Breton

Breton is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany, a region in the northwest of France. It is one of the six Celtic languages and is closely related to Cornish and Welsh. Breton is classified as a Brythonic language, which is a branch of the Insular Celtic languages.

History

Breton originated from the migration of Britons from Great Britain to Armorica (modern-day Brittany) during the early Middle Ages. The language developed separately from the other Brythonic languages due to geographical isolation.

Dialects

Breton has several dialects, which are generally divided into four main groups:

• Leoneg
• Kerneveg
• Tregerieg
• Gwenedeg

Each dialect has its own unique features, but they are mutually intelligible to a large extent.

Status and Revitalization

Breton is considered an endangered language by UNESCO. Efforts to revitalize the language include the establishment of Diwan schools, which offer immersion education in Breton. There are also media outlets, such as Radio Kerne and TV Breizh, that broadcast in Breton.

Grammar

Breton grammar shares many features with other Celtic languages, such as initial consonant mutations and a verb-subject-object word order. It also has a rich system of prepositions and inflected prepositions.

Literature

Breton has a rich literary tradition, with works ranging from medieval poetry to contemporary novels. Notable authors include Yann-Ber Kalloc'h, Anjela Duval, and Roparz Hemon.

Related Pages

• Celtic languages
• Brythonic languages
• Cornish language
• Welsh language
• Diwan schools
• Brittany