Wonderful Welsh - and how to start learning any language

Problem
I want to learn Welsh. Why. A relative of mine protests, "What for? Even the Welsh don't speak Welsh!"

Answers
I'd like to understand the words of Welsh songs. On a visit to Wales, or going though my old CDs, I sit listening to a harpist or Welsh male voice choir. What are they singing about? I would be so much more interesting if I understood the words.

I have started learning Welsh with d u o l i n g o.com (spaces inserted to evade the automatic spell checker).

To keep myself on track and help you I've made a list of the words and my memory aids.

In a notebook I number the pages in the top corner. On the inside cover, I draw a margin and draw a series of horizontal lines with a ruler. I list the pager numbers down the margin. Then, if I have the Welsh on only one page, I can quickly find it. Here is my starter list of words.

Welsh - English
coffee - coffi

English - Welsh
Mum -

An alternative is to list your words in a blog, as I have. Or write them in Notes in your phone. Read them whenever you are waiting for a bus or train.
More later.

Useful Websites
duolingo.com
visitwales.com
visitbritain.com

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

Why Learn Languages? People Make Such Awful Mistakes!

Problem
It's time consuming. I can't get the accents right, or roll my rs.

Answer
Learn through duolingo.com. Just do five minutes a day. By the end of the year you should have a vocabulary of about 100-200 words, enough to get started and feel confident and ahead of all those people who don't know one word.


Story
A friend says it's hard to master Welsh.

I am not planning to master Welsh, not this year, not yet. I admire my friend's aspiration to do so. All I want to do in year one of learning Welsh is read the signs on stations and shops and say please and thank you and good morning if I hear somebody in a cafe speak in Welsh. 

I want to understand what the Welsh male voice choir is singing. I generally smile, but wonder if smiling is appropriate. Are they are singing, 'I love the world,' or, 'my true love has died'? 

Also I want to understand what the restaurant is saying about me. I always hope it's: 'Give that dear little lady an extra large portion of chips.'

Tips

Listen to the sound of words of country names in Wikipedia.


Author
Angela Lansbury, teacher of English and other languages.

Fishguard Bay and Films in Wales and Welsh Sea Gull

Problem
Which films were made in Fishguard Bay?

Answer
Moby Dick.
Dylan Thomas's poem Under Milk Wood.

Story
I discovered Fishguard Bay hotel because it is the venue for Writers Holiday. They hold writers' events in spring, summer and autumn. The summer event lasts a week and you get courses all day long included in the price and free evening entertainment. On the last night the entertainment is a male Welsh voice choir and sometimes a Welsh harpist playing the Welsh harp and singing Welsh songs, if a person is available.

Afterwards the choir often stays in the bar and will sing songs on request. (I am sure they won't say no to a drink.) What could you request? Men of Harlech, if they didn't have that on the programme. I have a couple of their DCs which I bought one year or two. They usually have two or three different collections of songs for sale.

Fishguard Bay Hotel exterior. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Fishguard Bay Hotel restaurant view. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Tips
Fishguard has two stations. The Fishguard and Goodwick is the last stop on the last section round the corner for those catching the ferry to Ireland, or going up the hill to the Fishguard Bay Hotel.

Fishguard Bay Hotel napkin showing phone number. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

The Writer's Holiday price is for a day, or a whole week covering all food and accommodation, no drinks except a welcome drink before supper not he first evening. You have to pay for and arrange your transport to Fishguard but they can meet you at the station for free on arrival day, or send you back in a taxi which you can pay for. 

How to get there? Research the times and trains in advance but here are some of your options. Fly into Heathrow and see London; then drive west to Wales on the M4, maybe taking a break overnight in Cardiff or see a Welsh vineyard, or stop for a trip to the theatre in Bath. 

From Europe take a plane to London City airport, or the ferry and train, or train from Paris to London, arriving at Victoria station. Head to Paddington station for the train west. Don't be in a hurry. It could take you all day, if you go on a Sunday when there's only one train and you have to change. Wales is about relaxing, unwinding, seeing a new country where they speak another language but understand English.

Whilst in Wales, see the tapestry in Fishguard Town Hall. It is the Welsh equivalent of the boastful Bayeux tapestry celebrating victory. It depicts wonderful Welsh women wearing their national costume of tall black hats capturing frightened French enemy soldiers who had hoped to invade.

Fishguard Town Hall. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Fishguard. Welsh speaking sea gull. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Review from Seagulls' Trip Adviser: Excellent location for fish and leftover food on the patio tables. Friendly guests ignore signs saying not to feed gulls. Most bedrooms are accessible but some guests shut windows to keep out seagulls. Local hazards: Black cat.

TRAVEL AND HOLIDAY INFORMATION

Fishguard Bay Hotel, Fishguard, Wales

tel: 01348 873571.

www.writersholiday.net

www.visitwales.com

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/hollywood-took-over-seaside-town-

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. See my other posts on Fishguard; Wales, Writers' Holiday, destinations worldwide, and learning Welsh and other languages. Please follow me, bookmark posts and share your favourite posts.