Walha
Walha is an ancient
Germanic word, meaning "foreigner" or "stranger" ("welsh"), likely derived from the name of the
Volcae. It is attested in the
Roman Iron Age Tjurkö Bracteate inscription as
walhakurne, probably "welsh crown" for "Roman coin", i.e. "
bracteate". The term was used by the ancient germanic peoples to describe the inhabitants of the former
Roman Empire, which were largely romanised and spoke Latin or Celtic languages. Today in the
German language,
Welsche refers to Latin (or Romanic) peoples: the French in particular, but also the Italians and the group in general.
Several names of non-Germanic
European regions are derived from the word Walh:
*
Walachia (see also
Vlach and
Etymology of Vlach)
*
Wales,
Welsh*
Wallonia,
Walloons*
Cornwall*in village names ending in -walchen, such as
Straßwalchen or
Seewalchen, mostly located in the
Salzkammergut region and indicating Roman settlement
*In
German Welsch or
Walsch, outdated for "
Romanic", and still in use in
Swiss German for
Romands.
