Lepontic

Introduction

Lepontic is an extinct Celtic language that was spoken in parts of Cisalpine Gaul between 700 BC and 400 BC. Sometimes called Cisalpine Celtic, it is considered a dialect of the Gaulish language and thus a Continental Celtic language.

The language is only known from a few inscriptions discovered that were written in the alphabet of Lugano, one of five main varieties of Northern Italic alphabets, derived from the Etruscan alphabet. These inscriptions were found in an area centered on Lugano, including Lago di Como and Lago Maggiore. Similar scripts were used for writing the Rhaetic and Venetic languages, and the Germanic runic alphabets probably derive from a script belonging to this group.

The Verb

Sample

 pelkui pruiam teu karite išos kalite palam

Translation: "Teu constructed a funeral monument for Pelgus. The same one made the tombstone."

Verb:

• karite; 3rd sg. of verb *ker- 'to make'
• kalite; 3rd sg. of verb *ker- 'to make, to build'

References

• Baldi, Philip. The foundations of Latin. New York. 2002.