Bees

17th January 2024 By Simon

Words for bee, sting and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bekos/bikos = bee
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bech [bʲex] = bee
Middle Irish	bech [bʲex] = bee bechlann [bʲex] = beehive bechatoir, beachadoir = (hereditary) beekeeper bechda = full of bees
Irish (Gaeilge)	beach [bʲax] = bee beachaire = beekeeper, beehive beachaireacht = beekeeping beachlann = apiary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beach [bɛx] = bee, wasp beachach [bɛxəx] = pertaining to or abounding in bees or wasps beachair [bɛxɪrʲ] = beehive beachan [bjaxər̪ˠn̪ˠ] = small bees or wasps
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨg = bee
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg)	byg = bee bedaf, bydaf = bees’ nest, beehive bygegyr = drone
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bygegyr, begegyr = drone bydaf = swarm or nest of (wild) bees, bees’ nest and honey therein, beehive

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰik-/bʰoyk- (bee), from*bʰey- (bee) [source]. Words from the same roots include bee in English, and fuco (drone – male bee) in Italian [source].

Middle Irish	teillenn = swarm of bees
Irish (Gaeilge)	seileán = (wild) honey bee
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seillean [ʃel̪ʲan] = bee
Manx (Gaelg)	shellan [ˈʃɛlʲan] = bee shelleig, shellaig = beehive, hive

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wan-inyo- = bee (?)
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwanan, gwenyn = bees gwenynen, guenenen = bee gwenynllestyr = beehive
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwenyn = bees gwenynen = bee gwenynaf, gwenynu = to keep bees gwenynllais = a humming (of bees) gwenynlle = beehive gwenynog = apiary, bee-garden, pertaining to bees, abounding in bees gwenynydd = beekeeper, apiarist gwenynyddiaeth = beekeeping
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwanan, gwenyn = bees gwenynen, guenenen = bee
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwenen = bees gwenenen = bee gwenen sia = bumble bee
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guenan, guënan = bees guenanenn, guennanen = bee
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwenan, gwenen, gweren = bees gwenanenn = bee gwenaneg = apiary gwenaner = beekeeper gwenanerezh = beekeeping, apiculture

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *wano- (tip, sting) [source], from PIE *gʷʰen- (to strike, slay, kill). Words from the same root include bane, defend, fence and gun , and words for to stab, sting, wound, etc. in Celtic languages (see below) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gʷaneti = to strike, wound, kill, slay
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gonaid [ˈɡonɨðʲ] = to pierce, wound con·goin = to pierce, wound
Middle Irish	gonaid = to pierce, wound
Irish (Gaeilge)	goin = to wound, stab, sting, hurt goinbhlasta = piquant goineach = wounding, piercing, hurtful goineadóir = wounder, sharp-tongued person goineog = stab, sting, prick, cutting remark, thrust, gibe goineogacht = cutting remarks, gibing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	goin [gɔn̪ʲ] = wound, stab, sting, stabbing, stinging goineag [gɔnag] = nip, pinch, twitch, canine (tooth) goineanta [gɔn̪ʲən̪ˠdə] = keen, piercing gointe [gɔn̪ʲdʲə] = sorely wounded, bewitched gointeach [gɔn̪ʲdʲəx] = wounding, stabbing, stinging, agonizing
Manx (Gaelg)	guin = pain, stitch, pang guinn = insect bite, pain, smart guinney = needle, pain, sting, wound, wounding gonnid = pain, peevishness, smarting, soreness
Proto-Brythonic	gwėnɨd [ɡwe̝ˈnɨːð] = to strike, kill ėdwėnɨd = to strike again
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg)	gvant, guant, gwanu = to stab, prick, deeply, pierce
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwanu [ˈɡwanɨ̞ / ˈɡwa(ː)ni] = to stab, prick, deeply, pierce, perforate, penetrate, kill, strike, thrust (also written gwanaf or gwân)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwane = to thrust, penetrate, pierce, stab, stick gwenys, gwynys = pierced, stabbed, stung
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwana = to pierce, stab, sting gwan = jab, prick, sting omwana = to stab oneself
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goano, goanaff, goan = to prick, grip, squeeze, annoy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwanañ = to sting, punish, macerate gwanerezh = maceration gwanikennan = to prick

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰénti (to be striking down, killing, slaying), from*gʷʰen- (to strike, slay, kill) [source].

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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Barnacles & Limpets

6th January 20246th January 2024 By Simon

Words for barnacle, limpet and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*barinākos = barnacle, limpet
Gaulish	*barinākā = barnacle, limpet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	*bairnech = limpet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	bairnech, báirnech = limpet(s)
Irish (Gaeilge)	bairneach [ˈbˠɑːɾˠn̠ʲəx] = limpet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàirneach [baːr̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = barnacle, limpet
Manx (Gaelg)	baarnagh, barnagh, bayrnagh = barnacle guiy bayrnag = barnacle goose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brennik = limpets
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brennig = limpets brenigen = limpet
Middle Cornish	brennic = limpets brennigen = limpet
Cornish (Kernewek)	brennik = limpets brenigen, bernigen = limpet
Middle Breton	brennik = limpet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brennig [ˈbrɛ.nːik] = barnacles, limpets brennigenn = barnacle, limpet brennika = to fish for limpets brennikaer = limpet fisherman

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *barinā (rocky ground), and *-ākos (involved with, belonging to) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via the Gaulish *barinākā and the Latin barnēca (barnacle goose, barnacle, limpet), include bernache (barnacle) in French, barnacle in English, barnacla (brent/brant goose – Branta bernicla) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gigrann = barnacle goose
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	gigrann, giugrann = wild goose, barnacle goose
Irish (Gaeilge)	giúrann = barnacle, shipworm, barnacle (goose) giúrannach = encrusted with barnacles
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	giùran [gʲuːran] = barnacle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwyran = barnacle goose, barnacles
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyran = barnacle goose, barnacles
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	goirann = barnacle goose, barnacles

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *gezdā (goose) – probably of imitative origin [source]. For more details of words for goose in Celtic languages, this post.

Worms & Maggots

18th December 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for worm, maggot and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kʷrimis = worm
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruim [kruṽʲ] = maggot, worm crumdoma = maggot heap
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	cruim, crúim = worm, maggot crumach = full of reptiles crumdoma = dunghill cromóc = maggot
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruimh = maggot, larva, grub, tiny insect, worm crumhóg = maggot cruimheach = maggoty cruimheachán = venemous person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnuimh [krɯ̃ĩv] = maggot, grub, worm cnuimheach [krɯ̃ĩvəx] = maggoty cnuimheag [krɯ̃ĩvag] = maggot, grub, worm cnuimhneag [krɯ̃ĩvn̪ˠʲag] = maggot, worm
Manx (Gaelg)	crooag = (flesh) worm, grub, maggot, worm crooagagh = maggoty, wormy
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨβ̃ [ˈprɨβ̃] = worm
Old Welsh	prem = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryuet, pryf = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm pryuyedic = abounding in / infested with worms or maggots
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryf [prɨːv/priːv] = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm pryfedaf, pryfedu, pryfedo = to breed worms of maggots, to become infested with worms or maggots pryfediad = worm or maggot infestation pryfedig = wormeaten, maggoty pryfeteg = entomology pryfiedig = abounding in / infested with worms or maggots
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pref, prêv, pryf = any small animal, a vermin, an insect, a worm, a reptile
Cornish (Kernewek)	pryv, prev = crawling animal, grub, insect, worm, weevil pryv del = caterpillar pryv prenn woodworm pryvladher = insecticide
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	preff, preuet, prenvv = worm
Breton (Brezhoneg)	preñv = worm preñvedik = vermiculated preñvek = vermicular, wormlike, wormy eneppreñveg, eneppreñvek = wormable

Etymology: from PIE *kʷŕ̥mis (worm) [source]. Words from the same root include cirmenis (maggot, grub) in Latvian, kirmis (worm) in Lithuanian, käärme (snake) in Finnish, کرم (kerm – worm) in Persian, and červ (worm, maggot) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorb = worm, larva
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dorb = small insect or worm
Irish (Gaeilge)	doirb [kɑbʲ/kabʲ] = water beelte doirbeach = infested with water beetles
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	doirb [dɤrʲɤb] = unspecific term for a small/tiny/insignificant creature (e.g. minnow, worm, leech, small person)
Manx (Gaelg)	durrag = cabbage worm, larva of cabbage moth

Etymology: unknown

Wings

29th January 202229th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for wings and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	ɸeto/feto- = to fly fatar/fatanos/*fetnos = wing, bird
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ette [ˈetʲe] = wing, pinion, fin, feather, plume ettech/ittech = winged, finned, flying, fluttering
Irish (Gaeilge)	eite [ˈɛtʲə] = wing, pinion, wing feather, fin, vane eiteach = winged, pennate, plumed, feathered, finned eiteog = wing, (little) wing feather, (little) fin, wing-like
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ite [içdʲə] = feather, plume, fin, overlap, blade iteach [ihdʲəx] = feathery, feathered, finned itealach = winged, flying, hovering, fluttering
Manx (Gaelg)	fedjag [ˈfaiaɡ] = feather, plume, quill, pinion fedjagagh = pinnate, feathery
Proto-Brythonic	*atanī = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	adain = wing, fin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	adain [ˈadai̯n/ˈadɛn/ˈaːdɛn] = wing, fin, arm, sleeve adeiniog = winged
Old Cornish	aden = leaf of a book
Old Breton	attanoc = wing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *peth₂- (to fly, to spread out) [source]. The English words such as feather, petal, pinion and helicopter come from the same PIE root [source].

Words for birds and larks come from the same Proto-Celtic roots.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ascall = armpit
Irish (Gaeilge)	ascaill [ˈasˠkəl̠ʲ/ˈasˠkəl̪ˠ] = armpit, recess, avenue, axil asclán = something carried under arm, armful, gusset
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	asgall [asgəl̪ˠ] = breast, bosom, armpit
Manx (Gaelg)	aghlish = axil, armful, armpit
Proto-Brythonic	*askell = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	asgell, askell = wing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	asgell [ˈasɡaɬ / ˈaskaɬ] = wing, feather, fin, flank, side asgellog = winged, feathered, flying, finned, scaly, barbed asgellwr = winger, wing-forward (in sports) asgellu = to feather (an arrow), put wings on, grow wings, shelter/protect (with wings)
Old Cornish	ascall = wing
Cornish (Kernewek)	askel = wing
Breton (Brezhoneg)	askell [ˈas.kɛl] = wing, fin, flipper

Etymology: from the Latin ascella (wing), from axilla (little wing, axilla, armpit), a diminutive of āla (wing, armpit, shoulder blade) from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (axis) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, logainm.ie, 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

Oxen

26th August 202126th August 2021 By Simon

Words for oxen and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*uksōn = ox, stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	oss = elk, deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	os [ɔsˠ/ʌsˠ] = deer (literary) oiseoil [ˈɛʃˌoːlʲ/ˈɪʃˌoːlʲ] = venison oisín [əˈʃiːnʲ/ˈɔʃiːnʲ/ˈʌʃinʲ] = fawn (young deer) Oisín = name, and a character in Irish myths oisín róin = young seal osbhuí = fawn (colour)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	os [os] = deer oisfheoil [ɔʃjɔl] = venison
Proto-Brythonic	*uxī = ox
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ych, ich = ox
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ych [ɨːχ/iːχ] = ox ych gwyllt = wild ox, bison, buffalo gwin yr ych = spring-water (“wine of the ox”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	oghen = oxen
Old Breton	ohen = ox
Breton (Brezhoneg)	och’en = ox

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *uksḗn (bull) [source].

Proto-Celtic	damos = ox, bull, domesticated animal dametos = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dam [daṽ] = ox, stag, hero, champion
Irish (Gaeilge)	damh [d̪ˠaw] = ox, stag; strong man, champion, corpulent person damh alla = stag damh comhair = one of a pair of oxen, yokefellow; equal, peer damháire = bellowing, lowing (of oxen), belling (of stag) damhán = small ox damhra = oxen, yoke of oxen; stags, herd of deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damh [dav] = stag (antlered, up to 4 yrs old), ox, oaf, crab missing a claw damh-féidh = hart, stag cho dall ri damh ann an ceò = as blind as a bat in daylight (“as blind as an ox in the fog”)
Manx (Gaelg)	dow = ox, hart, stag
Proto-Brythonic	*daβ̃ad = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dauat, davad = sheep
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dafad [ˈdavad/ˈdaːvad] = sheep, ewe; one who is under the charge of a spiritual pastor defaid cymorth = sheep given to a needy person to form the nucleus of a flock dafad ddu = black sheep, prodigal son, ne’er do-well of a family defaid Dafydd Jos = waves, billows (“David Jones’ sheep”) mynd yn draed defaid = to go to ruin (“to become sheep’s feet”)
Old Cornish	dauat = sheep
Cornish (Kernewek)	davas = ewe, sheep kig davas = mutton
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dañvad [ˈdãː.vat] = sheep; overly kind, gentle person; cuckold, flock; small, fluffy clouds, foamy waves dañvadez = ewe

Etymology: the Brythonic words come from *dametos, which comes from *damos. Both these words come from the Proto-Indo-European *demh₂- (to domesticate, tame) [source]. The English words tame, (in)domitable and danger come from the same PIE root [source].

More sheep and deer related words.

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

Seals

28th November 20205th April 2024 By Simon

Words for seal and other creatures in Celtic languages.

Species of seals that may be found around the Celtic lands include the common or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Other species are available.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rón = seal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rón, ron = seal
Irish (Gaeilge)	rón = seal rón beag = harbour/common seal rón glas = grey seal rónach = seals, abounding in seals cladach rónta = shoal of seals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròn [r̪ˠɔːn] = seal ròn cumanta / ròn-dubh = harbour/common seal ròn glas = grey seal rònan [r̪ˠɔːnan] = little seal rònach [r̪ˠɔːnəx] = pertaining to or abounding in seals rònanach [r̪ˠɔːnanəx] = pertaining to or abounding in little seals
Manx (Gaelg)	raun = seal raun beg = harbour/common seal raun glass/ghlass = grey seal raunagh = seal-like, seal hunt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moelronyeit, moelrawn, moelrhawn = hippopotamus, seal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moelrhon, moelrhawn = seal, porpoise, dophin, hippopotamus moelrhonaidd = seal-like moelrhoniwr = seal hunter
Cornish (Kernewek)	reun = seal reun kemmyn = harbour/common seal reun loos = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reunig = seal reunig morleue = harbour/common seal reunig gris = grey seal

Etymology: possibly from Old English hran (whale), from Proto-Germanic *harza/harza- (a kind of fish). Incidentally, the Irish name Rónán means “little seal” [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morhwch, morwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morwch, môr-hwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Old Cornish	morhoch = porpoise
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	morhoch = porpoise
Cornish (Kernewek)	morhogh = porpoise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	morhouch, mourouch, moroch = porpoise
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morhoc’h = porpoise

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and hwch (calf). The words in Cornish and Breton come from similar roots [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morylo = seal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morlo [ˈmɔrlɔ] = seal, sealskin morlo cyffredin = common seal morlo llwyd = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leue-mor = seal

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and llo (calf). The word in Breton come from similar roots [source].

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

Sea Monsters

20th November 202020th November 2020 By Simon

Words for whale in Celtic languages.

Some species of whales that may be found around the Celtic lands include the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and the killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca). Other species are available.

Proto-Celtic	*mori-mīlo = whale
Old Irish (Goídelc)	míl mór / bled / bledmil = whale, sea monster
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	murimil / bled = whale, sea monster
Irish (Gaeilge)	míol mór = whale míol mór an oighir = humpback whale míol mór an oighir = North Atlantic right whale droimeiteach beag = common minke whale droimeiteach = fin whale mhadadh-cuain = killer whale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mial-mhór / muc-mhara / blaoch / bleth / bleidh mhiol = whale muc-mhara dhronnach, muc-mhara chrotach = humpback whale muc-mhara cheart thuathach = North Atlantic right whale muc-mhionc choitcheann, rorcual-beag = common minke whale muc-mhara nan saoidhean = sei whale muc-mhara dhruim-iteach / muc-an-sgadain = fin whale cráin dhubh / grampar = killer whale
Manx (Gaelg)	meeyl mooar, muc varrey = whale feer-whale = right whale muc-varrey Minke = minke whale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morfil = whale, sea monster, the constellation Cetus (the Whale) morfil cefngrwm = humpback whale morfil cywir / morfil walbon = right whale morfil pigfain = common minke whale morfil sei / morfil asgellog sei = sei whale morfil asgellog llwyd = fin whale morfil danheddog / morfil ffyrnig / lleiddiad = killer whale
Cornish (Kernewek)	morvil = whale
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morvil = whale balum askellek = humpback whale balum reizh du = North Atlantic right whale skoazog = killer whale

Etymology: these words mean ‘sea creature’, ‘large beast’, ‘sea pig’ or something similar.

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, TermOfis

Buzzards

15th October 202015th October 2020 By Simon

Words for buzzard (Buteo buteo) and related birds of prey in the Celtic languages. Some appear to be related to each other, others are not.

Irish (Gaeilge)	clamhán = (common) buzzard, bald patch, dodder clamhán lópach = rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clamhan [kl̪ˠavan] / claman [kl̪ˠaman] = buzzard stannaire = (common) buzzard searrach-ruadh = (common) buzzard gilm [ɡʲilʲim] = (common) buzzard bleideir [bledʲɪrʲ] = (common) buzzard bleideir-molach / bleideir-tònach / clamhan-molach / clamhan-tònach = rough-legged buzzard
Manx (Gaelg)	shirragh / shyrragh = buzzard, falcon, kite, seeker, bird of prey stannair = buzzard, hawk shyrragh-ruy = (common) buzzard shirragh mollagh / clowan liauyr-lurgagh = rough-legged buzzard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	boda / bòd = buzzard, red kite, great bustard, bird of prey boda llwyd / boda teircaill = (Common) buzzard boda bacsiog / boda garwgoes = rough-legged buzzard bwncath = buzzard
Cornish (Kernewek)	bargos = buzzard bargos gar arow = rough-legged buzzard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	baou = buzzard baou voutin = common buzzard baou an toundra = rough-legged buzzard

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lon [l͈on] = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	lon / lon dubh = (Common / Eurasian) blackbird (Turdus merula), lon creige ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lon [l̪ˠɔn] / lòn-dubh [l̪ˠɔnˈduh] = blackbird, ouzel lon-monaidh = ring ouzel

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	traskl / trozdi = thrush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge)	truis = thrush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg)	treshlen = song thrush treshlen vooar = mistle thrush
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tresglen = (mistle) thrush tresglen y crawel = mistle thrush
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drask(l) = thrush drask-su = song thrush drask-rouee = mistle thrush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trozdo- (thrush).

Other Welsh words for blackbird include aderyn du (“black bird”), and pigfelyn (“yellow beak”).

A song thrush in Welsh is y fronfraith (“the speckled breast”), crecer, bronfraith y grug, aderyn bronfraith or bronfraith fawr.

Blackbirds

11th October 202015th October 2020 By Simon

Words for blackbirds, thrushes, ouzels and starlings in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	mesal-(s)kā / meisalko = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	smólach = thrush smólach ceoil = song thursh (Turdus philomelos) smólach mór = mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smèarach [smɛːrəx] / smaolach [smɯːl̪ˠəx] / smeòrach [smjɔːrəx] = thrush, mavis smeòrach-choitcheann = song thrush smólach mór = mistle thrush
Proto-Brythonic	*miyalx- = blackbird
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyalchen [muɨ̯ˈalχɛn / mui̯ˈalχɛn] = blackbird mwyalchen y mynydd = ring ouzel
Cornish (Kernewek)	molgh = thrush molgh dhu = blackbird molgh loos = song thrush molgh glas = mistle thrush molgh meneth = ring ouzel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moualc’h / moualc’h zu = blackbird moualc’h-venez = ring ouzel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ems- (black, blackbird).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lon [l͈on] = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	lon / lon dubh = (Common / Eurasian) blackbird (Turdus merula), lon creige ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lon [l̪ˠɔn] / lòn-dubh [l̪ˠɔnˈduh] = blackbird, ouzel lon-monaidh = ring ouzel
Manx (Gaelg)	llondoo = blackbird lhonnag = (immature) blackbird lhon ny keylley = mistle thrush lhon fainnit / lhon ny greg = ring ouzel

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	traskl / trozdi = thrush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge)	truis = thrush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg)	treshlen = song thrush treshlen vooar = mistle thrush
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tresglen = (mistle) thrush tresglen y crawel = mistle thrush
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drask(l) = thrush drask-su = song thrush drask-rouee = mistle thrush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trozdo- (thrush).

Other Welsh words for blackbird include aderyn du (“black bird”), and pigfelyn (“yellow beak”).

A song thrush in Welsh is y fronfraith (“the speckled breast”), crecer, bronfraith y grug, aderyn bronfraith or bronfraith fawr.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du:

Simon Ager · The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du

Jays

30th September 202030th September 2020 By Simon

Words for jays in Celtic languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	scréachóg = jay, shrill-voiced bird scréachóg choille = (Eurasian) jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgreuchag [sɡrʲiaxaɡ] = jay, nightjar, heron, gull, owl (a screeching bird); screacher, screamer; shrill woman sgreuchag-choille [sɡrʲiaxaɡ xɤl̪ʲə] = (Eurasian) jay
Manx (Gaelg)	screeaghag = jay screeaghag cheylley = (Eurasian) jay
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)sgrech [(ə)sˈkreːχ] = jay, starling; scream, screech, shriek (y)sgrechog [(ə)sˈkreːχɔɡ] = jay, parrot; screaming, screeching, squealing (y)sgrech y coed [(ə)sˈkreːχ ə kɔid] = (Eurasian) jay, starling

Etymology: these all mean something like “screecher / screamer (of the woods)”.

Cornish (Kernewek)	kegin = jay
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kegin-derv = (Eurasian) jay

Etymology: unknown

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Animals

Bees

Barnacles & Limpets

Worms & Maggots

Wings

Oxen

Seals

Sea Monsters

Buzzards

Blackbirds

Jays