Why I am learning Welsh – competition entry
I’d forgotten that a few months ago I entered a contest to write 100 words on why I am learning Welsh. I didn’t win – it had a few errors in it. But it helps my learning, as for example I now know Welsh never has two letter ‘S’s together, which I hadn’t realised. (No, they weren’t typos. And let’s not get onto the vowels which flummox non-Welsh speakers. A constant cry is, ‘But where are the vowels?!’)
So, the judge’s feedback was roughly (may not be entirely accurate as it’s me translating!):
There is good storytelling talent from ‘Iaithgi’, with an element of humour for example ‘grey hair and wrinkles as time is ticking’, which is a lie I’m sure! There are some errors – only small – maybe they are typos eg ‘drossod’ instead of ‘drosodd’ because there are no two Ss in Welsh words. An interesting piece – keep it up.
My entry:
Pam dysgu Cymraeg? Gofynnaf y cwestiwn hwnnw fy hun bob dydd Mawrth! (Sais dw i, newydd i Gymru, dim angen…)
Dw i eisiau sgwrsio am hanes Cymru, harddwch naturiol, a’r tywydd, wrth gwrs!
Fel seiren, mae Cymru wedi fy ngalw i côr.
Dw i ddim eisiau llofruddio ynganiadau a manglo treigladau, ond i droelli fy nahfod o amgylch telynegiaeth Gymreig. (A dw i eisiau gwybod yr anthem genedlaethol – nid y fersiwn rygbi bowlyd!)
Mae gwallt llwyd a crychau yn dweud bod amser yn tician. Ond o leiaf mae fy ymennydd yn ticio drossod yn fy ngwers bob wythnos fel dechreuwr!
100 geirau
Why learn Welsh?
Why learn Welsh? I ask myself that question every Tuesday! (I’m English; new to Wales; no need..)
Wales is steeped in history and natural beauty. I want to chat about this – and the weather, of course.
Siren-like, Wales has called me to a choir. I don’t want to murder pronunciations and mangle mutations, but to twist my tongue around Welsh lyricism. (Plus, I want to know the national anthem – not the boozy rugby version!)
Grey hair and wrinkles say time is ticking. But at least my brain is ticking over at my lesson each week as a beginner!
100 words
The judge’s comments in Welsh:
