The other day a Manx-speaking friend posted a photo on Instagram of a boat with the name Cumraig, with a note saying that it means comrade or companion:
Cumraig – comrade / companion #Manx #Gaelic #gaelg #culture #identity #isleofman
I wondered if Cumraig is related to the Welsh word Cymraeg (Welsh language), and whether the other Celtic languages have similar words.
In Manx the word cumraag means companion, comrade, fellow, mate, pal, escort – Cumraig seems to be a variant form.
Cumraag appears in phrases like:
– cumraag caggee = brother-in-arms
– cumraag marrey = shipmate
– cumraag scoill = schoolfellow
– cumraag shamyr = roommate
In Welsh there are a number of words that are probably related to cumraag, although I cannot find confirmation of this:
– Cymraeg [kəmˈraːɨ̯ɡ] = Welsh; the Welsh language; of the Welsh language; Welsh-speaking
– Cymreig [kəmˈrei̯ɡ] = Welsh; of Wales or the Welsh culture (but not of the Welsh language)
– Cymro [ˈkəm.rɔ] = Welsh person; Welshman
– Cymraes [kəmˈraːɨ̯s ] = Welshwoman
– Cymry [ˈkəm.rɨ̞] = the Welsh (people); Welshmen
– Cymru [ˈkəm.rɨ̞] = Wales
These words come from the late Proto-Brythonic *kumroɣ [kɵmˈroːɣ] (compatriot), from *kombrogos, a compound of *kom- (with) & *brogos (country).
*kombrogos is also the root of the Breton keñvroad / keñvroiz (compatriot), and of Cumbria, Cumberland, and Cambria, the Roman name for the region now known as Cymru / Wales.
Sources: Fockleyreen, Wiktionary, Encyclopedia.com, Y Ddraig
Interesting comparison of the same place:
Cymru = the country of compatriots.
Wales = the country of foreigners.