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Language


Language

Welsh (Cymraeg) is a much older language than English, closely related to ancient Celtic languages such as Cornish and Breton. Although nearly everyone in Wales speaks English, Welsh is being actively promoted. Children are taught Welsh in school and the Welsh Language Act (1993) legislates that Welsh and English have equal standing in the public sector in Wales. Both languages will be used in the new National Assembly. Many street and shop signs in Cardiff (Caerdydd) are bilingual, cash point machines offer a choice between English and Welsh, and many organisations answer the phone in Welsh, then English. Foreign visitors (including those from other parts of the UK) are not expected to speak Welsh but attempts to pronounce the 'll', 'ch' and 'rh' are well received. Information is provided by Link Line to Welsh (tel: (0845) 607 6070), and the Welsh Language Board (tel: (029) 2022 4577; fax: (029) 2022 7577; e-mail: ymholiadua@bwrdd-yr-Iaith.org.uk; web site: www.netwales.co.uk/byig/).

Phrases

Yes Ie or ydw

No Na

Hello Helo

Goodbye Hwyl or da bo chi

Please Os gwelwch yn dda

Thank you Diolch

Cheers! Iechyd Da

My name is ... Fy enw i yw ...

How are you? Sut ydych chi (formal) / Sut mae (informal)

I'm very well Dw i'n dda iawn

I feel ill Dw i'n teimlo'n sāl

How much Faint ydi hwn?

does it cost?

Do you speak A ydych chi'n siarad

English? Saesneg?

I don't speak Dydw i ddim yn

Welsh siarad Cymraeg

I don't Dwi ddim yn deall

understand

Where is ...? Ble mae ...?

Entrance Mynedfa

Exit Allanfa

Danger Perygl

Open Ar Agor

Closed Ar gau

Toilets Toiledau

Doctor Meddyg

Hotel Gwesty

Restaurant Bwyty

Beer Cwrw

Wine Gwin

Menu Bwydlen

Today Heddiw

Tomorrow Yfory

Monday Dydd Llun

Tuesday Dydd Mawrth

Wednesday Dydd Mercher

Thursday Dydd Iau

Friday Dydd Gwener

Saturday Dydd Sadwrn

Sunday Dydd Sul

One Un

Two Dau

Three Tri

Four Pedwar

Five Pump

Six Chwech

Seven Saith

Eight Wyth

Nine Naw

Ten Deg

Twenty Dauddeg / Ugain

Thirty Trideg

Forty Pedwardeg

Fifty Pumdeg

Sixty Chwedeg

Seventy Saithdeg

Eighty Wythdeg

Ninety Nawdeg

One Hundred Cant

One Thousand Mil




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