The Welsh Language

Croeso i Gymru or for those of you who don’t speak our beautiful language; Welcome to Wales. 

It may be one of the oldest languages in Europe but it’s also a living language. And that’s why most of our place names are in Welsh, our signs are bilingual and in some parts Welsh is the first language. But as well as telling you a bit about it, we’d also love you to give it a go yourself.

You won’t go far wrong in our friendly nation with a ‘shwmae’/hello/how are you? (pronounced shoo-my). Or a ‘diolch’/thank-you (dee-olc). And of course you must have a go at pronouncing the longest place name in the world Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio's of the red cave). 

And because we like to be different, our alphabet has no q or v. But don’t worry, it does include ll, ff and dd! You’ll see ll used a lot – just count how many places you see beginning with Llan (meaning church) on your travels.

Pronouncing Welsh isn’t always easy. But it is fun and it gives your facial muscles a great workout!