THE LANGUAGES OF THE CELTS

In the past we have spoken of Irish, Scots, Welsh, even some Manx, but have never really discuss the roots of these languages and where they stand today.

Of all the branches of the languages perhaps the least retained today is Galatian.  My observations tell me that one would do nicely on a visit to that beautiful land, if a facility for speaking Spanish was a part of your travel kit.  It is indeed extinct but was at once spoken freely in Galatia in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) up to the 4th century of the Common Era.

I have perused as many articles and books as are available to me regarding Galatian in its ancient form and learned that only a few glosses and comments in classical writing are extant.  I am advised that there are probably only 120 left  - most personal names - those which end in riks (formerly in the ancient way -rix, -reix...similar to the old Irish 'ri' and the Latin 'Rex' meaning king.)

In addition one can find endings such as 'marus', dative 'mari'  (ancient Gaul as being  'maros'. ancient Irish being'mor' and Welsh 'mawr' meaning "great".

Some tribal names still exist such as Ambiouti which has somewhat the same meaning as the Irish 'tuath' or the word 'drunaimeton' meaning a place of assembly,  Note the old Irish 'drui' (druid) and 'nemed' meaning holy place.  These words are primarily of a lexicon nature; one does not commonly use them conversationally.

(Reference a Comprehensive Language of Ancients Celts in Greco-Roman Asia Minor by Philip Freeman)

I intend to pursue further study on this ancient tongue as it in Galatia in Asia Minor we had our earliest home.

Irish, Scots Gaelic, and Manx belong to the language grouping known as "Q-Celtic" while Welsh, Cornish and Breton belong to the "P-Celtic".  It is most generally regarded that the "P Celtic" speaking people were Continental Celts, where as the "Q Celt" speakers were more likely to hav come from Italy, Cisalpine Gaul and the Ibernian peninsula.  There are marked physical differences in these two groups. 

I have not made much headway with Welsh and Cornish as the pronunciation is rather different than the tongues I am more familiar with; that of the Irish and Scots.  I suspect my familial connections have much to do with that.