Cumbric language

Cumbric was the Brythonic Celtic language centred in Cumbria, and spoken from lowland Scotland south to Derbyshire until about the 11th century. Cumbric was once referred to as North Welsh and Cornish as South Welsh.

Related Topics:
Brythonic - Celtic language - Cumbria - Lowland Scotland - Derbyshire - 11th century - Welsh - Cornish

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The distinction of the Old Brittonic dialects into separate languages begins in about the 5th century, and Cumbric was most likely dead by the 11th century (though extinction dates as late as the 13th century have been suggested). However, in this time, it is possible that it was moving further away from Welsh grammatically, and developing as a distinct, non-intelligible tongue. It is possible that at its height, Cumbric was spoken by around 30,000 people.

Related Topics:
5th century - 11th century - 13th century

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The biggest problems with modern-day knowledge of the language lies with the fact that the language may have been merely a dialect of Welsh, not distinct at all. The old northern British kingdoms of Rheged, Strathclyde, Elmet and Gododdin spoke Old Welsh, but given time, many linguists consider that this tongue was distinguishable from Old Welsh at the time of its demise.

Related Topics:
Dialect - Rheged - Strathclyde - Elmet - Gododdin - Linguist

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