What are Celtic Languages?
The Celtic languages – Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Breton, among others – descend from the Proto-Celtic language, which was spoken by ancient Celts in Europe around 800 BCE. Today, these languages are mostly limited to the British Isles and the French province of Brittany. However, their effect on world literature and culture has been astounding: the tales of King Arthur were originally told by Celts, for example, and their mythology and folk tales strongly influenced Latin, Western European and modern American modes of storytelling. A program in Celtic Languages and Literature requires students to learn at least two modern or archaic Celtic languages, and involves extensive reading, research and linguistic practice.
