Walloon etymology

Etymology

The name "Walloon" derives from the Old French word "walon," meaning "foreigner" or "Celto-Roman." The term originally referred to the Celtic-speaking inhabitants of the former Roman province of Gallia Belgica, who lived in the areas that are now southern Belgium and northern France.

Meaning

The name "Walloon" refers to the Romance-speaking population of southern Belgium, who live primarily in the Walloon Region. The Walloons are distinct from the Flemish, who speak Dutch and live in northern Belgium.

Origin

The Celtic-speaking ancestors of the Walloons inhabited Gallia Belgica from the pre-Roman era. After the Roman conquest, the Celtic language gradually gave way to Latin, which evolved into Old French in the Middle Ages.

Over time, the language spoken by the Walloons diverged from that spoken by the inhabitants of northern France, forming a distinct dialect known as Walloon. This dialect has been influenced by both Celtic and Germanic languages, and is now recognized as an official language of Belgium alongside Dutch, French, and German.

The Walloons have historically maintained a strong sense of cultural and linguistic identity, distinct from both the Flemish and the French. They have played an important role in Belgian history and politics, and their language and culture continue to be a vital part of the nation's heritage.

Walloon relate terms

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  • Welsh

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  • Cornwall

    Etymology and Origin The name Cornwall is derived from the Cornish language word Kernow

  • Walloon

    Etymology The name Walloon derives from the Old French word walon meaning foreigner

  • walnut

    Etymology Old English wealhhnutu literally foreign nut Germanic walhnuz fore

  • welch

    Etymology The word welch is derived from the Middle English term welch or welsch w

  • estaminet

    Etymology The word estaminet is derived from the French word étamier meaning a weav

  • pester

    Etymology and Meaning The word pester comes from the Middle English pesteren which i

  • urchin

    Etymology Late Middle English in the sense hedgehog from Old French oursin

  • raspberry

    Etymology The word raspberry is derived from Old English ræsbere Proto Germanic

  • darnel

    Etymology The name Darnel is derived from the Old English word dernel which means coc

  • pool

    Etymology The word pool originates from the Middle English word pol which is derive

  • Belgium

    Etymology and Meaning Belgium is named after the Belgae a Celtic tribe that inhabited p

  • french

    Etymology French is a Romance language derived from Vulgar Latin the colloquial form of

  • instinct

    Etymology Old French instinct Latin instinctus Past participle of instinguere