Gallo language
Gallo is a
regional language of France, traditionally spoken in Eastern
Brittany.
In contrast to
Breton, the
Celtic language which is traditionally spoken in the Western territory of the country, Gallo is a
Romance language, one of the
Oïl languages (closely related to
Norman,
Picard and
Poitevin-Saintongeais among others).
One of the metro stations of the Breton capital,
Rennes, has bilingual signage in
French and Gallo, but generally the Gallo language is not as visibly high-profile as the Breton language, even in its traditional heartland of the
Pays Gallo (which includes the two historical capitals of Rennes (Gallo
Resnn, Breton
Roazhon) and
Nantes (Gallo
Nauntt, Breton
Naoned)).
Although a written literary tradition exists, Gallo is more noted for extemporised story-telling and theatrical presentations. Given Brittany's rich musical heritage, it is also the case that some contemporary performers produce a range of music sung in Gallo (See
Music of Brittany).
The vocabulary of Gallo has been influenced by contact with Breton, but remains overwhelmingly Latinate. There is some limited
intercomprehension with adjacent varieties of
Norman language along the linguistic frontier and also with
Dgèrnésiais and
Jèrriais.
| English | Gallo | French |
|---|
| bee | avètt | abeille |
| chair | chaérr | chaise |
| cheese | fórmaij | fromage |
| exit | desort | sortie |
| to fall | cheir | tomber (archaic: choir) |
| goat | biq | chèvre (slang: bique) |
| house | ostèu | maison (archaic: hostel) |
| lip | lip | lèvre |
| mouth | góll | bouche ('throat': gueule) |
| number | limerot | numéro |
| pear | peirr | poire |
| school | escoll | école |
| squirrel | chat-de-boéz | chat-de-bois [wood cat] (écureuil) |
| star | esteill | étoile |
| timetable | orier | horaire |
| to smoke | betunae | fumer (archaic: pétuner) |
| today | anoet | aujourd'hui |
| to whistle | sublae | siffler |
Of Pipers and Wrens (1997). Produced and directed by Gei Zantzinger, in collaboration with Dastum. Lois V. Kuter, ethnomusicological consultant. Devault, Pennsylvania: Constant Spring Productions.
* http://bertaeyn-galeizz.com/
* http://www.a-demorr.ht.st/
* http://www.maezoe.com/
* http://www.celtia.info/culture/languages/gallo.html
