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[[Image:Roadsign.png|thumb|161px]] | [[Image:Roadsign.png|thumb|161px]] | ||
Wales is a bilingual country. The Welsh language came from the Brythonic branch of the Celtic language. It was spoken throughout Wales and English border counties until the end of the 16th Century. It is said that the translation of the | Wales is a bilingual country. The Welsh language came from the Brythonic branch of the Celtic language. It was spoken throughout Wales and English border counties until the end of the 16th Century. It is said that the translation of the Bible into Welsh in 1588 began the standardization of the language. | ||
Western and Northern Wales still speak predominantly Welsh. | Western and Northern Wales still speak predominantly Welsh. There has been a push in the last few decades to restore Welsh to is proper place in society. '''Welsh''' has equal status with '''English''' in the public sector in Wales and the teaching of both languages is compulsory in all schools up to the age of 16. | ||
The most recent census figures for Wales (2001) indicate that 582,400 (21% of the population) were able to speak Welsh. However, in the western parts of the country the language is spoken by over 60% of the population. | The most recent census figures for Wales (2001) indicate that 582,400 (21% of the population) were able to speak Welsh. However, in the western parts of the country the language is spoken by over 60% of the population. The number of younger people able to speak Welsh, throughout Wales, has risen significantly. | ||
Wales has one television channel, [http://www.s4c.co.uk/ S4C (Sianel 4 Cymru)], and one radio station, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/radiocymru/ BBC Radio Cymru], broadcasting in the Welsh language. | Wales has one television channel, [http://www.s4c.co.uk/ S4C (Sianel 4 Cymru)], and one radio station, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/radiocymru/ BBC Radio Cymru], broadcasting in the Welsh language. | ||
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The following table lists Welsh letters and their sounds: | The following table lists Welsh letters and their sounds: | ||
{| | {| width="90%" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! width="7%" | Letter | ! width="7%" | Letter | ||
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In Welsh, the first letter of a word often changes or disappears. This is called mutation. For example, '''teulu''' (family) can appear as '''deulu''', '''nheulu''', or '''theulu'''. Mutated words are not in Welsh dictionaries, so use the following chart to change a mutated word back to its original form: | In Welsh, the first letter of a word often changes or disappears. This is called mutation. For example, '''teulu''' (family) can appear as '''deulu''', '''nheulu''', or '''theulu'''. Mutated words are not in Welsh dictionaries, so use the following chart to change a mutated word back to its original form: | ||
{| | {| width="90%" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! '''Initial consonant''' | |||
! '''Soft mutation'''<br> | |||
! '''Nasal mutation'''<br> | |||
! '''Aspirate mutation'''<br> | |||
|- | |- | ||
| P <br>pensil <br>(pencil) | | P <br>pensil <br>(pencil) | ||
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|} | |} | ||
'''Soft mutation''' generally occurs: | |||
*On singular feminine nouns following the definite article. For example: "pont" (a bridge), "y '''b'''ont" (the bridge). | *On singular feminine nouns following the definite article. For example: "pont" (a bridge), "y '''b'''ont" (the bridge). | ||
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In general, if you are unable to find a word: | In general, if you are unable to find a word: | ||
{| | {| width="90%" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! If the word begins with: | ! If the word begins with: | ||
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| g | | g | ||
| ''y wadd'' (the mole) - ''gwadd'' (a mole) | | ''y wadd'' (the mole) - ''gwadd'' (a mole) | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Latin == | == Latin == | ||