An introduction to the Welsh language

• History
• Pronunciation
• Essential words and phrases
• Welsh place-names

History

The most distinctive factor setting Cymru (Wales) and its people apart from the rest of the British Isles is the Welsh language (Cymraeg), although its use has been in decline since the 17th and 18th centuries. Today it is probably spoken by fewer than 20 % of the population, although this proportion can rise very steeply in the North-West and West of Wales. There are many more Welsh speakers in the Towy valley to the West of Kite Country than in the East. It is an ancient language, descended from a Celtic offshoot of the parent Indo-European group and introduced to Britain from the low countries during the Iron Age. The closest linguistic relatives are Cornish (spoken in the South-West of England) and the French Breton dialect. It was then further influenced by Latin during the Roman occupation and by French after the Norman conquest, although the language spoken today was largely developed by the 6th century.

Interest in the language was revived in the 1980s and an increased emphasis placed on education and the media. There are now Welsh language newspapers, radio and TV stations, such as S4C. Official pubications are nearly always bilingual, as are road signs. Discrimination against Welsh speakers in connection with employment or the provision of services is now also illegal.

The language is not particularly easy to learn and words often seem unpronounceable to the casual observer, although it is always nice if the visitor can manage one or two words or can pronounce place names fairly accurately. In particular, the place-name will often provide geographic clues if several basic words can be remembered. The following quick guide will help you a little, although if you wish to know more there are quite lot of resources on the Web. One of the best places to start is the Welsh dictionary offered by the University of Wales at Aberysthwyth. Also, you could take a look at some of the entries on my Links page.

Pronunciation