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Breton language

Breton language

9.6
A Celtic language spoken in Brittany in northwestern France
  • noun
translation icon : idioma bretón
  • He is fluent in both French and the Breton language.

Examples

  • Medieval texts written in the Breton language provide insights into Celtic culture.

  • The Breton language is unique to Brittany.

  • The Breton language has experienced a revival in schools across Brittany.

  • Many people in Brittany speak the Breton language.

  • The Breton language is a vital part of Brittany's cultural heritage.

  • Many children in Brittany learn the Breton language alongside French in school.

  • Efforts to revitalize the Breton language have increased in recent years.

Synonyms

Breton
vsBreton language
9.1

A regional language spoken in Brittany in northwestern France

is the longer, more formal phrase rather than the short name

Surface Forms

Morphology

Breton + language

The meaning is a direct, compositional combination of 'Breton' (a demonym/adjective referring to Brittany or its people) and 'language', so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes the language of Brittany. This [X + language] pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows standard noun-noun naming of languages, making it immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Breton language gets its name from the people called Bretons, who long ago moved from Britain to the area now called Brittany. That's why Breton language means the Celtic language those people speak in Brittany today.