Owls

21st September 202022nd September 2020 By Simon

Words for owls in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ulchobc(h)án / ulchubc(h)án = owl
Irish (Gaeilge)	ulchabhán / ulcachán = (barn) owl (Tyto alba) ulchabhán donn = tawny/brown owl (Strix aluco) ulchabhán réisc / ulchabhán chluasgearr = short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ullaid [ul̪ˠadʲ] = (barn) owl ullaid-sgreuch = barn owl
Manx (Gaelg)	hullad = owl hullad vane / hullad soailt = barn owl hullad ghoan = tawny/brown owl hullad eairkagh = long-eared owl (Asio otus) hullad ny gurreeyn = short-eared owl
Cornish (Kernewek)	oula / ula = owl ula gwynn = barn owl ula kernek = long-eared owl ula gwenn = short-eared owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin

Irish (Gaeilge)	cailleach oíche = barn owl
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailleach-oidhche [kal̪ʲəxˈɤ̃ĩçə] = (tawny) owl, spiritless fellow cailleach-oidhche gheal = barn owl
Manx (Gaelg)	caillagh oie = barn owl, white owl

Etymology: means literally “night crone/witch”

Irish (Gaeilge)	ceann cait = long-eared owl
Manx (Gaelg)	kione kiyt = long-eared owl

Etymology: means literally “cat head”

Proto-Celtic	*kawannos = owl
Gaulish	*cauannos = owl
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	comhachag [kõ.əxag] = owl comhachag-ruadh / comhachag-dhonn = tawny/brown owl comhachag-adharcach = long-eared owl comhachag-chluasach = short-eared owl
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cuan = owl
Cornish (Kernewek)	kowan [ˈkɔwan / ˈkɔwɐn] = owl
Old Breton	couann = owl
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kaouenn = owl kaouenn penn-tev = tawny/brown owl

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kaw- (owl) – of imitative origin. Related to the Latin căvannus (night owl) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	tylluan [təˈɬɨ̞.an / təˈɬiː.an] = owl tylluan wen / tylluan ysgubor = barn owl tylluan frech / tylluan felynddu / tylluan y coed / tylluan lwyd / tylluan rudd / y dylluan fig = tawny/brown owl
Breton (Brezhoneg)	toud penn-kazh = long-eared owl toud-lann = short-eared owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin. I’m not sure if these words are cognate.

Breton (Brezhoneg)	grell voutin = barn owl

Etymology: unknown

Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwdihŵ [ɡʊdɪˈhuː] = owl gwdihŵ frech / gwdihŵ goch = tawny/brown owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin

The owls included here are commonly found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of owls are available.

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

Ducks

12th September 2020 By Simon

Words for ducks in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	*lachu [ˈl͈axu] = duck
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacha [ˈl̪ˠaxə] = duck lacha bhreac / lacha chriosrua / seil lacha = shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) iolar mara / coirneach / mallard = mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lach [l̪ˠax] = (wild) duck crà-ghèadh / cràighiadh / crà-eun = shelduck lach-Mhoire / lach-riabhach = mallard
Manx (Gaelg)	laagh = duck, wild goose laagh chryss-ruy = shelduck laagh voirrey / mallard = mallard

Etymology: possibly from the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Lithuanian word lak (to fly).

Irish (Gaeilge)	tonóg = duck; dumpy little woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tunnag [ˈtʰun̪ˠak] = duck tunnag-mhonaidh / tunnag-fhiadhaich = mallard
Manx (Gaelg)	thunnag = duck thunnag vreck = shelduck

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	*awis = bird (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	aí / ai / aoi = swan
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ai = swan
Proto-Brythonic	*(s)awyetos = duck (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyat / hwyeit = duck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyad(en) [ˈhʊɨ̯.ad / ˈhʊi̯.ad] = (female) duck hwyaden yr eithin / hwayaden fraith = shelduck hwyaden wyllt / meilad = mallard
Old Cornish	hoet = duck
Cornish (Kernewek)	hos = duck hos eythyn = shelduck hos gwyls / mallart = mallard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houad = duck tadorn toveel = shelduck houad-korz = mallard

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂éwis (bird) [source], which is also the root of such English words as avian, aviary, aviation and aviator, via the Latin avis (bird).

The species of ducks included here are found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of ducks are available.

Eagles

7th September 2020 By Simon

Words for eagles in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*eriros = eagle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	*irar [ˈirar] = eagle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ilar = eagle
Irish (Gaeilge)	iolar [ɟəˈlˠuːn̪ˠ] = eagle iolar fíréan = golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) iolar mara / coirneach = white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iolair [jul̪ˠɪrʲ] = eagle iolair dhubh / iolair bhuidhe = golden eagle earn / iolair mhara’ / iolair bhàn = white-tailed eagle
Manx (Gaelg)	urley = eagle urley buigh = golden eagle urley marrey = white-tailed eagle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eryr [ˈɛrɨ̞r / ˈeːrɪr] = eagle; hero, chief, prince, leader; the constellation of Aquila eryr aur = golden eagle eryr y Môr = white-tailed eagle
Cornish (Kernewek)	er [eːɹ] = eagle er / er melyn / ourer = golden eagle morer / er an mor = white-tailed eagle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	erer [ˈeːʁɛʁ] = eagle erer meur = golden eagle morer lost gwenn = white-tailed eagle

The species of eagles included here are found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of eagles are available.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃érō (eagle, large bird) [source].

Sparrows

27th August 202027th August 2020 By Simon

Words for sparrows in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gelbann = sparrow
Irish (Gaeilge)	gealbhan [ɟəˈlˠuːn̪ˠ] = sparrow gealbhan binne = house sparrow (Passer domesticus) gealbhan crainn = Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gealbhonn [gʲal̪ˠavən̪ˠ] = sparrow gealbhonn-taighe = house sparrow gealbhonn nan craobh = tree sparrow
Manx (Gaelg)	gialloon / giallun / giallyn / jallyn = sparrow fallyn = house sparrow jallyn ny miljyn / sperriu ny miljyn = tree sparrow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	golfan [ˈɡɔlvan] = (house) sparrow golfant / aderyn y to = house sparrow golfan y mynydd = tree sparrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	golvan = sparrow golvan chy = house sparrow golvan gwyth = tree sparrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	golvan = sparrow golvan-tiez = house sparrow golvan ar maezioù = tree sparrow

Etymology: unknown

Here’s a tune I wrote about sparrows: A Hedge Full of Sparrows / Gwyrch Llawn Adar y To

Simon Ager · A Hedge Full of Sparrows / Gwyrch Llawn Adar y To

Geese

22nd August 20206th January 2024 By Simon

Celtic words for goose, waterfowl of the genus of the family Anatidae.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gezdā = goose
Old Irish (Goídelc)	géd = goose
Irish (Gaeilge)	gé [ɟeː] = goose gé ghlas = greylag goose (Anser anser) gé ghiúrainn = barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) cadhan = brent goose (Branta bernicla) gé Cheanadach = Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gèadh [gʲiəɣ] = goose gèadh-glas = greylag goose cathach [ka.əx] = barnacle goose gèadh-got = brent goose gèadh Canadach = Canada goose
Manx (Gaelg)	guiy = goose guiy glass = greylag goose guiy twoaie = barnacle goose guiy breck = brent goose guiy Canadagh = Canada goose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guit = goose
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵydd [ɡuːɨ̯ð / ɡʊi̯ð] = goose, simpleton gŵydd wyllt (gyffredin) = greylag goose, wild goose gŵydd (g)wyrain = barnacle goose gŵydd ddu brent goose gŵydd Ganada = Canada goose
Old Cornish	guit = goose
Cornish (Kernewek)	goedh = goose goth wyls = greylag goose, wild goose morwoth = barnacle goose goth mannow = brent goose goth kanada = Canada goos
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwaz = goose gwaz louet = greylag goose, wild goose garreli dremm wenn = barnacle goose garreli boutin = brent goose garreli-Kanada = Canada goose

Note: the types of goose mentioned here are commonly found in Celtic-speaking areas. Other types of geese are available.

Here’s a tune I wrote inspired by a couple of geese (pictured above) who used to live on the seashore in Bangor, and who I called Bertie and Gertie: Goosing Around / Gwyddio o Gwmpas

Simon Ager · Goosing Around / Gwyddio o Gwmpas

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, fócloir.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Gulls

15th August 202011th May 2022 By Simon

Celtic words for (sea)gull, seabirds of the genus Larus or of the family Laridae.

Proto-Celtic	*wailannā = seagull
Old Irish (Goídelc)	faílenn, foílenn = seagull
Irish (Gaeilge)	faoileán, faoileog = gull, seagull faoileán bán = common gull (Larus canus) faoileán ceanndubh, faoileán an chaipín = black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) faoileán droma duibh = greater black-backed gull (Larus marinus) foillan scadán = (Larus argentatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faoileann [fɯːlən̪ˠ], faoileag [fɯːlag] = gull, seagull, common gull faoileann-bheag = common gull faoileann-dubh = black-headed gull faoileann a’ chinn dhuibh = greater black-backed gull faoileann-mhór = herring gull
Manx (Gaelg)	foillan, foilleig, fooilleig = gull, seagull foillan bane = common gull foillan kione doo = black-headed gull foillan saggyrt = greater black-backed gull foillan skeddan = herring gull
Proto-Brythonic	*gwuɨlann = seagull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwylan = seagull
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwylan [ˈɡʊɨ̯lan / ˈɡʊi̯lan] = sea-gull, sea-mew; fair maiden; glutton gwylan gyffredin = common gull gwylan goes goch / gwylan benddu = black-headed gull gwylan gefnddu = greater black-backed gull gwylan y penwaig = herring gull
Old Cornish	guilan = seagull
Cornish (Kernewek)	golan [ˈɡoːlan / ˈɡʊlɐn] = gull, seagull gwylan gemyn = common gull skraw / skrawik / scraw = black-headed gull gwylan keyn du = greater black-backed gull gwylan hern = herring gull
Old Breton	guilannou = seagull
Middle Breton	goelann = seagull
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouelan = seagull gouelan loue = common gull gouelanig maskl du = black-headed gull gouelan bras = greater black-backed gull gouelan gris = herring gull

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *wáy (oh! ah! woe! alas!), possibly related to *waylos (howler, wolf) [source].

The English word gull also comes from the same Proto-Celtic *wailannā, via the Middle English gulle [source].

The French word goéland (gull, herring gull) comes from the Breton gouelan [source].

Note: the types of gulls mentioned here are commonly seen in Celtic-speaking areas. Other gulls are available.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a song I wrote in Manx and English about seagulls and their love of chips: Spollagyn son tey / Chips for tea

Simon Ager · Spollagyn son tey / Chips for tea

Swallows

9th August 202023rd August 2020 By Simon

Words for swallows, swifts and martins in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wesnālā = swallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ainnel, fannall = swallow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áilleóc, fainleóc = swallow
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáinleog, áinleóg = swallow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	(f)ainnleag [(f)ãĩn̪ʲl̪ʲag] = swallow, martin, storm(y) petrel
Proto-Brythonic	*gwennọl = swallow
Old Welsh	guennol = swallow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwennawl = swallow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwennol [ˈɡwɛnɔl] = swallow, martin; weaver’s shuttle
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwennol = swallow
Old Breton	guennol = swallow
Middle Breton	guennel = swallow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwennel = swallow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wós-r̥/*wés-n̥s (spring) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	gabhlán = martin gabhlán-binne = house martin (delichon urbicum)) gabhlán gainimh = sand martin (riparia riparia) gabhlán gaoithe = swift (apus apus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gòbhlan [gɔːl̪ˠan] = swallow, martin; prong, small fork gòbhlan-gaoithe [goːl̪ˠan’gɤjə] = barn swallow (hirundo rustica) gòbhlan-gainmhich [goːl̪ˠan gɛnɛvɪç] = sand martin, bank swallow gòbhlan-dubh [goːl̪ˠan du] = (common) swift gòbhlan-mara [goːl̪ˠan marə] = storm(y) petrel (hydrobatidae)
Manx (Gaelg)	gollan = swift, martin; fork gollan geayee = swallow gollan gheinnee = sand martin gollan mooar = swift gollan thie = house martin

Etymology: from the Old Irish gabul (fork, forked branch), from the Proto-Celtic *gablā (fork, branch, gallows), from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Swallow / Y Wennol:

Simon Ager · The Swallow / Y Wennol

Swans

1st August 202017th April 2023 By Simon

Words for swan (cygnus) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*eli- = swan
Gaulish	ala = swan alauda = skylark
Old Irish (Goídelc)	elu = swan
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ela(e) = swan
Irish (Gaeilge)	eala [ˈalˠə] = swan ealach = frequented by swans eala bhalbh = mute swan (Cygnus olor) eala ghlorach = whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eala [jal̪ˠə] = swan eala bhàn = mute swan eala fhiadhaich = whooper swan ealag, eala-ghlas = cygnet, young swan eala-bheag = Bewick’s (tundra) swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)
Manx (Gaelg)	olla, ollay = (mute) swan ollay chiaulee = whooper swan eean olla = cygnet
Proto-Brythonic	alarkos = swan
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	alarch = swan
Welsh (Cymraeg)	alarch [ˈalarχ/ˈaːlarχ] = swan, the constellation Cygnus alarchaidd = pertaining to a swan, swanlike alarchen = cygnet alarches = female swan alarchwedd = swanlike alarch dôf, alarch mud = mute swan alarch y gogledd, alarch chwibanol, alarch gwyllt = whooper swan
Old Cornish	elerch = swan
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	elerch = swan
Cornish (Kernewek)	alargh = (mute) swan
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	alarc’h = swan alarc’hez = female cygnet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alarc’h = swan alarc’h roueel = mute swan alarc’h-kristilh = whooper swan

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁el- (swan, bird, waterfowl) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include alondra (lark) in Spanish, alouette (lark) in French, and allodola (skylark) in Italian. They were probably borrowed from the Gaulish alauda (skylark), from ala (swan) [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include auk (swan) in English, alke (auk) in Danish and Norwegian, and álka (razorbill) in Faroese and Icelandic [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Starlings

25th July 202017th April 2023 By Simon

Words for starling (sturnus vulgaris) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*trozdis = starling
Old Irish (Goídelc)	truit = starling
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge)	druid [d̪ˠɾˠɪdʲ] = starling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg)	truitlag = starling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trydw, drydwen, drudwy, drydw, drudw = starling
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drudw [ˈdrɨ̞dʊ/ˈdrɪdʊ], drudwy, drydwy, drydw = starling, stare
Old Cornish	troet = starling
Cornish (Kernewek)	trojen = starling
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tret = starling
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tred [ˈtʁeːt], tridig = starling

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trosdos (thrush) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Herons

19th July 202019th June 2023 By Simon

Words for heron in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	korxsā / korxsiyos = heron
Celtiberian	*cárcia = heron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	corr = crane, heron, stork, crane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corr = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Irish (Gaeilge)	corr [kəuɾˠ] = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corra [kɔr̪ˠə] = heron, stork, crane
Manx (Gaelg)	coar = heron, stork, crane
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨxɨð = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crychyd, krechydd, crechydd = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crychydd [ˈkrəχɨ̞ð / ˈkrəχɪð] = heron
Old Cornish	cherhit = heron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cerhidh = heron
Cornish (Kernewek)	kerghydh = heron
Old Breton	corcid = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quercheiz, querch-eïz, querc’heiz, qarc’hleyz kerc’heiz = heron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kerc’heiz = heron

Etymology: possibly immitative in origin. Words for heron in Spanish (garza) and Portuguese (garça) come from the Celtiberian root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*krexVr = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crehyr = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crëyr [ˈkrɛ.ɨ̞r / kreː.ɪr] = heron

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱrey- (to scream, screech) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Animals

Owls

Ducks

Eagles

Sparrows

Geese

Gulls

Swallows

Swans

Starlings

Herons