Is English the language spoken in the British Isles? Yes, it is now. However, a long time ago, people used to have different languages and cultures. The region now predominantly speaks the most influential language globally, which is used prominently in business, trade, and finance. The region also has a rich history of stories and events to share. We Japanese don’t really know why we have to learn it, for what purpose? Why do we need to learn English, especially when I struggle with my mother tongue, Japanese? Why must we memorize so many words and encounter numerous synonyms to learn, all while I’m already grappling with kanji practice? Why your teacher says “Don’t become a victim of Janglish” all the time? After reading this, you will have some clue to the answer.In the British Isles, before English language being developed, there were groups of people called Kelt, speaking their own languages long before the arrival of outsiders The dominance of Celtic languages in the British Isles can be traced back to the Iron Age and Roman periods.
The region was inhabited by various Celtic-speaking peoples. The main Celtic groups present in the British Isles were the Britons, who inhabited what is now England and Wales, and the Gaels, who lived in what is now Scotland and Ireland. These Celtic languages are collectively referred to as the “Insular Celtic” languages.
The Britons, also known as Brittonic Celts, were the indigenous Celtic-speaking inhabitants of what is now England and Wales. They spoke various Brittonic languages, which were part of the Celtic language family. These languages included Old Welsh, Old Cornish, and Old Breton. The Britons had established various kingdoms and tribal regions across the islands.
The Gaels were another group of Celtic-speaking people who inhabited what is now Scotland and Ireland. They spoke Goidelic or Gaelic languages, which are also part of the Celtic language family. These languages included Old Irish and Old Scottish Gaelic. The Gaels were organized into a system of clans and tribes.
In addition to the Britons and Gaels, the northern part of what is now Scotland was inhabited by the Picts. The Picts were a group of Celtic-speaking peoples who left behind little written records, making their culture and language less well-known compared to the Britons and Gaels.
The way the Celts lived, their daily activities, and their cultural practices varied across different regions and time periods. The Celts were primarily agrarian societies, relying on farming for their livelihood. They cultivated crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and various vegetables. Livestock, including cattle, sheep, and pigs, were also important for food, wool, and other resources. Celtic societies were organized into clans, tribes, and chiefdoms. The social structure included warriors, craftsmen, farmers, druids (priests and spiritual leaders), and bards (poets and storytellers). Chiefs or nobles held positions of authority. The Celts were also skilled metalworkers, producing intricate jewelry, weapons, and other objects adorned with ornate designs. Their art often featured abstract patterns and animal motifs.
Celtic religion was polytheistic and animistic, involving a deep connection to nature and the land. Druids played a central role in religious ceremonies, and sacred sites such as stone circles and hillforts were used for rituals. The Celts celebrated various festivals tied to agricultural cycles and celestial events, such as Beltane (May 1st) and Samhain (October 31st), which later influenced modern holidays like Halloween. Celtic languages were spoken, and oral traditions played a significant role in passing down cultural knowledge, myths, legends, and history from one generation to the next.
Although there were conflicts among the groups, they had a relatively peaceful life until the Roman Empire had a significant presence in parts of the British Isles, particularly in what is now England. The Romans introduced Latin, the language of the Roman Empire, which had an impact on the indigenous Celtic languages and left behind a legacy of Roman-built infrastructure and cultural influences. The Romans established settlements, forts, and roads throughout their territories, and many of these place names have Latin origins. These names often survive in modern place names. For example, names ending in “-chester” or “-cester” (from the Latin “castrum,” meaning “fort”) in England are indicative of former Roman settlements.
While the Celtic languages were not displaced by Latin, there might have been some level of language shift in certain areas, especially among individuals who interacted closely with Romans. However, there is limited evidence to suggest that Latin completely replaced the indigenous Celtic languages. The influence of Latin on the indigenous Celtic languages of the British Isles was not as profound as the Germanic influence that eventually led to the formation of English. The Germanic migrations and settlements had a more transformative impact on the linguistic landscape of the region, leading to the gradual displacement of the Celtic languages by the Germanic languages.
problem1 What is the primary language spoken in the British Isles today?
a) Celtic
b) Latin
c) Japanese
d) English
problem2 Which group of people inhabited what is now Scotland and Ireland?
a) Romans
b) Britons
c) Gaels
d) Picts
problem3 What were the primary economic activities of Celtic societies?
a) Trade and craftsmanship
b) Animal herding and trade
c) Farming and herding
d) Fishing and trading
problem4 Who played a central role in Celtic religious ceremonies?
a) Warriors
b) Bards
c) Druids
d) Chiefs
problem5 What did the Celts celebrate during Beltane?
a) The harvest season
b) Winter solstice
c) May 1st festival
d) Halloween
problem6 What role did druids play in Celtic society?
a) Political leaders
b) Craftsmen and artisans
c) Religious and spiritual leaders
d) Military commanders
problem7 How did the Roman Empire influence the indigenous Celtic languages?
a) Introduced the English language
b) Had no influence on language
c) Led to the development of Celtic writing systems
d) Had an impact on the Celtic languages and culture
problem8 What linguistic shifts occurred as a result of the arrival of Germanic tribes in the British Isles?
a) The development of Celtic languages
b) The introduction of Latin as the dominant language
c) The displacement of Celtic languages and the rise of Germanic languages
d) The preservation of Celtic languages alongside Germanic languages
problem9 What is likely to follow the last paragraph?
a) The development of Celtic languages
b) The modernization of Latin as the dominant language
c) The cooperation of Celtic languages and Germanic languages
d) The introduction of Germanic languages