Introduction to modern Welsh conversation and grammar. Emphasis in the first-semester class is on pronunciation, mastering consonant mutations, using several tenses (present, perfect, imperfect, past), and the acquisition of basic vocabulary and idiom. Simple written materials based on traditional Welsh stories will supplement classroom oral-aural work.

Modern Welsh—Cymraeg diweddar-- is something of a “miracle language.” It has survived, and is thriving (in Wales), in spite of almost 500 years of English government attempts to exterminate it. In a world where so-called “minority languages” are fast disappearing, Welsh has held its own. It has a vibrant literary and artistic culture, and as a bilingual country, Wales is a mainstream part of the European linguistic scene in which most people are competent and comfortable speaking two or more languages. This course introduces student to basic Welsh grammar, with special emphasis on pronunciation and on some aspects of grammar where Welsh differs substantially from English (or most other European) languages. This allows student to quickly begin to express themselves in basic everyday Welsh. We will also read learner-appropriate literary selections, and do simple writing assignments. This will give students a firm foundation for continuing in more advanced Welsh courses. Wales is a country that is surprisingly and delightfully different from England and Scotland (with which it shares its island, Britain). The instructor stresses Welsh culture, history, politics, and arts. Students who learn Welsh have access to more aspects of wider British culture than non-Welsh-speaking individuals do, an advantage in any discipline which focuses on the British Isles. Students from all majors and fields of study are welcome, and there are no prerequisites. Croeso I Gymraeg!   Required textbooks. Students who intend to enroll in Celtic 16A should order their textbooks directly from either gwales.com (Welsh publishers’ consortium) or amazon.co.uk. (Listings below are from amazon, but I’m not endorsing it over gwales.com. Use whichever you prefer.) You will need the main text: Cwrs Mynediad: Llyfr Cwrs (De): Cwrs Dechreuol I Oedolion Sy'n Dysgu Cymraeg / a Beginners' Course for Adults Learning Welsh: South Wales Version by Elin Meek (2005-08-10) 10 Aug 2005 by Elin Meek; Paperback …and the workbook: Cwrs Mynediad: Pecyn Ymarfer (De): Pecyn Ymarfer / Practice Pack: South Wales Version 30 Aug 2005 by Elin Meek Paperback £2.50Prime You may order the CDs if you like, but you are also welcome to copy the instructor’s CDs. (And mp3s may be available from the instructor.) There are numerous Welsh dictionaries online, but if you would like to have an excellent hardcopy Welsh dictionary, especially developed for learners and young people, order one of these at the same time: Geiriadur Gomer i'r Ifanc 1 Jul 1994 by D.Geraint Lewis Hardcover Caveat!!! Make sure you get the DE (“South Welsh”) version (as in the listing above). We will be learning South (De) Welsh. Do Not buy the “Gogledd” (“North Welsh”) version of the book, workbook, or CDs. (The dictionary covers both dialects.) If you are not sure whether you will be taking the class, and want to try it out for a week or two, you may wait to order your books, although the shipping costs will likely be higher. The instructor will provide photocopies for the first two units (but not beyond that). And, an advantage of this course is that the same textbook will be used for the entire first year of Welsh (two semesters) so you will not have to buy any other textbooks in 2018-2019.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.