My first encounter with the Welsh language occurred while I was simply reading through my travel guide. Just looking at the place names made me stare in disbelief. Many of the names looked like a young child had been let loose at the keyboard and just pounded away. The words are much the same. Who would think that such words as “tywdd” and “gwlyb” were actually pronounceable, and are in fact actual words? Without knowing the Welsh alphabet, it would be easy to assume that these words are devoid of vowels, rendering them completely incomprehensible. However, once instructed in the ways of the Welsh alphabet, I learned that both “w” and “y” are vowels, and that these two words are actually quite easy to pronounce. If only the rest of the alphabet proved to be as easy.
Unfortunately, when studying the Welsh language, you have to learn how to pronounce the most dreaded letter of the Welsh alphabet for foreigners-- the double l. Weeks of practice have yet to make me able to say “Llanelli” without spitting all over myself and still managing to butcher the pronunciation. Since “llan” is a common prefix to many town names, it is impossible to avoid using the “ll” even if you wanted to. In order to pronounce it, one must place his tongue in his mouth as if to pronounce an “l,” leave it there and then blow out the side of your mouth. Someone likened it to the hissing of a cat, which is a rather apt description of how non-native speakers sound. We also must look absolutely ridiculous while practicing because more than once I have garnered strange stares as I walked along trying to say Llanelli. My lecturer Tim, who, as a non-native speaker, has also experienced the difficulty of pronouncing “ll,” suggests that we all head down to the pub and enjoy a pint or two in order to relax and that will prove enough to improve our pronunciation immensely. I have yet to try this, but if I still cannot get it before I leave for Christmas, I might put it to the test.
Another “fun” aspect of the Welsh language is the mysterious use of what are called mutations. Certain words, like to and from, cause place names to change in this very bizarre way. For example, Cymru is the Welsh word for Wales. If I were to say that I am going to Wales, however, I would say “Dw i’n mynd i Gymru.” The “c” changes to a “g,” and I have yet to find a logical reason as to why. I am told that it is supposed to make the pronunciation easier, but it doesn’t. All it does in my mind is confuse me more than I already am and makes it difficult to figure out where or what it is that I am saying. Such is the joy of learning a new language. I guess learning the mutations is a trade off for not having to learn how to conjugate any other verbs besides “to be.”
Despite my current difficulties, I am thoroughly enjoying learning Welsh. It really is a beautiful language—rather melodic and with enough practice, it just rolls off the tongue. Hopefully soon, I will learn how to say more than just who I am, where I am from, and how I am feeling. In fact, my personal goal for this semester is to be able to pronounce the world’s second longest place name: Llanfairpwllgwynyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwillllantysiliogogogoch. An ambitious goal to say the least.
