What was the Catholicon dictionary and why was it important for Breton?

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The old walled city of Saint-Malo, Brittany région, France. — Brittany The old walled city of Saint-Malo, Brittany *région*, France.

The Catholicon is a trilingual dictionary—featuring Breton, Latin, and French—that was published in 1499 and is attributed to Jean Lagadeuc.12

Its importance for the Breton language lies in its role as a foundational text for the Middle Breton period. While earlier records of the language were limited to glosses, names, and lists, the Catholicon serves as a primary source for understanding the language during this era. By providing a structured reference for vocabulary, it represents a significant milestone in the documentation of Breton, bridging the gap between the sparse evidence of Old Breton and the later development of written literature.12