Swallows

9th August 202023rd August 2020 By Simon

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.

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

Simon Ager · 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

1st August 202017th April 2023 By Simon

Words for swan (cygnus) in Celtic languages.

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

Starlings

25th July 202017th April 2023 By Simon

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.

Herons

19th July 202019th June 2023 By Simon

Words for heron in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	korxsā / korxsiyos = heron
Celtiberian	*cárcia = heron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	corr = crane, heron, stork, crane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corr = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Irish (Gaeilge)	corr [kəuɾˠ] = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corra [kɔr̪ˠə] = heron, stork, crane
Manx (Gaelg)	coar = heron, stork, crane
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨxɨð = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crychyd, krechydd, crechydd = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crychydd [ˈkrəχɨ̞ð / ˈkrəχɪð] = heron
Old Cornish	cherhit = heron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cerhidh = heron
Cornish (Kernewek)	kerghydh = heron
Old Breton	corcid = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quercheiz, querch-eïz, querc’heiz, qarc’hleyz kerc’heiz = heron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kerc’heiz = heron

Etymology: possibly immitative in origin. Words for heron in Spanish (garza) and Portuguese (garça) come from the Celtiberian root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*krexVr = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crehyr = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crëyr [ˈkrɛ.ɨ̞r / kreː.ɪr] = heron

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱrey- (to scream, screech) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Cockerels / Roosters

21st June 202014th June 2022 By Simon

Words for cockerel / rooster in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kalyākos = cockerel, rooster
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cailech [ˈkalʲex] = cockerel, rooster
Irish (Gaeilge)	coileach [ˈkalʲex / ˈkɛlʲəx / ˈkɛlʲax] = cockerel, rooster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	coileach [ˈkɤləx] = cockerel, rooster; male bird of any species; male lobster; coilich = cockerels, etc; eddies, rapids, white water
Manx (Gaelg)	kellagh = cock(erel), cock (of anchor), rooster, cock bird
Proto-Brythonic	*kėljọg [ke̝lˈjɔːɡ] = cockerel, rooster
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keylyauc, keilyawc = cockerel, rooster
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceiliog [ˈkei̯ljɔɡ / ˈkei̯ljɔɡ] = cock(erel); plucky person; weather-cock; cock of gun; water-cock; clevis of a plough, plough-cock; snack taken by quarrymen to their work
Old Cornish	chelioc = cockerel, rooster
Middle Cornish	kullyek = cockerel, rooster
Cornish (Kernewek)	kulyek = cockerel, rooster
Middle Breton	kilhog = cockerel, rooster
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kilhog [ˈkiljok] = cockerel, rooster

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kerkos [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hens & Chickens

16th June 202019th June 2023 By Simon

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

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

9th June 202016th June 2020 By Simon

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.

Birds and Larks

6th June 20206th June 2020 By Simon

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.

Hound Dogs

28th May 202022nd May 2022 By Simon

Words for dog in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kū = dog, wolf
Gaulish	cuna = dog
Primitive Irish	ᚉᚒᚅᚐ (cuna) = hound, wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cú [kuː] = dog
Irish (Gaeilge)	cú [kuː] = dog, hound, greyhound; wolf; hero, champion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cù [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.

Ants

16th May 202021st March 2024 By Simon

Words for ant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sengán = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sengán, seangan = ant
Irish (Gaeilge)	seangán = ant seangánach = full of ants nead seangán = anthill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seangan [ʃɛŋgan] = ant, mean fellow seangan ‘nad bhriogais = to be fidgety, have the jtters (ants in your breeches) seangananach [ʃɛŋganəx] = pertaining to or abounding in small ants
Manx (Gaelg)	sniengan = ant snienganagh = ant-infested, formic crongan sniengan = anthill

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish seng (thin, slender. meagre) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*morwis = ant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moirb [morʲvʲ] = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moirb = ant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myr = ant myrion = ants morgrug, morcrug = ants morgrugyn, morcrugyon = ant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mŷr, myrr [mɨːr/miːr] = ant myrion = ants myrdwyn = anthill morgrug [ˈmɔrɡrɨ̞ɡ / ˈmɔrɡrɪɡ] = ants (from mŷr [ant] and crug [hill]) morgrugyn = ant morgrugaidd, morgrugol = ant-like pertaining to ants, formic
Old Cornish	menƿionen = ant
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	menwionen, meuwionen = ant, emmet
Cornish (Kernewek)	moryonen = ant, tourists moryoner = anteater
Old Breton	moriuon = ant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meryen = ant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merien [ˈmɛr.jɛn] = ants merionenn = ant merionaer = anteater merieneg [mɛ.ˈrjẽː.nɛk] = anthill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *morwi- (ant). Words from the same roots include formic (pertaining to ants) and pismire (ant – archaic) in English, fourmi (ant) in French, mier (ant) in Dutch, maur (ant) in Icelandic and myra (ant) in Swedish [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Indo-European

Swallows

Swans

Starlings

Herons

Cockerels / Roosters

Hens & Chickens

Crows and Ravens

Birds and Larks

Hound Dogs

Ants