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Line 1: + + − ==List of Celtic languages== − ===Continental Celtic languages=== − *Celtiberian (Exctinct) − *Gaulish (Exctinct) − *Lepontic (Exctinct) − *Noric (Exctinct) − *Galatian (Exctinct) − ===Insular Celtic languages===+ − *Scottish Gaelic language+ − *[[Irish language|Irish]]+ − *[[Manx language|Manx]]+ − *Cumbric language (Exctinct)+ − *[[Welsh language|Welsh]]+ − *Breton language+ − *[[Cornish language|Cornish]]+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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The '''Celtic languages''' are a subgroup of the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] language family. The language family is divided into two groups: The Continental Celtic languages (all of which are now extinct) and the Insular Celtic Languages.
The '''Celtic languages''' are a subgroup of the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] language family. The language family is divided into two groups: The Continental Celtic languages (all of which are now extinct) and the Insular Celtic Languages.
==Continental Celtic languages==
Continental Celtic languages were once widespread throughout Europe with a range from northern [[Portugal]] in the west to central Anatolia in the east. However today all Continental Celtic languages are extinct, largely replaced by Germanic and Italic languages in West and Central Europe, Slavonic languages in the Balkans and Turkish in Anatolia. Not enough is known about many of the continental Celtic languages to precisely determine their relationships with each other.
'''Celtiberian''' (Extinct)
Celtiberian was spoken in northern [[Spain]] and shares some features with Insular Goidelic languages.
'''Gaulish''' (Extinct)
Gaulish was spoken in [[France]] as well parts of [[Belgium]], [[Switzerland]] and northern [[Italy]].
'''Lepontic''' (Extinct)
Lepontic was spoken in parts of [[Austria]] and northern Italy.
'''Noric''' (Extinct)
Noric was spoken in parts of Austria and [[Slovenia]].
'''Galatian''' (Extinct)
Galatian was spoken in the area around Ankara in Anatolia.
'''Lusitanian''' (Extinct) (uncertain affiliation)
Lusitanian was a language spoken in northern Portugal, it is uncertain whether it was truly a Celtic language at all.
==Insular Celtic languages==
The Insular Celtic languages originated in the British Isles and are further divided into Goidelic and Brythonic groups.
<big>'''Goidelic languages'''</big>
'''Gàidhlig/Scottish Gaelic'''
Gàidhlig was once the main language of [[Scotland]] and some far northern extremes of [[England]] although it never totally dominated the whole of Scotland. Today it is mainly limited to the north and west of the country. The main bastions of Gàidhlig are the western isles.
'''[[Irish language|Gaeilge/Irish]]'''
Gaeilge was at its height the dominant language throughout [[Ireland]] and parts of western Wales, since the 12th century it has been in decline and is now only truly spoken as a community language in relatively isolated parts of western Ireland.
'''[[Manx language|Gaelg/Manx]]'''
Gaelg is the Manx variety of Gaelic, it is closer to Gàidhlig than Gaeilge but has a distinct spelling system and a high proportion of Norse loanwords. The last native speaker died in 1974, but the language is currently undergoing a resurrection.
<big>'''Brythonic languages'''</big>
'''Cumbric''' (Extinct)
Cumbric is the extinct brythonic language of northern England and southern Scotland. The language was closely related to [[Welsh]]. In the south the language gradually gave way to Anglic and in the north to Gàidhlig. It is estimated that Cumbric went extinct some time around the 12th century.
'''[[Welsh language|Cymraeg/Welsh]]'''
Cymraeg is the official language of Wales, it is widely spoken in north Wales, particularly amongst the older and younger generations reflecting the fact that it is a language in revival. Cymraeg is also spoken in some areas in the Argentinian region of Patagonia. Of all Celtic languages Cymraeg has the largest number of first language speakers.
'''Brezhoneg/Breton'''
Brezhoneg is spoken in Brittany, particularly the western regions. Although Brezhoneg is spoken by people on the European continent it is not a Continental Celtic language as was once thought, but is actually an insular Celtic language closely related to Kernewek. Brezhoneg faces problems with ageing speakers and resistance to Brezhoneg education by the French central government.
'''[[Cornish language|Kernewek/Cornish]]'''
Kernewek was once the language of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Anglo-saxon conquests pushed the language further and further west until Kernewek was spoken only west of the river Tamar. Later the English language continued the encroachment of Kernewek from the east until according to Richard Carew's Survey of Cornwall in 1602 the language was almost totally gone. Today there are no native speakers, but a few people are fluent speakers of Kernewek as a second language and interest in the language is increasing.
==See also==
==See also==