cymraeg) hebog = hawk, lanner falcon; noble chieftian, brave fighter, hero
hebog chwyldro = gerfalcon
hebog yr ehedydd = hobby
hebog (g)las = hen harrier
hebog y weru = marsh harrier
hebog tramor = peregrine falcon
gwlach = hawk, falcon; fine soldier, brave fighter, nobleman, hero; wily knave, rascal, rogue, wag
gwalch bach = merlin
gwalch banred = sparrow-hawk
gwalch glas = peregrine falcon
gwalch gweilgi = osprey
Cornish (Kernewek) hok = hawk
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwalc’h = falcon, hawk, sea bream

Etymology: from the Old English heafoc/hafoc (hawk), from Proto-Germanic *habukaz (hawk). The English word hawk comes from the same root [source].

The Welsh gwalch and the Breton gwalc’h come from the Old English wealh-hafoc / *wealc-hafoc (foreign hawk) [source]

Old Irish (Goídelc) faucon = falcon
Irish (Gaeilge) fabhcún = falcon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) faolchon = falcon
Welsh (Cymraeg) ffaw(l)cwn = falcon
Cornish (Kernewek) falghun = falcon
Breton (Brezhoneg) falc’hun = falcon, hawk

Etymology: from the Old French faucon (falcon), from Latin Latin falcō (falcon). The English word falcon comes from the same root [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Notes
A falcon is a bird of prey of the genus falco. Kestrels, hobbys, merlins and peregrine falcons are all in this genus.

Falcon

A hawk is a bird of prey of the genus accipitridae. These include buzzards, kites, harriers, eagles, goshawks and sparrowhawks.

Sparrowhawk

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

Hens & Chickens

Words for hen, chicken and related things in Celtic languages:

Hens

Proto-Celtic *kerkā = hen
Old Irish (Goídelc) cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Irish (Gaeilge) cearc [kaɾˠk] = hen, female bird
cearcach = gallinaceous (relating to, or resembling the domestic fowl)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cearc [kʲɛrxg] = hen, chicken; poultry; female crab or lobster
cearc-uisge = moorhen
cearc-Fhrangach = turkey
cearc-fhraoich = female red grouse, moorhen
cearcach = of, or belonging to a hen or hens
Manx (Gaelg) kiark = fowl, hen, hen bird, female bird
kiark

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱer- (to grow, nourish) [source]. These words are possibly related to words for heron and crane in Celtic languages.

English words from the same root include cereal, create, increase, creature, crew and crescent [source].

Proto-Celtic *yarā = chicken
Gaulish Iaros = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc) eirín = pullet, young hen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) eréne, éirín(e) = chicken, chick, pullet
Irish (Gaeilge) eireog = pullet, chicken; young girl, tiny woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eireag [erʲag] = pullet, young chick(en) (between 8 months and 1 year old)
Manx (Gaelg) earrag = pullet, poult
Old Welsh iar = hen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) yar = hen
yeyr, yeir = domestic fowls, chickens
yares = flock of chichens
ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop
Welsh (Cymraeg) iâr [jaːr] = hen, hen-bird
ieir = domestic fowls, chickens
iarbren = perch for hens, hen-roost
iardy, ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop
iares = flock of chichens
iargyw = chichen, young fowl
ieirwr = poulterer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) iar, yar = hen, female bird
Cornish (Kernewek) yar = chicken, hen
yar frankres = free-range hen
yar gowellys = battery hen
yar Gyni = turkey
bregh/brygh yar = chicken pox
yarji = chichen coop, hen house
Middle Breton (Brezonec) yar, iar = chicken, hen
Breton (Brezhoneg) yar = chicken, hen

Etymology: unknown

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

Crows and Ravens

Words for crow and raven in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *branos = crow, raven
Gaulish Branodūnon = place name
Primitive Irish ᚁᚏᚐᚅᚐ brana = crow, raven
Old Irish (Goídelc) bran [bran] = crow, raven
Irish (Gaeilge) bran = raven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bran [bran] = raven (corvus corax)
Proto-Brythonic *bran = crow, raven
Welsh (Cymraeg) brân [braːn] = crow, rook, raven; warrior; crowbar
branos = little crows, young crows; warriors
cigfran = raven
Cornish (Kernewek) bran [bɹæːn] = crow
branvras = raven
Breton (Brezhoneg) bran = raven, crow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *werneh₂- (crow), from *wer- (to burn) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) fennóc = a scald; royston crow (hooded crow)
Irish (Gaeilge) feannóg = (hooded) crow (corvus cornix)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) feannag [fjan̪ˠag] = crow, rook
Manx (Gaelg) fannag = crow, crake

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic *wesākos = raven, grebe
Old Irish (Goídelc) fiach, fíach [fʲi.əx] = raven
Irish (Gaeilge) fiach [ˈfʲiəx] = raven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fitheach [fi.əx] = raven
Manx (Gaelg) feeagh = crake, raven
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwyach [ɡʊɨ̯.aχ /ɡʊi̯.aχ] = grebe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *wes- (to feed, feast) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Raven.

Birds and Larks

Words for bird and (sky)lark in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸetnos = bird
Gaulish Etnosus = bird(?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) én [eːn] = bird
Irish (Gaeilge) éan [eːnˠ] = bird, young bird, chick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eun [ian] = bird, fowl, chicken
Manx (Gaelg) eean [jiːən] = chick, fowl, young (of birds); juvenile, cheeky child, brat
Proto-Brythonic edn = bird
Old Welsh atar = birds
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) edn [ˈɛdn] = bird
Welsh (Cymraeg) edn [ˈɛdn] = bird, fowl, fly, bee
adar [ˈadar] = birds
aderyn [aˈdɛrɨ̞n / aˈdeːrɪn] = bird
Old Cornish hethen = bird
Cornish (Kernewek) edhen = bird
Middle Breton ezn = bird
Breton (Brezhoneg) evn = bird

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ (wind, feather), which is also the root of the English word feather [source].

Breton (Brezhoneg) labous = bird

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) uiseóc = lark
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) (f)uiseóg = lark, skylark
Irish (Gaeilge) fuiseog = lark, skylark
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uiseag [ɯʃag] = lark, skylark
Manx (Gaelg) ushag [ˈoʒaɡ] = bird, shuttlecock

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *alaudā = bird
Gaulish *alauda [ˈa.lau.daː] = skylark

Etymology: unknown. Also the root of the Latin alauda (lark, skylark), and words for (sky)lark in Romance languages, such as the French alouette, the Spanish alondra and the Italian allodola [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) ehedydd [ɛˈhɛdɨ̞ð / ɛˈheːdɪð] = lark, skylark; flier, one that flies, bird or fowl
Old Cornish evidit = lark, skylark
Middle Breton ehuedez = lark, skylark

Etymology (Welsh): from ehedeg (to fly) and -ydd (-er) [source].

Cornish (Kernewek) ahwesydh = lark, skylark
Breton (Brezhoneg) alc’hweder = lark, skylark

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Skylark

Hound Dogs

Words for dog in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kū = dog, wolf
Gaulish cuna = dog
Primitive Irish ᚉᚒᚅᚐ (cuna) = hound, wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc) [kuː] = dog
Irish (Gaeilge) [kuː] = dog, hound, greyhound; wolf; hero, champion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) [kuː] = dog, canine
Manx (Gaelg) coo [kuː] = dog, cur, hound, wolf-dog
Proto-Brythonic ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ci / ki = dog
Welsh (Cymraeg) ci [kiː] = dog, hound, cur
Old Cornish ci = dog
Cornish (Kernewek) ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Breton ci / qui = dog
Breton (Brezhoneg) ki [kiː] = dog

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog), which is also the root of the English words hound and canine [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) madrad, matrad = dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) matad = common dog, cur
Irish (Gaeilge) madra [ˈmˠad̪ˠɾˠə] / madadh [ˈmˠad̪ˠə / ˈmˠad̪ˠu] = dog, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) madadh [madəɣ] = dog, mastiff
Manx (Gaelg) moddey [ˈmɔːðə] = dog, tyke
Welsh (Cymraeg) madyn / madog = fox

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) gagar [ɡaɣər] = beagle, hunting dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) gadar = beagle, hunting dog
Irish (Gaeilge) gadhar [ɡəiɾˠ] = (hunting) dog, harrier, beagle, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gadhar [gɤ.ər] = lurcher, mastiff, greyhound

Etymology: from the Old Norse gagarr [source].

Proto-Celtic *kulēnos = whelp
Old Irish (Goídelc) cuilén [ˈkulʲeːn] = puppy, cub, kitten
Irish (Gaeilge) coiléan [kɪˈlʲaːn̪ˠ] = pup, cub, whelp; youth, scion; trickster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cuilean [kulan] = puppy, whelp; cub; seal pup; darling, dear; short/small bone
Manx (Gaelg) quallian = puppy
Welsh (Cymraeg) colwyn [kiː] = whelp, puppy, cub; lap-dog; spaniel
Old Cornish coloin = puppy
Cornish (Kernewek) kolen [ˈkɔlɪn] = puppy, cub
Breton (Brezhoneg) kolen = puppy, fawn, rabbit

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Irish (Gaeilge) cana [ˈkanˠə] = cub, whelp; bardic poet of fourth order
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cana [kanə] = puppy, whelp
Welsh (Cymraeg) cenau / cenaw = cub, whelp, puppy, kitten; son, descendant, scion, young warrior; knave, imp, rascal; catkin, cat’s tail

Etymology: possibly from the Latin canis (dog), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog) [source], or from the Proto-Celtic *kanawo (young animal).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Irish Wolfhounds