Stifter, David (2010) The Invisible Third. The Basque and Celtic Words for "Swallow". Eriu, 60. pp. 145-157. ISSN 0332-0758

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Abstract

In a keynote address at the XI. Fachtagung der Indogermanischen Gesellschaft, about possible non-Indo-European influence on the Celtic languages, Kim McCone drew attention to the similarity between the Insular Celtic, e.g. OIr fannall, W gwennol, and the Basque,i.e. enara, ain(h)- ara, words for 'swallow' (Lat hirundo). McCone reconstructs *waNilri or *weNrilri as preforms for the Insular Celtic words, and *(w)aiNala for Pre- Basque (McCone 2005,408-9).l This suggestion looks very attractive and suggestive and, if correct, would shed rare light on prehistoric linguistic relationships in Western Europe. In this article, I will examine the equation more closely and add a number of observations.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Celtic languages; Linguistics; European; Basque;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > School of Celtic Studies > Early Irish (Sean Ghaeilge)
Item ID:	3565
Depositing User:	Prof. David Stifter
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2012 14:26
Journal or Publication Title:	Eriu
Publisher:	Royal Irish Academy
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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