I almost hesitate to enter this thread, as I don't know much about harps, but Brían has a point about language. If Starkey doesn't speak Irish, or has only examined the use of 'strike' superficially, he'd better beware of assumptions. I note that he writes "struck" in double-quotes, and places the 'with long finger nails' outside the quotes. So, is this an assumption on his part?

I ask because, in Welsh, the term is "taro tant" - 'to strike string'. And, yes, there is a perfectly good word for 'pluck' ("tynnu" - also means 'pull') - it just isn't the IDIOM which is used when talking about playing the harp. Similarly, you don't 'play' ("chwarae") a harp (or many other instruments), you 'sing' ("canu") it.

I also remember hearing Robin Huw Bowen lecture on traditional Welsh playing styles. Telynores Maldwyn (Nancy Richards) used to sit by the fire of an evening and run her finger-tips on the hot metal of the side oven, or rails, to harden up her calluses. A hardened surface was essential for the right sound in 'striking' the strings.

May very well be connected ...

sian