Home Cymraeg Welsh Words: How Much Is That Doggy in the Window?

Welsh Words: How Much Is That Doggy in the Window?

by Love Wrexham Magazine
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Welcome to our revamped Welsh for Beginners section.

We’ve gone into a little more detail than on previous occasions just to make it more challenging and interesting. We’ve also included phrases and adjective-noun combinations to show you how the dreaded mutations can sometimes raise their unpredictable head and to give the guide a more realistic feel!

All you experts out there, please feel free to comment on the pronunciation guide. We welcome your feedback, but please be kind – none of us are Welsh!

This month, we’ve chosen another useful and frequent topic: common expressions while out shopping. It’s another practical subject that you’re likely to encounter in your daily life, so let’s dive in!

EnglishWelshPronunciation Guide
Are you being served?A allaf eich helpu?a ach1lav eich1 helpi
Yes, thanks Ie, diolchee-ei diolch2
How much is this one?Faint yw hwn?vaint iu hoon
Can I pay by card?A allaf dalu gyda cherdyn?a ach1lav dalli gee3da ch2erdin
That one Yr un ynairin i na
It’s too bigMae’n rhy fawrmaon ri vower
It’s too smallMae’n rhy fachmaon ri vach
Are you open?Ydych chi’n agored?i dich2 een agored
Come back tomorrowDewch yn ôl yforydayuch2 in awl ivori
Wrap it upLapio y fynylapio i veni
When do you close? Pryd wyt ti’n caupreed weet tin cay
That’s great, thank youMae hynny’n wych, diolchmai hennan wich1 diolch2
Remember “r’s” are hard and rolled slightly. The bold lettering tells you which syllable to stress

Key

  • 1 The “ll” here sounds almost like the “ch” in “loch”.
  • 2 The “ch” is like the “ch” in “loch”.
  • 3 The g is hard like in “gate”

A Brief History of Cymraeg – Introduction

Firstly, Cymraeg, or Welsh, is a language native to the British Isles, originating from a Celtic language spoken by the ancient Britons. Throughout its history, it has faced numerous challenges to its existence.

Welsh is a Brythonic language, meaning British Celtic in origin. It was spoken in Britain before the Roman occupation arrived around 600 BC. The Celtic language evolved in the British Isles into a Brythonic tongue which provided the basis not only for Welsh, but also Breton and Cornish.

The Welsh Language Society

Secondly, in the 19th century, the Welsh language still did not benefit from the increasing literacy levels amongst the general public. Moreover, whilst children were attending school, Welsh was not part of the school curriculum. English was still the dominant language as it represented administration and business in an era of imperial expansion.

In 1942 the Welsh Courts Act formally addressed the issue of defendants and plaintiffs speaking in English and ushered in a new law allowing Welsh to be used in the courts.

Today the language is spoken at home, in the workplace, in the community and also in the government. In the 2011 census, over 562,000 people named Welsh as their main language.

Finally, to learn more Welsh phrases view The Welsh Gift Shop website here, or, to view our other Welsh words click here.

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