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[[ | {{CountrySidebar | ||
|Country=Wales | |||
|Name=Wales | |||
|Type=Topic | |||
|Topic Type=Background | |||
|Background=Languages | |||
|Rating=Standardized | |||
}}{{breadcrumb | |||
| link1=[[Wales Genealogy|Wales]] | |||
| link2= | |||
| link3= | |||
| link4= | |||
| link5=[[Wales Languages|Languages]] | |||
}} | |||
The Welsh | ==Description== | ||
The languages spoken in Wales are <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Wales," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales#:~:text=Welsh%20is%20an%20official%20language%20in%20Wales, accessed 18 May 2023.</ref> <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Welsh language," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_language, accessed 18 May 2023.</ref> <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Languages of Wales," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Wales, accessed 18 May 2023.</ref> | |||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_language '''Welsh'''] - an official language in Wales. 29.7% of the population speak Welsh. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Welsh-speaking population," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh-speaking_population, accessed 18 May 2023.</ref> | |||
** Areas in northern and western Wales retain Welsh spoken as a first language by a majority of the population. | |||
* '''English''' - also an official language in Wales. Spoken by almost all and considered the main language of the country. | |||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_English '''Welsh English'''] - also as '''Wenglish'''. Includes the dialects of English spoken by Welsh people. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Welsh English," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_English, accessed 18 May 2023.</ref> | |||
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_Romani_language '''Welsh Romani'''] - also known as '''Welsh Romany''' and also '''Kååle'''. Was spoken fluently in Wales until 1950. | |||
* '''Polish''' - the most spoken main language after Welsh and English. | |||
* '''Arabic''' - next most common main language. | |||
* '''Latin''' - used to a limited degree in some official mottos, legal terms, and ceremonial contexts. | |||
Wales has | Until 1733 many records were kept in Latin. Sometimes records written in English contain some Latin words. Knowing some Latin will help you read these records. Resources to help with Latin words are listed in the Word List section and in the Language Aids section. | ||
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. 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 teaching 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 number of younger people able to speak Welsh, throughout Wales, has risen significantly. | |||
Although most Welsh records are written in English, understanding some basic elements of the Welsh language can help you with your research. Do not, however, rely on a translation of a record made by using a dictionary. Get help from someone who knows the language. | Although most Welsh records are written in English, understanding some basic elements of the Welsh language can help you with your research. Do not, however, rely on a translation of a record made by using a dictionary. Get help from someone who knows the language. | ||
== The Welsh | Wales has one television channel, [http://www.s4c.co.uk/ S4C (Sianel 4 Cymru)], and one radio station, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/radiocymru/ BBC Radio Cymru], broadcasting in the Welsh language. | ||
==Word List(s)== | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/welsh.php#:~:text=Useful%20Welsh%20phrases Useful Welsh phrases] - Omniglot | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/language/kinship/welsh.htm#:~:text=Family%20words%20in%20Welsh Family words in Welsh] - Omniglot | |||
* [https://welshgiftshop.com/pages/useful-welsh-phrases-sayings-words#:~:text=Useful%20Welsh%20Sayings%20%2F%20Phrases%20%2F%20Words Useful Welsh Sayings / Phrases / Words] - WelshGiftShop | |||
* [[Polish Genealogical Word List|Polish Genealogical Word List]] | |||
* [[Arabic Genealogical Word List|Arabic Genealogical Word List]] | |||
* [[Latin Genealogical Word List|Latin Genealogical Word List]] | |||
* Simpson, Elizabeth. ''Latin word-list for family historians.'' Solihull, England: Federation of Family History Societies, 1985. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/24880696 WorldCat]. | |||
==Alphabet and Pronunciation== | |||
'''Alphabet''' | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/welsh.htm#:~:text=Welsh%20alphabet Welsh alphabet] - Omniglot | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/conscripts/welshcyrillic.htm#:~:text=Welsh%20Cyrillic Welsh Cyrillic] - Omniglot | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/polish.htm#:~:text=Polish%20alphabet Polish alphabet] - Omniglot | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/conscripts/welsharabic.htm#:~:text=Welsh%20Arabic%20alphabet Welsh Arabic alphabet] - Omniglot | |||
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages.<br> | |||
Though the Welsh and English alphabets are very similar, each has some letters not used in the other. The letters q, v, and z are not used in the Welsh language and the letters j and k only occur in 'adopted' words. The following double letters are treated as a single letter in Welsh: ch, dd, ff, ll, ng, ph, rh, and th. These letters are part of the Welsh alphabet.<br> | |||
When using a Welsh dictionary or an index written in Welsh, use Welsh, not English, alphabetical order. | |||
'''Pronunciation''' | |||
* [https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wales_Languages#:~:text=The%20sounds%20produced%20by%20certain%20letters%20in%20the%20Welsh%20alphabet Guidelines for Welsh Pronunciation] | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/welsh.htm#:~:text=Pronunciation Welsh Pronunciation] - Omniglot | |||
* [https://forvo.com/languages/cy/ Welsh pronunciation dictionary] - Forvo | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/polish.htm#:~:text=Polish%20alphabet%20and%20pronunciation Polish pronunciation] - Omniglot | |||
* [https://forvo.com/languages/pl/ Polish pronunciation dictionary] - Forvo | |||
* [https://forvo.com/languages/ar/ Arabic pronunciation dictionary] - Forvo | |||
* [http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/wales/sounds/index.htm Sounds of Wales - pronunciation of place-names] - Welsh Family History Archive | |||
In Welsh, the first letter of a word often changes or disappears. This is called a mutation. Mutated words are not in Welsh dictionaries.<br> | |||
See [https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wales_Languages#:~:text=List%20of%20Mutations%20in%20the%20Welsh%20language '''Mutations in the Welsh language''']. | |||
==Language Aids and Dictionaries== | |||
'''Dictionaries'''<br> | |||
When using a Welsh Dictionary, refer to the suggestions in [https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Wales_Languages#:~:text=Guidelines%20for%20using%20a%20Welsh%20Dictionary ''Using a Welsh Dictionary'']. | |||
* Beattie, Susie. ''Welsh dictionary.'' Glasgow: Collins, 2017. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/999616243 WorldCat]. | |||
* Lewis, Edwin C. ''Essential Welsh dictionary : Welsh-English, English-Welsh.'' London: Teach Yourself, 2010. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/540161529 WorldCat]. | |||
* Lewis, Edwin C. ''Welsh dictionary.'' Lincolnwood, Ill: NTC Pub. Group, 1993. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/27838421 WorldCat]. | |||
* King, Gareth. ''Modern Welsh dictionary : a guide to the living language.'' Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/154308849 WorldCat]. | |||
* Dawson, Robert. ''Welsh Romani dictionary.'' Alfreton: R. Dawson, 2011. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/751807784 WorldCat]. | |||
* Dawson, Robert. ''Welsh Romani dictionary.'' n.p.: R. Dawson, 2011. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/716833927 WorldCat]. | |||
* Evans, H. Meurig and W. O. Thomas. ''The Complete Welsh-English, English-Welsh dictionary.'' Aberystwyth Gomer, Llandybie, Aberystwyth: Llyfrau'r Dryw, 1963. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/17169842 WorldCat]. | |||
* Bevan, Gareth A. and Patrick J. Donovan. ''Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru = A dictionary of the Welsh language.'' Caerdydd: Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru, 2003. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/54086480 WorldCat]. | |||
'''Online Dictionaries''' | |||
* [https://glosbe.com/cy/en Dictionary Welsh - English] - Glosbe | |||
* [https://glosbe.com/owl/en Dictionary Old Welsh - English] - Glosbe | |||
* [https://glosbe.com/en/wlm Dictionary English - Middle Welsh] - Glosbe | |||
* [https://glosbe.com/en/rmw Dictionary English - Welsh Romani] - Glosbe | |||
* [https://glosbe.com/pl/en Dictionary Polish - English] - Glosbe | |||
* [https://glosbe.com/en/ar Dictionary English - Arabic] - Glosbe | |||
* [https://geiriadur.net/ Welsh-English / English-Welsh On-line Dictionary] - Geiriadur | |||
'''Language Aids''' | |||
* Jones, Christine. ''Welsh grammar you really need to know.'' London: Teach Yourself, 2013. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/835972058 WorldCat]. | |||
* Williams, Stephen Joseph. ''A Welsh grammar.'' Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 1980. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/6768981 WorldCat]. | |||
* Thorne, David. ''A comprehensive Welsh grammar.'' Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1993. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/27067454 WorldCat]. | |||
* Lewis, Robert. ''Wenglish : the dialect of the South Wales Valleys.'' Talybont, Ceredigion: Y Lolfa, 2016. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/948341619 WorldCat]. | |||
* Ainsworth, Robert. ''Thesaurus linguæ latinæ compendiarius.'' London: H. Woodfall and C. Rivington, 1761. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/745242754 WorldCat]. | |||
* [[Welsh Language Courses|Welsh Language Courses]] to learn to speak and read. | |||
== | ==Additional Resources== | ||
* Paulasto, Heli, Robert J. Penhallurick, and Benjamin A. Jones. ''Welsh English.'' Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2021. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/1062274855 WorldCat]. | |||
* Jones, T. J. Rhys. ''Welsh : a complete course for beginners.'' Sevenoaks: Teach Yourself Books, 1991. '''''Available at:''''' [https://worldcat.org/title/28964305 WorldCat]. | |||
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/welsh.htm The Welsh Language] - Omniglot | |||
Other countries with Celtic languages: | |||
* [[France Language and Languages|France Language and Languages]] (Breton) | |||
* [[Ireland Language and Languages|Ireland Language and Languages]] | |||
* [[Isle of Man Language and Languages|Isle of Man Language and Languages]] | |||
* [[Scotland Language and Languages|Scotland Language and Languages]] | |||
'''Welsh Pronunciation''' | |||
The sounds produced by certain letters in the Welsh alphabet are often misinterpreted and spelled incorrectly. This is particularly true of Welsh sounds not used in English. For example, the sound made by a double l (ll) is formed by placing the tongue at the roof of the mouth and blowing air sharply out the side. The sound comes when using it in conjunction with other letters. | |||
The following table lists Welsh letters and their sounds: | The following table lists Welsh letters and their sounds: | ||
{| class=" | {| width="95%" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Letter | ! width="7%" | Letter | ||
| Pronunciation | ! width="73%" | Pronunciation | ||
|- | |- | ||
| a | | a | ||
| Line 113: | Line 202: | ||
|} | |} | ||
Note: The letters q, v, and z are not used in Welsh. The letters j and k are used only in adopted words like '''jam''' and '''kilo'''. | Note: The letters q, v, and z are not used in Welsh. The letters j and k are used only in adopted words like '''jam''' and '''kilo'''. | ||
'''List of Mutations in the Welsh language'''<br> | |||
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: | ||
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" class=" | {| 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) | ||
| B <br> ei '''b'''ensil e <br> (his pencil) | | B <br>ei '''b'''ensil e <br>(his pencil) | ||
| Mh <br> fy '''mh'''ensil i <br> (my pencil) | | Mh <br>fy '''mh'''ensil i <br>(my pencil) | ||
| Ph <br> ei '''ph'''ensil hi <br> (her pencil) | | Ph <br>ei '''ph'''ensil hi <br>(her pencil) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| T <br> tad <br> (father) | | T <br>tad <br>(father) | ||
| D <br> ei '''d'''ad e <br> (his father) | | D <br>ei '''d'''ad e <br>(his father) | ||
| Nh <br> fy '''nh'''ad i <br> (my father) | | Nh <br>fy '''nh'''ad i <br>(my father) | ||
| Th <br> ei '''th'''ad hi <br> (her father) | | Th <br>ei '''th'''ad hi <br>(her father) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| C <br> ci <br> (dog) | | C <br>ci <br>(dog) | ||
| G <br> ei '''g'''i e <br> (his dog) | | G <br>ei '''g'''i e <br>(his dog) | ||
| Ngh <br> fy '''ngh'''i i <br> (my dog) | | Ngh <br>fy '''ngh'''i i <br>(my dog) | ||
| Ch <br> ei '''ch'''i hi <br> (her dog) | | Ch <br>ei '''ch'''i hi <br>(her dog) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| B <br> brawd <br> (brother) | | B <br>brawd <br>(brother) | ||
| F <br> ei '''f'''rawd e <br> (his brother) | | F <br>ei '''f'''rawd e <br>(his brother) | ||
| M <br> fy '''m'''rawd i <br> (my brother) | | M <br>fy '''m'''rawd i <br>(my brother) | ||
| No Change | | No Change | ||
|- | |- | ||
| D <br> dosbarth <br> (class) | | D <br>dosbarth <br>(class) | ||
| Dd <br> ei '''dd'''osbarth e <br> (his class) | | Dd <br>ei '''dd'''osbarth e <br>(his class) | ||
| N <br> fy '''n'''osbarth i <br> (my class) | | N <br>fy '''n'''osbarth i <br>(my class) | ||
| No Change | | No Change | ||
|- | |- | ||
| G <br> gardd <br> (garden) | | G <br>gardd <br>(garden) | ||
| - <br>ei ardd e <br> (his garden) | | - <br>ei ardd e <br>(his garden) | ||
| Ng <br> fy '''ng'''ardd i <br> (my garden) | | Ng <br>fy '''ng'''ardd i <br>(my garden) | ||
| No Change | | No Change | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Ll <br> llyfr <br>(book) | | Ll <br>llyfr <br>(book) | ||
| L <br>ei '''l'''yfr e <br>(his book) | | L <br>ei '''l'''yfr e <br>(his book) | ||
| No Change | | No Change | ||
| Line 211: | Line 260: | ||
|} | |} | ||
'''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). | ||
| Line 231: | Line 280: | ||
In general, if you are unable to find a word: | In general, if you are unable to find a word: | ||
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" class=" | {| width="95%" align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" border="1" class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! If the word begins with: | |||
! Also look under: | |||
! Example: | |||
|- | |- | ||
| a | | a | ||
| Line 326: | Line 375: | ||
|} | |} | ||
<br> | '''Guidelines for using a Welsh Dictionary'''<br> | ||
''If you cannot find a word in the dictionary, it may be that:'' | |||
* Your dictionary is too small. | |||
* The word is mutated (see below). | |||
* he word is a conjugated verb. For example, '''dod''' (to come) is in the dictionary, but '''daeth''' (he came) is not. | |||
* The word is a conjugated preposition. '''am''' (about) is in the dictionary, but '''amdani''' (about her) is not. | |||
* The word is a comparative or superlative adjective. '''hen''' (old) is listed, but '''hen''' (older), and '''hynaf''' (oldest) are not. | |||
* The word is a contraction. '''o''' (from) and '''yr''' (the) are both listed, but their contracted form '''o’r''' (from the) is not. | |||
* The word contains double letters such as '''ch''','''dd''', '''ll''', '''ng''', and '''rh''', which are filed after single letters. For example: | |||
** the word '''rhad''' (free) would come after '''ruban''' (ribbon) | |||
** the word '''dichell''' (treachery) would come after '''dicter''' (anger) | |||
** the word '''goddef''' (to bear) would come after '''godro''' (to milk) | |||
** the word '''gwyllt''' (wild) would come after '''gwylan''' (seagull) | |||
* | ''If a word you find in a dictionary does not make sense in the record’s context:'' | ||
* | * It may be part of a two-word preposition. '''ôl''' is a noun meaning "track." When it is combined with '''ar''' (on), the result is the preposition '''ar ôl''', meaning "after". | ||
* It may be part of an idiomatic expression. '''hen''' by itself means "old," but '''hen bryd''' means "high time." | |||
* It may be an archaic word or have changed meaning. | |||
= | '''Other Links that may be useful'''<br> | ||
* [https://cymdeithas.cymru/what-is-cymdeithas-yr-iaith Welsh Language Society] | |||
* [http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/people/geraint.jones/rhydychen.org/about.welsh/ Geraint Jones' Welsh information] | |||
* Welsh Translation Help [http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?board=132.0 RootsChat Welsh Translation Help pages. (Free)]. | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Wales Language and Handwriting]] [[Category:Language and Handwriting]] [[Category:Language and Handwriting]] | |||
[[Category: | |||
edits