Bretonlanguage

Breton language, or Brezhoneg, is a Celtic language spoken in the Brittany region of northwestern France. It belongs to the Brythonic branch of the Insular Celtic languages and is closely related to Cornish and Welsh.

Geographic distribution and status. Breton has been traditionally spoken across western Brittany, with pockets of speakers in other urban areas due to migration. Since the 19th century the language experienced a long period of decline as French became dominant in public life, education, and administration. Beginning in the 20th century, revival movements and language planning efforts expanded use in education, media, and community life. Breton is not an official language of France, but it has received recognition and support within Europe as a regional or minority language under certain programs and regional initiatives.

Dialects and orthography. Breton has several regional varieties, including Gwenedeg (Vannetais), Leoneg (Leónese), Kerneveg (Cornouaille), and Tregerieg (Trégorrois). The language is written with a Latin script and has undergone orthographic standardization. In recent decades the Unified Breton Orthography and related conventions have been promoted for education and media, though dialectal spelling differences persist in everyday use.

Education and media. Since the late 20th century, Breton has been taught in bilingual settings, notably in Diwan schools and in public schools through bilingual classes. There are Breton-language radio and television programs, print publications, and online media, along with cultural organizations that support language maintenance through music, literature, and festivals.

Linguistic and cultural role. Breton is an emblem of regional identity in Brittany and contributes to place names, folklore, and contemporary arts. It remains a living language with ongoing revitalization efforts, facing challenges common to minority languages in a dominant national language environment.