Verbal governing compounds (synthetics) in Early Irish and other Celtic languages.

The IE type of nominal composition under discussion contains a verbal element in second position which governs the first member, as e.g. in English truck driver. In examining those of its formal characteristics that are inherited into Celtic from IE, it is argued that the most suitable Celtic languages to provide material for this task are Old Irish and Gaulish. The paper is mainly concerned with classifying and analysing the evidence from these two languages, primarily from the appellative vocabulary but also including references to personal name formations. The ‘conclusions’ summarize observations concerning the ablaut grade of the second member. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]