Dyma bost sydyn i ddweud 'Nadolig Llawen' wrth bawb!
Here's a quick post to say 'Happy Christmas' to everyone!
Mwynhewch y fersiwn nadoligaidd arbennig yma o glasur Leonard Cohen..
Cwpl o flynyddoedd yn ól gaeth fersiwn Cymraeg nadoligaidd o'r cán enwog 'Haleliwia' ei rhyddhau. Roedd rhaid i Brigyn ymdrechu cael sylw Leonard Cohen, er mwyn cael ei ganaitád o i newid ystyr y geiriau. Yn ól y son roedd o wrth ei fodd efo eu fersiwn nhw ac yn hapus rhoi sél bendith iddi hi.
A couple of years ago a Welsh Christmasy version of the famous song Halelujah was released. Brigyn had to endevour to get Leonard Cohens attention in order to get his permission to change the meaning of the lyrics. Apparently he was made up with their version and happy to give his blessing to it.
Dyma'r geiriau, efo cyfieithiad - here are the words and a translation:
Mewn dwrn o ddur mae'r seren wen
Mae cysgod gwn tros Bethlehem
Dim angel gwyn yn canu Haleliwia.
Codi muriau, cau y pyrth
Troi eu cefn ar werth y wyrth
Mor ddu yw'r nos ar strydoedd Palesteina.
Haleliwia, Haleliwia, Haleliwia, Haleliwia.
Mae weiran bigog gylch y crud
A chraith lle bu creawdwr byd
Mae gobaith yno'n wylo ar ei glinia'
A ninnau'n euog bob yr un
Yn dal ei gôt i wylio'r dyn
Yn chwalu pob un hoel o Haleliwia.
Haleliwia, Haleliwia, Haleliwia, Haleliwia.
Mae'r nos yn ddu mae'r nos yn hir
Ond mae na rai sy'n gweld y gwir
Yn gwybod fod y neges mwy na geiria'
Mai o'r tywyllwch ddaw y wawr
A miwsig ddaeth â'r muriau lawr
Daw awr i ninnau ganu Haleliwia.
Haleliwia, Haleliwia, Haleliwia, Haleliwia.
The White Star in a fist of steel,
There's a shadow of a gun over Bethlehem,
No white angel singing "Hallelujah".
Raising the walls, closing the doors,
Turning their backs on the value of the miracle,
The night's so dark on the streets of Palestine.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
There's a barb-wire circling the cradle,
And a scar where once was the World's creator,
Hope is weeping - on it's knees.
Guilty - each and every one of us,
Holding Mankind's coat -
While he destroys every trace of "Hallelujah".
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
The night is dark, The night is long,
Yet there are some that see the truth,
They know the message is more than words;
That from the darkness comes the dawn,
and the music brought the walls down.
There came the hour for us to sing, "Hallelujah."
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
24.12.10
25.11.10
Digwyddiadau (events)
Mae 'na nifer o bethau i ddysgwyr a siaradwyr Cymraeg yn digwydd yn Sir y Fflint dros yr wythnosau nesaf, dyma fanylion y rheiny fy mod i wedi clywed amdanyn nhw hyd yn hyn:
There are a number of things for learners and Welsh speakers happening in Flintshire over the next few weeks, here are details of those that I've heard about up to now:
Gwasanaeth Carolau Cymdeithasau Cymraeg, Capel Bethel, Yr Wyddgrug/Mold 5th Dec 6pm
(Welsh Societies Carol Service)
Learn some Welsh carols at this special carol service! Learners and other groups will be contributing.
Croeso gynnes i bawb - a warm welcome to everyone
Noson o Blygain yn Y Bluebell, Helygain
Plygain evening in The Bluebell, Halkyn
Nos Lun / Monday 14th Dec 7.30pm
Traditionally Plygain involves going to church at about 3am on Christmas morning and singing carols under candlelight until the dawn. The service is fairly unstructured and soloists and groups of singers get up spontaneously to perform, many of them special 'Plygain' carols The tradition only survived in some areas of Wales, though recently there has been a revived in areas where it had all but disappeared. This evening celebrates the tradition with Gron Ellis giving a background to Plygain at 'The Bluebell', and Plygain carols will be performed by some special guests!
Sgwrs, Mins pei a Phaned Ty Pendre, Yr Wyddgrug, Thursdays - 2nd, 9th, 16th December 1.30-2.30
(A chat, mince pie and a cuppa.)
If you're in the Mold area on a thursday afternoon in December, pop into Ty Pendre (The University of Bangor's Centre), where there will be a cup of tea/coffee, a mince pie and Welsh speakers ready for a chat with learners of all levels, and all for £1.00!
Ysgol Galan
New Year School
A 3 day refresher course to kick start the New Year, suitable for learners of all levels, details here
•Bangor: 5 - 7 January 2011
•Mold: 4 - 6 Janury 2011
There are a number of things for learners and Welsh speakers happening in Flintshire over the next few weeks, here are details of those that I've heard about up to now:
Gwasanaeth Carolau Cymdeithasau Cymraeg, Capel Bethel, Yr Wyddgrug/Mold 5th Dec 6pm
(Welsh Societies Carol Service)
Learn some Welsh carols at this special carol service! Learners and other groups will be contributing.
Croeso gynnes i bawb - a warm welcome to everyone
Noson o Blygain yn Y Bluebell, Helygain
Plygain evening in The Bluebell, Halkyn
Nos Lun / Monday 14th Dec 7.30pm
Traditionally Plygain involves going to church at about 3am on Christmas morning and singing carols under candlelight until the dawn. The service is fairly unstructured and soloists and groups of singers get up spontaneously to perform, many of them special 'Plygain' carols The tradition only survived in some areas of Wales, though recently there has been a revived in areas where it had all but disappeared. This evening celebrates the tradition with Gron Ellis giving a background to Plygain at 'The Bluebell', and Plygain carols will be performed by some special guests!
Sgwrs, Mins pei a Phaned Ty Pendre, Yr Wyddgrug, Thursdays - 2nd, 9th, 16th December 1.30-2.30
(A chat, mince pie and a cuppa.)
If you're in the Mold area on a thursday afternoon in December, pop into Ty Pendre (The University of Bangor's Centre), where there will be a cup of tea/coffee, a mince pie and Welsh speakers ready for a chat with learners of all levels, and all for £1.00!
Ysgol Galan
New Year School
A 3 day refresher course to kick start the New Year, suitable for learners of all levels, details here
•Bangor: 5 - 7 January 2011
•Mold: 4 - 6 Janury 2011
6.11.10
Mynedi-app!
As I mentioned in th classes last week 'Cwrs Mynediad' is now available as an i-phone app (it works on ipod touch and ipad as well of course), with various interactive excersises to help with your learning, along with sound files so you can check on pronounciations etc. I have to say I think this is an excellent resource that hopefully will be followed by 'Sylfaen' before too long. It would be nice as well if it was made available (like other apps) for other platforms such as Android and Windows mobile, for those with devices by manufacturers other than 'apple'!
The cost is £5.99 for units 1-10, and then £3.99 for 11-20 etc.
The cost is £5.99 for units 1-10, and then £3.99 for 11-20 etc.
25.10.10
Dysgwr Les yn cwblhau campwaith....
Geirfa yn isod / Vocab beneath
Mae dysgwr o ardal Wrecsam wedi cwblhau campwaith sef cyfieithiad o nofel Cymraeg enwog.
Dwi'n cofio cyfarfod Les Barker am y tro gyntaf mewn 'sesiwn sgwrs' yn Yr Wyddgrug tua pedair mlynedd yn ól. Ar y pryd roedd o wedi bod yn dysgu Cymraeg ers dim ond cwpl o flynyddoedd dwi'n meddwl, a dwi'n cofio'r sypreis o ddysgu am ei waith pob dydd, sef bardd! 'Googlio fo!', dwi'n cofio rhywun yn dweud nes ymlaen. Mi wnes i wrth gwrs, a wnes i ddarganfod bod Les yn fardd adnabyddus, ac wedi cyhoeddi nifer fawr o lyfrau dros y flynyddoedd. Y dyddiau yma mae o'n barddoni a pherfformio yn y Gymraeg hefyd, ond yr wythnos yma gaeth o sylw a chlod am ei addasiad/cyfieithiad o nofel Daniel Owen 'The Trials of Enoc Huws'. Mae Daniel Owen yn un o feibion enwocaf Yr Wyddgrug, ac yn nhafarn Y Pentan gaeth y llyfr ei lansio, adeilad oedd yn siop teiliwr yn nyddiau Owen, a lle wnaeth o weithio. Dyma esboniad dros enw siop Cymraeg y dre jysd dros y ffordd: Siop y Siswrn (The scissors shop). Mae'r stori yn cymryd lle mewn tre debyg iawn i'r Wyddgrug rhywbryd yn y 19C (y pedwaredd canrif ar bymtheg!), ac rhaid i mi roi'r fersiwn Saesneg (a'r un Cymraeg) ar fy rhestr nadolig!!
cwblhau-complete
sef - namely
campwaith-feat of work
cyfieithiad-translation
dim ond ers - only since
sypreis - suprise!
ei waith bob dydd - his day job
bardd - poet
nes ymlaen -later on
darganfod - discover
adnabyddus - well known
cyhoeddi - to publish
barddoni - to write poetry
c(h)lod - praise
addasiad - adaption
m(f)eibion - sons
enwocaf - most famous
lansio - to launch
teilwr - tailor
d(n)yddiau - days
esboniad - explanation
cymryd rhan - takes place
fersiwn - version
Mae dysgwr o ardal Wrecsam wedi cwblhau campwaith sef cyfieithiad o nofel Cymraeg enwog.
Dwi'n cofio cyfarfod Les Barker am y tro gyntaf mewn 'sesiwn sgwrs' yn Yr Wyddgrug tua pedair mlynedd yn ól. Ar y pryd roedd o wedi bod yn dysgu Cymraeg ers dim ond cwpl o flynyddoedd dwi'n meddwl, a dwi'n cofio'r sypreis o ddysgu am ei waith pob dydd, sef bardd! 'Googlio fo!', dwi'n cofio rhywun yn dweud nes ymlaen. Mi wnes i wrth gwrs, a wnes i ddarganfod bod Les yn fardd adnabyddus, ac wedi cyhoeddi nifer fawr o lyfrau dros y flynyddoedd. Y dyddiau yma mae o'n barddoni a pherfformio yn y Gymraeg hefyd, ond yr wythnos yma gaeth o sylw a chlod am ei addasiad/cyfieithiad o nofel Daniel Owen 'The Trials of Enoc Huws'. Mae Daniel Owen yn un o feibion enwocaf Yr Wyddgrug, ac yn nhafarn Y Pentan gaeth y llyfr ei lansio, adeilad oedd yn siop teiliwr yn nyddiau Owen, a lle wnaeth o weithio. Dyma esboniad dros enw siop Cymraeg y dre jysd dros y ffordd: Siop y Siswrn (The scissors shop). Mae'r stori yn cymryd lle mewn tre debyg iawn i'r Wyddgrug rhywbryd yn y 19C (y pedwaredd canrif ar bymtheg!), ac rhaid i mi roi'r fersiwn Saesneg (a'r un Cymraeg) ar fy rhestr nadolig!!
cwblhau-complete
sef - namely
campwaith-feat of work
cyfieithiad-translation
dim ond ers - only since
sypreis - suprise!
ei waith bob dydd - his day job
bardd - poet
nes ymlaen -later on
darganfod - discover
adnabyddus - well known
cyhoeddi - to publish
barddoni - to write poetry
c(h)lod - praise
addasiad - adaption
m(f)eibion - sons
enwocaf - most famous
lansio - to launch
teilwr - tailor
d(n)yddiau - days
esboniad - explanation
cymryd rhan - takes place
fersiwn - version
10.10.10
Cenedl heb iaith yw cenedl heb galon..
The above Welsh saying is one of many in a list on the Omniglot website 'about languages', which is well worth a look.
The translation is (as I'm sure you knew!) 'a nation without a language is a nation without a heart'
Many other languages have sayings that express a similar sentiment, for instance a Breton has one that says: 'Hep brezhoneg, breizh ebet' - Without Breton there is no Brittany (notice the similarity in the words for 'without').
In Scottish Gaelic the loss of the language is seen in equally disastrous terms: 'Am fear a chailleas a chanain caillidh e a shaoghal' - He who loses his language loses his world.
Manx plays the blame game, and has a saying that puts the responsibility for the decline of the language(perhaps somewhat harshly!) on the arrival of tourism:
'Tra haink ny skibbyltee boghtey stiagh hie yn Ghaelg magh' - When the tourists came in, the Manx language went out.
I rather like the Yiddish saying that translates to something like this; A language is a dialect with an army and navy..
The translation is (as I'm sure you knew!) 'a nation without a language is a nation without a heart'
Many other languages have sayings that express a similar sentiment, for instance a Breton has one that says: 'Hep brezhoneg, breizh ebet' - Without Breton there is no Brittany (notice the similarity in the words for 'without').
In Scottish Gaelic the loss of the language is seen in equally disastrous terms: 'Am fear a chailleas a chanain caillidh e a shaoghal' - He who loses his language loses his world.
Manx plays the blame game, and has a saying that puts the responsibility for the decline of the language(perhaps somewhat harshly!) on the arrival of tourism:
'Tra haink ny skibbyltee boghtey stiagh hie yn Ghaelg magh' - When the tourists came in, the Manx language went out.
I rather like the Yiddish saying that translates to something like this; A language is a dialect with an army and navy..
7.10.10
Strydoedd Cymreig Lerpwl...
I was reading this week about the soon to disappear 'Welsh Sreets' of the Dingle in Liverpool.
(I haven't done a complete translation (too tired!) but you'll find a 'geirfa' (vocab) below):
Wnes i ddarllen erthygl diddorol yng nghylchgrawn 'Barn' y mis yma, yn cofnodi hanes rhai o 'strydoedd Cymreig' dinas Lerpwl. Mae Dr Ben Rees yn arbennigwr ar hanes Cymry Glannau Mersi, ac yn yr erthygl mae o'n son am 'strydoedd Cymreig' y Dingle, sy'n ar fin cael eu dymchwel gan gyngor y ddinas. Gwaith adeiladwyr o Gymru oedd y strydoedd yna yn y bon, a symudodd lawer o Gymry i fyw ynddyn nhw ar ól cyrraedd Lerpwl, yn creu ardaloedd 'Cymraeg' mewn llefydd fel Anfield, Bootle, a'r Dingle.
Ond mae 'na rwbeth arall sy'n gwneud y strydoedd yma o ddidordeb, ac sydd wedi codi storm (wel storm bach o leiaf!) o brotest yn Lerpwl a thu hwnt. Mewn un o Welsh Streets y Dingle, sef Madryn Street, gaeth Ringo Starr ei eni. Erbyn hyn mae cyn cartrefi John a Paul o dan ofal yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol (National Trust), ac yn atyniadau twristiaeth poblogaidd, felly mae'n annodd credu bod Cyngor Lerpwl yn bwriadu dymchwel 9 Madryn St. Mae 'na son am symud y ty^ (neu rhan ohono fo!?) i'r amgueddfa, ond mae ffans y ffab ffór (neu bobl sy'n gobeithio gwneud arian trwy werthu nhw!) wedi dechrau tynnu brics o ffrynt y ty^ yn barod, felly mae'n rhaid i'r cyngor gwneud penderfyniad cyn iddo fo ddiflannu!!
erthygl - article
cofnodi - record
arbennigwr -specialist/expert
ar fin - just about to
cael eu dymchwel - have their demolishing i.e be demolished
cyngor-council
symudodd - moved
ynddyn nhw - in them
creu - create
o leiaf - at least
ardaloedd - areas
llefydd - places
a thu hwnt - and beyond
sef - namely
gaeth ringo ei eni - ringo had his birth i.e.was born
erbyn hyn - by now
o dan - under
(g)ofal - care
atyniad(au) - attractions(s)
bwriadu - intend
son - talk/mention
amgueddfa - museum
penderfyniad - decision
diflannu - disappear
(I haven't done a complete translation (too tired!) but you'll find a 'geirfa' (vocab) below):
Wnes i ddarllen erthygl diddorol yng nghylchgrawn 'Barn' y mis yma, yn cofnodi hanes rhai o 'strydoedd Cymreig' dinas Lerpwl. Mae Dr Ben Rees yn arbennigwr ar hanes Cymry Glannau Mersi, ac yn yr erthygl mae o'n son am 'strydoedd Cymreig' y Dingle, sy'n ar fin cael eu dymchwel gan gyngor y ddinas. Gwaith adeiladwyr o Gymru oedd y strydoedd yna yn y bon, a symudodd lawer o Gymry i fyw ynddyn nhw ar ól cyrraedd Lerpwl, yn creu ardaloedd 'Cymraeg' mewn llefydd fel Anfield, Bootle, a'r Dingle.
Ond mae 'na rwbeth arall sy'n gwneud y strydoedd yma o ddidordeb, ac sydd wedi codi storm (wel storm bach o leiaf!) o brotest yn Lerpwl a thu hwnt. Mewn un o Welsh Streets y Dingle, sef Madryn Street, gaeth Ringo Starr ei eni. Erbyn hyn mae cyn cartrefi John a Paul o dan ofal yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol (National Trust), ac yn atyniadau twristiaeth poblogaidd, felly mae'n annodd credu bod Cyngor Lerpwl yn bwriadu dymchwel 9 Madryn St. Mae 'na son am symud y ty^ (neu rhan ohono fo!?) i'r amgueddfa, ond mae ffans y ffab ffór (neu bobl sy'n gobeithio gwneud arian trwy werthu nhw!) wedi dechrau tynnu brics o ffrynt y ty^ yn barod, felly mae'n rhaid i'r cyngor gwneud penderfyniad cyn iddo fo ddiflannu!!
erthygl - article
cofnodi - record
arbennigwr -specialist/expert
ar fin - just about to
cael eu dymchwel - have their demolishing i.e be demolished
cyngor-council
symudodd - moved
ynddyn nhw - in them
creu - create
o leiaf - at least
ardaloedd - areas
llefydd - places
a thu hwnt - and beyond
sef - namely
gaeth ringo ei eni - ringo had his birth i.e.was born
erbyn hyn - by now
o dan - under
(g)ofal - care
atyniad(au) - attractions(s)
bwriadu - intend
son - talk/mention
amgueddfa - museum
penderfyniad - decision
diflannu - disappear
15.9.10
noson cofrestru... Registration evening.....
English below
Mi fydd y noson cofrestru ar nos fercher Fedi 22ain rhwng 6-8yh.
Mi fydd y dosbarthiadau eu hun yn dechrau yr wythnos wedyn: blwyddyn 3 ar nos fawrdd Medi 28ain, a blwyddyn 2 ar nos fercher Medi 29ain.
Os dach chi ddim yn gallu mynegi'r noson cofrestru paid poeni. Cewch chi ffoniwch y Coleg i roi'ch enw lawr, neu jysd troi fyny i'r dosbarth.
Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at weld pawb, a dychweled at y coleg, gobeithio eich bod chi!
Hwyl am y tro, Neil
The Registration Evening is on Wed 22nd September between 6-8pm.
The classes themselves will begin the following week: Year 3 on Tue 28th Sept, and year 2 on Wed 29th Sept.
If you are unable to attend the registration evening don't worry. You can phone the college to put your name down, or just turn up to the class.
I'm looking forward to seeing everybody, and returning to college, I hope that you are!
Bye for know, Neil
Mi fydd y noson cofrestru ar nos fercher Fedi 22ain rhwng 6-8yh.
Mi fydd y dosbarthiadau eu hun yn dechrau yr wythnos wedyn: blwyddyn 3 ar nos fawrdd Medi 28ain, a blwyddyn 2 ar nos fercher Medi 29ain.
Os dach chi ddim yn gallu mynegi'r noson cofrestru paid poeni. Cewch chi ffoniwch y Coleg i roi'ch enw lawr, neu jysd troi fyny i'r dosbarth.
Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at weld pawb, a dychweled at y coleg, gobeithio eich bod chi!
Hwyl am y tro, Neil
The Registration Evening is on Wed 22nd September between 6-8pm.
The classes themselves will begin the following week: Year 3 on Tue 28th Sept, and year 2 on Wed 29th Sept.
If you are unable to attend the registration evening don't worry. You can phone the college to put your name down, or just turn up to the class.
I'm looking forward to seeing everybody, and returning to college, I hope that you are!
Bye for know, Neil
8.9.10
Pen Lly^n (The Lly^n Peninsula)
English follows:
Wnaethon ni dreulio wythnos hyfryd ym Mhen Lly^n, lle gaethon ni dywydd andros o braf (diolch byth!). Gobeithio wnaethoch chi mwynhau eich gwyliau chi, lle bynnag yn y byd yr aethoch chi.
Ges i nifer o gyfleoedd ymarfer fy Nghymraeg, o siop sglodion yn Nefyn, i siop sglodion Aberdaron a nifer o lefydd rhwng y ddau! Mae tafodiaeth cryf Pen Lly^n yn gallu bod yn eitha annodd i ddysgwyr i'w ddeall, a ches i drafferth cwpl o weithiau, ond fel y cyfriw ges i ymateb cadarnhaol i fy Nghymraeg 'sgowsaidd'. Fel dwedodd yr hogan oedd yn gweithio yn siop bach y traeth ger Tudweiliog: 'Mae unrhyw Gymraeg yn well na dim Cymraeg o gwbl'. Cymerais i hon fel rhywbeth cadarnhaol, ond yn ól Jill, 'canmoliaeth gwatwarus' gallai hynny wedi bod... pwy a wir!
Yn son am Ben Lly^n, mae 'na gyfres newydd yn dechrau ar S4C yr wythnos yma, am yr ardal hyfryd yma. Mae cyfres 'Pen Llyn Harri Parri' yn cael ei gyflwyno wrth reswm gan Harri Parri (am enw da!), brodor o Ben Lly^n, ond un sydd wedi byw yng Nghaernarfon ers degawdau. Mae o'n ymweled á llefydd ei blentyndod, a rhai dydy o byth wedi ymweled á nhw o'r blaen. Trowch yr is-deitlau ymlaen (mae gynno fo dafodiaeth cryf!) a mwynhewch y golygfeydd ysblenydd!
We spent a lovely week at the end of August on the Lly^n peninsula, where we had really fine weather (thank goodness). I hope you enjoyed your holidays, wherever in the world you went.
I had a number of oppurtunities to practice my Welsh, from a chip shop in Nefyn to the chip shop in Aberdaron, and a few places between the two! The strong Lly^n dialect can be hard for learners to understand, and I had problems a couple of times, but on the whole I had a positive response to my 'scowsish' Welsh. As the girl who was working in the small beach shop near Tudweiliog said: 'Any Welsh is better than none'. I took this to be something positive, but according to Jill this could have been a backhanded compliment... who knows!
Talking of Pen Lly^n, there's a new series starting on S4C this week about this lovely area. The series, 'Pen Llyn Harri Parri' is presented of course by Harri Parri (great name!), a native of the Llyn, but one who has lived in Caernarfon for decades. He visits the places of his childhood, and some which are completely new to him. Put the subtitles on, (he's got a thick accent!) and enjoy the splendid views!
Wnaethon ni dreulio wythnos hyfryd ym Mhen Lly^n, lle gaethon ni dywydd andros o braf (diolch byth!). Gobeithio wnaethoch chi mwynhau eich gwyliau chi, lle bynnag yn y byd yr aethoch chi.
Ges i nifer o gyfleoedd ymarfer fy Nghymraeg, o siop sglodion yn Nefyn, i siop sglodion Aberdaron a nifer o lefydd rhwng y ddau! Mae tafodiaeth cryf Pen Lly^n yn gallu bod yn eitha annodd i ddysgwyr i'w ddeall, a ches i drafferth cwpl o weithiau, ond fel y cyfriw ges i ymateb cadarnhaol i fy Nghymraeg 'sgowsaidd'. Fel dwedodd yr hogan oedd yn gweithio yn siop bach y traeth ger Tudweiliog: 'Mae unrhyw Gymraeg yn well na dim Cymraeg o gwbl'. Cymerais i hon fel rhywbeth cadarnhaol, ond yn ól Jill, 'canmoliaeth gwatwarus' gallai hynny wedi bod... pwy a wir!
Yn son am Ben Lly^n, mae 'na gyfres newydd yn dechrau ar S4C yr wythnos yma, am yr ardal hyfryd yma. Mae cyfres 'Pen Llyn Harri Parri' yn cael ei gyflwyno wrth reswm gan Harri Parri (am enw da!), brodor o Ben Lly^n, ond un sydd wedi byw yng Nghaernarfon ers degawdau. Mae o'n ymweled á llefydd ei blentyndod, a rhai dydy o byth wedi ymweled á nhw o'r blaen. Trowch yr is-deitlau ymlaen (mae gynno fo dafodiaeth cryf!) a mwynhewch y golygfeydd ysblenydd!
 |
| Porth Towyn ger Tudweiliog |
We spent a lovely week at the end of August on the Lly^n peninsula, where we had really fine weather (thank goodness). I hope you enjoyed your holidays, wherever in the world you went.
I had a number of oppurtunities to practice my Welsh, from a chip shop in Nefyn to the chip shop in Aberdaron, and a few places between the two! The strong Lly^n dialect can be hard for learners to understand, and I had problems a couple of times, but on the whole I had a positive response to my 'scowsish' Welsh. As the girl who was working in the small beach shop near Tudweiliog said: 'Any Welsh is better than none'. I took this to be something positive, but according to Jill this could have been a backhanded compliment... who knows!
Talking of Pen Lly^n, there's a new series starting on S4C this week about this lovely area. The series, 'Pen Llyn Harri Parri' is presented of course by Harri Parri (great name!), a native of the Llyn, but one who has lived in Caernarfon for decades. He visits the places of his childhood, and some which are completely new to him. Put the subtitles on, (he's got a thick accent!) and enjoy the splendid views!
28.8.10
Gwyliau... Holidays
(English below)
Dani'n mynd i Ben Lly^n yfory am yr wythnos, i fwthyn rhywle ger Pistyll, ar arfordir gogleddol y penrhyn. Gobeithio ga i gyfle i ymarfer fy Nghymraeg, ond efo cymaint o ymwelwyr yna dros yr haf, tydy hynny ddim yn peth hawdd pob tro, gawn ni weld!
Wrth gwrs, yng Nghymru mae'n rhaid cael 'cynllun tywydd gwlyb' pob ymweliad (wel cot law o leiaf!), ond ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog eleni maen nhw wedi mynd cam yn bellach, trwy drefnu gwyl o'r enw 'Gwyl y Glaw', sy'n dathlu enwogrwydd y dre am dywydd gwlyb! Yn anffodus, mae rhagolygon y tywydd ar hyn o bryd am y penwythnos yn addo mwy o heulwen na glaw... deddf y diawl am wn i!
Ta waeth, beth bynnag eich bod chi'n wneud am weddill y gwyliau, mwynhewch!!
Gyda Llaw - mae dyn o Los Angeles - Dan Rhys - wedi mynd ati i ddysgu Cymraeg ac anfon clyweliad fideo at gynhyrchwyr Pobl y Cwm, er mwyn trio cael rhan yn yr opera sebon. Cael ychydig o hwyl ydy o efallai, ond chwarae teg iddo fo, mae o wedi gwneud ymdrech mawr i ddysgu'r iaith!
We're going to the Lly^n tomorow for a week, to a cottage near Pistyll on the northern coast of the peninsula. I hope to get a chance to practice my Welsh, but with so many visitors there over the summer, that's not always that easy... we'll see!
Of course in Wales you have to have a wet weather plan every visit (well a waterproof at least!), but in Blaennau Ffestiniog this year they've gone a step further, through arranging a festival called 'Gwyl y Glaw/The Rain Festival), which celebrates the towns reputation for wet weather. Unfortunately the weather forcast for the weekend at the moment promise more sunshine than rain...sod's law I suppose!
Anyway, whatever you are doing for the rest of the holidays - enjoy!
By the Way - A man from Los Angeles - Dan Rhys - has set about learning Welsh and sent an audition video to the producers of the Welsh soap 'Pobl y Cwm' in order to try and get a part on the show. He may be just having a bit of fun, but fair play to him, he's made a big effort to learn the language!
Dani'n mynd i Ben Lly^n yfory am yr wythnos, i fwthyn rhywle ger Pistyll, ar arfordir gogleddol y penrhyn. Gobeithio ga i gyfle i ymarfer fy Nghymraeg, ond efo cymaint o ymwelwyr yna dros yr haf, tydy hynny ddim yn peth hawdd pob tro, gawn ni weld!
Wrth gwrs, yng Nghymru mae'n rhaid cael 'cynllun tywydd gwlyb' pob ymweliad (wel cot law o leiaf!), ond ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog eleni maen nhw wedi mynd cam yn bellach, trwy drefnu gwyl o'r enw 'Gwyl y Glaw', sy'n dathlu enwogrwydd y dre am dywydd gwlyb! Yn anffodus, mae rhagolygon y tywydd ar hyn o bryd am y penwythnos yn addo mwy o heulwen na glaw... deddf y diawl am wn i!
Ta waeth, beth bynnag eich bod chi'n wneud am weddill y gwyliau, mwynhewch!!
Gyda Llaw - mae dyn o Los Angeles - Dan Rhys - wedi mynd ati i ddysgu Cymraeg ac anfon clyweliad fideo at gynhyrchwyr Pobl y Cwm, er mwyn trio cael rhan yn yr opera sebon. Cael ychydig o hwyl ydy o efallai, ond chwarae teg iddo fo, mae o wedi gwneud ymdrech mawr i ddysgu'r iaith!
We're going to the Lly^n tomorow for a week, to a cottage near Pistyll on the northern coast of the peninsula. I hope to get a chance to practice my Welsh, but with so many visitors there over the summer, that's not always that easy... we'll see!
Of course in Wales you have to have a wet weather plan every visit (well a waterproof at least!), but in Blaennau Ffestiniog this year they've gone a step further, through arranging a festival called 'Gwyl y Glaw/The Rain Festival), which celebrates the towns reputation for wet weather. Unfortunately the weather forcast for the weekend at the moment promise more sunshine than rain...sod's law I suppose!
Anyway, whatever you are doing for the rest of the holidays - enjoy!
By the Way - A man from Los Angeles - Dan Rhys - has set about learning Welsh and sent an audition video to the producers of the Welsh soap 'Pobl y Cwm' in order to try and get a part on the show. He may be just having a bit of fun, but fair play to him, he's made a big effort to learn the language!
8.8.10
Dysgwr y Flwyddyn... Learner of the year
 |
| Julia Hawkins - Dysgwraig y flwyddyn 2010 |
(English below)
Unwaith eto mae Dysgwr y Flwyddyn wedi ei henwi yn ystod yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol. Eleni, dynes lleol oedd yr ennillydd, Julia Hawkins o Grughywel, (Crickhowel) wnaeth symud yn ól i Gymru er mwyn rhoi cyfle i'w phlant dod yn ddwyieithog. Mae 'na gyfle i ddarllen amdani hi, a'i chlywed hi'n siarad am ei phrofiadau o ddysgu Cymraeg ar y tudalen hon (yn y Gymraeg), neu yn Saesneg ar y tudalen hon.
Gobeithio gewch chi eich ysbrydoli fel finnau!
Once again the Welsh Learner of the year has been named during the National Eisteddfod. This year a local woman was the winner, Julia Hawkins from Crickhowel, who moved back to Wales in order to give her children a chance to become bi-lingual. There's a chance to read about her, and to hear her talking about her experiences of learning Welsh on this page ( in Welsh), or in English on this page.
I hope you'll be inspired like me!
23.7.10
Gwyliau'r Haf.... (Summer festivals)
(translation follows)
Mi fydd 'na ddwy wy^l cerddorol yn digwydd yn Sir y Fflint dros yr wythnosau nesaf, y cyntaf ohonynt y dydd sadwrn yma. Mae Gwy^l Y Ffin yn cael ei chynnal eleni yn Nhreffynon, ac mi fydd nifer o'r fandiau mwyaf poblogaidd y Si^n Roc Cymraeg yn chwarae gan cynnwys 'Racehorses', 'Brigyn' a 'Derwyddon Dr Gonzo'. Cofiwch, mae'r digwyddiad yn rhad ac am ddim, ac o fewn tafliad carreg o Gilgwri!
Mae Gwy^l Tegeingl braidd yn wahanol. Gwy^l gwerinol ydy hi, gyda pherfformwyr o'r byd canu gwerin o dros Brydain a thu hwnt yn ymddangos, er mae 'na elfenau Cymreig a Chymraeg i'r digwyddiad Mae'n digwydd yn Yr Wyddgrug dros penwythnos ym mis Awst, ac mae'r manylion llawn ar y wefan.
Mae'r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol wrth gwrs yn digwydd fel arfer dros yr wythnos cyntaf o fis Awst.
Mae'n digwydd yn y de eleni, yng Nglyn Ebwy, tipyn bach yn rhy bell i mi a dweud y gwir (mae hi'n symud i leoliad gwahanol pob flwyddyn, un flwyddyn yn y gogledd, y nesaf yn y de). Ond yn 2011 mi fydd hi'n dod i Wrecsam, lleoliad cyfleus iawn i ni yng Nghilgwri:) Mi fydda i'n dilyn digwyddiadau'r prifwyl eleni ar S4C, yn enwedig cystadleuaeth Dysgwr y Flwyddyn, un o uchafbwyntiau'r Eisteddfod erbyn hyn. Mae S4C yn neilltio rhaglen gyfan fel arfer i ddilyn campau ieithyddol y pedwar sydd wedi llwyddo cyrraedd y rownd terfynol, ac i ddatgan pwy ydy'r ennillydd.
translation
There will be two music festivals happening in Flintshire over the next few weeks, the first of them this saturday. The 'Y Ffin' (the border) festival is being held in Holywell this year, and a number of the most popular bands in the Welsh language pop/rock scene will be playing, including 'Racehorses', 'Brigyn' and 'Derwyddon Dr Gonzo'. Remember this event is free and within a stones throw of the Wirral.
The 'Tegeingl' festival is somewhat different. It's a folk festival, with folk singers from Britain and beyond performing, though there is a Welsh accent to the event. It happens in Mold over a weekend in August, and the full details are on the website.
The National Eisteddfod of course is taking place as usual over the first week in August. It's happening in the south this year, in Ebbw Vale, a little to far for me to be honest (it move s to a different location each year, one year in the north, the next in the south). But in 2011 it'll be coming to Wrexham, a convenient location for us in the Wirral:) I'll be following events at the Eisteddfod this year on S4C, especially the Leraner of the Year competition, now one of the Eisteddfods highlights. S4C set aside a whole programme usually to follow the linguistic feats of the four who've succeeded to reach the final round, and to announce who is the winner.
gyda llaw/by the way
gwy^l = festival
gwyliau = festivals/holidays
y prifwyl - the main festival ( a term sometimes used to describe the National Eisteddfod)
Mi fydd 'na ddwy wy^l cerddorol yn digwydd yn Sir y Fflint dros yr wythnosau nesaf, y cyntaf ohonynt y dydd sadwrn yma. Mae Gwy^l Y Ffin yn cael ei chynnal eleni yn Nhreffynon, ac mi fydd nifer o'r fandiau mwyaf poblogaidd y Si^n Roc Cymraeg yn chwarae gan cynnwys 'Racehorses', 'Brigyn' a 'Derwyddon Dr Gonzo'. Cofiwch, mae'r digwyddiad yn rhad ac am ddim, ac o fewn tafliad carreg o Gilgwri!
Mae Gwy^l Tegeingl braidd yn wahanol. Gwy^l gwerinol ydy hi, gyda pherfformwyr o'r byd canu gwerin o dros Brydain a thu hwnt yn ymddangos, er mae 'na elfenau Cymreig a Chymraeg i'r digwyddiad Mae'n digwydd yn Yr Wyddgrug dros penwythnos ym mis Awst, ac mae'r manylion llawn ar y wefan.
Mae'r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol wrth gwrs yn digwydd fel arfer dros yr wythnos cyntaf o fis Awst.
Mae'n digwydd yn y de eleni, yng Nglyn Ebwy, tipyn bach yn rhy bell i mi a dweud y gwir (mae hi'n symud i leoliad gwahanol pob flwyddyn, un flwyddyn yn y gogledd, y nesaf yn y de). Ond yn 2011 mi fydd hi'n dod i Wrecsam, lleoliad cyfleus iawn i ni yng Nghilgwri:) Mi fydda i'n dilyn digwyddiadau'r prifwyl eleni ar S4C, yn enwedig cystadleuaeth Dysgwr y Flwyddyn, un o uchafbwyntiau'r Eisteddfod erbyn hyn. Mae S4C yn neilltio rhaglen gyfan fel arfer i ddilyn campau ieithyddol y pedwar sydd wedi llwyddo cyrraedd y rownd terfynol, ac i ddatgan pwy ydy'r ennillydd.
translation
There will be two music festivals happening in Flintshire over the next few weeks, the first of them this saturday. The 'Y Ffin' (the border) festival is being held in Holywell this year, and a number of the most popular bands in the Welsh language pop/rock scene will be playing, including 'Racehorses', 'Brigyn' and 'Derwyddon Dr Gonzo'. Remember this event is free and within a stones throw of the Wirral.
The 'Tegeingl' festival is somewhat different. It's a folk festival, with folk singers from Britain and beyond performing, though there is a Welsh accent to the event. It happens in Mold over a weekend in August, and the full details are on the website.
The National Eisteddfod of course is taking place as usual over the first week in August. It's happening in the south this year, in Ebbw Vale, a little to far for me to be honest (it move s to a different location each year, one year in the north, the next in the south). But in 2011 it'll be coming to Wrexham, a convenient location for us in the Wirral:) I'll be following events at the Eisteddfod this year on S4C, especially the Leraner of the Year competition, now one of the Eisteddfods highlights. S4C set aside a whole programme usually to follow the linguistic feats of the four who've succeeded to reach the final round, and to announce who is the winner.
gyda llaw/by the way
gwy^l = festival
gwyliau = festivals/holidays
y prifwyl - the main festival ( a term sometimes used to describe the National Eisteddfod)
10.7.10
Be' sydd mewn enw... (What's in a name...)
 |
| Yr Eifl (The Rivals) |
English translation and vocab beneath:
Roeddwn i'n gwylio rhaglen 'Coast' yr wythnos yma, oedd yn mynd o gwmpas Cernyw (Cornwall). Roeddan nhw'n siarad am greigiau peryglus ofnadwy o'r enw y 'Manacles', lle poblogaidd iawn efo plymwyr oherwydd y nifer o longdrylliau. Mae 'na eglwys cyfagos efo meindwr (spire), sy'n rhoi'r enw Cernyweg (Cornish) gwreiddiol i'r creigiau sef 'Maen Eglos'. Mae'n amlwg gweld o le ddaeth yr enw Saesneg ar ól gweld y Cernyweg! Mae'r gair 'maen' (stone/rock) yn gair Cymraeg hefyd (meddyliwch am 'Maentwrog', 'Penmaenmawr'), ac mae 'Eglos' yn debyg iawn i'r gair Cymraeg 'Eglwys' (ac y gair Ffrangeg 'église' hefyd wrth gwrs!). Roedd morwyr yn defnyddio meindwr yr eglwys fel tirnod er mwyn trio osgoi peryglon y 'Maen Eglos', neu'r 'Manacles'!
Mae 'na sawl enghraifft yng Nghymru o enwau sydd wedi cael ei newid yn yr un modd. Un enwog ydy 'The Rivals', mynyddoedd trawiadol Pen Lly^n. Enw Cymraeg (neu enw go iawn!) wrth gwrs ydy 'Yr Eifl', sy'n golygu 'the forks', ond mae pobl (wrth rheswm) yn cymryd 'The Rivals' i gynrychioli'r gystadlueuaeth rhwng y tair pig i fod yr un fwyaf. Pethau diddorol iawn ydy enwau llefydd!
geirfa/vocab
oherwydd - because of
llongdrylliad - shipwreckplymwyr - divers
yn debyg - similartirnod - landmark
er mwyn - in order to (idiom)
osgoi - avoid
amlwg - obvious
enghraifft - example
modd - means/way
trawiadol - striking
go iawn - genuine/real
golygu - to mean
cymryd - to take
cynrychioli - represent
cystadleuaeth - competitionpig - peak
diddorol - interesting
I was watching the programme 'Coast' this week, which was going around Cornwall. They were talking about the very dangerous rocks called The Manacles, a popular place with divers because of the number of shipwrecks. There's a nearby church with a spire which gives the rocks their original Cornish name, namely 'Maen Eglos'. It's obvious to see where the English name came from after seeing the Cornish! The word 'maen' (stone/rock) is a Welsh word as well of course, and 'Eglos' is very similar to the Welsh word 'Eglwys' (and the French word 'église' as well of course!). Sailors used the spire as a llandmark in order to try and avoid the dangers of the 'Maen Eglos', or 'The Manacles'.
There are many examples in Wales of names which have been changed in the same way. A famous one is 'The Rivals', the striking mountain on the Lly^n peninsula. The Welsh name (or the 'real' name!) of course is 'Yr Eifl' (pronunciation - uhr ay-vil), which means 'the forks', but people naturally take 'the Rivals' to reflect the competition between the three peaks to be the biggest. Place names are interesting things!
6.7.10
Diwedd Tymor...
A translation of this post is beneath. Don't worry if you don't understand much, it's not written at any particular level, it helps me though to write in Welsh! I've included some vocab where I think it may help before the translation.
Mae'n annodd credu bod blwyddyn arall o ddysgu wed dod i ben!
Dwi wir yn gobeithio eich bod chi wedi mwynhau'r profiad o ddysgu Cymraeg... hyd yn hyn, dwi wedi mwynhau gweithio fel tiwtor, a thrwy hynny wedi dysgu llawer fy hun! Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at gario ymlaen ym mis medi.
Mae pobl yn tueddi cymharu dysgu iaith efo taith (er taith digon rhyfedd mae'n siwr!). Dydy o ddim yn bosib dweud yn union pa mor hir a fydd y daith, neu ba mor gyflym a fyddech chi'n teithio. Weithiau (efallai) mi fyddech chi'n difaru cychwyn ar y daith o gwbl (fel bod mewn canol tagfa erchyll ar y A55!), ac yn diawlio'r iaith yma a'i holl cymlethdodau, ond weithiau mi fyddech chi'n yn teimlo'n dda (gobeithio), wrth i chi ddeall rhywbeth eich bod chi'n clywed rhywle, neu'n trio dweud rhywbeth a chael ymateb positif (sydd ddim yn digwydd pob tro, hyd yn oed i ddysgwyr mwy profiadol.. ond mae 'na bobl od ym mhob man 'does!). Dwi'n cofio'n iawn y gwefr a ges i ar ól cwplhau fy nofel Cymraeg cyntaf (un i ddysgwyr). A dweud y gwir, mae'n well gen i ddarllen yn y Gymraeg hyd heddiw, gan mod i'n dal i gael yr un teimlad.
Ta waeth, peryg fy mod i'n dechrau crwydro rwan, felly hwyl am y tro:-)
geirfa/vocab
wedi dod i ben - has come to an end
wir - really
(eich) bod chi - that you have
hyd yn hyn - idiom = to this place/so far ('hyd yma' means the same)
tueddi - tend
dal i - still
mae'n well gen i - I prefer
Cyfieithiad/Translation
It's hard to believe that another year of learning/teaching has come to an end.
I really hope that you've enjoyed the experience of learning Welsh...so far, I've enjoyed working as your tutor, and through that have learnt much myself! I'm looking forward to carrying on in September.
People tend to compare learning a language to a journey (though a strange enough journey!). It's not possible to say exactly how far the journey will be, nor how fast you'll be traveling. Sometimes (perhaps) you'll regret starting the journey atall (like being in the middle of a queue on the A55!), and curse this language and all its complications, but sometimes you'll be feeling good as well (hopefully), as you understand something that you hear somewhere, or try saying something and get a posative reaction (which doesn't happen every time, even to more experienced learners... but ther are odd people everywhere aren't there!). I remember the buzz I got after finishing reading my first Welsh novel (one for learners). To be honest I prefer to read in Welsh even now, as I still get the same feeling.
Anyway, there's a danger I've started to wander now, so bye for now, Neil
Mae'n annodd credu bod blwyddyn arall o ddysgu wed dod i ben!
Dwi wir yn gobeithio eich bod chi wedi mwynhau'r profiad o ddysgu Cymraeg... hyd yn hyn, dwi wedi mwynhau gweithio fel tiwtor, a thrwy hynny wedi dysgu llawer fy hun! Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at gario ymlaen ym mis medi.
Mae pobl yn tueddi cymharu dysgu iaith efo taith (er taith digon rhyfedd mae'n siwr!). Dydy o ddim yn bosib dweud yn union pa mor hir a fydd y daith, neu ba mor gyflym a fyddech chi'n teithio. Weithiau (efallai) mi fyddech chi'n difaru cychwyn ar y daith o gwbl (fel bod mewn canol tagfa erchyll ar y A55!), ac yn diawlio'r iaith yma a'i holl cymlethdodau, ond weithiau mi fyddech chi'n yn teimlo'n dda (gobeithio), wrth i chi ddeall rhywbeth eich bod chi'n clywed rhywle, neu'n trio dweud rhywbeth a chael ymateb positif (sydd ddim yn digwydd pob tro, hyd yn oed i ddysgwyr mwy profiadol.. ond mae 'na bobl od ym mhob man 'does!). Dwi'n cofio'n iawn y gwefr a ges i ar ól cwplhau fy nofel Cymraeg cyntaf (un i ddysgwyr). A dweud y gwir, mae'n well gen i ddarllen yn y Gymraeg hyd heddiw, gan mod i'n dal i gael yr un teimlad.
Ta waeth, peryg fy mod i'n dechrau crwydro rwan, felly hwyl am y tro:-)
geirfa/vocab
wedi dod i ben - has come to an end
wir - really
(eich) bod chi - that you have
hyd yn hyn - idiom = to this place/so far ('hyd yma' means the same)
tueddi - tend
dal i - still
mae'n well gen i - I prefer
Cyfieithiad/Translation
It's hard to believe that another year of learning/teaching has come to an end.
I really hope that you've enjoyed the experience of learning Welsh...so far, I've enjoyed working as your tutor, and through that have learnt much myself! I'm looking forward to carrying on in September.
People tend to compare learning a language to a journey (though a strange enough journey!). It's not possible to say exactly how far the journey will be, nor how fast you'll be traveling. Sometimes (perhaps) you'll regret starting the journey atall (like being in the middle of a queue on the A55!), and curse this language and all its complications, but sometimes you'll be feeling good as well (hopefully), as you understand something that you hear somewhere, or try saying something and get a posative reaction (which doesn't happen every time, even to more experienced learners... but ther are odd people everywhere aren't there!). I remember the buzz I got after finishing reading my first Welsh novel (one for learners). To be honest I prefer to read in Welsh even now, as I still get the same feeling.
Anyway, there's a danger I've started to wander now, so bye for now, Neil
14.6.10
Cwpan Y Byd
Dyni yng nghanol Cwpan y Byd ar hyn o bryd, y wledd pel-droed sy'n llenwi'r cyfryngau am fis gyfan!
Dwi wrth fy modd efo'r holl peth, ond dydy gweddill y teulu ddim yr un mor brwdfrydig rhaid i mi gyfadde!
Dydy Cymru wrth gwrs ddim wedi cyrraedd y rowndiau terfynol ers 1958. Y flwyddyn honno wnaethon nhw mynd yn bellach na Lloegr, yn colli 0-1 i Brasil yn rownd y chwateri, efo go^l cyntaf Pele erioed yng Nghwpan y Byd yn rhoi terfyn i'w gobeithion.
Ta beth, pob lwc i Loegr eleni!
[gwledd - feast, cyfryngau - media, cyfan - whole,wrth fy modd - in my element/made up, rownd y chwateri - quater finals, erioed - ever, terfyn - end, i'w gobeithion - to their hopes.]
(I have orderd a copy of 'Cwpan Y Byd 2010' by Gwyn Jenkins (Y Lolfa) which sounds like good value at £4.99, extracts seem to be used here .)
Dyma eirfa Cwpan y Byd sydyn (anyway, here's a quick World Cup vocab):
De Affrica - South Africa
Vuvuzela - Fwfwsela (made this one up!)
Mae o'n gém o ddau hanner - it's a game of two halves
y dyfarnwr - the referee
y llimanwr - the linesman
llaw Duw - hand of God
y postyn - the post
y trawst - the crossbar
cefn y rhwyd - back of the net
y cwrt cosbi - the penalty box
cic ysmotyn - penalty
ergyd - shot
peniad - header
tafliad - throw in
cic cornel - corner kick
cic cychwyn - kick off
camsefyll - offside
amser ychwanegol - extra time
eilydd(ion) = substitute(s)
Ton Mecsicanaidd - Mexican Wave
Dwi wrth fy modd efo'r holl peth, ond dydy gweddill y teulu ddim yr un mor brwdfrydig rhaid i mi gyfadde!
Dydy Cymru wrth gwrs ddim wedi cyrraedd y rowndiau terfynol ers 1958. Y flwyddyn honno wnaethon nhw mynd yn bellach na Lloegr, yn colli 0-1 i Brasil yn rownd y chwateri, efo go^l cyntaf Pele erioed yng Nghwpan y Byd yn rhoi terfyn i'w gobeithion.
Ta beth, pob lwc i Loegr eleni!
[gwledd - feast, cyfryngau - media, cyfan - whole,wrth fy modd - in my element/made up, rownd y chwateri - quater finals, erioed - ever, terfyn - end, i'w gobeithion - to their hopes.]
(I have orderd a copy of 'Cwpan Y Byd 2010' by Gwyn Jenkins (Y Lolfa) which sounds like good value at £4.99, extracts seem to be used here .)
Dyma eirfa Cwpan y Byd sydyn (anyway, here's a quick World Cup vocab):
De Affrica - South Africa
Vuvuzela - Fwfwsela (made this one up!)
Mae o'n gém o ddau hanner - it's a game of two halves
y dyfarnwr - the referee
y llimanwr - the linesman
llaw Duw - hand of God
y postyn - the post
y trawst - the crossbar
cefn y rhwyd - back of the net
y cwrt cosbi - the penalty box
cic ysmotyn - penalty
ergyd - shot
peniad - header
tafliad - throw in
cic cornel - corner kick
cic cychwyn - kick off
camsefyll - offside
amser ychwanegol - extra time
eilydd(ion) = substitute(s)
Ton Mecsicanaidd - Mexican Wave
6.6.10
TIR (land)
TIR by Cerys Matthews is a collection of traditional Welsh folk songs/hymns sung in her unmistakable style. As well as the CD of 17 songs, you get a 'CD size' hardback book of lyrics and period photographs, many from the North Pembrokeshire area. There are English translations of the songs, (except for Cwm Rhondda which is sung in English) as well as some of their background, as well as information about the photos, many of which are of Cerys's ancestors in and around the Trefin area of 'Sir Benfro'.
The projects strength (other than the great packaging) in my opinion is the way in which the songs are stripped down to their roots, many of which have become familiar to us through the male voice choir tradition. This simple treatment shows the songs in another light, including Hen Wlad fy Nhadau with its full three verses (news to me as well!)
So if your looking for a collection of traditional Welsh songs given simple fresh treatment this is definately worth having. You can get a signed copy now from 'Earthquake', or I'm sure the songs will be available on i-tunes etc. after the official release on the 21st June. If anyone wants I'm happy to burn 'sample' copies, though this is no replacement for the whole package of course ;)
28.5.10
Hanes dysgwraig.... A learners tale....
I watched a fascinating programme on S4C this week, one of the 'O Flaen Dy Lygaid' (before your eyes) series which looked at the life of 'Stef Farrar', a remarkable woman who moved from Nottingham to Snowdonia after finishing her university course at Bangor. Stef decided to learn Welsh soon after moving full time to Wales and became fluent in a couple of years. In 1989 she won the prestigious Dysgwr y Flwyddyn competition at the National Eisteddfod and went on to work as a tutor. Perhaps what is most remarkable is how she changed the language of her 'aelwyd' (hearth - meaning home) when her first child was small, in order to give him the best chance to fit into the community. Today her five children are all fluent and enthusiastic Welsh speakers though her determination to use the Welsh language in the home may have contributed to her seperation from her husband, who though not unsympathetic to the language was not interested in learning. In her words he was a little 'pissed off'! As well as continuing to teach the language to adults and raise her family, Stef has been setting new British records in swimming for her age group (she's just turned 50), a childhood interest she's recently rekindled. The backdrop of the programme sadly though was her mothers illness which meant much traveling back and forth between Snowdonia and Nottingham, though things had improved a little by the end of filming. All in all a fascinating programme, well worth catching on S4Clic. (I also write about the programme on Clecs Cilgwri, though this is not a translation of it!)
18.5.10
Y dyfodol - the future
We were looking at the future tonight in blwyddyn 2, here's a paragraph using the future of 'bod' (to be) - bydd:
Mi fydd ein hogan ni'n mynd i Fetws y Coed dydd mercher ar drip ysgol efo'r adran daearyddiaeth (geography dept.). Dwi ddim yn gwybod be' fydden nhw yn wneud yna, ond mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw mynd á sgidiau cerdded, dillad cynnes, cot sy'n dal dwr (waterproof) - well it is Wales - a pecyn bwyd. Mi fydden nhw'n dod yn ól i'r ysgol tua pedwar o'r gloch yn y p'nawn. Mae'r athrawon wedi dysgu'r plant sut i ddweud 'Betws y Coed' (chwarae teg iddyn nhw!), wnaeth Miriam dweud wrtha i 'The English call it 'betsy co-ed'...!
Mi fydd hi'n ddiwrnod braf yn ól y rhagolwg tywydd, ond mi fydda i'n gweithio yn y gweithdy trwy'r dydd yfory yn anffodus.
Mi fydd ein hogan ni'n mynd i Fetws y Coed dydd mercher ar drip ysgol efo'r adran daearyddiaeth (geography dept.). Dwi ddim yn gwybod be' fydden nhw yn wneud yna, ond mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw mynd á sgidiau cerdded, dillad cynnes, cot sy'n dal dwr (waterproof) - well it is Wales - a pecyn bwyd. Mi fydden nhw'n dod yn ól i'r ysgol tua pedwar o'r gloch yn y p'nawn. Mae'r athrawon wedi dysgu'r plant sut i ddweud 'Betws y Coed' (chwarae teg iddyn nhw!), wnaeth Miriam dweud wrtha i 'The English call it 'betsy co-ed'...!
Mi fydd hi'n ddiwrnod braf yn ól y rhagolwg tywydd, ond mi fydda i'n gweithio yn y gweithdy trwy'r dydd yfory yn anffodus.
9.5.10
Gwleidyddiaeth / Politics... if you've not had enough....
With all the politics in the news this week, you will have heard many words relating to the election and all its associated fallout on any Welsh news reports you've heard. Here are a few of the common ones:
Etholiad cyffredinol - general election
Etholaeth - constituency
Pleidleisio - to vote
Bwrw pleidlais - to cast a vote
pledlais - a vote
y pleidleiswyr - the voters
Y Toriaid/Ceidwadwyr - The Tories/Conservatives
Y Blaid Lafur - The Labour Party
Y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol - Lib Dems (many just say lib dems, though it's great once you master it!)
Dadl - argument/debate
Prif Weinidog - Prime Minister
Y Senedd - Parliament
Senedd Grog - Hung Parliament
San Steffan - Westminster
Trafodaeth(au) - discussion(s)
Clymblaid - Coalition
y gwrthblaid - the opposition
Llanast - mess!
Etholiad cyffredinol - general election
Etholaeth - constituency
Pleidleisio - to vote
Bwrw pleidlais - to cast a vote
pledlais - a vote
y pleidleiswyr - the voters
Y Toriaid/Ceidwadwyr - The Tories/Conservatives
Y Blaid Lafur - The Labour Party
Y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol - Lib Dems (many just say lib dems, though it's great once you master it!)
Dadl - argument/debate
Prif Weinidog - Prime Minister
Y Senedd - Parliament
Senedd Grog - Hung Parliament
San Steffan - Westminster
Trafodaeth(au) - discussion(s)
Clymblaid - Coalition
y gwrthblaid - the opposition
Llanast - mess!
1.5.10
Adroddiad a Chanlyniadau o Wersyllt...
Mae adroddiad am 'Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr 2010' ar wefan 'LearnCymraeg', efo rhestr o'r canlyniadau. Mae'n ar gael yn Gymraeg a Saesneg cofiwch!
adroddiad - report
(g)wefan - website
rhestr - list
Canlyniadau - results
ar gael - available
cofiwch - remember (command form)
adroddiad - report
(g)wefan - website
rhestr - list
Canlyniadau - results
ar gael - available
cofiwch - remember (command form)
30.4.10
Wrecsam..
I was over in Wrexham/Wrecsam on Thursday and thought I'd pop into 'Siop y Siswrn' to look for a present for my dads birthday as well as a Welsh language card. My first proplem was finding the 'Masnach y Bobl/Peoples Market' which I remembered was the location of the Wrecsam branch of the chain of two...!
It's many years since I was in the centre of the town and it's changed a lot, but I eventually came accross the Market on 'Stryd Caer'. After a few minutes wandering round the indoor market I came across Siop y Siswrn in the far corner, and was presently suprised to find what looks like a 'proper shop' among the market stalls, with a fair selection of Welsh books, cards and inevitable Welsh souveniers. After finding a suitable present and cards I picked up a copy of the 'Cwrs Sylfaen (foundation)' book, which follows on from Mynediad. The first few units are really revision and extension of 'Cwrs Mynediad', so I'm looking forward to starting using this book as it seems a good transition, and hopefully will convince you of how much you already know!! Buying the book sparked a conversation with the assistant who was interested to hear about the classes in Cilgwri.
Anyway if your in Wrecsam it's worth popping into this hidden corner of Cymreictod (Welshness) for a browse and chat (remember they're closed on Wednesdays, the Yr Wyddgrug/Mold branch being closed on Thurs).
It's many years since I was in the centre of the town and it's changed a lot, but I eventually came accross the Market on 'Stryd Caer'. After a few minutes wandering round the indoor market I came across Siop y Siswrn in the far corner, and was presently suprised to find what looks like a 'proper shop' among the market stalls, with a fair selection of Welsh books, cards and inevitable Welsh souveniers. After finding a suitable present and cards I picked up a copy of the 'Cwrs Sylfaen (foundation)' book, which follows on from Mynediad. The first few units are really revision and extension of 'Cwrs Mynediad', so I'm looking forward to starting using this book as it seems a good transition, and hopefully will convince you of how much you already know!! Buying the book sparked a conversation with the assistant who was interested to hear about the classes in Cilgwri.
Anyway if your in Wrecsam it's worth popping into this hidden corner of Cymreictod (Welshness) for a browse and chat (remember they're closed on Wednesdays, the Yr Wyddgrug/Mold branch being closed on Thurs).
25.4.10
Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr 2010
 |
| 'Parti Cilgwri' yn mynd trwy eu pethau (Parti Cilgwri doing their stuff) |
It was good to see so many from Cilgwri at the 'Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr' on Friday, I'll find out the reactions of those I didn't get a chance to talk to next week! I would have to say it wasn't the ideal venue, partly because of the location of the bar and lack of seats towards the stage area. This made it difficult for the performers and audience alike, and was made worse by the lack of effective PA. Sion Aled made a good job of presenting the evening, keeping things going at a decent pace, and meaning most people stayed till the end.
Mike, Anne, Nigel (from 'Blwyddyn 2') and myself stepped up to the stage 'early doors' to perform 'Cofiwch am Dysgwyr Cilgwri' in the 'Cyd-adrodd' (group recitation) competition, being rewarded with 'equal' third for our efforts (where there 4 or 5 in the competition... can't remember!!).
After that I fumbled my way through the chords of 'Suo Gán' as accompaniment to Jill (my wife), who had bravely 'agreed' to perform the song - one she'd never heard of just a couple of days earlier. Despite a 'false start' and the odd wrong chord we got to the end and Jill came in third place.
Gwynne from 'blwyddyn 1' was rewarded with a second prize for her efforts in one of the 'gwaith cartref' competitions, so all in all Cilgwri was well represented!
Normally the 'sketch' competition' is a highlight of the Eisteddfod, but this year with only one entry it was a bit dissapointing, and we didn't get a repeat of last year where one of the participants ended up more or less dancing round our table, for reasons I can't remember!
Hopefully some more of 'Blwyddyn 1' may have been inspired to take part next year when it returns to Flintshire, We'll find out next week!
22.4.10
Nos yfory....
Rhag ofn bod unrhywun wedi anghofio, mi fydd Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr yn digwydd nos yfory (Ebrill 23ain). Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at glywed perfformiad gan dysgwyr Cilgwri wrth rheswm, felly pob lwc i bawb!
In case anyone has forgotten, the Learners Eisteddfod is happening tomorrow evening (April 23rd). I'm looking forward to hearing a performance by learners from the Wirral - naturally, best of luck to everyone!
In case anyone has forgotten, the Learners Eisteddfod is happening tomorrow evening (April 23rd). I'm looking forward to hearing a performance by learners from the Wirral - naturally, best of luck to everyone!
12.4.10
Gavin, Stacey a Deano...
I've just been watching the episode of Gavin and Stacey (series 3, episode 3) where Smithy and 'the boys' are coming down to stay in Barry with Uncle Bryn. There are quite a few bits of Welsh in this episode, as Deano, one of Smithy's mates has gone to the trouble of doing an intensive Welsh course before traveling down, to help him 'communicate' while down in Wales. His opening greeting of 'Shwmae, Dean dwi, dwi'n hapus i fod yma yn y Barri' is met by a sea of blank faces, and a kindly 'We don't really speak Welsh round here' from Gwen, before Uncle Bryn appears saying 'Croeso i Gymru'!
Later on in a nightclub, undeterred Deano is trying out his Welsh to chat up one of the girls, who replies of course in English. Deano replies 'Yng Nghymraeg os gwelwch yn dda'... amhrisiadwy (priceless)!
Later on in a nightclub, undeterred Deano is trying out his Welsh to chat up one of the girls, who replies of course in English. Deano replies 'Yng Nghymraeg os gwelwch yn dda'... amhrisiadwy (priceless)!
2.4.10
Cyfarchion y Pasg - Easter Greetings
Dwi'n gobeithio bod pawb yn mwynhau gwyliau'r Pasg. Dwi wedi cael y ffliw (wel annwyd drwg efallai!) ond dwi'n teimlo'n well heddiw diolch byth.
(I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter Holidays. I've had the flu (well a bad cold maybe!), but I'm feeling better today thank goodness.)
Ive just been checking a bit of Easter vocab, some of which I'd forgotten to be honest (that's the trouble with things that only happen once a year, it takes several years to remember them!), it's interesting sometimes to see the names other languages use for familiar festivals, as it can throw a new light on the English names.
Dydd Iau Cablyd - Maundy Thursday (cablyd coming via old Irish and Latin and refering to the cutting and shaving of hair and washing of feet by monks to commemorate the Last Supper)
Dydd Gwener y Groglith - Good Friday ( means 'friday of the hanging', pretty direct I suppose!)
Dydd Sul y Pasg - Easter Sunday
Dydd Llun y Pasg - Easter Monday
(The word 'Pasg' has its origins in the Hebrew 'Pesakh' meaning 'Passover'. The English name 'Easter' meanwhile probably derives from the pagan Goddess Eostre!)
Dydd Iau Dyrchafael - Ascension Thursday
Y Sulgwyn - Whitsun (literally the white sunday)
Ta waeth, mwynhewch gweddill y gwyliau! (anyway, enjoy the rest of the holidays!)
(I hope everyone is enjoying the Easter Holidays. I've had the flu (well a bad cold maybe!), but I'm feeling better today thank goodness.)
Ive just been checking a bit of Easter vocab, some of which I'd forgotten to be honest (that's the trouble with things that only happen once a year, it takes several years to remember them!), it's interesting sometimes to see the names other languages use for familiar festivals, as it can throw a new light on the English names.
Dydd Iau Cablyd - Maundy Thursday (cablyd coming via old Irish and Latin and refering to the cutting and shaving of hair and washing of feet by monks to commemorate the Last Supper)
Dydd Gwener y Groglith - Good Friday ( means 'friday of the hanging', pretty direct I suppose!)
Dydd Sul y Pasg - Easter Sunday
Dydd Llun y Pasg - Easter Monday
(The word 'Pasg' has its origins in the Hebrew 'Pesakh' meaning 'Passover'. The English name 'Easter' meanwhile probably derives from the pagan Goddess Eostre!)
Dydd Iau Dyrchafael - Ascension Thursday
Y Sulgwyn - Whitsun (literally the white sunday)
Ta waeth, mwynhewch gweddill y gwyliau! (anyway, enjoy the rest of the holidays!)
30.3.10
Iaith ar Daith... (language on tour)
Dwi newydd derbyn manylion am 'Iaith ar Daith 2010' Menter Iaith Sir y Fflint, sef llond wythnos o ddigwyddiadau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, yn cynnwys rhai sydd wedi eu hanelu at ddysgwyr.
Dyma'r dolen i'r manylion:
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0By_BriGCXoONYmY4MGI1MDYtYmM0ZS00ZTY3LWEwOTUtOTZhNGEwYWUwMmEw&hl=en
I've just recieved details of Flintshire Welsh Language Initiative's 2010 'Iaith ar Daith' (language on tour), i.e. a week of events through the medium of Welsh, some aimed at learners.
Here's a link to the details:
Dyma'r dolen i'r manylion:
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0By_BriGCXoONYmY4MGI1MDYtYmM0ZS00ZTY3LWEwOTUtOTZhNGEwYWUwMmEw&hl=en
I've just recieved details of Flintshire Welsh Language Initiative's 2010 'Iaith ar Daith' (language on tour), i.e. a week of events through the medium of Welsh, some aimed at learners.
Here's a link to the details:
16.3.10
Clecs...
Theres a e-letter available now from learnCymraeg.com called 'Clecs' which is worth a look at - even if it's just to see the Jim Royle look alike from Caernarfon who features in the latest edition. Threres also a feature on this years 'Learner of the Year', an American from Ynys Môn who has become fluent in just a couple of years!!
The e-letter comes in a Welsh and English version, so it's worth opening both to compare:
http://www.learncymraeg.org/documents/NewyddlenClecsCymraeg.pdf
http://www.learncymraeg.org/documents/NewyddlenClecsEnglish.pdf
Gyda Llaw / BTW: 'Clecs' means something like 'gossip'. 'Be' ydy'r clecs?' would equate to something like 'whats the craic' in English/Irish!!
The e-letter comes in a Welsh and English version, so it's worth opening both to compare:
http://www.learncymraeg.org/documents/NewyddlenClecsCymraeg.pdf
http://www.learncymraeg.org/documents/NewyddlenClecsEnglish.pdf
Gyda Llaw / BTW: 'Clecs' means something like 'gossip'. 'Be' ydy'r clecs?' would equate to something like 'whats the craic' in English/Irish!!
8.3.10
Sesiynau siarad...
One of the best ways to improve your Welsh is to practice with willing native speakers and more experienced learners. Some people have a gift for helping learners, and I was fortunate enough to benefit from sessions arranged by 'Menter Iaith' (Welsh Language Initiative), which I started attending weekly after a couple of years of learning on my own.
The best place to locate practice sessions is through LearnCymraeg.org who have a course/practice session search facility on their website.
The best place to locate practice sessions is through LearnCymraeg.org who have a course/practice session search facility on their website.
6.3.10
Sêl...
Ges i e-bost yn hysbysebu sêl 'gwales.com' yr wythnos yma. Mae Gwales.com yn gwerthu Llyfrau Cymraeg a Chymreig trwy eu gwefan. Dwi ddim yn gwybod faint o deitlau i ddysgwyr sydd ar gael yn y sêl, ond mae gynnon nhw gasgliad gwerthchweil yn eu hadran i ddysgwyr fel arfer, dyma'r dolen.
I got an e-mail advertising 'gwales.com's sale this week. Gwales.com sell Welsh and English books about Wales (i.e. llyfrau Cymraeg and Cymreig) through their website. I don't know how many titles for learners are available in the sale, but they usually have a worthwhile collection in their section for learners, here's the link
I got an e-mail advertising 'gwales.com's sale this week. Gwales.com sell Welsh and English books about Wales (i.e. llyfrau Cymraeg and Cymreig) through their website. I don't know how many titles for learners are available in the sale, but they usually have a worthwhile collection in their section for learners, here's the link
4.3.10
Limeric...
I was reminded while watching a feature about limericks of this Welsh classic by Geraint Lovgreen. It goes something like this:
Ro'n i'n nabod rhai ddyn o Hong Kong,
Roedd yn hoffi chwarae Ping Pong,
Doedd gynno fo ddim bat,
neu pêl come to that
Dweud y gwir roedd o'n chwarae fo wrong!!
Ro'n i - roeddwn i (I was)
dweud y gwir - to be honest
Ro'n i'n nabod rhai ddyn o Hong Kong,
Roedd yn hoffi chwarae Ping Pong,
Doedd gynno fo ddim bat,
neu pêl come to that
Dweud y gwir roedd o'n chwarae fo wrong!!
Ro'n i - roeddwn i (I was)
dweud y gwir - to be honest
28.2.10
Ieuan Cilgwri....!
Wnes i ffeindio fideo You Tube o fardd o'r enw Ieuan Cilgwri yn perfformio yn y Magazine yn New Brighton yn ddiweddar (recently)! ac un arall ohono fo'n darllen cerdd ar 'Fort Perch Rock'. Dwi ddim yn gwybod os mae o'n siarad Cymraeg, ond mae gynno fo ddiddordeb yn yr 'hen wlad' mae'n siwr!!
27.2.10
Cerdd...
Here's the 'Learners Eisttedfod' poem. I'm afraid the sounds not 'gwych' (brilliant), though it should help with pronounciation. I can't stand listening to my own voice so haven't listened too many times so I hope it's okay! There are one or two small changes to the printed copy. e.g. cymdeithas has changed to 'cymuned, as the former is more 'association' and I meant 'community' (cymuned). Anyway its just supposed to be a bit of 'hwyl' (fun), and there is no need to learn it all off by heart to take part!
21.2.10
Hanes werth ei darllen....
I've just finished a fascinating book about one of Wales's national heroes Owain Glyn Dŵr. To be honest history has never been a strong point of mine, and my knowledge of Owain was very sketchy at best. Having read some good reviews about a new English translation of 'Trwy Ras Duw, Tywysog Cymru' (Through the grace of God, Prince of Wales), I got hold of a second hand copy through Amazon and was immeadiately drawn in to this excellent book by Rhys Davies, the aknowledged expert on Glyndŵr who sadly died a couple of years ago. He manages to really bring to life the story of Glyndŵr in this very readable book. How did this Welsh nobleman and London trained lawyer, someone who fought in several campaigns for the King of England, come to give up a comfortable family life on his estate near Oswestry in exchange for a life as a fugitive. The amazing thing is how close he came to achieving his vision of a united independant Wales (one that would have included the Wirral as well as much of Cheshire!), and how much support he generated at the time despite the hardships and misery his campaigns inevitably brought on the people of Wales. Anyway if you're interested in Welsh history, this is a 'rhaid darllen'!
10.2.10
Eisteddfod y Dysgwyr a phethau....
Having had a better look at the rhestr testunau (list of subjects i.e. competitions) for the 'Learners Eisteddfod', I see there's the option to do any piece you like for the 'Parti llefaru' (group recitation). It would make more sense to try something more relevant than the suggested piece (a poem praising Cwm Rhymni's qualities, though I'm sure it's a very nice place!!), so below is a poem (in the loosest sense of the word!) about 'Cilgwri'... hopefully lighthearted, which could be fun to try..?
Cofiwch am Ddysgwyr Cilgwri….
Dros erwau corsydd y Dyfrdwy,
Mae ‘na benrhyn, anhysbys i rai,
Tiriogaeth o lannau a thraethau,
a nid hanner mor ddrud a Dubai
Dyni’n byw yn ôl llawer ‘ger Lerpwl‘,
er mae eraill yn mynnu ‘ger Caer‘,
ond ein ‘prifddinas’ ni yw Penbedw,
y lle gorau i fargen neu ddau.
Mae ’na rai sy’n ein galw ni scousers,
ac mae’r acen yn debyg dwi’n siwr,
ond mae’n bosib bod rhagor o reina yn byw,
Yn y Gogledd, ar lannau’r môr…
Yn ei hanterth mi dennodd y Mersi,
gweithwyr o bedwar ban y byd,
yn eu plith roedd miloedd o Gymry,
ac mi dyfodd gymdeithas go gryf,
Falle heddiw mae’n annodd i goelio,
ond yn y flwyddyn mil naw un deg saith,
Croesawodd Gilgwri y 'Steddfod,
heb ddadlau i rwystro ei daith… !
Go brin wnewch chi glywed Cymraeg erbyn hyn,
ar strydoedd ein penrhyn bach ni,
ond yng nghanol Cilgwri mae lleisiau o hyd,
yn brwydro efo geiriau di-ri,
Felly cofiwch am ddysgwyr Cilgwri,
a'u hymdrechion i ddysgu’r iaith,
Ar y lôn dydy o ddim fawr o bellter,
Ond yn ieithyddol, mae’n andros o daith…
Obviously there'll be bits (well maybe chunks!) of this which will need some explaining (and propably correcting!) but I'll leave it with you....
geirfa
erwau - acres
corsydd - marshes
tiriogaeth - territory
anhysbys - unknown
nid - not
mynnu - insist
yn ei hanterth - in its heyday
bebwar ban - four corners
yn eu plith - amongst them
r(h)wystro - hinder,prevent
go brin -scarcely
wnewch chi - will you
di-ri - endless
iethyddol - linguistically
andros o daith - heck of a journey
Cofiwch am Ddysgwyr Cilgwri….
Dros erwau corsydd y Dyfrdwy,
Mae ‘na benrhyn, anhysbys i rai,
Tiriogaeth o lannau a thraethau,
a nid hanner mor ddrud a Dubai
Dyni’n byw yn ôl llawer ‘ger Lerpwl‘,
er mae eraill yn mynnu ‘ger Caer‘,
ond ein ‘prifddinas’ ni yw Penbedw,
y lle gorau i fargen neu ddau.
Mae ’na rai sy’n ein galw ni scousers,
ac mae’r acen yn debyg dwi’n siwr,
ond mae’n bosib bod rhagor o reina yn byw,
Yn y Gogledd, ar lannau’r môr…
Yn ei hanterth mi dennodd y Mersi,
gweithwyr o bedwar ban y byd,
yn eu plith roedd miloedd o Gymry,
ac mi dyfodd gymdeithas go gryf,
Falle heddiw mae’n annodd i goelio,
ond yn y flwyddyn mil naw un deg saith,
Croesawodd Gilgwri y 'Steddfod,
heb ddadlau i rwystro ei daith… !
Go brin wnewch chi glywed Cymraeg erbyn hyn,
ar strydoedd ein penrhyn bach ni,
ond yng nghanol Cilgwri mae lleisiau o hyd,
yn brwydro efo geiriau di-ri,
Felly cofiwch am ddysgwyr Cilgwri,
a'u hymdrechion i ddysgu’r iaith,
Ar y lôn dydy o ddim fawr o bellter,
Ond yn ieithyddol, mae’n andros o daith…
Obviously there'll be bits (well maybe chunks!) of this which will need some explaining (and propably correcting!) but I'll leave it with you....
geirfa
erwau - acres
corsydd - marshes
tiriogaeth - territory
anhysbys - unknown
nid - not
mynnu - insist
yn ei hanterth - in its heyday
bebwar ban - four corners
yn eu plith - amongst them
r(h)wystro - hinder,prevent
go brin -scarcely
wnewch chi - will you
di-ri - endless
iethyddol - linguistically
andros o daith - heck of a journey
2.2.10
Jôc gwael ond addysgol.....
The good thing about being a 'dysgwr' is that there is always something (mostly too much) to learn, and learning can be an exciting process... well sometimes.
The other day I turned on the teledu at lunch time which just happened to be tuned into S4C from the previous night. In the mornings 'Cyw' is on the air, programmes aimed at pre-school children, and not something I normally watch, though in its own way useful to learners I'm sure.
Anyway, I heard (and understood!) a couple of jokes, one of which reminded me of when and where I learned a particular Welsh word!
Felly... at y cellwair (so... to the joke)
Be' wyti'n galw 'Jac Codi Baw' cyfeillgar?........... Jac Codi Llaw!! LOL
Ok, so jokes that need explaining aren't really funny, but we can learn from 2nd language jokes.....
Jac Codi Baw = Jack pick up dirt = JCB. Cyfeillgar = friendly. To wave to someone in Welsh is to raise your hand, "Codi Llaw", so 'Jac Codi Llaw' is a JCB that waves at you!!
I remember a number of years ago standing waiting for the tram that heads up the Gt. Orme (Y Gogarth), and a Nain saying to her grandaughter 'Coda dy law', and seeing the toddler waving in response. It didn't take me too long to work out the idiom, one I have never forgotten.
Gyda llaw/By the way: To wave other things such as a flag or piece of paper is to 'chwifio' e.g. dwi'n chwifio baner (flag) Cymru.
The other day I turned on the teledu at lunch time which just happened to be tuned into S4C from the previous night. In the mornings 'Cyw' is on the air, programmes aimed at pre-school children, and not something I normally watch, though in its own way useful to learners I'm sure.
Anyway, I heard (and understood!) a couple of jokes, one of which reminded me of when and where I learned a particular Welsh word!
Felly... at y cellwair (so... to the joke)
Be' wyti'n galw 'Jac Codi Baw' cyfeillgar?........... Jac Codi Llaw!! LOL
Ok, so jokes that need explaining aren't really funny, but we can learn from 2nd language jokes.....
Jac Codi Baw = Jack pick up dirt = JCB. Cyfeillgar = friendly. To wave to someone in Welsh is to raise your hand, "Codi Llaw", so 'Jac Codi Llaw' is a JCB that waves at you!!
I remember a number of years ago standing waiting for the tram that heads up the Gt. Orme (Y Gogarth), and a Nain saying to her grandaughter 'Coda dy law', and seeing the toddler waving in response. It didn't take me too long to work out the idiom, one I have never forgotten.
Gyda llaw/By the way: To wave other things such as a flag or piece of paper is to 'chwifio' e.g. dwi'n chwifio baner (flag) Cymru.
25.1.10
'Signs of Change'
40 years ago 22 Welsh language campaigners stormed the High Court in London as part of their protest for bilingual road signs. Today it's hard to imagine the Welsh 'landscape' devoid of Welsh signs, but thats how it was in 1970.
In 'Signs of Change', Radio 4 looks back at the language campaign of that period, and hears from some of the main players and those who were imprisoned following the High Coutt protest
In 'Signs of Change', Radio 4 looks back at the language campaign of that period, and hears from some of the main players and those who were imprisoned following the High Coutt protest
14.1.10
Cadw Sŵn
I think I mentioned in class last week about another course/resource thats now available in part on-line free of charge. The course 'Cadw Sŵn' has been around for some time and uses the technique of listening to music whilst learning to help speed things up. I've never tried this myself, but on listening to the bits on the site, it's clear the tutor Colin Jones has an interesting take on things. The link below leads to a sample which looks at shorcut techniques for forming the past and future tenses (which we have in part covered as well), it's certainly worth a listen
http://cadwswn.bandcamp.com/
http://cadwswn.bandcamp.com/
5.1.10
Eira Mawr.....
Hopefully everyone got the message that classes are cancelled today due to the weather. This is a good job in a way as we can't get our car up or down the road where we live, being on a hill that's rarely gritted!
Ta waeth, mwynhewch yr eira, a wela i chi wythnos nesaf gobeithio, Neil
(anyway, enjoy the snow, and I'll see you next week hopefully)
Ta waeth, mwynhewch yr eira, a wela i chi wythnos nesaf gobeithio, Neil
(anyway, enjoy the snow, and I'll see you next week hopefully)
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