Culture & Etiquette

1. Brezhoneg

   The Breton language

   Usage

   The Celtic language spoken in western Brittany

   Grammar Note

   Language names are written in lower case; here it is capitalised only at the start of the card

2. Gwellaat a ran ma brezhoneg

   I am improving my Breton

   Usage

   Useful for someone learning Breton

   Grammar Note

   Verb + a + ober pattern; "b" does not mutate after "ma"

3. Peseurt yezh a vez komzet e Breizh ?

   Which language is spoken in Brittany?

   Usage

   Ask about the languages of the region

   Grammar Note

   Uses the passive "vez + past participle"

4. Gwenn-ha-du

   Gwenn-ha-du (flag of Brittany)

   Usage

   The black-and-white striped flag of Brittany with ermine spots

   Grammar Note

   Literally "white and black", the flag's nickname

5. Triskell

   Triskele (triple spiral symbol)

   Usage

   A three-armed spiral symbol seen throughout Breton decoration

   Grammar Note

   The form written as-is on menus and signs

6. Ankoù

   Ankou (personification of death)

   Usage

   The figure who brings death in Breton folk tales

   Grammar Note

   The form written as-is on menus and signs

7. Korrigan

   Korrigan (fairy-like sprite)

   Usage

   A small fairy-like creature of Breton folklore

   Grammar Note

   The form written as-is on menus and signs

8. Merzhin

   Merlin

   Usage

   The magician of the Arthurian legends, tied by tradition to the forest of Paimpont

   Grammar Note

   The form written as-is on menus and signs

9. Kêr-Is

   Ys (legendary sunken city)

   Usage

   A town said in Breton legend to have been swallowed by the sea

   Grammar Note

   "kêr" is town; mind the ê (ker means expensive)

10. Bagad

    Bagad (Breton pipe band)

    Usage

    A band playing bagpipes, bombardes and drums

    Grammar Note

    "bagad" also means a group or troop

11. Binioù

    Biniou (small Breton bagpipe)

    Usage

    The traditional small bagpipe of Brittany

    Grammar Note

    The form written as-is on menus and signs

12. Bombard

    Bombarde (Breton oboe-like instrument)

    Usage

    A shrill wind instrument often played together with the biniou

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun

13. Telenn

    Harp

    Usage

    A string instrument long loved in Brittany

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun

14. Peulvan

    Menhir (standing stone)

    Usage

    A prehistoric standing stone found across the Breton countryside

    Grammar Note

    "peulvan" is the Breton word for a standing stone; French "menhir" comes from another Breton form, maen-hir

15. Kalvar

    Calvary (stone monument)

    Usage

    A stone monument depicting the Passion, often standing by a church

    Grammar Note

    The form written as-is on menus and signs

16. Plin

    Plinn (central Breton dance)

    Usage

    A traditional dance of central Brittany, danced at fest-noz

    Grammar Note

    The form written as-is on menus and signs

17. Kan-ha-diskan

    Kan ha diskan (call-and-response singing)

    Usage

    A Breton style of singing in which two singers alternate to accompany the dance

    Grammar Note

    "kan" is the song and "diskan" is the answering part

18. Gouren

    Gouren (Breton wrestling)

    Usage

    The traditional wrestling of Brittany, often shown at festivals

    Grammar Note

    "gouren" is the Breton word for wrestling; a masculine noun

19. Dilhad hengounel Breizh

    Traditional Breton dress

    Usage

    Folk costume, including lace headdresses, that varies from place to place

    Grammar Note

    "hengounel" means traditional; the adjective follows the noun

20. Skolioù Diwan

    Diwan schools (Breton-medium schools)

    Usage

    A network of schools that teach in Breton

    Grammar Note

    Plural of "skol" (school); the name "diwan" means sprouting

21. Ofis Publik ar Brezhoneg

    Public Office for the Breton Language (OPLB)

    Usage

    The public body that supports Breton and bilingual signs

    Grammar Note

    An institution's name; "ar brezhoneg" means the Breton language

22. Bezhin

    Seaweed

    Usage

    Seaweed gathered on the Breton coast, used for food and as fertiliser

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun

23. Alan Stivell

    Alan Stivell (Celtic harpist)

    Usage

    A harpist who carried Breton music to the world

    Grammar Note

    A personal name, written as is

24. Tri Yann

    Tri Yann (folk band from Nantes)

    Usage

    A folk band from Nantes that sings Breton songs

    Grammar Note

    The name means "three Yanns"

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