A very warm welcome to you!

Croeso cynnes iawn i chi!

Croeso cynnes iawn i chi!

There are written notes to accompany this Welsh language C.D, but in fact, they are not essential. Everything is explained in detail on the C.D. by the “tiwtor Cymraeg”, the Welsh tutor – who will guide you gently along the path – encountering some interesting characters along the way. Listen to the C.D. regularly – every day if possible – repeating the words and phrases aloud. You will be surprised how quickly the words and phrases start to feel familiar and comfortable to you.

Enjoy!  Mwynhewch!  Mwynhewch!

When learning any new language, you will find that your tongue, teeth and mouth are expected to move in some very strange unfamiliar ways.  Don’t panic! With practice, it really does become both very easy and comfortable.  The Key word is “practise”.  It is essential to find some time every day if possible to listen and repeat aloud these strange sounds.

DID YOU KNOW ………?

There are 28 letters in the Welsh alphabet.  Here they are.
a  b  c  ch  d  dd  e  f  ff  g  ng  h  i  l  ll  m  n  o  p  ph  r  rh  s  t  th  u  w  y.

PRONUNCIATION

In your work with North Wales Housing communication skills will be vitally important.

In North Wales the majority of place names that you will encounter will be in Welsh and an awareness of these will assist you greatly in your day to day duties.  Even though you may not be fluent in Welsh you will be able to show linguistic courtesy if you make an effort to say place names correctly.

Try pronouncing these place names.

Note where the emphasis is each time.

The capital city of Wales is Caerdydd.
Very good! Da iawn! Da iawn!
Even street names can appear rather challenging at first glance!
Let us consider a few of them.

Let us look at the four countries which form the British Isles.

The following is a list of some of the more common geographical terms that occur in local place and house names.

 

Let us look at a few of the more interesting ones.

In the course of your duties you will deal with people who have Welsh first names.  Pronouncing names correctly shows cultural and linguistic courtesy.

Here are some boys names.

And now some girls names.

As a member of North Wales Housing, Tai Gogledd Cymru – you will come across many bilingual terms.

Let us look at a few of them.

 

Let us start communicating.

GREETINGS

 

 

RESPONSES

 

LET US TRY A BIT OF GRATITUDE

 

WHAT ABOUT GOODBYE?

Let us drop in on a few people in different situations.

You will hear every situation twice.

Listen carefully and repeat aloud.

Notice that some people address each other using the familiar form “ti” for “you”, while others address each other more formally, using “chi” for “you”.

Did you notice that Dafydd and Rhys addressed each other as “ti” – but Lowri said:

Out of respect it is usual to address members of the public as “chi”

Dafydd says, in response to Rhys’ question

You are given another useful phrase here – if you like beer anyway.

and

Let us listen to the situation once more.

Let us look at a more formal situation.

 

 

Here we have a more formal work placed situation.  Out of respect we would address members of the public as “chi”, and out of respect, members of the public would address a member of North Wales Housing as “chi”.

Asking for a name and address.

Here is the Asset Management Surveyor, getting the name and address for a repair.

Dyma’r Syrfewr Rheoli Asedau yn casglu enw a chyfeiriad ar gyfer trwsio.

 

There were one or two new phrases here.

If we wish to apologise – like Llinos

– we would say “Mae’n ddrwg gen i”

– and to reassure someone –

– No problem – it’s OK – Dim problem – Mae’n iawn

Let us listen to it once more.

When Mair Williams asked Llinos Parry for her phone number, unfortunately she wasn’t too sure!  Let us take a look at some simple numbers – rhifau.  From zero to ten.

Let us listen to that once more.

You may be asked this question many times in Wales and Welsh people are flattered and comforted if you simply understand the question.

What should you say in response?

A short conversation

The officer was able to show that she understood.

“dim ond tipyn bach” – “only a little bit”

Let us listen to it once more.

The Weather – Y Tywydd

In Welsh it is most usual to tag our statements about the weather.

For example – Mae’n braf heddiw – ’ndydy? It’s fine today isn’t it?

To which we would reply Ydy wir! – Yes (it is) – indeed

One cold day

Un diwrnod oer

“Dach chi’n iawn?” – “Are you alright?”
Asks the Contractor – to which Mrs Roberts replies
“Nac ydw wir!” No (I’m not) indeed!

We have come across Ydw and Nac Ydw before.

Let us listen to it once more.

In order to recognise that there are two official languages in Wales, all external calls should be answered bilingually. This can appear rather daunting – but don’t forget that you have a way out!

Welsh speakers truly appreciate the fact that you have acknowledged the language.

Some useful phrases:

At the desk – Wrth y ddesg.

Remember – you don’t have to explain that you are learning Welsh but it is always an option! Just be honest – if you don’t know, just say so – most people will try their best to help.

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.