Latin and Latin Learning in the Táin Bó Cuailnge

Latin is manifest in a number of ways in the Tain Bo Cvmlnge. The Tain is not only a prosimetrum but also a macaronic text; Irish and Latin are mixed as in many other early Irish vernacular texts. The degree and purpose of such a mixture differed widely, depended on text types, communicative functions and age. The question I am asking is: what functions did the Latin of the Tain Bo Cuailnge serve? Before proceeding to this task let me state at the outset that I do not consider that the Latin-derived components of the Tain texts detract from their literary and cultural value. Neither the native nor the Latin-derived components are, as such, more valuable or less valuable, that is, as components of literature. Both demonstrate how prolongued cultural interaction may create literary excellence. The investigation into the elements of