Metrical systems of Celtic traditions

Bibliographic Data

ID22303003
AuthorsDavid Stifter (0000-0001-5634-9912, Trinity College Dublin, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume69
Issue1
Pages38-94
Publication date2016-03-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueNOWELE. North-Western European Language Evolution (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0108-8416 • E-ISSN: 2212-9715
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1075/nowele.69.1.02sti
OpenAlexW2298959753
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited18

On the basis of fragmentary evidence from the ancient Celtic languages (e.g., Gaulish), but especially from the rich poetic heritage of the medieval Insular Celtic languages (e.g., Old Irish, Middle Welsh), the poetic terminology reconstructable for Common Celtic is presented. The possible metrical remains from ancient Celtic are reviewed and an attempt is made to identify their principles of versification. The characteristics of the medieval Irish and medieval British systems of versification are described. Finally, the question of the genetic relationship of ancient and medieval Celtic versification is discussed, and the possible relationship of Celtic with neighbouring Germanic, especially medieval Scandinavian, traditions is briefly reviewed

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Celtic languages · Irish · Linguistics · Literature · Middle Ages · Poetry · Terminology · Welsh · Classics · Historical Studies of British Isles · History · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Linguistics and language evolution · Philosophy