The Welsh Language
Welsh is a Celtic language, closely related to Cornish and Breton. The Welsh we speak today is directly descended from the language of the sixth century, and is one of Europe’s oldest living languages.
The Welsh language is spoken widely throughout the country and is the first language in many parts of the north and west. National TV and radio stations broadcast in Welsh, road signs are written in Welsh and English, there are Welsh medium schools, books, magazines newspapers and websites.
It’s called Cymraeg in Welsh, and it’s a language with entirely regular and phonetic spelling. Although you wouldn’t necessarily know it to look at a word like Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
But most other Welsh words are a lot shorter, and once you know the rules, you can learn to read and pronounce Welsh fairly easily.
Basic Welsh Language Phrases
Here are some simple words and phrases to get you started:
- Bore da (Pronounced: Boh-reh dah): Good morning
- Prynhawn da (Prin-houn dah): Good afternoon
- Nos da (nohs dah): Good night
- Croeso i Gymru (Croesoh ee Gum-reeh): Welcome to Wales
- Iechyd da! (Yeh-chid dah): Cheers!
- Tafarn (Tav-arn): Pub
- Diolch (Dee-olch): Thanks
- Da iawn (Dah ee-aw-n): Very good
Other Useful Links
Welsh language Wikipedia page
BBC Big Welsh Challenge
S4C Welsh learner's pack
Cardiff University's Welsh for Adults Centre
Say something in Welsh
Welsh Language Board
