Date of Birth

      Beginnings are part of the human experience. For example, genealogy starts many in the family tree with the date of birth. A record of beginning it is. However, language is certainly a different subject for beginnings. Where does one start to count the collection of voices that join together to share and transmit human thought? When does it become enough voices joining together that the unity of a group produces their unique form of communication? For me, the Welsh language was one sound that brought many questions to mind. A chronology of the Celtic roots has been shown in a previous post, dated 11 October, and a comparison of words for several languages shown in post dated 19 October. In the book titled The New Companion to the Literature of Wales, edited by Meic Stephens is presented a helpful discussion on the Welsh language. [pp.771-773] Here it is stated:

      "By the second half of the sixth century the parent Brythonic language had registered changes sufficiently marked to justify its being regarded as the period in which Early Welsh, Early Cornish and Early Breton were born." 

      Hum...a date of birth my genealogy nose would say. The cover of my copy is shown.

      The book is published by University Of Wales Press, Cardiff, 1998.