Welsh Language
Cymraeg, the Welsh language is spoken by the majority of people in Snowdonia, and most of us conduct our daily lives through the medium of Welsh. It is the oldest spoken language in Europe and came to Britain over two thousand years ago with the Celtic tribe, who migrated westwards from central Europe and settled over much of Britain . With the coming of the Romans the language co existed with Latin for five hundred years, but with the invasion of the Anglo Saxons the Celts were forced westwards taking the language with them.
Two strands of the celtic tongue evolved with the Gaelic being spoken in Ireland and the high north of Scotland . From the Scottish lowlands down through Cumbria , Wales , and the marches to Cornwall , the spoken language was Brython. Though, by the 15th century the language had retreated to Wales and Cornwall , many Welsh names like Glasgow , Strathclyde, Malvern and Dover , show how widespread the language once was.
Many of our guests are pleasantly surprised to hear how widespread the use of the language still is in the area. Here are a few words and phrases to get you started. Please have a go; its fun and it will be appreciated by the locals. Remember that Welsh is pronounced phonetically, with every letter sounded.
-
Bore da : Good morning
- Pnawn da : Good afternoon
- Nos da : Good night
- Diolch : Thanks
- Diolch yn fawr : Thank you very much
- Os gwelwch yn dda : Please
- Croeso : Welcome
- Mae'n dda : Its good
- Lle mae : where is
- Llyn : lake
- Afon : river
- Llan : church
- Aber : mouth of the river
