#advanced learner challenge welsh

[saysomethingin1]

Learn Welsh App Mastery with SaySomethingIn: Your Gateway to Language Fluency

In the digital age, the quest for learning new languages has been revolutionized by innovative applications, making linguistic mastery more accessible and engaging than ever before. Among these, the Learn Welsh App by SaySomethingIn emerges as a standout platform, specifically designed for those eager to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Welsh culture and language. This blog explores the unique features and benefits of using SaySomethingIn's app to master Welsh, highlighting how it stands apart in the crowded landscape of language learning tools.

The Genesis of SaySomethingIn's Welsh Learning Journey

SaySomethingIn has long been at the forefront of language learning innovation, and their foray into the Welsh language is no exception. Understanding the challenges and intricacies of acquiring a new language, especially one as nuanced and historically rich as Welsh, SaySomethingIn has meticulously crafted an app that caters to learners at all levels. From absolute beginners to more advanced speakers seeking to refine their skills, the app offers a comprehensive pathway to fluency.

Interactive Learning at Your Fingertips

What sets the Learn Welsh App apart is its highly interactive and user-friendly interface. SaySomethingIn believes in learning through engagement, and this philosophy is deeply embedded in the app's design. Users are greeted with a variety of interactive lessons that make use of auditory and visual cues to enhance memory retention and make the learning process enjoyable and effective.

Beyond the Basics: Immersing in Welsh Culture

Learning a language is not just about memorizing words and phrases; it's about understanding the culture and context that shape its use. SaySomethingIn's Learn Welsh App enriches the learning experience by weaving cultural insights and historical context into its lessons. This holistic approach not only aids in language acquisition but also fosters a deeper appreciation for Welsh heritage.

Community Support and Real-Life Practice

One of the most daunting aspects of learning a new language is the fear of speaking it. SaySomethingIn addresses this by fostering a supportive community of learners and native speakers. The app includes features that allow users to practice speaking Welsh in a safe and encouraging environment, breaking down barriers to communication and building confidence.

Making Welsh Accessible to All

Inclusivity is at the heart of SaySomethingIn's mission. The app is designed to be accessible to learners from all walks of life, regardless of their background in language learning. With easy-to-follow lessons, clear instructions, and a supportive community, the app dismantles the barriers that often deter people from embracing a new language.

Conclusion

SaySomethingIn's Learn Welsh App is more than just a tool for language acquisition; it's a gateway to discovering the soul of Wales through its language. With its user-centric design, cultural immersion, and supportive community, the app stands out as a beacon for anyone aspiring to learn Welsh. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to polish your skills, SaySomethingIn offers a journey that is as rewarding as it is enlightening. Embrace the challenge and joy of learning Welsh with an app that understands and supports your linguistic adventure every step of the way.

To learn more Visit us: https://www.saysomethingin.com/en/bedtime-welsh/

[guillemelgat]

Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 26

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge:  Think of an everyday interaction you might have (for example, going to the bank) in which you do not yet have the vocabulary you would need. Look up the vocabulary you would use in such a situation (cultural differences are also worth noting!)

Since I’m catching a plane tomorrow, I thought it might be good to learn some airport vocabulary in Welsh, not that I would probably ever get the chance to use it but who knows? Some of these also probably apply to trains/buses/etc so will still be useful in a variety of situations. The things marked with a single question mark are probably okay just unconfirmed, anything with more than one question mark should be used with caution.

check in - cofrestru

luggage - bagiau

boarding pass - tocyn (???)

passport - trwydded deithio

identification - cerdyn adnabod (?)

security - diogelwch

terminal - terfynfa

gate - giât (?)

flight - hediad

destination - pen taith

departure(s) - ymadawiad(au)

airplane - awyren

take-off - mynd i’r awyr

steward - stiward

seat - sedd

seat belt - gwregys diogelwch

window - ffenest

aisle - eil

turbulence - tyrfedd (?)

arrival(s) - cyrhaeddiad(au)

customs - tollau

baggage claim - hawl bagiau (??)

[meddwlyngymraeg]

I'm going to abuse this blog a bit this once, but it is related. They're getting rid of the Duolingo forum tomorrow, which is fairly shocking because there are too many good resources posted on there!

I'm trying to copy over some of them for reference, because there are things that maybe I'm not advanced enough to use right now, but I would like to be able to use once I'm a little more skilled at Welsh.

Copied below are all the resources, verbatim. (Some resources may be repeated because I'm just copying)

The two best, best resources for self-learning, apart from Duolingo itself, for visual learners, are the series of videos on pronunciation on youtube:- https://www.youtube.com/user/welshplus

and the Big Welsh Challenge course :- http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learnwelsh/bigwelshchallenge/ (click on 'enter course', then 'skip introduction'), the section 'practice with tutor' is particularly useful, especially the male South Wales presenter, who is a well know, very funny Welsh actor. (Ignore the 'archive notice' and click on 'enter course', it works fine.)

The book that we have linked to in the Welsh course on Duolingo is here https://cls.byu.edu/welsh/BYU_Cwrs_Mynediad.html

Hard copies are available through all the usual book sellers.

For auditory learners 'Say something in Welsh' is very good and has a wide network of supporters in particular its popular Facebook group. https://www.saysomethingin.com/welsh/course1

Finally don't forget to join our Facebook group where further discussion takes place and the writers respond to queries. https://www.facebook.com/groups/welshduolingo/

Also here is a link to an fairly good article about mutations:- https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Welsh/Mutations#Soft_mutation

Here is a website which gives a daily crossword and also a range of 'her geirfa' vocabulary challenges:- http://www.happyhere.co.uk/

In addition for people not anywhere near a Welsh class, there are a number of people and places that offer online Skype lessons. Here is the link to the Skype courses of one of the Welsh centres in Wales:-http://www.coleggwent.ac.uk/welshcentre#.V1Zh_5PR-V5.

Below is the list of apps grouped into themes and in alphabetic order. Enjoy!

Complete courses:

Learn Cymraeg Mynediad Android, and iOS

Lovely free course for beginners, offers a variety of activities and contains plenty authentic audio recordings. A more advanced course from the same developer is available for purchase.

SSiWelsh Android and iOS

Say something in Welsh, a great Welsh course available from the website and via app. Users can choose between North/South Welsh pronunciation. The Challenges and Course 1 are for free and there’s more paid content. I highly recommend this app.

Grammar-specific:

Ap Treiglo Android and iOS

Another amazing app that teaches you how to use mutations properly. There is a list of words causing mutation, you can also look up grammar rules regarding prepositions, numbers, etc. Good to have it in your toolkit.

Welsh Number Whizz Android only

Welsh Number Whizz is an app designed to help you learn the traditional vigesimal number system. Could be useful especially for us Duolingers, as the Welsh course focuses on the decimal system.

Welsh Verb Blitz Android only

A fantastic tool to learn verbs and their conjugations. The app offers several mini-games to practice Welsh conjugation.

Vocabulary-specific

Anki Android and iOS, the iOS version is paid

I put Anki here as one of the two tools I know and use for flashcards. Anki is available both in a desktop and app version. There are a few big decks with Welsh flashcards, you can find them here: Dal Ati Android and iOS

For all those who have access to S4C this is a very useful app to learn vocabulary that is used in S4C programmes.

Dreigiau Dinas Emrys Android and iOS

I fell in love with this cute game from the first tap. Such a great idea to explain the legend of two dragons in Dinas Emrys and turn it into a Welsh learning app. Great music and sounds, try it out!

Gofalu Trwy’r Gymraeg Android and iOS

If you want to learn some medical Cymraeg, check out this one: nicely arranged topics with authentic recordings and English translations. Simple and intuitive, well worth taking a look.

Memrise Android and iOS

Many of you probably know Memrise, a popular website and app for learning languages and other subjects using flashcards. But do you know that there are many great decks (or courses, as they are called on Memrise) with Welsh vocabulary? Take a look here to see a list of Welsh flashcard courses on Memrise:

Vocab Game Welsh Cymraeg Geirfa Android only

Interesting vocabulary app for learning Welsh. 8,160 words structured in about 200 levels arranged by number of letters and alphabetic order. Each level contains about 20-25 words. The app is nicely designed and fun to play. Perhaps one downside is that many of these words are old or very specialised and I often have to look up the English translations to find out what something is. Nevertheless, you will surely get to know lots of vocab after completing all the levels, so give it a try.

Dictionaries

Ap Geiriaduron Android and iOS

A very nice Welsh-English and English-Welsh dictionary. Recognizes mutations, contains common phrases. And it works offline as well. A must-have.

GPC Geiriadur Prifysgol Android and iOSA monolingual dictionary of Welsh, less useful for beginners, but definitely something to have on your be-able-to-use wishlist. Great features: you can download the whole database to your memory card and there are language games.

Other:

Ap Beibl Android and iOS

This one is perhaps not for beginners, but it’s good to know about it for the future. Contains a number of different translations of the Bible into Welsh from different periods of history.

Ap Golwg Android and iOS

This app allows you to buy a digital edition of Lingo Newydd, a bi-monthly magazine for Welsh learners. Articles are colour-coded to mark difficulty and there are audio recordings of articles (which you wouldn’t get in the paper edition). You can either but a single issue for £1.49 or a subscription plan (Lingo Newydd costs £9.99 year). Ap Golwg also gives access to the Golwg360 website. It’s totally free and has a useful VOCAB button at the top that shows definitions of words in articles. You don’t need the app to access the website, but it’s nice to have a shortcut to news in Welsh on your mobile device.

Legends of the West Android only

Fabulous app about the history of Ceredigion and Wales. Contains text and recordings in Welsh and English.

There is a lot on the BBC Learn Welsh site, too - http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learning/learnwelsh/ Much of the site is archived now but much of it still works. There is a downloadable grammar guide here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/learnwelsh/grammar/index.shtml - which you might find in book form, too, if it is still in print.

Dal Ati ('Stick At It') is a television programme on S4C for learners of Welsh. There is a Youtube channel for the programme here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSnqXodFrOCxTH2VRAeXIVQ

The recently revised DysguCymraeg/LearnWelsh course books are available for free download in pdf form on their website. This Duolingo course covers approximately the same ground as the Mynediad and Sylfaen books, and a little of Canolradd.The course books are available here - https://learnwelsh.cymru/learning/curriculum-and-course-books/ or try https://parallel.cymru/amdani/ or https://learnwelsh.cymru/

If you hunt around http://www.ybont.org there are a lot of supporting materials for learners of all levels.

For an online dictionary, https://www.gweiadur.com is very good (free registration to use its full range of information).

For a smartphone app, the free Ap Geiriaduron is good.An authoritative English to Welsh dictionary is https://geiriaduracademi.org, although many of its examples of usage use more formal Welsh than is taught on introductory courses such as this Duolingo one.

The National Centre for Learning Welsh has a web site including many materials for learners. Look around https://learnwelsh.cymru for materials supporting the national Mynediad and Sylfaen courses for adults.

A few more apps which I have found good are: Tywydd which gives you the weather forecast in Welsh and teaches you weather related vocabulary.

Gwlad Gwlad which teaches you to sing and pronounce the National Anthem of Wales.

The Magi Ann children's books apps which allow you to tap to hear the words spoken in Welsh or tap to see the English translation.

S4C programmes available to view outside the UK: http://www.s4c.cymru/clic/Categories/99

Stories: For entry (mynediad) and foundation (sylfaen) level stories, go to the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Amdani: Learn Welsh Festival of Reading (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNbPx7YxCU13oE6qCWs9hjP57ypKscCgR). The short stories are written for learners, and read by the authors, from the books 'Agor y Drws' (entry) and 'Ffenest' (Foundation). I was able to buy both books online from my local, Welsh bookshop in Llanrwst (https://www.bysabawd.cymru/en/products/books/welsh-books?search=cyfres%20amdani) and find it is really helpful to hear the author read the story out loud while reading the book myself.

The Dysgu Cymraeg course: https://dysgucymraeg.cymru/dysgu/cwricwlwm-a-chwrslyfrau/ Textbooks and mp3s. Is really good.

[fluentlanguage]

No More Stutters! Improve Your Speaking Skills In Any Language

Do you remember your first sentences in another language? You'd come away beaming like a kid at Christmas after creating pearls like "I do not like pizza, I like eating salad".

As you learn more in your new language and increase your levels, you want to go deeper, talk about future, past, conditionals, things you've read and things you've thought.

It's like in this Bible verse (oh yeah! Quoting this big book is a Fluent first!):

When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways. (1 Corinthians 13:11)

In language learning, it can feel just like that: You want to talk like a grown-up, your self-assured and intelligent self. And what's more frustrating than the reality, where we stutter and stumble over words, and leave....lo o o o o ng...um....gaps in sentences?

This week on the show, I'm answering a listener question from Elisabeth who is stuck in that dilemma. She says:

My tutor says I'm very close to B2. I've been hit with a puzzle though. (..) I have a lot of vocabulary but there seems to be a disconnect between my thoughts and my speech. (..) I stutter and pause a great deal when I speak in my target language.

Will this go away as I continue my speaking practice or should I be concerned? I just assumed that B2 would feel easy breezy beautiful when I talked and while I'm not there yet, I can't believe I'm close with all this difficulty connecting word bank to mouth.

Listen to my language speaking tips on the podcast:

Let's start by looking at what's causing you trouble.

The Causes Could Include:

1) Through your reading practice, you are acquiring a lot of new vocab, storing it, but not using it quickly enough after it goes in. This can lead to the word getting very comfortable in your passive vocabulary store, but locking the door behind walking into there so it can't come out when you look for active vocabulary.

2) As you are speaking, you may also be letting your mind freak you out with unhelpful thoughts. Maybe you slow down or pause, just to hear yourself slow down and pause, then to think "Oh no! I'm doing that thing again! I'm so much worse at this than I thought!"...which then affects your focus.

3) You're trying to speak about a wider range of topics than you expected before you start, so you're hitting unknown areas of vocabulary a lot quicker.

4) Your practice is lacking sentences and complex constructions, so you can understand a sentence with conjunction and three objects, but making one still grinds every single gear in your brain as if someone just dropped a bucket of sand in there. This is often where learners say they're "translating in their head".

It's helpful to remember this is just the level you're at and consistent practice will improve things.

But if you want to focus on strategies for your speaking skills, here are three ideas:

What To Do So You Can Improve Your Speaking Skills

Strategy 1: Say Way More Sentences

Practice and activate a set number of words IN SENTENCES. Write sentences about them, for example defining their meaning or finding five different ways of using the items you have learnt about. In those sentences, focus on one new way of saying something and transform your sentence.

You can do this yourself, even make a prompt sheet:

Sentence

"I heard that.." + Sentence

Last week I met my sister in the shop and she said that + "sentence"

"Next weekend" + Sentence

Question + Neg/Pos Sentence

"Would you...?" + Neg/Pos Sentence

I'm loving Say Something in Welsh for this type of practice, and the mass sentence methods of Glossika and Speechling will also help.

Strategy 2: Target Your Negative Thoughts

Before you start your language exchange or tutor session, have a word with yourself about pauses and decide what they mean. Your thoughts determine how you see the world and also how you perform, and so your thinking strategies can help you get through the uncomfortable gaps.

For example, consider whether a pause could be a great sign that you're about to remember a word, or a signal to try and approach the topic from another side.

Some learners find it helpful to practice filler phrases like Hang on, let me consider this..., It's on the tip of my tongue, or I want to summarize

Strategy 3: Go Deep With One Topic

It's easy to get lost in a conversation if you're entering it without clarity about the topic. Luckily, most tutors and exchange partners are pretty obliging and will allow you to steer them towards what you want to talk about. So the key is: Prepare! Look up all relevant words relating to your topic, write them down in advance, practice what you might want to say.

You don't have to script a whole conversation, but even bullet points will make a huge difference.

If you feel like a challenge, practice a 5-minute presentation on a topic you care about...don't script it, just work from your bullet points! You'll feel the boost from speaking for so long, and your tutor can give you valuable feedback and work on improving your phrases.

EPISODE SPONSOR

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Play with your words in this beautiful language app - free on Android and iOS

Episode Links

1 Corinthians 13:11 — Bible Quote. Boom.

Accelerate Your Speaking Skills with Speechling: In-Depth 100% Honest Review by Fluent Language

Glossika Review: Powerfully Effective Language Training by Fluent Language

The Michel Thomas Method – The Natural Way to Learn a New Language

Home - LanguageBoost

Free Language Courses | Language Transfer

Fluent Language Learners - Facebook Group

Have You Felt Stuck When Speaking Another Language?

Share your thoughts in the comments, and of course don't forget to support this blog and podcast with a review or mention it to a friend. Thank you!

[trainthetopdogway]

TRAIN THE ONE YOU’RE WITH

By Betsy Scapicchio and Linda Brennan

Although other articles have already been written about training the dog that you have, it is an important topic that we want to address.  There are so many and varied breeds of dogs training and competing in obedience that we need to consider the differences between dogs of different breeds and individual dogs within the same breed.  When we train, we have a method that we have refined over the years and use very successfully; however, we must constantly adapt our training to the individual dog as well as to the person doing the training.  Sometimes that requires us to think outside the box.

Over thirty-five years, we have trained many different breeds of dogs our selves plus we have instructed students with a vast array of breeds.  We have trained Chihuahuas, Terriers, Welsh Springers, German Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds as well as Border Collies, Goldens, and Labs. Our students have trained and put advanced titles on everything from a Pekingese to a Great Dane. We’ve produced OTCHs in breeds including Keeshounds, German Shorthaired Pointers, Tervs, Goldens, Labs, Poodles, Springers, Dobermans, Irish Setters, Border Collies, Poms and more.  All of this experience has taught us many lessons to consider when training your individual dog.

The first thing to consider is that each dog has their own learning style.  Some dogs learn quickly, while others require more repetition.  It is crucial to keep this in mind, since the fast learner will pick up new behaviors quickly, so if we allow him to make errors, they will be ingrained fast too.  It can also deceive us into thinking that the dog really knows his job when he actually has not yet done enough repetitions to solidify the behavior.  For the slower learner, sometimes the trainer will be impatient or get discouraged before giving the dog a chance to adequately learn the task.  We may also need to break the task into even smaller steps.  It is our job to recognize our dog’s learning style and use that to avoid creating problems by correcting dogs before they have really learned the skill.

For example, when teaching the directed retrieve, if your dog quickly learned to mark the glove, you might be tempted to rush through and put the whole exercise together rather than spending time teaching and perfecting the pivot and each detail of the retrieve.  On the other hand, many dogs require much more work to teach a good mark, as well as to teach the other parts of the exercise.  Rather than getting discouraged because your dog is not marking the glove well, it would be much better to spend time breaking that skill down into small pieces and teaching each part carefully.  Allow your dog to progress at his own rate, rather than rushing forward before he understands his job.

Just like we are each motivated by different incentives, our dogs differ in what they find motivational.  Some dogs love to play.  Other dogs are very serious and like to work.  Some dogs are very food motivated, while others are more toy motivated. Although we try to develop as many motivators for our dogs as possible, by teaching our dogs to play and tug and enjoy being petted and praised, it is useful to be aware of what really motivates your dog.  We cannot decide for the dog what will motivate him.  Just because you want to play tug with a ball on a rope, doesn’t mean that your dog will find that motivating.  It is our job as the trainer to observe what makes our own dog tick.

For example, most of our Border Collies and Retrievers enjoy tugging, while many of our small dogs enjoy doing tricks, like spinning and touching.  For some of our dogs, jumping up on us is great reward.  For others, having us bend down and pet them and quietly praise them is very motivational.  YOU cannot decide what will motivate your dog; you must observe what your DOG finds motivating.  Watch your dog’s reaction to your motivation.  Does he get happier?  Wag his tail? Come into your space?  What is his facial expression?  We recently had the experience of watching one of our students with a large breed dog competing in the ring.  The dog worked well and at the end of each exercise, the handler praised the dog by thumping him on the chest.  When she came out of the ring, we asked her if she thought her dog likes being praised that way.  Like most of us, she hadn’t really thought about it and didn’t realize what was apparent to us when we observed the dog’s reaction, which was that he really didn’t like it.  We then talked about finding a more motivating way to praise him in the ring.

Dogs, like people each, each have their own personalities. We often have students who tell us that they “I can’t be like you.”  But they don’t have to be.  Just be the best version of yourself with your dog.  By the same token, dogs can’t all be the same either.  Some dogs are very high drive and energetic , other dogs are more low key and less confident.  Some dogs will keep trying even after they make mistakes, while other dogs crumble at the thought of a mistake.  We need to be aware of our dog’s personality.  When we select a puppy to train, we look for personality traits that we enjoy working with.  It is important to consider your own personality when choosing a puppy.  A dog who might be perfect for one trainer can be frustrating and end up as a disaster for another.  There are no perfect dogs, but there can be dogs who are the perfect dog for you.  Some of our dogs came to us as rescues, so they weren’t necessarily easy dogs, but yet they were the right dogs for us.  People often say that they have their “heart dog” who is extra special to them. What are the personality traits that make that particular dog fit so well with your own personality?  

When selecting a new puppy, begin by examining yourself and your own traits to see what traits would work best for you in your next obedience dog.  For example, if you are a low-key, soft-spoken person, then a dog who is over the top, probably won’t work well for you.  By the same token, a dog who requires too much motivation to work is not a good choice either, since it would require you to move out of your comfort zone and be more exuberant.  If you are a very serious person, then a silly, goofy dog might not be a good match for you.  When choosing a dog, remember to consider the common traits in the breeds that you are looking at, but also recognize that individual dogs in a given breed can vary greatly.   If you are not sure what would be best for you, work with an experienced obedience trainer to gain more insight into your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as to suggest possible breeds and evaluate individual dogs or puppies.  It is also important to consider whether a male or female would be a better choice for you as well.

Once you have a dog, it is your responsibility to train the dog that you have, not the dog you wish that you had and not your previous dog.  It is difficult not to compare our dogs with our own previous dogs or with our friends’ dogs or even with other dogs from the same litter.  Just as you are different from the other students in your class, as well as from your own siblings, your dog is an individual.  We don’t use the dog or the dog’s breed or sex as an excuse for inappropriate training.  You can’t necessarily fit a square peg into a round hole, but you can find the best way to work with each dog.  Actually, the dogs who challenged us the most as trainers are also the dogs who have taught us the most about training as well as about ourselves. Many times we simply had to come up with another way to explain something to the dog, even though we thought our usual method was very clear.  Other times, we’ve had to search for ways to motivate a dog when the typical options just didn’t work.  

When looking for help with your dog, look for an instructor who has a method that compliments you and your dog.  It is important to have a method, but to be flexible within your method to accommodate each individual dog and handler. While you cannot expect each dog and handler to progress at the same rate, your instructor needs to guide you through the ups and downs of training and help you to solve the challenges that crop up along the way.  If you are willing to put in the work, your instructor should be willing to help you find a way.  

Remember, you and your dog are each individuals with your own learns styles and characteristics.  Don’t use your weaknesses as an excuse, but realistically examine your strengths and weaknesses to determine the most effective way of training your dog.  In our experience, we have seen many dogs who had the potential to be an OTCH, but the handler didn’t have either the desire or commitment to pursue such a lofty goal. On the flip side, we have also seen handlers who are determined and willing to do the work, but the dog simply doesn’t have what it takes to reach the highest levels.  Just like not every person is going to become an Olympic athlete or concert pianist, we all have our strengths and weaknesses and we work hard to achieve our own successes which can vary greatly from dog to dog. One dog may be capable of competing at the highest level at large tournaments, while another dog can earn a UD, but is not suited to large competitions.  We have seen dogs with tremendous potential, but who are not with a trainer who is well matched for them.  Other times, the handler is ready but the dog just isn’t the right fit.  When the right dog ends up with the right trainer, that’s when the magic happens.

[guillemelgat]

Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 29

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge: Try to describe people you know. Include appearance, personality, habits, etc. Look up any words you do not know.

Dw i’n mynd i disgrifio fy rhieni. Mae fy mam yn athrawes gerddoriaeth. Mae hi’n annwyl a dw i’n siarad efo chdi’n aml. Mae hi’n leicio gweithio yn yr ardd a dw i’n hefyd. Mae hi’n synhwyol iawn ond weithiau dydy hi ddim yn dallt rhywbeth y dw i’n egluro a mae’n nghythruddo i. Mae fy nhad yn annwyl hefyd ond mewn ffordd arall. Dydy o ddim yn synhwyol (wel, ella), ond mae o’n teimladwy iawn. Mae o’n gweithio efo cyfrifiaduriau, ond mewn cwmni taith, a hynny (teithio) sy’n ei hoff beth yn y byd. Mae o’n caru cynllunio teithiau a darllen arweinlyfr. A dweud a gwir, dw i’n debyg iawn i fy nhad (well ganddo ni dau ddarllen a aros tu fewn na wneud pethau).

Wel, ’na ni, dipyn bach am fy nheulu i chi!

[guillemelgat]

Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 27

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge: Time to focus a bit on culture! Look into popular entertainment or businesses in your target culture that are of interest to you. Do as much of the reading in your target language as you can.

Heddiw, nes i ddysgu dipyn bach am gerddoriaeth Cymru. Mae gan Cymru hanes hir efo’r gerddoriaeth sy’n dechrau yn yr Oesoedd Canol efo’r Beirdd yr Uchelwyr. Mae ‘na fwyaf o gerddoriaeth o’r 18g a 19eg ganrifoedd oedd para yn yr 20fed ganrif. Yn y 19eg ganrif, oedd y corau meibion yn boblogaidd iawn.

Mae gan Cymru draddodiad hir hefyd, a naeth hi ddechrau efo caneuon yn ladin yn yr Oesoedd Canol. Mae lawer o cantorion enwog iawn o Gymru, er enghreifft Bryn Terfel. Mae ‘na Gwmni Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru sy wedi canu yn llawer o leioedd.

Yn y gerddoriaeth boblogaidd, ers diwedd yr 20fed ganrif mae lawer o bandiau sy wedi canu yn gymraeg, yr “Oes Aur.” Mae’r cerddoriaeth gymraeg yn tyfu, mewn rhan oherwydd Radio Cymru, sy wedi helpu’r cerddoriaeth gymraeg i gyrraed i fwy o bobl. Mae ’na nifer o gwmni recordio yng Nghymru, sef Sain.

(Oedd yr erthygl yn gymraeg lenyddol, felly nes i ddim dallt hi’n dda, mae’n ddrwg gen i os dydych chi ddim yn medru dallt beth nes i sgwennu)

[guillemelgat]

Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 25

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge:  Listen to a professional speech in your target language. Make note of any specialized words or words you don’t know.

Nes i drio ffeindio araith yn gymraeg ond nes i ddim medru gwneud o, felly nes i fenderfynu gwylio “Dal Ati”. Nes i ddysgu am Fynydd Parys, yn Ynys Môn, sy’n cloddfa gopwr. Oedd hi’n bwysig iawn i adeiladu llongau. Oedd rheolwr y gloddfa’n ennill llawer o arian, ond doedd y “Copper Ladies” ddim yn ennill llawer i’w gwaith efo’r cloddfeydd. Mae’r gloddfa’n ddiddorol iawn, ac mae hi’n syfrdanol i weld hefyd.

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 16

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge:  Write a story, using the techniques you’ve noted the previous day.

Heddiw, dw i’n mynd i sgrifennu stori am Wlad y Rhedyn:

Amser maith yn ôl, oedd ’na dyn oedd yn byw yn Ninas y Cerrig. Oedd y dinas ’ma’n enwog iawn – oedd hi’n hyfryd ac chyfoethog. Doedd ei phobl hi ddim eisiau meddwl am y byd tu allan. Oedd lawer o leoedd peryglus, ac oedd y ddinas yn diogel. Oherwydd hynny, doedd dim un ddim wedi gadael y ddinas i ddysgu beth oedd yn aros yn y byd tu allan.

Un dydd, naeth dyn benderfynu gadael y ddinas. Oedd o wedi diflasu ar ei waith o, ac oedd o’n eisiau mynd ar anturiaeth. Naeth o gymryd sach, llenwodd o fo, ac aeth o ar ei ffordd.

Yn muriau y ddinas, naeth o gwrdd â gwarchodwr. Cafodd y gwarchodwr ei synnu i weld o.

“Beth wyt ti’n gwneud?” gofynodd o.

“Dw i’n mynd ar anturiaeth.”

“Mynd ar anturiaeth? Pam?”

“Achos dw i wedi diflasu ac dw i eisiau gweld y byd.”

“Rhaid i ti fod yn ofalus. Mae’r byd tu allan yn beryglus iawn.”

“Dw i’n barod. Dw i eisiau gweld o.”

“Wel ’na, ffwrdd i ti! Pod lwc!” Naeth y gwarchodwr agor y drws i’r ddinas, ac naeth y dyn adael.

Naeth o gerdded am gyfnod. Mae’r byd tu allan yn hyfryd iawn, meddyliodd o. Pan dywyllodd hi, naeth o ffeindio lle i gysgu, cynnau tân, ac choginio i’w hun. Oedd o’n hapus iawn.

Dyddiau yn ôl, naeth o gyrraedd i Wlad y Rhedyn. Dw i’n dweud rhedyn, ond dydyn nhw ddim yn debyg i’r rhedyn y ti’n gwybod. Mae’r rhedyn ’ma’n anferth, cymaint â choed. Ond doedd ddim ofn ar y dyn. Naeth o ddal ati.

Yn yr ail ddydd, naeth y dyn weld ogof. Dw i wedi blino, meddyliodd o, ac dw i’n meddwl bod hi’n mynd i mynd i fwrw glaw. Efallai dw i’n medru aros yn yr ogof ’ma. Felly aeth o yn yr ogof ac naeth o gynnau tân. Naeth o goginio, bwyta, ac mynd i’r gwely, ac oedd o’n cysgu’n dda pan glyweddodd o sŵn. Oedd y sŵn yn dod yn uwch. Naeth y dyn godi’n dawel. Oedd rywbeth yn yr ogof. Naeth o aros, ond doedd o ddim yn medru gweld dim byd. Yn y diwedd, aeth o i gysgu eto.

Yn y bore, doedd ddim dim byd yn yr ogof, ond pan naeth y dyn ddechrau i gerdded trwy’r rhedyn, welodd o olion traed anferth, mor anferth â’r rhedyn. Doedd ddim ofn arno, ac naeth o ddal ati.

Yn y prynhawn, naeth o ffeindio llannerch ac naeth o benderfynu aros yma achos oedd o wedi blino. Pan oedd o’n cynnau’r tân, aeth cysgod heibio i’r lannerch. Naeth y dyn weld i fyny, ond doedd o ddim wedi medru dim byd. Wedyn, yn sydyn, naeth rhywbeth yn lanio yn y lannerch. Rhywbeth mawr. Draig.

“Helo,” wedodd y dyn wrth y ddraig. “O le wyt ti wedi dod?”

Naeth y ddraig ddim dweud dim byd, ond naeth hi ddod i’r dyn ac eistedd.

Naeth y dyn gyffwrdd â’r ddraig, ac naeth hi orwedd. Naeth y dyn ddringo ar ei chefn hi. Wedyn, naeth hi hedfan ac oeddyn nhw yn yr awyr.

Pan naethon nhw ddychwelyd i’r lannerch i gynnau’r tân ac bwyta y cinio, oedd y dyn yn hapus – hapusach na yn y ddinas, a dweud y gwir.

“Dw i’n mynd i fyw yma am byth, efo chdi,” wedodd wrth y ddraig, oedd yn cysgu wrth y tân. “Dan ni’n mynd i gael llawer o anturiaethau efo’n gilydd.”

Ac oedden nhw’n byw yn hapus yng Ngwlad y Rhedyn am byth, yn cael yr holl anturiaethau y doedden nhw ddim yn medru cael gynt.

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 11

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge: If you are studying a language, make sure you can describe the language itself in the language you are studying. Look up grammatical terms and expressions.

Here are some language words (not a very comprehensive list):

enw - noun

benyw - feminine

gwryw - masculine

rhagenw - pronoun

berf - verb

berfenw - verbnoun

rhediad - conjugation

ansoddair - adjective

adferf - adverb

cysylltair - conjunction

arddodiad - preposition

treiglad - mutation

treiglad meddal - soft mutation

treiglad trwynol - nasal mutation

treiglad llaes - aspirated mutation

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; text-indent: -36.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica}

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 10

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge: Note everything you do throughout the day. If there are any verbs for things you did that you don’t know in your target language, look them up. Same goes for objects you use.

Here’s a list of random words I thought of, the last three are especially important regarding my daily schedule :)))))

planhigyn (pl. planhigion) - plant

rhoi dŵr i (planhigion) - to water (plants)

cyfarfod (pl. -ydd) - meeting

ymweld - to visit

gwau / gweu - to knit

wrth i / tra (+ “that” clause) - while

digon (o) - enough

Y Rhyngrwyd - The Internet™

gwastraffu amser - to waste time

diflasu - to bore (so “bored” would be wedi diflasu)

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 8

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge: Look up synonyms for words you already know. See if you can find slight differences in meaning or connotation between the words.

One of the groups of words I have trouble knowing when to use in Welsh are words related to speaking, so I thought I would write up a list:

siarad - to speak, to talk

siarad â - to speak/talk to

siarad am - to speak/talk about

sôn - to talk; talk, rumor

sôn am - to talk about, mention

trafod - discuss

trafodaethau - talks, discussions

sgwrsio - chat

sgwrs - conversation

dweud - say, tell

dweud wrth - say/tell to

disgrifio - describe

egluro - explain, illustrate, make clear

esbonio - explain

Please tell me if any of these aren’t correct, it would be much appreciated!!

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 21

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge:  Practice translating from your main language to your target language.

I’m bitter so here’s a thing about the game today (me?? doing this a week after I was supposed to??? it’s more likely than you think) which was supposed to be several more paragraphs long but I’m bad at translating so here’s two paragraphs about why Colombia went through and nothing about the cruel robbery that occurred regarding the other team on the field. Here’s a link to the full article in case you’re interested/completely lost.

Oedd hi’n yr eiliad y oedd Colombia wedi gweddïo arna hi ac, pan ddaeth hi, oedd rhyddhad emosiwn yn lethol. Oedd rhaid i wlad ail-boblogaf De America ennill i sicrhau ei lle hi yn yr undeg chwech olaf, er y byddai gêm gyntaf yn ddigon yn y diwedd oherwydd buddugoliaeth syndod Wlad Pwyl 1-0 yn erbyn Japan.

Oedd Colombia’n eisiau bod yn sicr eu hun ac wnaethon nhw hynny pan wnaeth Yerry Mina neidio i benio cornel Juan Quintero yn y munud 74. Pan mae’r canolwr tyrog yn neidio mewn ardaloedd fel hyn, mae’r clychau larwm yn canu yn uchel ac, fel wnaeth o yn erbyn Gwlad Pwyl yn y gêm diwethaf, peniodd o y bêl yn y gôl yn galed.

It was the moment that Colombia had prayed for and, when it came, the release of emotion was overwhelming. South America’s second most populous nation needed a win to make sure of their place in the last 16, even though a draw would actually have sufficed in the end because of Poland’s surprise 1-0 win over Japan.

Colombia wanted to make sure themselves and they did so when Yerry Mina rose to meet Juan Quintero’s whipped corner in the 74th minute. When the towering centre-half rises in such areas, the alarm bells ring loudly and, just as he had done in Colombia’s restorative 3-0 win over Poland in the previous game, he thumped home his header.

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 17

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge:  Practice translating from your target language to your main language, using an article or a few pages of a book.

**This is a translation of this article that I was originally going to do as a blog post, it’s just a random article from Golwg360 and I’d like to clearly state that I do not have a stance on Welsh independence, as it’s an issue I don’t know enough about to take a side. I didn’t realize this article was this political before choosing it.**

Following the trouble about renaming Severn Bridge the Prince of Wales Bridge, the opposition is felt as far afield as the state of Colorado in the United States. Huw Webber, chair of the organization Yes Cymru Colorado, which supports independence for Wales, shares his thoughts:

You don’t have to have read Ursula K. Le Guin’s short story “The Rule of Names”, to understand that there is a powerful symbolism in naming things. You just have to ask someone with a Welsh nickname.

I was raised in Wales in the 1980s, and I left Wales in 1996, voting with my feet. At the time, I felt that there wasn’t hope for the culture or the economy, and the country wouldn’t get back up on its feet again being in such a dependent state and with an exploitative economy which was being managed in the best interests of the UK and especially south-east England. And I was persuaded after some years of studying and working in England that anti-Welsh prejudice had kept me back in my career. I wasn’t waiting for that to happen.

Then, when Wales voted for the pro-autonomy party and then over basic legislative powers, I gradually saw hope on the horizon. That is, the beginning of a desire to improve the Welsh economy and to strengthen Welsh culture and language. On the whole, other countries have done better with less resources, and Wales has a good amount to offer (great universities, energy production, an exports-based economy - and a trade surplus if you take out the awful things like Trident and wars led by England).

The young people of Wales, after all, have had a good education, and often leave for lack of innovation in Wales. The undesirable Labour establishment doesn’t help that at all; they are, or they were, merely interested in the politics of Parliament and in doing as little as possible to resist the challenges of the Plaid Cymru and the like.

Imagine what would likely happen if the economy was reinvented and if the Welsh people could take part in that modern economy without leaving. It would create prosperity and resolve the problems of both cultural and linguistic migration! It’s simple math. That’s what Ireland has done over the last few years. Why can’t Wales do it too?

YesCymru is a breath of fresh air that should be welcome in this environment, which used to be so stale, and it’s created a way of thinking outside the box – a way of thinking, I think, that will lead to independence sooner than expected at the moment. And in order to win a referendum, you need to  secure a large coalition – it doesn’t matter which parties. The point is, are you for Wales or not?

And here we come, then, to the bridge. Expats didn’t lose their identity by going overseas – although I got an extra identity (American) I associate it with ambition, progress, and economic success. Truth be told, I believe that I have a responsibility to help Wales understand that it can improve itself.

It’s not the name, as such, that’s the problem from the perspective of the bridge (although that’s causing the rush to suggest a new name) but rather the way that it’s being forced on Wales without a democratic vote.

The Welsh people should make the decisions for Wales because they’re the people who know what’s best for Wales.

Any other thing is colonialist and suggest that Wales doesn’t have the right to compete with other countries for its wellbeing. For example, Wales can compete in regards to air traffic – but will the English government allow cheap competition with Heathrow or Bristol? Or will Welsh assets like water and energy be sold to England and other places at an economic price in the best interests of the Welsh economy – or will they be transferred to the Big City? You do the math.

So renaming the bridge is nothing but a sign of contempt, of negligence, and of servitude by the ones who want to manage Wales through the hand of Alun Cairns (what did Ysgol Ystalyfera do to him, I wonder, to make him just like Dic Siôn Dafydd?). With Brexit on the way, the danger to Welsh autonomy (and Scottish as well) is also clear, and so the Welsh people can’t allow this law. We need to protest. Anything less than that is a sign of conceding that Wales is incapable and unwilling to resolve its problems by itself – as it should – as an independent country.

Personally, I’d go for the Owain Glyndŵr Bridge but I’d be satisfied with the Welsh people’s choice, Ryan Bridge, maybe…

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 15

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge:  Read a fictional story. Take note of what kind of speech is used (like poetic or writing techniques specific to the language) when telling the story.

So I didn’t actually write anything about this but here’s the story I read.

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Advanced Learner Challenge (Welsh): Day 7

[ original post with full list of challenges / other posts by me for this challenge ]

Today’s Challenge: Listen to songs in your target language. Note how phrasing is manipulated to make the words fit with the music.

(Here are the lyrics in English)

Dw i’n leicio y gân ’ma’n fawr achos mae hi’n afaelgar iawn ac yn hawdd i ganu. Mae hi’n defnyddio llawer o eiriau byrion ac llawer o orchymynion hefyd. Dw i’n meddwl bod hynny’n gwneud i hi’n hawddach i ganu. Mae ’na lawer o gerddoriaeth yn gymraeg sy’n ddim yn ddiddorol achos mae hi’n rhy araf ac rhy dawel, ond mae’r holl ganeuon Yws Gwynedd yn hwyl iawn ac dw i’n eu mwynhau nhw.