Wikijunior:Languages/Breton
What writing system(s) does this language use?
[edit | edit source]The most common writing system for Breton, Peurunvan, uses the Latin alphabet with two extra letters, ch and c'h, and eight extra accented letters, â, ê, î, ô, û, ù, ü, and ñ.
How many people speak this language?
[edit | edit source]About 206,000 people speak Breton as their first language, but most do not use it in their daily lives. For hundreds of years, fewer and fewer people have spoken Breton every generation, because the French government tried to stop people from speaking it and not allowed schools to be taught in it. Recently this has changed, and now many 15,840 children in Brittany are in bilingual schools.
bilingual school — a school that is taught in two languages.
Where is this language spoken?
[edit | edit source]Breton is spoken in western France, in the western part of the region of Brittany.
What is the history of this language?
[edit | edit source]Brittany is a Celtic language, related to Cornish, Welsh, Scottish, Manx and Irish. It is believed that Breton evolved sometime in the 9th century, and it was the language of the Breton upper class until the 12th century, after which it became the language of the commoners.
Who are some famous authors or poets in this language?
[edit | edit source]What are some basic words in this language that I can learn?
[edit | edit source]| Breton | English |
|---|---|
| Demad | Hello |
| Degemer mad | Welcome |
| Kenavo | Goodbye |
| Mar plij | Please |
| Trugarez | Thank you |
| Yec’hed mad | Cheers |
What is a simple song/poem/story that I can learn in this language?
[edit | edit source]References
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Wikijunior:Languages | edit | |
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