*Walhaz is a reconstructed Proto-Germanic word meaning 'foreigner',[1][2] or more specifically 'Roman', 'Romance-speaker' or '(romanized) Celt', and survives in the English words of 'Wales/Welsh'[1][3] and 'Cornwall.'[4] The term was used by the ancient Germanic peoples to describe inhabitants of the former Roman Empire, who were largely romanised and spoke Latin languages (cf. Valland in Old Norse).[1][3] The adjectival form is attested in Old Norse valskr, meaning 'French'; Old High German walhisc, meaning 'Romance'; New High German welsch, used in Switzerland and South Tyrol for Romance speakers; Dutch Waals 'Walloon'; Old English welisċ, wælisċ, wilisċ, meaning 'Brythonic'. The forms of these words imply that they are descended from a Proto-Germanic form *walhiska-.[3]
- ^ a b c Schrijver, Peter. Language Contact And The Origins Of The Germanic Languages. p. 20.
- ^ Ringe, Don (2006). Germanic Languages Pack. Oxford University Press. p. 296.
- ^ a b c Arend Quak (2005). "Van Ad Welschen naar Ad Waalsen of toch maar niet?" (PDF) (in Dutch). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ "Overview of Cornish History". Cornwall Council. 6 August 2009. Archived from the original on 11 March 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2013.