Celtic languages facts for kids

The countries where the six Celtic languages are still spoken today.

The Celtic languages are a group of languages that belong to the larger Indo-European family. This means they are distantly related to many other languages spoken in Europe and parts of Asia, like English, Spanish, and Hindi. Today, six Celtic languages are still spoken, mostly in the northwest of Europe. They are split into two main groups: the Goidelic (or Gaelic) languages and the Brythonic (or British) languages.

Goidelic Languages: Irish, Scottish, and Manx

The three Goidelic languages still spoken are Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx.

Irish Language

Irish is a main language in parts of Ireland, especially in areas called the Gaeltacht. These are places where Irish is still the everyday language for many people. It's a very old language with a rich history.

Scottish Gaelic Language

Scottish Gaelic is important in parts of northwest Scotland. It's spoken on many islands and in some mainland areas. There's also a community of Scottish Gaelic speakers in Canada, especially in Nova Scotia, where their ancestors settled long ago.

Manx Language

Manx was once almost lost, but people are now working hard to bring it back to life on the Isle of Man. This island is located between Great Britain and Ireland. Learning Manx helps keep the island's unique culture alive.

Brythonic Languages: Welsh, Cornish, and Breton

The three Brythonic languages are Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.

Welsh Language

Welsh is spoken throughout Wales. For many people in the western part of Wales, it's their first language. This area is sometimes called the Bro Gymraeg. There are also Welsh speakers far away in Patagonia, Argentina, where Welsh settlers moved in the 1800s.

Cornish Language

Cornish became extinct in the 18th century, meaning no one spoke it as their main language anymore. However, people have started speaking it again now! This revival shows how much people care about their heritage in Cornwall, England.

Breton Language

Breton is spoken mainly in west Brittany, which is part of France. It's the only Celtic language not mainly spoken on the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Because Brittany is part of France, the language is in danger of becoming extinct. But many people are working hard to prevent this from happening, teaching it in schools and using it in daily life.

Related Pages

• Celtic League

Images for kids

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  The second of the four Botorrita plaques. This plaque is inscribed in Latin, but the third plaque has the longest text discovered in an ancient Celtic language.

See also

In Spanish: Lenguas celtas para niños