Celtic languages – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

The Cornish flag, known as Saint Piran or Baner Peran in the Cornish language. D&S Photographic Service / Alamy

July 6, 2026

How the BBC’s Learn Cornish podcast could help boost this minority language

Merryn Davies-Deacon, Queen's University Belfast

In terms of heritage, visibility and identity, this inclusive introduction to Cornish could be crucial.

Ancient Ogham stone obelisk atop Ceann Sibéal on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Cynthia Shirk/Shutterstock

December 31, 2025

How Celtic languages spread across Britain and Ireland: why we need to reconsider the early story

Simon Rodway, Aberystwyth University

New insights from archaeology, genetics and early inscriptions are helping to uncover the story of Celtic languages in Britain and Ireland.

Ellis Humphrey Evans, known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn, was killed on the first day of the battle of Passchendaele. Chronicle/Alamy

January 11, 2024

Hedd Wyn: how the life of one of Wales’ most promising poets was cut short by the first world war

Alan Llwyd, Swansea University

Bard Hedd Wyn was killed in action in France in 1917.

Street sign for Fford Pen Llech, said to be the world’s steepest street, with text in English and in Welsh. Approximately 20% of Wales residents are fluent in Welsh, and the goverment is striving to increase that percentage.“ Wikimedia

August 23, 2023

Protecting endangered languages feels right, but does it really help people?

Dave Sayers, University of Jyväskylä

Media accounts on endangered languages abound, but they don’t always explore how to materially help native speakers. Peer-reviewed research shows that such efforts don’t always have positive effects.

Poetry in Latin, Welsh and Gaelic from Edward Lhwyd’s Archaeologia Britannica. National Library of Scotland

March 13, 2020

How a brilliant 18th century linguist linked the Celtic languages

Thomas Black, University of Nottingham

Welshman Edward Lhwyd helped bring togethr Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish and Breton to show how language could connect people on a deeper level.

Articles on Celtic languages

Displaying all articles