Heather is passionate about everything language-related. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, she holds a TEFL certification from Aberystwyth University and a Bachelor's degree in Linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. Along with her native English, she speaks Italian, Welsh, and a smattering of Japanese and French.
Few books are as useful as a dictionary, whether you are learning a brand new language or trying to improve your knowledge of your mother tongue. In Welsh, this useful tool is known as a geiriadur. geiriadur dictionary Geiriadur is the combination of the plural form of gair, meaning word in Welsh, and the suffix …
In North Wales, the word for a cup, as in the kind of cup used for the nation’s favourite hot drink, is cwpan. Its plural form is cwpanau. You may also encounter the variation cwpa without the word-final n in South Wales. cwpan cup The word was borrowed from the Old English cuppan, which was …
Whenever I used to visit the hairdresser as a teenager, I was inevitably greeted with the comment Mae gen ti wallt mor drwchus! (You have such thick hair!) as soon as the stylist touched my hair. Recently, however, I’m receiving more comments about the encroaching grey strands than anything else! gwallt hair Soft mutationwallt Nasal …
There was once a time when we all relied on pencils for jotting down notes and lists. However, with the rise of smartphones and computers, pencils have shifted from being essential writing tools to more of a go-to for sketching and drawing. In Welsh, the word for this stalwart tool is pensel. pensel pencil Note: …
Every country has its own unique customs, and Wales is no exception. For instance, it used to be customary to gift a llwy garu (lovespoon) to your beloved as a symbol of affection. In modern Wales, a more common tradition is enjoying a paned (cup) of tea in the afternoon, often accompanied by a slice …
Travelling to Wales for the first time and want to know a few handy phrases to get by? Or maybe you’ve travelled to Wales before and want to refresh your memory? Learning just a few simple sentences will make your trip worthwhile, as it shows that you respect the Welsh language as well as the …
Are you ready to dive into the enchanting world of the Welsh language? Here we explore ten intriguing facts about Welsh that you may not have known. Join us on a journey to discover the distinctive features and cultural significance of Welsh, a language that embodies the spirit of Wales! Wales has one of the …
The Welsh word for ‘milk’ in Welsh is llefrith or llaeth. Generally speaking, llefrith is used more in North Wales whereas llaeth is used more in South Wales. However, saying that, there are also some regional variations, depending where you are in the country. llefrith llaeth For example, in Bala, North Wales, people generally use …
Learning Welsh or Cymraeg in this era has become remarkably accessible, thanks to numerous Welsh language courses and apps designed for all age groups. There are various compelling reasons to learn Welsh, and it holds greater significance than ever, especially considering the Welsh Government’s ambitious goal to have a million people proficient in Welsh by 2050.
So, why should you learn this unique Celtic language in 2025?
Cacen is the Welsh word for cake, and in the south Wales dialect, you can also use teisen. Additionally, teisen is heard in some parts of north Wales, particularly on Ynys Môn – the Isle of Anglesey. In certain areas of north Wales, especially in the west and parts of Conwy county, variations like cacan …
