The Breton Verb Endevout and French Avoir: The Influence of Descriptive Grammars on Modern Breton Verbal System

Abstract

The present-day Breton verbal system is represented in both descriptive and prescriptive grammars in a way that follows the Latin and the French traditions. The influence of Latin and French can be seen in the appearance in Middle Breton of the verb kaout/endevout ‘to have’ formed on the basis of bezañ/bout ‘to be’. The necessity of the existence of kaout/endevout as a separate verb and not as a specific declination of bezañ/bout cannot be so obvious judging by the Breton verbal system. Meanwhile following the example of Latin and French grammars the lexicographers like Reverend Maunoir or Gregor de Rostrenen had to accord to the forms like am eus, ac’h eus etc. the same functions as the French avoir and Latin habere.