Bore da! Sut dych chi? These are my first words in Welsh after attending the Welsh taster session this morning at Maes D. It has been a really nice experience where I learnt the Welsh alphabet, the numbers and some basic phrases. My teacher was Lowri Gwenllian, from Swansea, and there were twelve of us in the room ready to have our first go at Welsh language. We were an interesting mix at the class, with ages ranging from 4 to 65 and all sorts of possible backgrounds. It felt good seeing how Welsh language brought so different people together in the same place.
After the class I took some time to chat with my teacher and she told me that if I take one year off to learn Welsh I can reach a very good level of understanding and decent speaking skills, just in that short time. I might consider the option if I have the chance in the future!
But for those who can’t dedicate one whole year to learn a new language, there are Welsh classes for adults available in every region of Wales. Apparently, every two years of learning Welsh you reach a new level, so this means that after 8 years you could master the language. It sounds like a lot of time, but it’s probably a lot of fun too, especially after the third year, when you have enough skills to have what they call a “Welsh friend”, somebody with whom you can socialise while practising your Welsh.
No matter what level of Welsh you have, there are loads of information at the Maes D tent, where you will find very friendly teachers that will make you feel extremely welcome to their culture and this year’s National Eisteddfod. Just go there and talk to them if you fancy a go at one of the oldest languages in Europe!
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