The Welsh language, or “Cymraeg” as it’s known by its native speakers, is a fascinating tapestry of history, culture, and linguistics. For those unfamiliar with the language, it may seem like a modern-day enigma. What makes this ancient Celtic language so unique? How has it survived the tests of time and evolved into a vibrant language used in modern Wales?
Origins of Welsh
Welsh is a member of the Celtic language family, which was once widespread across Europe before the expansion of the Roman Empire and, subsequently, the Germanic and Slavic peoples. Other modern languages in this family include Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Breton, and Cornish.
The roots of Welsh stretch back to the British Iron Age and the Roman period. It evolved from an ancient language known as Brittonic, spoken in Britain. Over time, regional dialects of Brittonic evolved into distinct languages, including Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.
In terms of written records, Old Welsh emerged around the 9th century, maturing into Middle Welsh by the 12th century. By the 15th century, we see the language evolve into Early Modern Welsh, which, though quite different from the Welsh spoken today, has a structure and vocabulary that current speakers would recognize.
The Survival of Welsh
Throughout history, the Welsh language experienced various pressures, including attempts to suppress it. The infamous “Welsh Not” or “Welsh Stick” policy in the 19th-century schools punished children for speaking Welsh, which precipitated a significant decline in the language.
Yet, Welsh proved resilient, with revival efforts starting in the late 19th century and continuing into the 20th and 21st centuries. Today, the language is experiencing a resurgence, buoyed by legislative support and a renewed cultural interest in preserving and promoting the Welsh language.
In 1993, the Welsh Language Act granted the language equal legal status with English in the public sector in Wales. The Welsh government has a long-term strategy called “Cymraeg 2050,” aiming for a million Welsh speakers by 2050. As of the 2021 census, approximately 29.8% of the Welsh population could speak the language.
The Uniqueness of Welsh
To the uninitiated, Welsh can be a confounding language. There are, however, a few key characteristics that make it distinct:
- Phonetics: Welsh has a unique phonetic system with some sounds not present in English. The most notorious is the ‘ll,’ a voiceless lateral fricative pronounced by placing the tongue against the roof of the mouth and blowing air around the sides. The Welsh double ‘dd’ represents a voiced dental fricative, much like the ‘th’ in English ‘then’.
- Mutation: Welsh uses a system called ‘initial consonant mutation’, where the first letter of a word changes depending on its grammatical context. For example, the Welsh word for ‘cat’ is ‘cath’, but if you want to say ‘my cat’, you would say ‘fy nghath’.
- Vowel Heavy: Welsh also tends to be a vowel-heavy language with seven vowels, as ‘w’ and ‘y’ are considered vowels.
- VSO Language: Unlike English, which typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, Welsh usually follows a Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) order. For instance, in Welsh, you would say ‘Canodd y dyn y gân’ (Sang the man the song) instead of ‘The man sang the song.’
Welsh in the Modern World
The influence of Welsh extends beyond Wales. It impacts place names, literature, music, and film. If you’ve ever wondered about the origins of place names like “Pittsburgh” (from “Pitt’s fortress”) or “Philadelphia” (from “brotherly love”), they stem from the Brythonic language from which Welsh originates.
In terms of literature, perhaps the most famous Welsh contribution is the Mabinogion, a collection of 11 medieval Welsh tales. Modern Welsh literature is also flourishing, with writers like Caryl Lewis and Angharad Price receiving acclaim.
Welsh music, particularly male voice choirs and ‘Eisteddfodau’ (music and poetry festivals), are a significant part of Welsh culture. The language is also heard in modern music genres, with artists like Gwenno Saunders and Gruff Rhys choosing to release Welsh language albums.
The Welsh film industry has also produced critically acclaimed Welsh-language films like “Hedd Wyn” and “Solomon & Gaenor.”
Even digital technology has embraced Welsh. Microsoft, Google, and Wikipedia have all created Welsh language interfaces, while social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have Welsh language options.
Welsh Education
The role of education in the Welsh language resurgence cannot be understated. The introduction of the National Curriculum for Wales in 1988 made it mandatory for all students up to the age of 16 to study Welsh.
There’s also a growing network of Welsh medium schools, where all subjects are taught in Welsh. According to the Welsh government, 22% of all pupils were in Welsh medium or bilingual primary schools as of 2020.
Welsh is also studied at university level, and adults can learn through courses offered by organizations like the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
Conclusion
The Welsh language, with its rich history, unique characteristics, and cultural importance, continues to fascinate linguists and language enthusiasts alike. Its survival, against historical pressures, is a testament to the resilience of the language and the people who speak it.
Far from being a relic of the past, Welsh has found its place in the modern world, resonating in literature, music, film, and digital technology. With ambitious government targets and the dedication of its speakers, Welsh will continue to thrive and evolve, remaining a modern-day linguistic enigma.
