Adnoddau Iaith Gymraeg Lefel 1

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.

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Amlwch, Dolgellau, Penmaenmawr
Abergele, Dinbych, Pwllheli
Bwcle, Llandudno, Porthmadog
Beddgelert, Llangollen, Penygroes
Blaenau Ffestiniog, Llangefni, Porthaethwy
Bangor, Llanfairfechan, Rhuthun
Betws – y – Coed, Llanelwy, Treffynnon
Bae Colwyn, Llanrwst, Y Bermo
Caernarfon, Llanberis, Yr Wyddgrug
Caergybi
Corwen
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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.

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Road, Ffordd / Heol
Street, Stryd
Field, Cae / Maes
Lane, Lôn
Acre, Erw
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Let us look at the four countries which form the British Isles.

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Wales, Cymru
Ireland, Iwerddon
England, Lloegr
Scotland, Yr Alban
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The following is a list of some of the more common geographical terms that occur in local place and house names.

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Aber, Estuary, AbergeleLlan,

Llan, Parish/Church, Llanrwst/Llandudno
Afon, River, Afon Conwy
Dyffryn, (wide) Valley, Dyffryn Nantlle
Llyn, Lake, Llyn Padarn
Pen, Head, Penmaenmawr
Cwm, Valley, Cwm Pennant
Mynydd, Mountain, Mynydd Hiraethog
Coed, Wood/trees, Coedpoeth
Bryn/Allt/Rhiw, Hill, Bryn y Neuadd
Caer, Fort, Caernarfon
Porth, Port, Porthmadog
Bwlch, Pass/Gap, Tan y Bwlch
Pwll, Pool, Pwllheli
Môr, Sea, Mor Iwerddon
Morfa, Sea marsh, Morfa Bychan
Eglwys, Church, Eglwysbach
Pentref, Village, Pentrefoelas
Capel, Chapel, Capel Curig
Pont, Bridge, Pont Menai
Bae, Bay, Bae Colwyn
Rhyd, Ford, Rhyd Ddu
Glan, Shore/Bank, Glan Conwy
Llys, Court, Llys y Gwynt
Nant, Stream, Nant Gwynant
Tref, Town, Trefriw
Cefn, Ridge, Cefn y Bedd
Rhos, Moor/heath, Llandrillo yn Rhos
Ffordd, Road/Way, Pen y Ffordd
Maes/Cae, Field, Maesgeirchan
Mawr, Big/Large, Mynydd Mawr
Bach, Small, Pentrebach
Penrhyn, Peninsula, Penrhyndeudraeth

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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.

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BOYS – BECHGYN

,

GIRLS – MERCHED

Arwel, Angharad
Dewi, Ceri
Dafydd, Elliw
Geraint, Eirian
Gerallt, Gwenllian
Hywel, Heledd
Ifan, Iola
Ieuan, Lowri
Llew, Llinos
Rhys, Mair
Siôn, Siân
Tomos, Teleri
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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.

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Director, Cyfarwyddwr
Head of Service, Pennaeth Gwasanaeth
Manager, Rheolwr
Officer, Swyddog
Assistant, Cynorthwy-ydd
Administrator, Gweinydd-ydd
Services – Housing, Gwasanaethau Tai
Supported Housing, Tai â Chymorth
Asset Management, Rheoli Asedau
Finance, Cyllid
Resources, Adnoddau
Personnel, Personél
Development, Datblygu
Rent, Rhent
ICT (Information Communication and Technology), TGC (Technoleg Gwybodaeth a Chyfathrebu)
Scheme, Cynllun
Project, Prosiect
Hostel, Hostel
Warden, Warden
Night shelter, Llety Nôs
Extra Care, Gofal Ychwanegol
Office, Swyddfa
Head Office, Pencadlys
Car Park, Maes Parcio
Training / Learning and Development, Hyfforddiant / Dysgu a Datblygu
Department, Adran
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Let us start communicating.

GREETINGS

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Good morning, Bore da
Good afternoon,P’nawn da
Good evening, Noswaith dda
How are you? (familiar), Sut wyt ti?
How are you? (formal), Sut dach chi?
How is it going?, S’mae?
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RESPONSES

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O.K., Iawn
Very good (well), Da iawn
Not bad, Ddim yn ddrwg
So-so, Go lew
Awful, Ofnadwy
Tired, Wedi blino
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LET US TRY A BIT OF GRATITUDE

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Thank you, Diolch
Thank you very much, Diolch yn fawr
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WHAT ABOUT GOODBYE?

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Cheerio, Hwyl
I’ll see you, Wela i chi
Take care, Cym’wch ofal
Until next time, Tan tro nesa
Goodnight, Nos da
Good bye, Da boch chi
Excuse me, Esgusodwch fi
I have to go, Rhaid i mi fynd
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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”.

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,YN Y DAFARN,IN THE PUB
Dafydd:, Noswaith dda Rhys,Good evening Rhys
, Sut wyt ti?, How are you?
Rhys:, Ofnadwy Dafydd!, Awful Dafydd!
Dafydd:, Ofnadwy?, Awful?
Rhys:, Ie – ofnadwy!, Yes – awful!
, A ti?, And you?
Dafydd:, Dw i’n iawn diolch., I’m o.k. thanks.
, Peint?, A pint?
Rhys:, Diolch., Thanks.
Dafydd:, Dau beint o gwrw plîs Lowri., Two pints of beer please Lowri?
Lowri:, Iawn., O.K.
,Dyma chi Dafydd., Here you are Dafydd
,Rhywbeth arall?, Anything else?
Dafydd:, Dim diolch., No thanks
, Diolch yn fawr., Thank you very much.
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Did you notice that Dafydd and Rhys addressed each other as “ti” – but Lowri said:

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Here you are, Dyma chi
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Out of respect it is usual to address members of the public as “chi”

Dafydd says, in response to Rhys’ question

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I’m fine/o.k thanks, Dw i’n iawn diolch
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You are given another useful phrase here – if you like beer anyway.

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Two pints of beer please, Dau beint o gwrw plîs
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and

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Anything else?
Rhywbeth arall?
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Let us listen to the situation once more.

Let us look at a more formal situation.

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Mrs Owen:, Pnawn da Rhys.~~Neis eich gweld chi.~~Sut dach chi?, Good afternoon Rhys.~~Nice to see you.~~How are you?
Rhys:, Ddim yn ddrwg diolch.~~Sut dach chi?, Not bad thanks Mrs Owen.~~How are you?
Mrs Owen:, Iawn diolch., O.K. thanks.
Rhys:, Da iawn!~~A’r teulu?, Very good!~~And the family?
Mrs Owen:, O – swnllyd iawn wrth gwrs!, Oh – very noisy of course!
Rhys:, Wrth gwrs.~~Plant!!~~Eisteddwch i lawr am funud., Of course.~~Children!!~~Sit down for a minute.
Mrs Owen:, Diolch i chi., Thank (to you)
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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”.

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WHO ARE YOU?

,

PWY DACH CHI?

Please, Os gwelwch yn dda~~Plîs
I’m Mair Jones, Mair Jones dw i
I’m the Housing Officer – Gwyn Hughes, Swyddog Tai – Gwyn Hughes dw i
Where do you live?, Lle dach chi’n byw?
I live in ………., Dw i’n byw yn ……….
I live in Abergele, Dw i’n byw yn Abergele
Where do you work?, Lle dach chi’n gweithio?
I work in …….., Dw i’n gweithio yn …….
I work in Nefyn, Dw i’n gweithio yn Nefyn
I live at “Tawelfa” – Rhyl, Dw i’n byw yn “Tawelfa” – Y Rhyl
What is your address?, Be ‘dy’ch cyfeiriad chi?
One. Ruthin Road., Un. Ffordd Rhuthun.
What is your phone number?, Be ’dy’ch rhif ffôn chi?
I’m not sure!, Dw i’m yn siwr!
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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.

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Mair:, Bore da. Mair Williams dw i.~~Pwy dach chi. os gwelwch yn dda?, Good morning. I’m Mair Williams.~~Who are you. please?
Llinos:, Llinos Parry dw i., I’m Llinos Parry.
Mair:, Lle dach chi’n byw?, Where do you live?
Llinos:, Dw i’n byw yn Llandudno., I live in Llandudno.
Mair:, Llandudno.~~Diolch.~~Be ’dy’ch cyfeiriad chi?, Llandudno.~~Thank you.~~What is your address?
Llinos:, Un. Maes Derw., One. Maes Derw.
Mair:, Rhif un – iawn.~~Rwan ’te –~~Be ’dy’ch rhif ffôn chi?, Number one – right.~~Now then –~~What is your phone number?
Llinos:, O diar!~~Dw i’m yn siwr.~~Mae’n ddrwg gen i., Oh dear!~~I’m not sure.~~I’m sorry.
Mair:, Dim problem.~~Mae’n iawn., No problem.~~It’s O.K.
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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.

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0, DIM
1, UN
2, DAU
3, TRI
4, PEDWAR
5, PUMP
6, CHWECH
7, SAITH
8, WYTH
9, NAW
10, DEG
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Let us listen to that once more.

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DO YOU SPEAK WELSH?, DACH CHI’N SIARAD CYMRAEG?
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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?

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A little bit, Tipyn bach
Yes (I do), Ydw
I’m learning Welsh, Dw i’n dysgu Cymraeg
No (I don’t), Nac ydw
Do you mind speaking English with me?, Dach chi’n meindio siarad Saesneg efo fi?
I’m not fluent – yet!, Dw i’m yn rhugl – eto!
I understand Welsh., Dw i’n deall Cymraeg.
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A short conversation

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Mrs Roberts:, Dach chi’n siarad Cymraeg?, Do you speak Welsh?
Jane:, Dim ond tipyn bach.~~Dach chi’n meindio siarad.~~Saesneg efo fi?, Only a little bit.~~Do you mind speaking English with me?
Mrs Roberts:, Dim problem!, No problem!
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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

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It’s fine, Mae’n braf
It’s cold, Mae’n oer
It’s stormy, Mae’n stormus
It’s windy, Mae’n wyntog
It’s wet, Mae’n wlyb
Today, Heddiw
This evening, Heno
It’s fine today, Mae’n braf heddiw
It’s cold tonight, Mae’n oer heno
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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

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Contractwr:, Helo Mrs Roberts!~~Dach chi’n iawn?, Hello Mrs Roberts!~~Are you alright?
Mrs Roberts:, Nac ydw wir.~~Dydy’r gwres ddim yn gweithio., No (I’m not) indeed.~~The heating isn’t working!
Contractwr:, Peidiwch â phoeni.~~Mi fydda i efo chi’n fuan.~~Mae’n oer iawn heddiw ’ndydy., Don’t worry.~~I’ll be with you soon.~~It’s very cold today isn’t.
Mrs Roberts:, Ydy wir.~~Mae’n ofnadwy.~~Diolch yn fawr., Yes (it is) indeed.~~It’s awful.~~Thanks very much.
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“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.

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Ydw, Yes (I am)
,Yes (I do)
Nac ydw, No (I am not)
, No (I do not)
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Let us listen to it once more.

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ANSWERING THE PHONE, ATEB Y FFÔN
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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!

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I’m learning Welsh, Dw i’n dysgu Cymraeg
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Welsh speakers truly appreciate the fact that you have acknowledged the language.

Some useful phrases:

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Good morning, Bore da
Good afternoon, P’nawn da
Good evening, Noswaith dda
North Wales Housing, Tai Gogledd Cymru
May I speak to…?, Ga i siarad efo…..?
Who is speaking?, Pwy sy’n siarad?
One minute please, Un munud os gwelwch yn dda
I’m learning Welsh, Dw i’n dysgu Cymraeg
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At the desk – Wrth y ddesg.
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Bethan:, Bore da.~~Tai Gogledd Cymru, Good morning.~~North Wales Housing
Galwr/caller:, Bore da.~~Ga i siarad efo rhywun yn yr Adran Recriwtio os gwelwch yn dda?, Good morning.~~May I speak with someone in the Recruiting Department please?
Bethan:, Yr Adran Recriwtio?~~Iawn.~~Pwy sy’n siarad osgwelwch yn dda?, The Recruiting Department?~~O.K / Fine.~~Who is speaking please?
Galwr:, Gwilym Jones dw i., I’m Gwilym Jones.
Bethan:, Un munud Mr Jones., One moment Mr Jones.
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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.

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Wnewch chi siarad yn arafach. plîs?, Will you speak more slowly. please?
Dw i’n dysgu Cymraeg, I’m learning Welsh
Dw i ddim yn dallt (deall), I don’t understand
Dw i ddim yn gwybod, I don’t know
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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.