Welsh Resources

[rdearman]

Language
Welsh, or "Cymraeg" in the language itself, is one of the oldest living Celtic languages spoken in the British Isles. It holds a significant place in the culture and identity of Wales, a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Here's a comprehensive overview of the Welsh language:

1. **History**: Welsh belongs to the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages and is closely related to Cornish and Breton. It has ancient roots, with evidence of its use dating back over 1,500 years. Throughout its history, Welsh has faced periods of decline and suppression, particularly during English rule in Wales. However, it has persisted as a living language, largely due to the efforts of dedicated speakers and advocates.

2. **Geographic Distribution**: Welsh is primarily spoken in Wales, where it holds official status alongside English. It's also spoken by communities in some parts of England, particularly along the Welsh border, and by Welsh expatriate communities around the world.

3. **Alphabet and Phonology**: Welsh has its own unique alphabet, which includes 28 letters. Some letters, such as "ll" and "ch," represent sounds that are unfamiliar to English speakers. Welsh phonology includes sounds like voiceless alveolar lateral fricative ("ll") and voiceless uvular fricative ("ch").

4. **Grammar**: Welsh grammar is notably different from English. It is a highly inflected language, meaning that words change their form to convey grammatical information such as tense, number, and gender. It follows a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order in sentences, like English, but with some flexibility.

5. **Vocabulary**: While Welsh shares some vocabulary with English, it also has many words of its own. Welsh has borrowed words from Latin, French, and English over the centuries. However, efforts to revive and preserve the language have led to the creation of new Welsh words, particularly in technical and modern contexts.

6. **Literature and Culture**: Welsh has a rich literary tradition dating back to medieval times, with famous works such as the Mabinogion and poetry by figures like Dafydd ap Gwilym. Modern Welsh literature continues to thrive, with writers producing novels, poetry, and plays in the language. Welsh-language media, including television, radio, and online content, also play a crucial role in promoting the language and culture.

7. **Language Revival and Education**: In recent decades, there has been a concerted effort to promote the use of Welsh and increase the number of Welsh speakers. Bilingual education is widespread in Wales, and there are initiatives to encourage adults to learn Welsh as a second language. The Welsh Government has also implemented policies to support the language, such as promoting its use in public services and funding Welsh-language media.

Overall, Welsh is not just a means of communication but also a vital part of Welsh identity, culture, and heritage. Despite challenges, it continues to flourish and evolve, reflecting the resilience and determination of its speakers.

Courses
https://learnwelsh.cymru/learning/curri ... ursebooks/
https://learnwelsh.cymru/learning/digital-resources/entry/ - 146 lessons for all levels of proficiency
https://www.bangor.ac.uk/cymorthcymraeg
http://acen.co.uk/en/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learning/learnwelsh/ - lessons for all levels of proficiency
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/welshintheworkplace/ - lessons for those who need Welsh in their workplace (archived site)
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/welsh/welsh.htm - materials for kids learning Welsh
Teach Yourself Complete Welsh (ISBN: 9781444102345)
Teach Yourself Welsh Grammar You Really need to know (ISBN: 9781444189636)
Say Something in Welsh: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... l=en&gl=US - Offers a free app focusing on essential phrases for everyday use.
Parallel.cymru: https://parallel.cymru/?lang=en - Provides a bilingual digital magazine with Welsh and English versions of articles, helping with reading comprehension and exposure to Welsh language usage.
Cymraeg Mynediad: https://wordwall.net/en-gb/community/cymraeg-mynediad - Offers teaching resources for various levels, including vocabulary lists, activities, and flashcards.
Easy Welsh - Learn Welsh from the Streets (YouTube playlist): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Aait14QVBGY - Provides a YouTube channel with video lessons focusing on Welsh as spoken on the streets.
Learn Welsh - YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Aait14QVBGY - Offers another YouTube channel with lessons for beginners in Welsh.

Grammar:
https://www.verbix.com/languages/welsh.html - Welsh verb coniugation
BBC Bitesize Welsh: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z8qmhyc - Provides clear explanations and exercises for key Welsh grammar concepts.
Dr. Gramadeg: https://parallel.cymru/ask-dr-gramadeg/ - Offers an online platform where you can ask questions about specific Welsh grammar points and get answers from a Welsh language expert.

References
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/dysgu/ - “Useful resources to revise Welsh and Maths (Welsh medium) GCSE's and advice for English speaking parents on how to look for Welsh revision resources for their children.” (description from Cymorth Cymraeg)

Corpora
https://llyw.cymru/y-gymraeg - “This is a bank of terms used by Assembly Government translators. It is continually updated with a view to providing an increasingly comprehensive database of terminology which is standardised and which reflects current usage in the various fields of the Assembly's work.” (description from: Cymorth Cymraeg)
https://www.surfacelanguages.com/language/Welsh/ - vocabulary exercises

Testing

Media
https://parallel.cymru/meddal-com-mwynhau-eich-technoleg-yn-gymraeg/ - bilingual English-Welsh magazine, mostly about technology

YouTube Channels
Dysgu Cymraeg - Learn Welsh http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT4VxWFvZzKwVOtHUs1C9PA
Learn Welsh http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnQn5WEZyIcKK9hcmlXtlBw
Welsh Plus - Learn Welsh With Us http://www.youtube.com/user/welshplus
Learn Welsh http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7mPvIKeHTgo4ewPPys3o4g
Learning Welsh with Mr D http://www.youtube.com/user/zePOINTofzeDAY

Cinema

Podcasts
* **Y Pod:** [https://ypod.cymru/](https://ypod.cymru/) - This is a one-stop shop for Welsh language podcasts, categorizing them into entertainment, music, sports, current affairs, children's shows, and factual topics.
[Image of Y Pod Welsh Podcasts]

* **Learn Welsh Now... Welsh Word of the Day:** [https://player.fm/series/word-of-the-day-2492929/vocable](https://player.fm/series/word-of-the-da ... 29/vocable) - This short daily podcast introduces a new Welsh word each day, along with explanations and pronunciations. Perfect for building vocabulary in a manageable way.

* **Sgwrs Dan y Lloer:** [https://www.s4c.cymru/en/podcasts/](https://www.s4c.cymru/en/podcasts/) - This podcast is an extension of the S4C television show "Sgwrs dan y Lloer" which translates to "Chat under the Moon." Host Elin Fflur visits the gardens of famous Welsh people for a relaxed conversation, offering a glimpse into Welsh culture and personalities.

* **Ffit Cymru - Soffa i 5K:** [https://www.s4c.cymru/en/podcasts/](https://www.s4c.cymru/en/podcasts/) - This motivational podcast, in Welsh, is designed to get you off the couch and running a 5K race within 6 weeks. Trainer Rae Carpenter provides a cardio plan to help you reach your fitness goals.

* **Welsh History Podcast:** [https://player.fm/featured/history](https://player.fm/featured/history) - Delve into the rich history of Wales through this podcast, exploring various eras, events, and figures that shaped the nation.

* **Yr Hen Iaith:** [https://amam.cymru/yr-hen-iaith](https://amam.cymru/yr-hen-iaith) ("The Old Language") - This podcast explores the Welsh language itself, discussing its history, evolution, and its place in contemporary Wales.


Radio
Radio Cymru: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_cymru - This is the BBC's Welsh-language radio station, offering a variety of programs including news, music, talk shows, and cultural content.

S4C Radio: https://www.s4c.cymru/en/ - S4C, the Welsh-language television channel, also has a radio station featuring programs complementary to their TV shows and covering Welsh culture, music, and current affairs.

AudioBooks

Pronunciation/Listening

Reading
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/languages/cy - free books in Welsh

Newspapers
https://golwg360.cymru/ - news
https://www.bbc.com/cymrufyw - news

Literature/reading

Forums

Comics

Other
https://forvo.com/languages/cy/ - Forvo
https://www.reddit.com/r/cymru/ - Reddit community

Lists of links

[chlebka]

https://learnwelsh.cymru/learning/digital-resources/entry/ - 146 lessons for all levels of proficiency
https://www.bangor.ac.uk/cymorthcymraeg
http://acen.co.uk/en/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learning/learnwelsh/ - lessons for all levels of proficiency
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/welshintheworkplace/ - lessons for those who need Welsh in their workplace (archived site)
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/welsh/welsh.htm - materials for kids learning Welsh
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/dysgu/ - “Useful resources to revise Welsh and Maths (Welsh medium) GCSE's and advice for English speaking parents on how to look for Welsh revision resources for their children.” (description from Cymorth Cymraeg)
https://llyw.cymru/y-gymraeg - “This is a bank of terms used by Assembly Government translators. It is continually updated with a view to providing an increasingly comprehensive database of terminology which is standardised and which reflects current usage in the various fields of the Assembly's work.” (description from: Cymorth Cymraeg)
https://parallel.cymru/meddal-com-mwynhau-eich-technoleg-yn-gymraeg/ - bilingual English-Welsh magazine, mostly about technology
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/languages/cy - free books in Welsh
https://golwg360.cymru/ - news
https://www.bbc.com/cymrufyw - news
https://www.surfacelanguages.com/language/Welsh/ - vocabulary exercises
https://forvo.com/languages/cy/ - Forvo
https://www.reddit.com/r/cymru/ - Reddit community
https://www.verbix.com/languages/welsh.html - Welsh verb coniugation

[Xenops]

Out of curiosity I Googled for Welsh resources, and did not find many course books. Bumping thread to see if people know of more.

[galaxyrocker]

Out of curiosity I Googled for Welsh resources, and did not find many course books. Bumping thread to see if people know of more.

I've had these recommended to me by a friend who studied at Harvard (just to say where he used them, not to add cred as I've never used them)

. I've used these (Cwrs Mynediad and Cwrs Sylfaen); there's pretty good, easy to understand, and come in both Northern and Southern dialcts. There's also an app you can buy which helps you practice; it's not pretty good, especially if you're learning on your own.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&key ... r40qt3h3_e

[DaveAgain]

Teach Yourself Complete Welsh (ISBN: 9781444102345)
Teach Yourself Welsh Grammar You Really need to know (ISBN: 9781444189636)

[Gomaith]

Hugo did 'Welsh in Three Months'.

'Now You're Talking Welsh'.......all 36 episodes are on youtube.

[Cavesa]

https://learnwelsh.cymru/learning/curri ... ursebooks/

A random find. The website was mentioned, but not these coursebooks with audio up to B2. They look great, make me wanna start learning Welsh

And all these resources are free.