What Are The Celtic Nations?

Celtic is a term that refers to a group of languages spoken in Northern Europe. Scottish, Manx, Welsh, Irish, Cornish, and Breton languages are examples of these languages. Celtic languages, which were spoken in modern-day France and England during the Iron Age, predate Christianity and the Roman Empire. Although many of the Celtic languages are still spoken today, some, such as Cornwall, were on the brink of extinction until being saved by language revitalization efforts. Celtic Nations are European countries with native speakers of the Celtic language. 

Celtic Nations

The presence of a Celtic language is the only feature that unites all Celtic nations. Ireland (Irish language), Brittany (Breton language), Isle of Man (Manx language), Cornwall (Cornish language), Scotland (Scottish Gaelic language), and Wales (Welsh language) are all considered Celtic nations (Welsh language). Scotland has the highest Celtic population among these Celtic nations, with over 1.9 million people who are fluent in Scottish Gaelic speakers, accounting for 29.7% of the total population. The Cornish and Max languages, which were almost extinct in the past, were saved by revitalization movements in the Isle of Man and Cornwall.

Celtic Outside Europe

Other European countries, such as England, Spain, Portugal, Austria, France, and Iceland, are known as having "Celtic heritage." Celtic populations can also be found in non-European countries. Argentina is home to a sizable Welsh community known as the Y Wladfa. In 1865, the first Welsh immigrants arrived in Argentina's Patagonia district. The United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are among the countries where Welsh citizens can be found.

Pan-Celtic Movement

The Pan-Celtic Movement is a movement among the Celtic nations that calls for unity and solidarity among the constituent nations. Some members of the Pan-Celtic Movement call for Celtic nations to secede from France and the United Kingdom to form an autonomous federal state. In the 16th century, a Scottish scholar named George Buchanan proposed the concept of a Celtic union. However, it was during the Celtic Revival in the 18th century that the Pan-Celtic Movement became more vocal. The Celtic Congress was established by proponents of the movement, and they oversaw the increased use of Celtic language in literature, including the translation of the Bible into Breton. Celtic studies became an area of research in academia as a result of the Pan-Celtic Movement. The Pan-Celtic movement reached its pinnacle in the 19th and 20th centuries, but its strength waned in the following decades.

Celtic Congress And Celtic League

The Celtic League and the Celtic Congress were established as a result of the Pan-Celtic Movement, with the aim of promoting the use of the Celtic language and revitalizing endangered Celtic languages. The Celtic League, which was established in 1961, advocates for the creation of an independent Celtic state made up of the six Celtic nations. The Celtic Congress is a non-profit organization established in 1917 with the aim of encouraging the use of Celtic languages in Celtic countries. The Celtic Congress is a cultural organisation, as opposed to the Celtic League, which is more of a political organization.