Celtic & Gaelic Research

This short video was produced by Nigel Hutchins and Alexander Moss in the UofG Media Team and features Dr Sofia Evemalm-Graham, Dr Simon Taylor and Dr Alasdair C. Whyte. The video is an introduction to place-name studies and, in particular, to place-names of Northern Brittonic origin in Scotland.

Northern Brittonic is a Celtic language: one of the seven main languages which lie behind Scotland’s place-names. As a Celtic language, it is related to several modern languages: Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Manx, Welsh, Cornish and Breton. Were it still spoken today, the language would probably sound a lot like modern Welsh with a tinge of Gaelic. The language died out in Scotland around 1,000 years ago but numerous Northern Brittonic place-names survive in southern Scotland. The name Glasgow itself is a place-name of Northern Brittonic origin meaning ‘green hollow’. The University of Glasgow offers an Honours course on this subject: ‘Celtic Place-Names of Scotland’.

Chaidh am bhidio seo a riochdachadh le Nigel Hutchins and Alexander Moss ann an sgioba nam meadhanan aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu agus e a’ gabhail a-steach rannsachadh leis an Dr Sofia Evemalm-Graham, Dr Simon Taylor agus Dr Alasdair C. MacIlleBhàin. Tha e a’ toirt sùil air Ainm-eòlas mar chuspair rannsachaidh agus gu h-àraid air ainmean-àite Tuath-Bhreatannach ann an Alba.

’S e cànan Ceilteach a th’ ann an Tuath-Bhreatannais: fear de na seachd cànainean a tha aig cridhe ainmean-àite na h-Alba. Tha i càirdeach mar sin do chànainean Ceilteach an latha an-diugh: a’ Ghàidhlig, Gàidhlig na h-Èireann, Gàidhlig Eilean Mhanainn, a’ Chuimris, a’ Chòrnais agus a’ Bhreatannais. Nan robh i fhathast ga bruidhinn san latha an diugh, bhiodh i gu math coltach ris a’ Chuimris ach le blasad math Gàidhlig oirre cuideachd, is dòcha. Chaidh an cànan à bith mun bhliadhna 1100 ach tha iomadach ainm-àite ann an ceann a deas na h-Alba a chaidh a stèidheachadh le luchd-labhairt a’ chànain seo, Glaschu nam measg. Faodar cùrsa urramach a thoirt a-mach aig Oilthigh Ghlaschu air a’ chuspair seo don ainm ‘Celtic Place-Names of Scotland’.

---

First published: 26 September 2022