Tagged: cymraeg

A new, updated version of the classic beginners’ Welsh course,  Welcome to Welsh , has been published by Y Lolfa. Written by Heini Gruffudd, bestselling author of materials for Welsh learners, the content of the new edition has been completely revamped and the book has been redesigned to bring it up to date. 

“Forty years have flown by! I would never have thought in 1984 that the book would be so popular. The grammar, stories and conversations needed updating, and humour has changed. The success of materials for learners show that there is an ever-growing wish for Welsh to be increasingly used as a spoken language. I hope this new version will still be around years after I’m gone!” said author Heini Gruffudd. 

First published in 1984, the original edition has sold over 70,000 copies. Carolyn Hodges, now Head of English-Language Publishing at Y Lolfa but formerly in charge of creating market-leading language coursebooks at Oxford University Press, said: “The original edition is an absolute classic and has helped tens of thousands of learners to take their first steps in learning Welsh. This edition builds on that success, with the content overhauled to teach up-to-date Welsh that you’ll hear around you in the real world today, and a fresh new design that will appeal to a brand new generation of learners!” 

Ideal for self-study, the course has 16 units, using engaging new strip cartoons by Welsh illustrator Osian Roberts to present sentence structures and grammar points. There is also a dictionary section at the back of the book, and free MP3 audio files to accompany the lessons are downloadable from Y Lolfa’s website. 

Swansea-born Heini Gruffudd has spent his life teaching Welsh to children and adults. He has for many years been at the forefront of the campaign for Welsh-language education, and is a prolific author of successful and popular materials for Welsh learners. Other titles written by him include  Welsh is Fun (which has sold over 200,000 copies) ,  The Welsh Learner’s Dictionary ,  Welsh Rules  and  Talk Welsh .  

Welcome to Welsh   by Heini Gruffudd (£9.99, Y Lolfa) is available now.

Mae’r Lolfa wedi cyhoeddi argraffiad newydd o’r cwrs poblogaidd i ddysgwyr Cymraeg,  Welcome to Welsh .  Wedi’i ysgrifennu gan Heini Gruffudd, mae cynnwys yr argraffiad newydd wedi’i ddiweddaru a’i ail ddylunio er mwyn ei wneud yn addas i ddysgwyr heddiw. 

Mae’r adargraffiad hwn yn cynnwys nodiadau gramadeg gwerthfawr, ymarferion defnyddiol, sgyrsiau cartŵn a geiriadur cyffredinol ar gyfer dysgwyr.  

“Mae pedwardeg o flynyddoedd wedi hedfan heibio! Bydden i byth wedi meddwl yn 1984 y byddai’r llyfr mor boblogaidd. Roedd angen diweddaru’r gramadeg, y storïau a’r sgyrsiau, ac mae’r hiwmor wedi newid. Mae llwyddiant y deunydd ar gyfer dysgwyr yn dangos bod yna ddymuniad i siarad Cymraeg sydd yn parhau i dyfu. Rwy’n gobeithio bydd y fersiwn newydd yma ar gael ymhell ar ôl i fi fynd!” meddai’r awdur Heini Gruffudd. 

Cyhoeddwyd am y tro cyntaf ym 1984, a gwerthwyd dros 70,000 copi o’r fersiwn wreiddiol. Meddai Carolyn Hodges, Pennaeth Cyhoeddi Saesneg Y Lolfa sydd hefyd wedi bod yn gyfrifol am greu llyfrau cyrsiau iaith gydag Oxford University Press: “Mae’r fersiwn wreiddiol yn glasur ac wedi helpu degau o filoedd o ddysgwyr i gymryd y camau cyntaf i ddysgu Cymraeg. Mae’r fersiwn newydd yn adeiladu ar y llwyddiant yma, gyda chynnwys cyfoes, gyda Chymraeg fyddwch yn clywed ar strydoedd Cymru, a dyluniad ffres a fydd yn apelio at genhedlaeth newydd o ddysgwyr!” 

Mae’r gyfrol yn ddelfrydol ar gyfer dysgu ar eich pen eich hun, Mae’n cynnwys 16 uned a chartwnau gwych gan y dylunydd Cymraeg, Osian Roberts, sy’n cyflwyno strwythur brawddegau a phwyntiau gramadegol. Mae yna hefyd eiriadur, a ffeiliau sain MP3 am ddim i gyd-fynd â’r gwersi. 

Mae  Welcome to Welsh  gan Heini Gruffudd ar gael nawr, £9.99.

...

AmeriCymru: Hi Susan and many thanks for agreeing to this interview. How and when did you first become aware of your Welsh heritage?

Susan: I'm a history nerd from a family with quite a few history nerds, so I don't actually really remember "learning" that I had Welsh ancestry. I've always known my surname was Welsh, but my earliest memories about it are sitting in my great aunt's living room and going through some genealogies and family history materials when I was probably about eight or nine years old. And I remember learning that we supposedly came from Brecon (which I have been totally unable to document!), so I always wanted to go there.

When I was in college, I had a Welsh flag on the wall in my apartment, but I've also always been a Britophile, generally. I always read as much as I could about Britain and wanted to live there, since I can remember. Like a lot of Americans, I've always been interested in when, where, how, and why my ancestors came here--and from where. I still haven't been able to make the jump across the pond on my Floyd line, but I have--thanks to the ability we now have to search, view, and share primary source documents using the internet--found out quite a lot about various ancestors, including immigrants to Virginia on my mother's side who came from Monmouthshire and Carmarthenshire. So that's all very exciting.

But , I also have to add: some of the most inspiring, most successful dysgwyr Cymraeg are people with no known Welsh ancestry. They learn the language because they moved to Wales, or they got into Welsh music, or they encountered Welsh literature, or they fell in love with a Welsh person, and then with the language. Welsh is for everybody.

AmeriCymru: Many people in America were excited by Wales performance in Euro 2016? Can you give our Welsh readers some impression of the excitement that was generated by the contest here in the US?

Susan: I go to a couple of pubs in downtown Austin regularly to watch Liverpool matches with our devoted and rowdy LFC overseas supporters club; Fado Irish Pub shows all of the Premier League fixtures as well as CONCACAF, USA national games, the Euros, and World Cup. The Euros are always my favorite tournament to watch there, though. They decorate the place in the flags of all the competing teams, and give away T-shirts for all the participating countries. One of my friends in the Liverpool group is also a former Swansea academy player. So we planned ahead and took off work on the days Wales was playing. I'd been looking forward to it for months. So that was a blast. We started out with about 10 Wales fans but ended up more like 50 by the quarter-final. I'd say it was about half Welsh folks and half American Wales fans--most of whom, like me, seemed to have some Welsh ancestry but never the opportunity to even see the team play, never mind in the Euros! I still can't believe they made it to the semi-finals. It was just fantastic--like a dream. And also the catalyst for me becoming a Welsh learner.

AmeriCymru: What advice would you give to Americans who want to learn Welsh?

Susan: Americans who want to learn Welsh should know that there has never been a better time to learn the language! Thanks to the internet, it's easy to connect with other learners and Welsh speakers, most of whom are excited by the interest and are therefore very encouraging! I have met some truly astounding, friendly, wonderful people. And AmeriCymru has been an absolutely wonderful resource. As far as actual learning tips, I've just started, but I'd say that taking an actual class has made all the difference. Even though we meet online using Google Hangouts, the regular meetings and expert tutelage keep me on track and motivated to stay serious. It's hard to fit in second language acquisition as an adult--both because of the many demands on your time and the sluggishness of your brain. But practicing daily makes it more of a delight than a chore. I find listening to BBC Radio Cymru is invaluable--just hearing the language spoken as often as possible (even though you necessarily won't understand all that is being said!). If you can locate a real, live person to speak to in person , that's even better! Again, the internet can facilitate connections. I also listen to Jason Sheperd's Learn Welsh Podcast.

So if you're thinking about learning more about the language or doing a course--start now! I've only been studying for eight months, and seriously for only about five, and it's been so fun. To an Anglophone, Welsh looks very difficult. It's not the easiest language. But it's not impossible, either. You'll be surprised how quickly you start making sense of things. And every time you understand a phrase or exchange, you'll want to learn more. Conversations lead to poems lead to songs. It doesn't hurt that the spoken language is quite singularly beautiful.

And, of course, if you can--go to Wales! Flights from the US have been historically cheap for the past year or so, and the exchange rate is still good for Americans traveling to Britain. Who knows what's going to happen with the political situation. But I will say this: walking through the ancient landscape of Cymru and--especially--hearing the living language being spoken all around you... well, it really helps keep things in perspective. Yma o hyd, and all that.

AmeriCymru: AmeriCymru offers an online Welsh class - AmeriCymraeg. As a current student how would you rate the course?

Susan: The course--and especially John Good, our teacher--has been excellent. I am really impressed, especially considering the course fees (very reasonable!) and only one required textbook. Gruffudd's Welcome to Welsh is really user-friendly. I've enjoyed the way John brings his expertise as a musician and music teacher to his methods. I'm so glad there are multiple levels, so that I can continue taking these classes with AmeriCymru. I look forward to Monday nights and missed the class during our Christmas hiatus.

AmeriCymru: You were recently interviewed by the Western Mail Online. How did that come about?

Susan: I'm friends with a lot of other dysgwyr Cymraeg online, and particularly on Twitter. We've all been reading and enjoying Carolyn Hitt's adult learners column for the Western Mail. She saw the photos I posted from my recent trip, and we got to chatting, and then she asked if I'd be willing to be interviewed for her column. I hope to see profiles of more distance learners soon. I know there are a lot of us in the US. Because of the interview being published on Wales Online, numerous people have contacted me. I'm now in contact with a Brecon historian, was asked to do a radio interview in Welsh about my passion for football (maybe in another year!), and have a new weekly standing meeting to speak Welsh with another learner right here in Austin. The internet has made the world very small in a lot of ways, and I'm finding that the Welsh internet is especially tight-knit. It's nice.

AmeriCymru: What's next for Susan Floyd? How do you intend to further pursue your Welsh studies?

Susan: I'm going to continue with the AmeriCymraeg class as far as possible, and I hope to do an intensive wlpan in Wales sometime this year or next. I'd like to do two full weeks. I'm leaning toward Nant Gwrtheyrn, but suggestions are welcome! Just trying to save up the money.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Susan: I think I've said enough. The most important thing is to never give up! And come say hi on Twitter at @Texarchivist.

Dafydd:  Shwmae / S’mae pawb. Pleser o’r mwyaf yw e i fi ateb eich cwestiynau ar wefan americymru.

Hello everyone. It’s my great pleasure to answer your questions for the AmeriCymru website.

My name is Dafydd Roberts and I was born and brought up in a village just outside the town of Wrexham (Wrecsam yn y Gymraeg) in north-east Wales about ten miles from the border with England.

I graduated in Welsh and the History of Wales from Cardiff University in 1978. Since then, I’ve taught Welsh to first language speakers and learners for over 40 years.

As well as teaching the language, I have worked as a subject expert for the Government and Qualifications Wales; marked and set papers for the Welsh Joint Education Committee; chaired and served on countless panels and forums and have written materials specifically designed for learners of the language.

I’ve been living in the west Wales town of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire (sir Gaerfyrddin) since 1997 and have been semi-retired for the past four years. At the moment, I teach Welsh for Adults classes (ranging in ability from total beginners to first language speakers who wish to improve their grammar); give private tuition to first and second language speakers at all levels both face to face and online; translate professionally; proof-read in both langauges and write in both Welsh and English for websites, magazines and other media. I am also the media coordinator for our local history society (www.llanellich.org.uk/20-misc/3-llanelli-community-heritage) and have made several TV appearances following the installation of blue plaques and interpretive panels.

AmeriCymru: How did Darllen a Deall , your regular column on Parallel.cymru, start?

Dafydd:  One of the publications I write a regular article for is IAW – the Urdd magazine for Welsh learners at secondary school level (www.urdd.cymru/en/projects/magazines/iaw/).

I’ve known Neil Rowlands (Parallel.cymru) for the past few years and he asked if I would write a series of articles for the website. The articles you see on Parallel.cymru are based on the material in IAW but are adapted and updated to suit adult learners.

Each series of articles has a different theme:

Ardal Arbennig (A Special Area) is the current theme. I’ve chosen particular areas of Wales and written about their history, geography, famous sons and daughters, events and attractions. Future themes will include Digwyddiad Arbennig (a Special Event), Mudiad Arbennig (A Special Organisation), Gweithle Arbennig (A Special Workplace) and Y Mis Yma yn Hanes Cymru (This Month in the History of Wales).

AmeriCymru: What learning level does one need to be at to fully benefit from 'Darllen a Deall'?

Dafydd: A good question. Based on the Welsh for Adults National Curriculum ( https://learnwelsh.cymru/media/2136/saesneg-final.pdf), I would say that the articles are most suited to learners at the Foundation and Intermediate levels, although learners at Entry level will be able to understand much of the content. I make the articles learner-friendly by using familiar syntax and vocabulary. On the other hand, the material is not patronising and content has in no way been dumbed down. Each article includes a vocabulary section containing words which I think could be unfamiliar to the learner. Readers are able to hover the mouse over a highlighted word in order to obtain the English translation (diolch Neil). Also included with each article is a language section which revises a particular element of grammar arising from the text.

AmeriCymru: What, in your opinion, is the best and most productive way to expand your Welsh vocabulary?

Dafydd:  From my experience, vocabulary acquisition comes naturally as the grammar is mastered. For me, sentence construction and syntax is the most important aspect of language acquisition. Once a sentence pattern has been mastered, that pattern can be adapted by the learner to suit a myriad of scenarios. The learner will then naturally acquire vocabulary relevant to him or her by using those patterns.

Rote learning of vocabulary has its merits but unless the newly acquired words are used in a context relevant to the learner, they tend to be forgotten.

AmeriCymru: Many of our readers are Welsh learners. I imagine that most of them of them would love to be able to read Welsh fluently. 'Darllen a Deall' is perfectly suited to assist with that. How much of a gap is there in your opinion, between being able to read fluently and speak fluently?

Dafydd:   When we are acquiring our mother tongue as infants, we learn to understand and copy what is being said. Reading and then writing skills develop much later. When I teach my adult beginners, ‘siarad a gwrando’ (speaking and listening) takes up 75% of our time. The reading material we use is based on the oral work. We write very little initially, but as learners progress, writing takes on a greater significance.

The articles in Parallel.cymru use patterns and vocabulary that learners will have encountered orally at their particular level.

Reading aloud is good practice when acquiring a second language. We are fortunate in that Welsh is a phonetic language and, as long as one is familiar with the alphabet, the vast majority of words are said as they are written.

As well as reading out aloud, other valuable techniques to aid understanding include looking at the pictures, punctuation, proper nouns, times, days and dates and numbers. Scan and speed reading and highlighting familiar (or unfamiliar) words and phrases is something that we all do when reading in our mother tongue and will help the reader to get the gist of the passage. It takes a while to understand everything, but keep in mind that when we read in our first language, the more difficult words and phrases rarely prevent us from fully comprehending or enjoying a piece of writing.

AmeriCymru: There are many online initiatives to help people learn Welsh at the moment. How much of a role can these sites play in preserving and extending knowledge of the Welsh language?

Dafydd: First of all it must be emphasised that there is no substitution for immersion in the target language. An intensive course in a centre such as Nant Gwrtheyrn, one of the Urdd camps or those organised locally by Welsh for Adults is worth countless hours of on-line learning. http://nantgwrtheyrn.org/

Having said that, the ever increasing pool of on-line resources can be an invaluable aid to language acquisition. The resources being developed by Welsh for Adults at every level ( https://learnwelsh.cymru) are invaluable when reinforcing work covered in lessons.

The online resources and courses available are too numerous to mention here and I wouldn’t like to recommend one over another. Suffice to say that if you were to type the necessary key words into your browser, you’ll come across pages and pages of them and you’re bound to find one suited to your needs.

For advanced learners and fluent speakers interested in language usage and dialectology, please join Guto Rhys’s group ‘Iaith’ on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/413517082015337

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Dafydd:   Yes - ‘Daliwch Ati’ (Keep it Up). Whatever level you’re learning at, we in Wales really appreciate the support and encouragement for the language from our friends in other countries. We have a saying in Welsh – Yn ara deg mae dal iâr (through stealth one will catch a hen). Learn at a pace and level comfortable to you.
Don’t worry if you feel that you haven’t the time or the inclination to take up the language. I often think that support for the survival and development of the language is just as important sometimes as the willingness to learn.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or are interested in taking up regular or ad hoc online lessons . My email address is:

david_roberts@talktalk.net

Mwynhewch y darllen a hwyl fawr am y tro. Enjoy the reading and bye for now.

Cofiwch / Remember – Cenedl heb Iaith, Cenedl Heb Galon (A Nation without a Language is a Nation without a Heart)

Dafydd

Wish your mam a happy mother's day in Welsh this year (Sunday May 13th in the U.S.):-

Sul y Mamau Hapus

phonetically: seal uh mameye hapis (approx)

Here is my pronunciation sound file but I prefer the video version below

AmeriCymru: Hi Neil and many thanks for agreeing to this interview. Care to introduce your online magazine Parallel.cymru for our readers?

Neil: Shw mae Ceri! Great to be here on AmeriCymru- gwych i fod yma ar AmeriCymru. I'd be delighted to share with your readers more about parallel.cymru. Parallel.cymru is a digital magazine that presents articles about Wales and Welsh life in a unique format- each article is bilingual, with side by side Welsh and English (in parallel) . There are many Welsh-language magazines and books, but only a proportion of Welsh speakers feel comfortable reading them. The parallel.cymru presentation makes reading Welsh accessible to all- even for those who don't speak Welsh!

I publish first-person perspective articles by people who are doing things that in some way relate to Wales. Lots of authors have contributed about how and why they wrote their books; there are many articles about the history and development of Wales and the Welsh language; scientists have explained their subject in an accessible way; Welsh learners have shared their experiences; I've also put resources such as grammar and pronunciation guides on it. Unlike traditional magazines I don't take content off, so there's heaps more to explore.

Some of the highlights for a North American audience include:

Diplomat Shelley Hughes: What the Welsh Government office in North America does

Duolingo: Welsh for English Speakers course celebrates 1 million users

New York state's Michelle Fecio: Resources for International learners

Aberystwyth's Nicky Roberts: Learning Welsh with Say Something in Welsh

The History & Development of the Welsh language

For those of you who are fluent in Welsh, the magazine will give you unique and interesting content to read; for those who are learning Welsh, it is the best way to improve your reading skills while based outside of Wales, and for those who aren't familiar with the language, the English adaptations will allow you to enjoy discovering more about Welsh life and culture.

I forgot two things- all content is, and will remain, free for all to read; and it is available on any web browser, on any device, anywhere in the world.

AmeriCymru: What is the philosophy behind the site? What is its mission statement?

Neil: As an active Welsh learner, I found that making the step up from learner-specific materials to fully-fluent books and magazines to be difficult. When you have a limited vocabulary, constantly looking words up in dictionaries takes the enjoyment out of reading. Through speaking to many other users of the Welsh language, I realised that people experience the language on a spectrum of abilities; there isn't a black/white fluent/non-fluent division. However, it is not just learners who have a need for accessible content; many first language speakers don't use the language enough to read regularly, and also thousands of people all over the world aren't catered for by existing Welsh media. The digital aspect of the magazine and accessible presentation solves all of those problems.

The aim is to help everyone, whatever their ability, to enjoy reading in Welsh. The magazine contains good quality, interesting and unique content, and someone with a PhD in Welsh literature can read the same article as someone learning through AmeriCymru.

AmeriCymru: What resources do you provide for beginning Welsh learners?

Neil: Articles are arranged by the level of language. So they are grouped into the registers Simple, Informal, Formal and Literary, plus a section of items that are of specific interest to learners. This means that a relatively new learner can read a Simple article and not have to look at the English often. Welsh is traditionally written using an older form; spoken Welsh has evolved over the centuries and has a simpler and lighter approach. However not many publications reproduce spoken Welsh on the page or the screen; the Simple and Informal sections do this, so that people can read those without having to have learnt formal Welsh.

I've got a series of articles and news items that are in Simple Welsh only- without English- but with tooltips (i.e. hover over a word) to get the translation. I'm very pleased to host a grammar guide by Mark Stonelake . Mark has prepared Welsh for Adults courses in the Swansea Bay area for 20 years, and is an expert on the subject. He has also taught many courses in North America itself. I've presented his grammar work in bite-sized, themed sections that are sequenced in the order that they are taught. They have also been translated so that proficient leaners can read the Welsh version; there is also a search box to make it easy to find the item you want to learn or recap. This is not a course in itself, but it is a great supplementary resource to an existing learning method.

A volunteer, Huw Rowlands (no relation), also narrates many articles; those are denoted by the microphone symbol in the menu. This allows people to listen to the article and match how it is spoken to how it is written. This is particularly useful to people who don't have a lot of opportunity to hear the language, such as the enthusiastic AmeriCymru learners.

AmeriCymru: How might intermediate and advanced learners use the site?

Neil: For those with more confidence in the language the challenge is to read the Welsh and only check the English if there is a word or meaning that you don't understand. It is tempting to read the English and glance at the Welsh, as that feels much easier than taking longer to process and decipher the Welsh. However, being resolved that you will stick to the Welsh as much as possible will allow the content to be a learning resource instead of just a relaxing item to read. Most articles also have a PDF version to download at the bottom of each item, so people can print them off and write on them, share electronically, or use in a classroom setting.

There is a range of resources suitable for confident learners, such an overview of novels and books for learners , an online dictionary and pronunciation guide , themed glossaries and a weekly collection of Welsh-related weblinks .

AmeriCymru: For the general reader what aspects of Welsh life and culture are explored on Parallel.cymru?

Neil: Life itself is random and irregular, and parallel.cymru content reflects that. While common themes are grouped under menus with other, each article represents what one person or group is doing with the language. In the last week of April I published an article about an 85-year old skydiver , a new Welsh-language meditation app , an update from the Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod ( 100 days to go until Cardiff Bay in August! ), a 1 10-question quiz by Cymdeithas yr Iaith (the Welsh Language Society), a sports column about a rugby game   and an article reflecting on Swansea's contribution and losses in World War One .

AmeriCymru: How would readers go about preparing an article for the site? What is the selection process? What are the criteria?

Neil: One of the unique aspects of parallel.cymru is its emphasis on first-person perspective content, and this opens the content, style of writing, subject matter and access to being published to a much wider range of people than a traditional magazine can offer. There is a range of publishing options; most people write something from scratch; some may adapt other writings or create a concise presentation of their work; others will create a Welsh version of an item they have published in an English-language publication such as The Conversation .

Some people have interesting things to write about, but don't have the confidence to prepare a full article in Welsh; in that case I suggest they write what they can in Welsh to set out their voice and complete the English side, and I will organise a volunteer to complete the Welsh side. All articles are proofread prior to publication, so people don't need to be concerned about using perfect grammar.

The first step would be to drop me an email on parallel.cymru@gmail.com and say what you had an interest in writing about. The next step would be to consider what register of the language you'd feel comfortable writing in: Simple, Informal, Formal or Literary. I'd also suggest considering what do you want the reader to know or do after reading it- what are the key take-aways?

As this is an online-only publication, I don't have target publication dates or set word counts; this means that contributors can enjoy the process of writing, and whether that takes a week or 3 months is OK with me.

When receiving the article, I'd also like images to use and web links to your digital properties. I'll then format the article and organise proof reading, prepare an introductory paragraph and header image and then send a private link to you to look over. Once the article is signed off it will go live with a unique URL for you to share with your network!

You know, I don't have a particular selection criteria. While high-profile individuals and well-known organisations have contributed, all articles get the same home-page space. Learners who have never written in Welsh before have had an article published next to people with 100,000 Twitter followers. People who wouldn't normally have an outlet to share their work/experience/stories with the world have been read more than people who have published books and appear on TV/radio regularly, because what they have written about is unique and not available anywhere else.

So if you have ideas about preparing an item or writing a quiz, there's no reason to be shy- get in touch!

AmeriCymru: What's next for Parallel.cymru? How do you see the site developing?

Neil: As I'm working full time and operating parallel.cymru in my spare time, I have a limited amount of time available to work on the site. My main aims over 2018 are to continue sourcing unique content and to make the magazine more well-known. I've been working with the National Centre for Learning Welsh , the Conversation and the Welsh Books Council   recently, so I'll be enhancing those and seeking more partnerships. I've recently started putting quizzes on the site , and would like to do more inventive things where language and technology intersect. I could use a couple more volunteers to help with translation and ensuring high standards of Welsh language. From a content point of view, I'd like to establish regular columns on subjects such as sports, cookery, healthy & beauty, travel etc (but no politics). I've lined up going to lots of events to promote the site such as Welsh for Adults courses, Cardiff's Tafwyl  and the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay. I'm working on an iOS app at the moment and I've registered the venture as a non-for-profit company. The long term goal is to develop commercial partnerships that allow me to devote more time to the site.

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Neil: The number of people in North America with an interest in Welsh life, language and culture is large, and the enthusiasm for this small and damp, yet beautiful and charming part of world is remarkable. On behalf of everyone in Wales, thank you for your time and interest in us; and particular thanks to those who are learning the language through AmeriCymru or other methods. If you are learning Welsh, don't get worried about mutations and other grammar complexities; just use the language as much as you can, and if you ever get a chance to pop over here and visit, go for it!

Please enjoy reading parallel.cymru, and if you have suggestions or ideas for contributions, do get in touch with me on parallel.cymru@gmail.com .

An original Welsh language children’s book has been selected for an exciting Welsh Government initiative to promote literacy in the most deprived areas of Wales.

Geiriau Cyntaf Cyw by Helen Davies (Y Lolfa) was chosen as the successful book after the Welsh Books Council was asked to be part of the tendering process to supply 10,000 copies of a Welsh title as part of the Flying Start programme.

Flying Start is part of the Welsh Government’s early years programme for families with children under four years of age living in disadvantaged areas of Wales. As well as providing childcare, an enhanced health visiting service and access to parenting programmes, it also provides parents with support in regards to speech, language and communication.

Evidence shows that speech, language and communication ability is an important predictor of later progress in literacy and has an impact on social skills as well as behaviour of children.

The successful title had to be a Welsh language picture book for pre-school children - preferably with a Welsh theme.

Geiriau Cyntaf Cyw (Cyw’s First Words) is a colourful picture-word book presenting a simple vocabulary in various locations such as the garden, farm and seaside. It was originall published in cooperation with S4C and Boom Pictures Cymru. It is suitable for children who are attending nursery or for young children aged between 3 and 5 years old.

‘The Lolfa is very proud that Flying Start has chosen one of the Cyw books for the scheme,’ said Garmon Gruffudd, managing director of Y Lolfa, ‘I hope, as a result, that parents will find more of the great original books that are available to children in Welsh.’

I am delighted that this book, which has received Welsh Government support via the Welsh Books Council's grant scheme, was chosen for Flying Start’ added Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Welsh Books Council, ‘It will give children and parents living in Wales access to an authentic Welsh book originated entirely in Wales and hopefully contribute to lifelong enjoyment of reading.’

Copies will be distributed around Wales as part of the scheme by the beginning of February.

Correct answers below -  Cymraeg - Vocabulary Crossword 1

Try our new interactive crosswords here -  Welsh Crosswords

NEW!! Welsh language vocabulary section - Geriadur  

Nadolig Llawen

Many thanks to John Good for the following list of Welsh Christmas words and phrases. John wishes it to be known that the list reproduced below is something that he found on the internet thousands of years ago and since he can no longer remember where, he is unable to attribute it. Check out John's recording of the pronunciations in the sound file embedded below. While you're here check out John's other excellent musical and lyrical contributions to the site. You will find his AmeriCymru profile page here: John Good on AmeriCymru

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Nadolig  - Christmas n.m.

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Nadolig llawen - Merry Christmas

Noswyl Nadolig - Christmas Eve

adeg y Nadolig - Christmas time , Yule-tide , at Christmas

bwrw'r Nadolig - to spend Christmas

carden Nadolig - Christmas card

carol Nadolig - Christmas carol

dydd Nadolig - Christmas -day

goleuadau Nadolig - Christmas illuminations

mae'r Nadolig ar ein gwarthaf - Christmas is just around the corner

mae'r anrhegion i gyd dan y goeden Nadolig - all the presents are under the Christmas tree

nos Nadolig - Christmas Eve

o gwmpas y Nadolig - about Christmas time

rhodd Nadolig - Christmas present

Siôn Corn - Santa Claus

corn simne - chimney

Blwyddyn o eira, blwyddyn o lawndra - A year of snow, a year of plenty

Chwedl a gynydda fel caseg eira - A tale increases like a rolling snowball

Mor wyn â'r eira - As white as snow

aderyn yr eira - starling n.

blodyn eira - snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

bwrw eira - to snow

cwymp eira - avalanche

disgwylir eira trwm yn y gogledd heno - heavy snow is expected in the north tonight

mae eira ar y ffordd - medden nhw - there's snow on the way - so they say

mae'n bwrw eira - it's snowing

pêl eira - snowball

anrheg - present n.f. (anrhegion) , gift n.f. (anrhegion) , gratuity n.f. (anrhegion)

anrhegu - to present v. anrheg- , to give v. anrheg- , to bestow v. anrheg-

dyma anrheg ddelfrydol i'r plant - here's an ideal present for the children

mae'r anrhegion i gyd dan y goeden Nadolig - all the presents are under the Christmas tree

Iesu - Jesus n.m.f.

eglwys - church n.f.

service - oedfa n.f. (oedfaon)

carol plygain - matin song

plygain - cock-crow n.m. (plygeiniau) , matins n.m. (plygeiniau) , dawn n.m. (plygeiniau)

carol Nadolig - Christmas carol

Yule-tide - adeg y Nadolig

gwyl - holiday n.m.f. (gwyliau) , festival n.m.f. (gwyliau) , feast n.m.f. (gwyliau)

gwyliau - holidays n. , vacation n.

Tawel Nos

Tawel nos dros y byd,
Sanctaidd nos gylch y crud;
Gwylion dirion yr oedd addfwyn ddau,
Faban Duw gydar llygaid bach cau,
Iesu Twysog ein hedd.

Sanctaidd nos gydai ser;
Mante ll fwyn,cariad per
Mintair bugail yn dod i fwynhau
Baban Duw gydar llygaid bach cau,
Iesu Twysog ein hedd.

Tawel nos, Duw ei Hun
Ar y llawr gyda dyn;
Cerddir engyl, ar Nen trugarhau;
Baban Duw gydar llygaid bach cau,
Iesu,Twysog ein hedd.

Mae Llaw y Gaeaf (Jenkin Morgan Edwards, 1933)

Mae llaw y gaeaf oer
Yn cloi pob nant a llyn,
A bysedd bach y coed
I gyd mewn menyg gwyn;
Ar adar wrth y drws
Yn printior eiran dlws.

Nid oes mewn llwyn na gardd
Un nodyn bach o gan,
A saif y coed yn syth
Mewn gwisg o berlau glan;
Daw dawns yr haul cyn hir
Iw troi yn arian clir.

Caraf y gaeaf byth,
Er oernii awel fain,
Am ddod a gynau gwyn
Ir coed ar llwyni drain;
Ar adar wrth y drws
Yn printior eiran dlws.

Pilot Welsh Language Program Starts July 4

Tegid, living in New England, only speaks to his mother in Welsh. Christine moved to Ohio as a young girl and tries to share her Welsh stories with friends. Ana's family fled to Argentina over 100 years ago, where she teaches Welsh as the first language in a Spanish speaking country. The language and history of Welsh is complicated. Thousands of native Welsh speakers are scattered all over the world. Cada Dia Welsh brings them together in a daily online meeting, to share Welsh culture and language.

Through a grant from the Welsh Government , the University of South Wales has teamed up with Point-Productions, to produce an authentic language learning program. The pilot program will run eight weeks, July and August, when students and native born Welsh speakers will share stories, songs and talk about the Welsh language and culture.

This innovative approach to language learning is based on the idea that authentic language is not taught through grammar or even vocabulary. Rather it is an effort to understand, based on contextual cues, in a social language learning environment. The program sessions start in English. Facilitators help participants understand how to participate. Then they start a "virtual immersion" experience. Students will hear and see native language Welsh in the daily web meeting, and figure out what is happening, by reading the helper text on the screen.

Beginners as well as native language speakers are welcome to participate at their own level. "We found that student want to talk... not study language," according to one of the program designers, Michael Henry, at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. "After some experimentation, we developed an environment for beginners, intermediate and advanced speakers, and they don't even realize they are learning" Henry adds. Advanced speakers help the beginners, by sharing stories, culture and history of Wales, in Welsh.

The program is offered for free, during the pilot program, through a course on the Canvas Network, ( https://www.canvas.net/) Open house meetings are being conducted the month of June. More information for individuals and organizations that would like to be a part of the pilot program are encouraged to visit CadaDiaWelsh.com

See the Full Schedule of CDW Webcasts .

Ernesto Suarez - Ariel Media 877-708-2093

Produced through a grant from the Welsh Government, administered by the University of South Wales.

There are many books available to help learners but few discuss issues linked with using the language outside class.

Speak Welsh Outside Class – You Can Do It  by Dr Lynda Pritchard Newcombe is a book for Welsh learners which gives tips on how to be more confident speaking Welsh outside the classroom and in the community. It offers tips on how to overcome these types of obstacles as learners progress with their Welsh.

The book is suitable for Welsh learners of all ages, Welsh for Adults tutors and there is also plenty of advice for Welsh speakers who would like to help learners develop and grow in confidence. 

Dr Lynda Pritchard Newcombe was born in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil and has lived in Cardiff since 1970. She became fluent in Welsh as an adult.
‘Despite a family background in Welsh – my grandparents on my father’s side were from Llanllechid and on my mother’s side from the Gwendraeth valley - I lacked confidence to speak Welsh until I attended WLPAN and further courses at Cardiff University in 1990.’ says Lynda.

She has written many articles and books about learning Welsh and has many years’ experience teaching adults languages and has also been involved in several research projects on bilingualism and worked for Cardiff University and the Open University.

‘This is not a situation unique to Wales but experienced by second language learners in many other countries’ says Lynda, ‘Catalan learners in Spain for instance and farther afield Maori learners in New Zealand as well as Javanese learners in Indonesia.’

‘There are many books available to help learners but few discuss issues linked with using the language outside class.’ explains Lynda, ‘My experiences as a tutor and a researcher has led me to believe that many learners give up using Welsh in the community as they lack self-belief and may not always feel supported by Welsh-speakers.’

‘This is a complex issue and blame should not be apportioned to fluent speakers or learners.’ she explains,  ‘This book aims to help learners and Cymry Cymraeg understand one another.’

‘The Welsh language is a treasure to use, share and enjoy,’ added Welsh tutor Nia Parry, ‘This book gives invaluable advice and guidance to learners and Welsh speakers on their learning journey and to use Welsh at every opportunity.’

Dr Lynda Pritchard Newcombe will be at Maes D in the National Eisteddfod of Wales at 11am on Tuesday the 2 ^nd of August discussing her book.

Speak Welsh Outside Class – You Can Do It! by Dr Lynda Pritchard Newcombe (£5.99, Y Lolfa) is available now.

CYMRAEG |  ENGLISH

In this interview John Good speaks to Menna Elfyn, an award-winning poet and playwright who writes with passion of the Welsh language and identity. She is the best known and most translated of all modern Welsh-language poets. Author of over twenty books of poetry including Aderyn Bach Mewn Llaw (1990), winner of a Welsh Arts Council Prize; the bilingual Eucalyptus: Detholiad o Gerddi / Selected Poems 1978-1994 from Gomer and her previous collection, Cell Angel (1996) from Bloodaxe, children’s novels and educational books, numerous stage, radio and television plays, she has also written libretti for US and UK composers.

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John: Fel person sy wedi dysgu''R Gymraeg yn America ar ôl gadael Cymru yn y saithdegau, mae diddordeb mawr ‘da fi mewn profiadau pobl Cymraeg eu hiaith Tramor. Fel awdures, a ydych chi byth wedi’ch synnu gan y brwdfrydedd a chroeso a gafodd eich gwaith ar draws Clawdd Offa oddi wrth bobl Ddi-Gymraeg?

Menna: Wel ydw mewn gwirionedd. Wnes i erioed freuddwydio y byddai fy ngwaith yn croesi dros Glawdd Offa na chyrraedd America, Tsieina, Sbaen, Norwy-- a gwledydd eraill ond mae''n deimlad hyfryd am fod hynny''n golygu bod cynulleidfaoedd yn dod i wybod fy mod yn sgwennu yn y Gymraeg yn gyntaf ond mae fy ngwelediad wrth gwrs yn ehangach na hynny. Rwy''n gweld y byd trwy ''r Gymraeg a does dim testun na ellid ysgrifennu amdano yn yr iaith honno. Dyna i chi Harlem yn y Nos, cerdd a luniais pan oeddwn yn ysgrifennu libreto ar gyfer Cerddorfa Ffilharmonic Efrog Newydd ac yn gorfod byw yno am wythnosau ar y tro , dros gyfnod o flwyddyn a hanner ac yn gorfod mynd i gwrdd a''r cyfansoddwr a oedd yn byw yn Washington Heights... a dychwelyd wedyn trwy Harlem.

Un enghraifft efallai ond rwy''n dal i ddweud wrth bawb pan af ar Wyliau Llenyddol -- mod i''n ysgrifennu ar gyfer y byd i gyd felly dyw e ddim yn syndod mewn gwirionedd.. Ers Tachwedd 2013, rwy wedi darllen yn Tsieina, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Seattle, St Andrews yr Alban a''r wythnos nesa'' yn Grasmere, cartre Wordsworth , yna yng Nghernyw ddiwedd Mai. Felly rwy wastad ar grwydr a wastad yn dechrau darlleniadau gan ddarllen yn Gymraeg ac yna''n darllen rhannau rhwng cerddi, fel bod y Gymraeg yn toddi''n naturiol i''r cyfieithiadau Saesneg. Fy ngherdd gynta'' bob tro yw '' Cusan Hances'' ar ol i RSThomas ( a wnaeth gyfieithu dwy o''m cerddi gyda llaw) ddweud bod cerdd mewn cyfieithiad fel cusanu trwy hances! Gwell hynny na pheidio a chusanu o gwbl!

John: Darllenais eich llyfr dwyieithog MURMUR yn ddiweddar. Fyddech chi amlinellu ac egluro inni eich dull o drin cyfieithu gan awduron eraill a chi’ch hunan?

Menna: O''r cychwyn, pan oedd galw i mi ddarllen mewn mannau fel Sbaen a ''r Iwerddon roeddwn wedi pwyso ar gyfeillion o feirdd-- Nigel Jenkins, Gillian Clarke a''r un sydd yn ffrind gorau i mi Elin ap Hywel, ac eraill er mwyn cael y cyfieithiadau gorau posib. Roedd yn rhaid i mi wneud ambell un fy hun ond roedd Tony Conran yn dweud '' you are not worthy of the poet!'' achos roedd e''n credu fy mod yn mynd ar goll wrth drosi a ddim yn ffyddlon i''r gerdd . Ond pam ddylwn i? A dyna''r drwg wrth gwrs o wneud y cyfieithiad eich hun sef eich bod yn mynd i rywle arall yn lle glynu at y gwaith mewn llaw. Dyna pam mae cyfieithu yn gelfyddyd o''i wneud yn iawn. Un gorchymyn oedd gen i -- i''r cyfieithwyr - gwnewch y gerdd yn well -- trowch hi''n gerdd annibynnol ond gydag ambell gysgod o''r Gymraeg. Rhaid iddi fyw heb ei chwaer fel petai.

Mae cyfieithu i ieithoedd eraill yn fwy o broblem wrth gwrs ac mae''n cymryd amser. Mae cyfrol mewn Hindi ar waith, cyfrol Arabeg, cyfrol Gatalaneg, i enwi dim ond rhai. Lwc pur yw cael rhywun fel yn achos yr Arabeg i ddod atoch ar ddiwedd darlleniad a dweud ei bod yn mynnu fy nghael yn ei mamiaith hi sef Arabeg. Fel yna mae''r gwaith yn hedfan mae''n debyg. Bydd ambell wall wrth gwrs mewn ambell lyfr er enghraifft fel wnaeth cyfieithydd o Tsieieg gyfieithu '' Drws yn Epynt'' yn y llyfr o''m gwaith yn yr iaith honno yn '' Drws yn yr Aifft -- Door in Egypt! Wrth gwrs doedden nhw''n gwybod dim am Epynt yng Nghymru ac am y bobl yn cael ei hel o''r darn hwnnw o Bowys er mwyn i''r milwyr ymarfer yno.

Ond, erbyn meddwl roedd ysbryd newydd rhyfedd i''r gerdd ar ei newydd wedd ac roedd yn gweithio gyda phob dim sy''n digwydd yn y wlad drist honno y dyddiau yma. Yn Murmur mae dau o''m cyfieithwyr yn rhai newydd-- Damian Walford Davies ac rwy''n ceisio annog Paul Henry i wneud mwy gan ei fod yn fardd mor wych ac yn siarad Cymraeg. Fe gollais fy nghyfieithydd cyntaf eleni, gan y bu Nigel Jenkins farw a fe a fi oedd yn cyfieithu ein gilydd ar y dechrau nol yn yr wythdegau. Colled bersonol i mi a cholled fwy i''w deulu a Chymru. Ond dyma fi wedi crwydro oddi ar y cwestiwn. Nigel ddarllenodd y cerddi mewn cyfieithiad yn un o''m lansiadau yn Abertawe gan ei fod yn ffrind mor agos ac annwyl i mi .

John: Unwaith, mae athro Cymraeg wedi fy ngofyn i a allwn i siarad Cymraeg. “Dim ond Cymraeg ‘Cwmafan’ oedd f’ateb. Yn syth ymlaen , mae fe wedi dweud rhywbeth fel “Hynny yw Cymraeg!” Beth ydy’ch meddyliau chi ar y pwysigrwydd o dafodieithoedd a sut all pobl gyffredin, lenyddol a chymdeithasau fel AmeriCymru camu i’r adwy’u hachub nhw?

Menna: Rwy''n dotio ar dafodieithoedd ac yn casglu pob dim a medraf er mwyn eu defnyddio rywbryd mewn cerddi. Mae''r bardd yn wiwer wedi''r cyfan a''i chnau yw geiriau. Ie, dylid ar bob cyfri eu casglu, eu harfer, eu cadw a llunio geiriau newydd sbon. Er enghraifft mae''r gair '' selfie'' wedi ei droi erbyn hyn yn hunlun sy;n reit dwt dwi''n meddwl.

John: Bob hyn a hyn ac weithiau yn aml, ceir yr ysbryd neu gysgod o Gynghanedd yn eich gwaith chi. Ydy harmoni a gwrthbwynt y geiriau yn gymar cyfartal i ystyr yn y cyfansoddiad?

Menna: Pan oeddwn i''n ysgrifennu yn chwedegau, doedd gen i ddim amser i ddysgu''r rheolau a cheisio ffrwyno fy ngwaith -- roedd gen i bethau own i am eu dweud heb hualau ''r gynghanedd. A hynny er bod fy nhad yn cynganeddu ond roedd mynd ato a dangos ambell linell o gynghanedd ac yntau''n dweud bod yna gam acennu yn ddigon i mi roi''r gorau iddi. Ond mae''r gynghanedd fel un haen yn hyfryd -- ac er fy mod erbyn hyn yn medru cynganeddu a gwneud ambell englyn neu gywydd digon teidi, dwi ddim yn meddwl ei fod yn fy nghyfffroi yn gymaint a cherddi rhydd.

Dwedodd Robert Hass.. I love the line, following the line - I''ve never written a sonnet in my life''. Wel dwi wedi ysgrifennu mewn ffurf pan yw''n gweithio''n ddiymdrech ond rwy''n dwlu ar farddoniaeth Americanaidd - mae dull y beirdd mor eang , mor ddihualau a dyna dwi''n treio ei wneud yn fy ngwaith innau. Rhaid cael yr angerdd cychwynnol a bwrw iddi wedyn ac os daw llinell o gynghanedd i''r golwg neu dan yr wyneb, wel gorau oll, ond nid cychwyn yn y fan honno dwi''n ei wneud. Rwy''n ei weld fel nofio mewn pwll nofio -- i fyny ac i lawr, cadw o fewn eich ffiniau gyda''r nofwyr eraill tra bod y wers rydd yn gadael i mi nofio yn y mor, heb wybod ei ddyfnder , ac heb wybod ei berygl ac yn gallu mynd o un man i''r llall heb i neb fy rhwystro -- heblaw fi fy hunan wrth gwrs.

Menna Elfyn yn darllen '' Handkerchief Kiss '' / '' Cusan Hances '' a cherddi eraill YouTube

John: Ydych chi’n hoff o ddedleins? Fe ddywed rhai’u bod nhw yn symbylu ‘r dychymyg; eraill sy’n dweud y gwrthwyneb. Hefyd, beth ydy’ch meddyliau chi am gomisiynau?

Menna: Wel rwy''n byw ar gomisiynau erbyn hyn boed yn ddramau radio neu''n gerddi neu''n ddrama lwyfan. Ond gan fy mod yn ysgrifennu bod dydd mae''r bardd wastad a''i lygaid yn agored am y gerdd nesa'' . A''r annisgwyl sydd wastad wedi fy nghyffroi.

Fe ofynnwyd i mi lunio dwy linell am Catrin Glyndwr i gerflun a godwyd iddi yn Llundain ac mi luniais--

Godre twr adre nid aeth
[At the tower end –far away from home
Aria ei rhyw yw hiraeth
[Longing is a woman’s song]

Dyna un fan lle mae''r gynghanedd yn help i greu rhywbeth byr , twt. teimladwy gobeithio. Ond ar ol ei llunio roedd Catrin Glyndwr yn fy meddwl a bob hyn a hyn roeddwn yn meddwl am ei sefyllfa yno gyda''i phlant yn Nhwr Llundain ac yn tristau wrth feddwl am hynny. Ac er i''r cerddi gymryd deg mlynedd mewn gwirionedd - dyna oedd y cerddi rown i am eu gosod yn gynta'' yn Murmur. Mae''r gyfrol yn llawn Murmuron wrth gwrs ond mae''r cerddi hyn yn mynegi rhywbeth dwfn am fod mewn gwlad estron ar glo, heb eich mamiaith.

John: Mae Cymru a’r Cymry yn rhan annatod o’ch gwaith llenyddol chi. Ydy hi’n wahanol ysgrifennu oddi cartref? Oes hoff le gweithio ‘da chi?

Menna: Pan dwi adre ,dyna pryd y caf gyfle i feddwl, i ystyried popeth. Pan mae rhywun ar daith mae yna gymaint o bethau i''w gweld, ac i fod yn ofidus fel checo bagiau, cloi drysau stafelloedd yn y gwesty ac ati. Ond dyna pryd rwy''n rhydd sef gartre a hefyd lle mae''r Gymraeg i''w chlywed ar y stryd. Mae Llandysul yn dal yn un o''r pentrefi mwyaf Cymraeg yng Nghymru a chaf foddhad o fynd i bob siop a medru siarad Cymraeg. Ond rwy''n anniddig hefyd yn aml gyda'' mi fy hun a''m cyd- Gymru.

Gwnes ymgyrch bersonol yn ddiweddar o ddweud diolch nid unwaith wrth adael siopau mewn ardaloedd Cymraeg a mannau lle doedd y person ddim yn siarad Cymraeg gan ddweud diolch rhyw deirgwaith -- yn y gobaith y byddent efallai yn troi i''w ddweud yn Gymraeg. Amlach na pheidio dim ond ''thank you'' a gawn sy''n reit warthus wrth feddwl faint o weithiau y mae''n rhaid gen i -- iddyn nhw glywed y gair. A dyna''r gair cyntaf a ddysgaf o fynd i wlad dramor. Os na allwn fynd ymhellach na '' diolch'' yna... wel, mae''n well peidio a dechrau''r sgwrs honno!

John: Ers tro byd, mae beirdd Cymreig wedi bod crefftwr di-ofn, hyd yn oed gyda’r ddyletswydd o siarad am gamwedd. Rhowch inni eich barn ar wleidyddiaeth mewn celfyddyd, os gwelwch chi’n dda?

Menna: Rwy''n gweld y ddeubeth weithiau yn dod at ei gilydd. Fe wnaeth Nigel Jenkins a finnau ddechrau ymgyrch gwrth -apartheid yn yr wythdegau i beidio a gadael i''n gwaith gael ei ddangos gydag arddangosfa o Dde Affrica. Mae sefyll dros annhegwch wastad wedi bod yn rhan o waith bob dydd beirdd OND pan rydych yn ysgrifennu, mae''r gwaith yn galw amdanoch i fod yn ffyddlon i''r grefft a bydd pob mathau o deimladau, rhagfarnau, yn dod i''r wyneb. Felly, dwi ddim bellach yn ysgrifennu gwaith didactig na gwaith ffeminyddol gwleidyddol ei naws. Efallai bod hynny yn siom i rai oedd yn fy ngweld fel lladmerydd i achosion arbennig.

Ar ol dweud hyn i gyd, rwy''n gyffrous bod PEN Cymru ar fin ei lansio gan i mi ddechrau ymchwilio i''r posibiliad rhyw ddegawd yn ol ond roedd y teithiau yn ei wneud yn amhosib i mi ymrwymo i''w sefydlu. Rwy mor falch y bydd yn realiti cyn bo hir. Rhaid bod yn wleidyddol fel dinesydd wrth gwrs ac rwy''n cefnogi llawer o achosion gwleidyddol- rhy niferus i''w nodi yma.

John: Unrhyw beth diddorol ar y gweill? Unrhyw ddymuniad heb ei gwireddu?

Menna: Mae cyfrol am '' Gwsg'' i''w gyflwyno erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn i Wasg Gomer ar gyfer ei gyhoeddi yn 2015. Bu ar waith ac ar stop oherwydd gweithiau eraill. Bydd cynhyrchiad theatr hefyd gyda Theatr Clwyd a hefyd mae '' Gair ar Gnawd'' sef oratorio a luniodd Pwyll ap Sion a finne yn mynd ar daith yn 2015 gyda Chwmni Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru ( cafwyd dau berfformiad yn 2013) ac rydym wedi ychwanegu ato cyn iddo fynd ar daith eto. Rwy am gyfieithu mwy o farddoniaeth Gymraeg i''r Saesneg fel yn Murmur - sydd a 3 cerdd o waith Waldo yno.

John: Oes unrhyw negeseuon terfynol ‘da ti am yr aelodau a darllenwyr AmeriCymru?

Menna: Rwy wrth fy modd gyda''r wefan hon ac yn llawenhau ei bod hi mor fywiog -- dylem ar bob cyfri ei hanwesu a diolch i Ceri Shaw amdani. Ers i mi ymweld gynta'' a''r Unol Daleithiau yn 1997 rwy wedi dychwelyd i ddarllen neu ymweld -- bob blwyddyn bron iawn. Rwy wrth fy modd yno felly os ydych am fy ngwahodd i roi darlleniad i chi -- byddwn wrth fy modd yn dod atoch. Hwyl am y tro a diolch am y cyfle i gael cyfweliad ar AmeriCymru.

Interview by John Good

This course is no longer available. We will post here as soon as we make alternative arrangements. We would like to take this opportunity to thank tutor John Good who has done a magnificent job over the years providing first class online Welsh language tuition. John has returned to Wales ( see this post: All Good Things - A Farewell To Sioni Dda ) and we would like to wish him every success with his future projects in Cymru. 

The new term will start on the week beginning June 19th, 2023. This course is offered in two-month terms. There are two class times available: a class for Beginning students and an Intermediate class.

This class is delivered in an invitation-only video conference on Google Hangouts. Materials and written discussion are on an invitation-only group here on AmeriCymru. To engage in the class, you must have an internet connection sufficient to engage in a Hangout, a gmail account, an AmeriCymru account and a headset with earphones and a microphone. It would be good to have a webcam on your computer so that other class members and the teacher can see you but this is not necessary, as long as you can see and communicate with the teacher.

Read our interview with student Susan Floyd here.

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• Tuition for the term is $70.00. Register with the PayPal button, below.
• The course will run for eight weeks. You may join at any time and your tuition will be prorated if you have missed classes prior to enrollment. We will not refund missed classes after enrollment.
• Materials will be posted in the course group on AmeriCymru.
• There will be weekly publicly moderated homework.
• You will need a Google account and an AmeriCymru account to participate.
• You will need a headset with microphone and headphones to hear and participate in the online class.

The new term will start on the week beginning June 19th, 2023.

Classes are one hour in duration and times will be  5 p.m. (Pacific time) for the Beginners class and 6 p.m. (Pacific time) for the Intermediate class, as per last year. Please let us know by email at americymru@gmail.com whether you are enrolling for the Beginners or Intermediate class. Use this email address also for general inquiries.

To register, click the button, below.  Every week, you will receive an invitation to join that week's Google Hangout and will log in at your class time. Homework assignments will be sent out via email.

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Class Level

New student $70.00 USD Continuing Beginner $70.00 USD Intermediate $70.00 USD

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The classes will be conducted on Google hangouts and will be fully interactive video and voice sessions. You will need a Gmail  account to participate, this is free and only takes a minute to set up. Be sure that you have a working webcam and headset for the hangout sessions AND do not forget to send us your Gmail address ( if it is different from your AmeriCymru sign up address ) so that we can invite you. .

John Good is well known throughout the West, South, Midwest and in his native Wales as a multi-instrumentalist, Welsh piper, singer/songwriter, composer and poet. Veteran of many Celtic festivals and concerts, including Estes Park, Chicago, San Diego and Denver, he brings the subtly different flavor of traditional Welsh music to the stage. John speaks and teaches the Welsh language ( Y Gymraeg ), is a member of the traditional band Tramor and is the president of the Welsh League of Arizona .

A message from John Good:-

Hello everyone, John Good dw i, I am Sioni Dda and will be leading the newydd spon danlli /brand-spanking new flame-colored interactive, on-line Welsh course on AmeriCymru, to be known as Ameri Cymraeg .

Let me tell you a little about myself so that we can understand each other better from the dechrau. I was born in South Wales in the Afan Valley and Welsh/Y Gymraeg and English were spoken in the house. By the time I left school, I knew less Welsh than when I started … I had little interest in a dying language , and anyway the Beatles sang in English and all of my friends spoke it. Fast forward 25 years, having moved to San Francisco, LA then Phoenix all of a sudden I realized I had robbed myself of a major part of my cultural identity and I set about re-learning Yr Hen Iaith/the Old Language so that I could talk to my aging mother in the language of her youth. I achieved that and, in the last 15 years or so, have taught a surprising number of desert dwellers and others, among other things, how to pronounce popty-ping [popty /oven--that goes--ping] or microwave.

The language is now a passion of mine and I look forward to the opportunity to pass on what I cherish: The truly healthiest dying language in the world.

Y Driniaeth/The Approach

I’ve assembled my approach to teaching from a number of sources over the years: John Albert Evans, Rhodri Jones, Heini Gruffudd, and Gareth King to name but a few, but have also assembled a fairly large dossier on how not to teach Welsh. I’ll be working from my own play book, illustrated with the borrowings from the best teachers I know. As a musician I am attracted to the “by ear” method: Language as sound, much like a melody with meaning. After all young children don’t use grammar books (although for adults they have their place), they associate repeated sounds with objects and people.

Adnoddau ar-lein/On Line Resources

We are very lucky these days that there are a myriad of on-line resources that I would have killed for when I was first looking to revive my heritage. I’ll go through these in detail later on, as they all have special strong points, but for now….

Geiriaduron/Dictionaries

http://techiaith.bangor.ac.uk/GeiriadurAcademi/?lang=en

English to Welsh only but an incredible bargain am rad ac yn ddim /for free! The hard copy is $84 from Amazon!!

http://geiriadur.ac.uk/gpc/gpc.html

The first -- to my knowledge -- on line Welsh/English/Welsh dictionary; written by a Welsh learner. There’s inspiration for you.

http://www.geiriadur.net/

Another great free dictionary, with search features I’ll tell you about later.

http://www.cysgliad.com/cysill/arlein/Default.aspx

                                                Free spell-checker/Sillafydd

Well, I hope this has sparked your interest. I got pumped up just writing it! I look forward to seeing you on Google Hangout (Also free!).

Hwyl am y tro/Bye for now, Sioni Dda/John Good.