Welsh language

Lore & Background

Welsh evolved from Common Brittonic, the Celtic language of the ancient Britons, which likely arrived in Britain during the Bronze Age or Iron Age. The language's emergence was not instantaneous; linguist Kenneth H. Four periods are identified: Primitive Welsh, Old Welsh, Middle Welsh, and Modern Welsh, though boundaries are indistinct. Primitive Welsh may have been spoken in both Wales and the Hen Ogledd (the Brittonic-speaking areas of what are now northern England and southern Scotland), and may be the ancestor of Cumbric as well as Welsh. The earliest Welsh poetry, attributed to the Cynfeirdd or 'Early Poets', is generally considered to date to the Primitive Welsh period, though much of it was supposedly composed in the Hen Ogledd, raising questions about dating and original language. Old Welsh (9th to 11th centuries) preserved poetry from both Wales and Scotland. Middle Welsh (12th to 14th centuries) is the language of nearly all surviving early manuscripts of the Mabinogion and existing Welsh law manuscripts, and is reasonably intelligible to modern Welsh speakers. Modern Welsh began in the 14th century and is subdivided into Early and Late Modern Welsh.

Reader's Guide

Welsh is significant as a living Celtic language with a continuous literary tradition spanning over a millennium. Its survival and official status in Wales represent a cultural and linguistic resilience against centuries of pressure, particularly during industrialisation in the late 19th century when immigrants from England led to a decline in Welsh speakers, especially in the South Wales Valleys. Welsh is considered the least endangered Celtic language by UNESCO. The word 'Welsh' derives from Old English 'wealh', from Proto-Germanic '*Walhaz', originally referring to the Volcae and later to speakers of Celtic languages or people of the Western Roman Empire. The Welsh term 'Cymraeg' descends from Brythonic 'combrogi', meaning 'compatriots' or 'fellow countrymen'.

Did You Know?

• Welsh is considered the least endangered Celtic language by UNESCO.
• The word 'Welsh' derives from Old English 'wealh', from Proto-Germanic '*Walhaz', originally referring to the Volcae.