Breton Literature - Modern Literature

Modern Literature

Before the literary revival movement promoted by Gwalarn in the early 20th century, most literature in Breton consisted of religious writings.

Jean-François Le Gonidec (Breton: Yann-Frañsez ar Gonideg) (1775 - 1838) played an important role in Breton literature by initiating a reform of Breton orthography, producing an orderly grammar and making the first Breton translation of the New Testament.

Prose writings in Breton, almost exclusively religious, start appearing from the 17th century. The second half of the 18th century saw the appearance of the first secular works in Breton: Ar Farvel Goapaer by François-Nicolas de Pascal de Kerenveyer and Sarmoun great war ar maro a Vikael Vorin by Claude-Marie Le Laë. Most literature remained oral, however.

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