The Welsh Language
The Welsh Language, or Cymraeg, a form of Brythonic Celtic, is spoken widely in Snowdonia. Around 20% (around 600,000) of the Welsh population now speak the language.
Welsh can be traced back in written form to the sixth century and was a thriving language until the coming of the Normans into England in 1066. In contrast to English, Welsh has evolved little and early Welsh would still be understood by a modern Welsh speaker, in contrast to the modern English man would fail to understand an Anglo-Saxon script.
After the conquest of Wales by Edward I in 1284 all official business was carried out in French. In 1588, William Morgan first translated the bible into Welsh, which ensured the survival of the language.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales
The National Eisteddfod is the largest and oldest celebration of Welsh culture. The name Eisteddfod means literally 'to sit', and is possibly refers to the hand carved chair awarded to best poet in the 'Crowning of the Bard' ceremony.
The first recorded Eisteddfod was held in 1176. The popularity of the festival suffered a decline in the eighteenth century but underwnt a revival in the the early years of the nineteenth. An Eisteddfod has been held annually since 1880, with the exception of the war years 1914 and 1940.
The Gorsedd of Bards (Gorsedd y Beirdd) made its first appearance at an Eisteddfod in 1819. . The head druid is called the Archdruid and is elected every three years.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales, Swansea and District 5 Aug - 12 Aug, 2006, is to be held at the old tin works, Velindre.
Toward the turn of the nineteenth century, the number of users of the language had gone into serious decline, at a rate which would inevitably have resulted in its extinction within a few generations. The rise of Welsh nationalism rallied supporters to the cause of reviving the language. The introduction of Welsh television and radio encouraged its upkeep. It became compulsory for Welsh schoolchildren to learn the language up until the age of sixteen.
Welsh has enjoyed a further revival due to the introduction of the Welsh Language Act of 1993, which provided the basis for equality with English.
Some frequently used Welsh termsaber - estuary, river mouth
araf - slow
bala - joining of a lake to a river
afon - river
araf - slow
Bala - joining of lake to river
coed - wood
craig - rock
creoso - welcome
cwm - valley
cymru - wales
din, dinas - fort
eglwys - church
fawr - large, extensive
fechan - small
fford - road
glan y mor - seaside
llan - church or enclosed space
Lloegr - England
llyn - lake
maen - stone
maes - field
mawr - great
moel - hill
mor - sea
morfa - coastal marsh
mynydd - mountain
pant - hollow, valley
pen - head
plas - hall
porth- port
rhaeadr - waterfall
traeth - beach
tre - town
twyn - hill
ysgol - school