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.
There is a popular saying in Wales: “Anyone can cuddle but only the Welsh can cwtsh!”
‘Cwtsh’ – or cwtch / cwts / cwtsi as it is alternatively spelt – can be loosely translated as “hug” or “cuddle” in English and is pronounced like the word “butch”. It is so popular that the Welsh sometimes use it even when they are speaking in English!
cwtsh
a cuddle
Last week, I had the amazing experience of being interviewed by S4C Dysgu Cymraeg, S4C’s brand new service for language learners. (If you’ve never heard of S4C, it’s Britain’s only Welsh language television channel and it’s definitely worth watching if you want exposure to all varieties of Welsh!)
Sesiwn Fawr is one of the most popular music festivals in Wales, attracting thousands of people each year to the historic town of Dolgellau where it has been held since its humble beginnings in 1992.
If you speak or have ever studied French, you will surely have noticed the many lexical similarities it shares with Welsh. I can remember visiting Wales for the first time as an adult and being in disbelief at how much I could already pick out from the street signs, all thanks to my high school …
The Welsh language has a wide range of idiomatic sayings and phrases that are worth exploring if your aim is to sound like a native. Why not see if you can slip some of the following into your next conversation! 1. Dim ffiars o beryg! English translation: Not likely! Not a chance! This has got to be my favourite Welsh …
Note: This article was written a few years ago now, and while my circumstances have changed (i.e. the birth of my son), I believe the reasons for starting to learn Welsh remain just as relevant today. When I first became fascinated by language learning, I have to admit that Welsh wasn’t my first choice. As …
In every language, including Welsh, there are certain expressions that people tend to use over and over again when speaking. Below you can find ten expressions you’ll come across on a regular basis in colloquial Welsh. By mastering these expressions, not only will you be able to carry on a more natural conversation in Welsh …
Located at the historic heart of the market town of Machylleth lies a small cafe called Caffi Alys. It is well-known in the area as a haven for Welsh speakers and those learning the language.
Depending on where you live in Wales, there are different ways of saying “grandmother” in Welsh.
Important: This article was originally written in 2019, back when Say Something in Welsh was still running its annual learner bootcamps. Although these events are no longer held, I wanted to share this experience with you all in our newsletter, as it was a turning point in boosting my confidence in Welsh at the time. …
