The Breton Language - Brezhoneg
The Breton language (Brezhoneg) is the only Celtic language still spoken on the European mainland and is closely related to Cornish and Welsh. Brought over by Brittonic migrants in the early Middle Ages, Breton evolved into a rich and expressive language that shaped centuries of storytelling, poetry, and community life.
Although suppressed during the 20th century, recent decades have seen a powerful revival. At the heart of this movement are the Diwan schools—a network of immersive Breton-language schools founded by local families in 1977. Today, these free, non-religious institutions teach children entirely in Breton, helping a new generation grow up fluent in their ancestral tongue.
Bilingual signage, adult language classes, and community events like fest-noz have also helped breathe new life into Breton. For many, speaking the language is an act of pride, cultural resilience, and connection to something ancient yet still very much alive.