Logis les Chardons Bleus

The Breton Language

by johngayton

From ancient times until the Middle Ages the west of Brittany was a Celtic-dominated region with its own language. Breton Celtic is very similar to the other Celtic laguages such as Irish and Scots Gaelic, Welsh and Cornish but has almost nothing in common with French.

Pre World War I it's estimated that 90% of the western Bretagne population spoke Breton as their first language. Today this figure is probably less than 20% and most of those are over 60 years old.

In the latter half of the 20th century the language seemed doomed to extinction but recently there has been a revival in interest in ensuring that it is not lost.

Schools and adult classes now offer courses and public buildings and services have begun to adopt bi-lingual signage and to produce written materials in both Breton and French.

The pic here is the dual signage at the Roscoff Tourist Office.

For an interesting article on the subject use the link below.

A Morning's Meander Part 2 - Heading Back

by johngayton

"More Pics That Haven't Been Used For Tips"

Roscoff is very much a "Terre et Mer" sort of town. As pleasant to wander the streets as it is the shore. This is a typical residential street heading towards the town centre.

The main belltower of the Eglise de Notre Dame de Crois de Batz. Both the spiritual and physical centre of the town.

Off the main street you'll find little alleys to explore...

...at the end of which you'll often find somewhere to put your feet for five minutes (ie cigarette break!).

This really is a well-looked after town. Everything is clean and tidy and these early March blooms speak volumes as to the extent of civic pride.

Then onto the main street. Not a chain store in sight and even the banks discretely tuck themselves unobtrusively into set back niches.

Then back to the seafront as the tide starts to recede.

And my ferry awaiting.

So it's "Au Revoir Mon Ami - A Bientot."