Print and the Celtic Languages: Publishing and Reading in Irish, Welsh, Gaelic and Breton, 1700–1900

This book explores the print cultures of the four principal Celtic languages in northwest Europe between 1700 and 1900, analyzing publishing, circulation, and reading at a popular level. It considers all printed books, including small cheap formats, and explores the interactions between regions and the continuation of print culture within diasporic communities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 195 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the rich tapestry of print cultures that flourished across the four principal Celtic languages—Irish, Welsh, Gaelic, and Breton—during the pivotal period between 1700 and 1900. Despite their shared challenges of lack of official recognition and usage, as well as their geographical distance from the centers of political power, these languages have traversed distinct paths of maintenance and decline over the past four centuries. This volume offers a detailed analysis of publishing, circulation, and reading habits in these languages, particularly at the popular level, revealing the varying degrees of overall activity and the distinct typologies of printed texts across different regions. Employing a broad approach, the book encompasses all printed books, ranging from small, affordable formats to larger, more elaborate editions. It explores the intricate interplay between these regions and the enduring legacy of print culture within diasporic communities.

This volume holds immense appeal for book historians, scholars of the four languages and their literature, as well as students of Celtic studies. Its rich content and insightful perspectives shed light on the complex dynamics of print culture in the Celtic world, providing valuable insights into the historical, linguistic, and cultural developments of this remarkable period.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367313456