CONTINENTAL CELTIC Meaning and
Definition
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Continental Celtic refers to the ancient Celtic languages and cultures that were spoken and existed on the European continent, primarily during the Iron Age. This term specifically distinguishes the Celtic cultures of continental Europe from those of the British Isles, which are known as Insular Celtic. Continental Celtic encompasses different linguistic groups, including Gaulish, Galatian, Lepontic, Noric, and Celtiberian.
The continental Celtic languages were part of the larger Celtic language family, which itself is an Indo-European language family. These languages were once spoken across vast territories within present-day France, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, and Turkey. Over time, however, the dominance of Latin and other Latin-derived Romance languages gradually supplanted Continental Celtic dialects, resulting in their eventual extinction.
The Continental Celtic cultures were known for their sophisticated societies, as evident by the extensive trade networks they established, the intricate metalwork they produced, and the elaborate burial practices they adopted. Several major Celtic tribes, such as the Gauls, played significant roles in ancient history by engaging in conflicts with the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire.
Today, our understanding of Continental Celtic comes from various written sources, including inscriptions and coinage, as well as from the accounts of ancient historians, particularly Julius Caesar's "Commentarii de Bello Gallico." Additionally, modern linguistic analyses have allowed researchers to trace and reconstruct aspects of the Continental Celtic languages, providing insights into this ancient culture that once thrived in pre-Roman Europe.
Etymology of CONTINENTAL CELTIC
The term "Continental Celtic" refers to the Celtic languages that were spoken on the European continent, as opposed to the Insular Celtic languages spoken in the British Isles. The etymology of the phrase can be broken down as follows:
1. Continental: The term "continental" comes from the Latin word "continentālis", which means "pertaining to the mainland". It is derived from the Latin word "continēre", meaning "to hold together". In this context, "continental" refers to the Celtic languages spoken on the European mainland.
2. Celtic: The word "Celtic" refers to the ancient Indo-European people known as the Celts. The origin of the word itself is still debated among scholars. One theory suggests that it comes from the Proto-Celtic word "kelto-" meaning "hidden" or "concealed".
