The Other Celts: Introducing Wales
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- SpeakerThe speaker explains that the lecture will focus on the history of the Welsh language. Using a map the speaker shows the origins of Welsh as a Celtic language which evolved from the Indo European language group. Knowledge about Celts comes from Roman accounts when they occupied the British Isles where the Celts had previously settled.
- SpeakerThe speaker explains that different Celtic languages developed when the Anglo Saxons moved into the British Isles pushing the Celts into the various areas where they are located today. Being pushed into separate areas the Celtic language broke down and developed into specific Celtic languages including Welsh.
- SpeakerThe speaker notes that the Irish Celts remained culturally and linguistically intact as the Romans and Anglo Saxons had little to do with Ireland. Starting in the 5th century the Irish occupied Dalriada resulting in the Picts being absorbed by the Irish and losing their language. The Pictish language is thought to be a Celtic language. Within the Dalriada region Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic gradually developed.
- SpeakerThe speaker comments that the modern Celtic language is viewed as an invaded language, but the Celtic languages also invaded and absorbed other languages. The speaker gives the example of the Welsh borrowing from the Romans the Latin word “libra” which is similar to the Welsh word for “book”. The speaker opines that a language stays alive when it borrows from another language.
- SpeakerThe speaker points out that there were by now two main language groups - the Gaelic language group of Ireland and Scotland and the Welsh, Cornish and Breton language group. But the consistent sounds of the two language groups shows that they are q Celtic and p Celtic languages respectively with a common origin.
- SpeakerThe speaker shows a photo of the first Welsh manuscript “The Book of Aneirin” from about 1250 containing centuries older Welsh poetry. Previously, Welsh was only an oral language. The speaker suggests that a written form of Welsh was viewed as a way to ensure the Welsh culture and language continued.
- SpeakerBeginning in the 16th century two important events influenced the survival of the Welsh language. The speaker details how the Language Clause of the Act of Union in 1536 by King Henry VIII would have eradicated Welsh as a language, but at the same time the Protestant reformers insisted that the use of the Welsh language was necessary to allow for the Reformation. Thus the Welsh language survived.
- SpeakerThe speaker comments how the use of only English in church and the courts did not allow unilingual Welsh speakers to participate. The Protestant Reformers insisted a Welsh bible was necessary for their cause to be successful. By 1588 a Welsh bible was translated by William Morgan after Elizabeth I allowed the bible to be translated into local languages.
- SpeakerThe speaker notes that having a Welsh bible provided a link between the Protestants and Welsh. When Elizabeth I tried to create the same link with the Irish using the same approach as she had in Wales, she was unsuccessful.
- SpeakerThe speaker points out that Wales was unique in being the only Celtic area to have a legislated right to have the bible in their own language. As well, despite not being their own state, Wales was the only place in Europe within the first century of the Reformation to have a bible in their own language. The speaker continues by noting that it is because of William’s bible and Wales’ commitment to Protestantism that Welsh is the strongest of Celtic languages.
- SpeakerThe speaker concludes the lecture by noting that other Celtic areas in the British Isles did not develop the same language - religion relationship as happened in Wales. Also, there is still a debate about the degree to which the events had in saving the Welsh language.
- SpeakerEnd of lecture