Re: Submerged Languages

Marc Verhaegen writes:
Are there clear examples of Celtic influence in French? It's often
stated, but I doubt it.


Celtic influences in French are primarily lexical and toponymic. Most
of the major towns preserve the names of the Celtic tribes that lived
there, e.g. the Parisii at Paris, the Remi at Reims, the Ambiani at
Amiens, the Pictavi at Poitiers, the Tricasses at Troyes etc.etc.
The total contribution of Celtic words to French (including dialects)
has been computed at c.180 words, mostly with domestic or rustic
connotations. Among the most commonplace would be :
Charpentier carpenter
Cervoise (O.Fr.) beer
Brasser to brew
Charrue plough
Glaner to glean
Saumon salmon
Borne limit
Boue mud
Chêne oak
Truand vagrant, beggar
Briser (O.Fr. bruisier) break, (bruise)

The system of counting in twenties in modern French (but not Wallon or
Suisse Romand) from sixty to ninety-nine (quatre-vingt-dix-neuf, lit.
four-twenty-ten-nine) is Celtic (cf. Welsh).
The passage of Latin /u/ to French /y/ is possibly due to Celtic
influence.
Other than that, many French consider themselves to be Celtic at heart,
and reserve a special warmth for the Irish, Welsh and Scots. As an
Englishman who used to live in France, I know all about that. If you
add Astérix le Gaulois, droopy moustaches and Rugby, I think that is
about all the Celtic influence still to be found.

Regards
Dennis