I think we can all agree that these are strange times. Just when we thought that we were so advanced, this whole multilayered, medieval-like ordeal has caught us off guard and things just seem to be getting more and more bizarre by the hour. It is now Midyear and everyone is just looking for some way out of the mayhem caused by the insidious plague.
In the midst of all the pandemonium, I decided to increase the level of challenge by tackling Welsh. Yes, Welsh. Because life just wasn’t difficult enough.
Why Welsh?
Whether you believe me or not, the truth is learning a new language at any age is not impossible. Even one as seemingly hermetic and distant as Welsh. For one thing, it is an excellent way to keep your mind in shape. And let’s be honest: a living language that was consolidated under the red dragon banner of Cadwaladr must be absolutely awesome. Here are four facts that I have learned so far about Welsh: there are two versions: the north and the south. It is also very musical, it has odd words that are strangely familiar, and it’s whimsical.
Let’s consider, for instance, the word “Hwyl” (pronounced “hoel“) for “goodbye”. Or “Bore da” (pronounced “bora da”) for “good morning”. And “cwrw” (pronounced “koru”) for “beer”. Completely foreign, yet pleasant to the ear (at least for me). Simply by studying the language and by looking at words, I have discovered patterns such as the one guiding plurals for nouns, which usually take the ending “au” (pronounced “e” or “i” in Spanish). It is the case for words such as:
orenau =oranges
teganau=toys
esgidiau=shoes
sanau=socks
Another common pattern is the rule for the placement of adjectives which seem to always go after the noun. These are some examples:
dillad=clothes (pronounced “dejad“) (For some strange reason, it makes me think of Dillard’s!)
ysgol= school (pronounced “esgol”)
dillad ysgol =school clothes
gwisg=uniform (pronounced “guisg”)
gwisg ysgol=school uniform
crys=shirt (pronounced “cris”)
crys-t =t-shirt
So if I want to say “Laura’s clothes”, I would say “dillad Laura” or “gwisg ysgol Laura” for “Laura’s school uniform”.
Similarly, If I want to say “new shoes”, I would say “esgidiau newydd”.
For a list of words that are oddly familiar, take the following:
ysgol=school
cot=coat
ffrog=frock or dress (hence the origin of frock)
sgert=skirt
tei=tie
het=hat
sgarff=scarf
newydd=new
jîns=jeans
meddyg=doctor
siop=shop
te=tea
teledu=television
I can go on. There are, of course, plenty of absolutely ridiculously hard words and spellings, but I do not find them as unapproachable as I thought they would be. I am making the case for verbs such as: “gwerthu” (to sell), “gwisgo” (to wear), “cerdded” (to walk), “dysgu” (to learn), and “gwneud” (to make), among others.
So, to answer the inevitable question: Why Welsh?!, I say: Pam ddim? (Why not?) I think it’s the perfect time to learn the language of the bards. Hwyl fawr!
DREGALWEAVER 