Julien Maunoir

French orthographer

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Julien Maunoir was a French orthographer known for his work on the Breton language. In 1659, he published a dictionary that marked the emergence of written Modern Breton, introducing a new spelling system. While his dictionary had limited impact on spoken Breton, it was a significant step in standardizing the written form of the language.1

The Breton language is one of the six surviving Celtic languages and is spoken in Brittany, France. It was introduced to the region by migrants from Britain between the 5th and 6th centuries. Over time, efforts have been made to establish a unified written norm for Breton, with notable contributions from scholars like Jean-François Le Gonidec and Roparz Hemon.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Celtic literature
The three major periods of Breton literature
…have begun in 1659, when Julien Maunoir introduced a more phonetic orthography, but works of the Middle Breton type appeared until the 19th century. The bulk of Breton literature in this period consisted of mystery and miracle plays treating subjects from the Old and New Testaments, saints’ lives, and stories…
Read More
…have begun in 1659, when Julien Maunoir introduced a more phonetic orthography, but works of the Middle Breton type appeared until the 19th century. The bulk of Breton literature in this period consisted of mystery and miracle plays treating subjects from the Old and New Testaments, saints’ lives, and stories…
Read More