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!
| English | Welsh | Pronunciation Guide |
| Are you being served? | A allaf eich helpu? | a ach1lav eich1 helpi |
| Yes, thanks | Ie, diolch | ee-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 yna | irin i na |
| It’s too big | Mae’n rhy fawr | maon ri vower |
| It’s too small | Mae’n rhy fach | maon ri vach |
| Are you open? | Ydych chi’n agored? | i dich2 een agored |
| Come back tomorrow | Dewch yn ôl yfory | dayuch2 in awl ivori |
| Wrap it up | Lapio y fyny | lapio i veni |
| When do you close? | Pryd wyt ti’n cau | preed weet tin cay |
| That’s great, thank you | Mae hynny’n wych, diolch | mai hennan wich1 diolch2 |
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.
