To the Welsh speakers

**beloitpiper** · 3rd November 08, 12:21 PM

Sometimes when I meet somebody who speaks a cool language, I ask them to talk to me as if I can understand what they are saying, just to hear what the langauge sounds like.

I'm wondering, of our Welsh friends here, who is fluent, or at least very good, at Welsh? How about this, instead of just saying "I am", say something in Welsh! Talk about how you learned Welsh or how you use it in your life.

**CameronTaylor** · 3rd November 08, 01:25 PM

I can agree with the sentiment here, my friends sing the Welsh National anthem and I'm trying to learn the words so I can sing along.

CT - I know most of the english version though ..

**McClef** · 4th November 08, 05:59 AM

Siarad tipyn bach, dim yn rheagl.

I speak a little, not fluently.

Part of the problem is that I live in an anglophone area. I did go to night school to improve my Welsh but don't have the opportunity to practice it much.

When I go to a Welsh speaking area I can get by if they talk slowly!

And CT - even the anglophone Welsh wouldn't dream of singing the Welsh National Anthem (Hen Wlad F'yn Hadau) in anything but Welsh!

**McClef** · 4th November 08, 06:02 AM

And this news report was quite amusing when official bilingualism goes wrong!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7702913.stm

**beloitpiper** · 4th November 08, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by McClef

And this news report was quite amusing when official bilingualism goes wrong!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7702913.stm

Haha, that's what prompted me to start the thread in the first place!

**Finn** · 4th November 08, 09:20 AM

The lilt of the Welsh-speaker is a thing of beauty, but the flow of words is more bewildering to me than Hindi!
I applaud all those who learn or try!
Soon after our income steadies, I'll look to find Irish classes.

**O'Callaghan** · 4th November 08, 06:23 PM

Bori da!

That was 'hello' in Welsh, and that about does my knowledge of the language.

**McClef** · 5th November 08, 05:47 AM

Bore Da is "Good Morning" and Hylo would be used for "Hello."

Often Shw Mae (S'mae in some areas especially in the North) is used which is kind of "hi how are you."

You wouldn't use Bore Da in the afternoon or evening, you would use Prynhawn Da (sometimes P'nawn Da) and Noswaith Dda respectively.

Lesson over!

(pron guide - Borer Da, Shoo My, S'my, Prinhown Da, Puhnown Da, Noswyth Tha.)