St David's Day Launch - A Book Welsh Learners will Love and Grammarians will Hate

On Saint David’s Day a new revolutionary Welsh language course will be launched that publishers Y Lolfa claims teaches “real spoken Welsh fast”.  It is claimed that Live Welsh by Heini Gruffudd offers a new and easy way to learn Welsh by bypassing grammar altogether. Heini Gruffudd, a prolific author and expert on language planning, explains, "The purpose of this book is to allow learners to learn the Welsh that is used by many ordinary Welsh speakers. The book does not dwell on the niceties of grammar, indeed it avoids or disregards them intentionally.”

He adds, “When speaking Welsh, many Welsh speakers don’t use verbs, use a lot of English words, change English words into Welsh ones and don’t mutate according to the rules.” According to the blurb learners should put in English words if they don’t remember the Welsh. There is also a handy list of 120 words that are similar to English. 

The book is arranged into twenty-to-thirty-minute parts, each part introducing new words, sentences and a conversation with explanatory sketches by Colin Baker. Lefi Gruffudd on behalf of Y Lolfa said,“There are numerous Welsh grammar and rules books on the market but this book will appeal to people without the time and patience to study grammar but who wish to learn enough Welsh for straightforward conversations  in the easiest possible way. Hopefully after completing this book learners will be able to use basic Welsh and then move on to improve their language skills through practice. The language has become a hot topic recently and we hope that publishing this book is a practical way of increasing the number of Welsh speakers.”

Live Welsh is priced at £6.95 and is available now on our website.


Gwerslyfr Chwyldroadol Heb Ramadeg


Ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi bydd Y Lolfa yn cyhoeddi gwerslyfr newydd ar gyfer pobl sydd am ddysgu Cymraeg llafar. Mae’r Lolfa yn honni fod Live Welsh gan Heini Gruffudd yn cynnig dull hawdd o ddysgu Cymraeg pob dydd ac yn wahanol i bob gwerslyfr arall sydd ar y farchnad. Mae’r gyfrol yn osgoi gramadeg bron yn llwyr. Dywedodd Heini Gruffudd, sy’n awdur nifer o gyfrolau dysgu Cymraeg ac yn awdurdod ar gynllunio ieithyddol,

“Pwrpas y gyfrol yw caniatáu i ddysgwyr ddysgu’r Gymraeg sy’n cael ei siarad gan lawer o Gymry cyffredin. Dyw’r gyfrol ddim yn mynd i’r afael â manion gramadeg ond yn hytrach, yn eu hosgoi yn fwriadol.”

Ychwanegodd, “Wrth siarad Cymraeg mae’n duedd gan siaradwyr i beidio defnyddio berfau, i ddefnyddio nifer o eiriau Saesneg, addasu geiriau Saesneg ac i beidio treiglo yn ôl y rheolau.”

Mae’r gyfrol, sy’n cynnwys nifer o ddarluniau esboniadol, wedi ei rannu’n 42 gwers sydd yn eu tro yn cyflwyno geiriau a brawddegau newydd ac mae yna eirfa gynhwysfawr yn y cefn. Dywedodd Lefi Gruffudd ar ran Y Lolfa:

“Mae yna lyfrau rif y gwlith ar gyfer pobl sydd am ddysgu rheolau a gramadeg yr iaith. Bydd y gyfrol yn apelio at bobl sydd am ddysgu’r iaith yn y modd rhwyddaf posib, hef orfod mynd i’r afael â chymlethdodau gramadegol. Gobeithio y bydd dysgwyr ar ôl gorffen y llyfr yma yn mynd ati o ddifrif i siarad Cymraeg. Yn sgil y trafodaethau diweddar am dynged yr iaith mae cyhoeddi’r llyfr yma yn ffordd ymarferol i godi niferoedd y siaradwyr Cymraeg.”

Pris Live Welsh, sydd wedi cael ei ddylunio a’i ddarlunio gan Colin Baker, yw £6.95. Bydd yn cael ei gyhoeddi ar ddydd Gŵyl Dewi 2012.

 

Y Lolfa Cyf., Talybont, Ceredigion, Cymru SY24 5HE
ffôn 01970 831 902

www.ylolfa.com
c y h o e d d w y r  a c  a r g r a f f w y r

Book Review: Patagonia, Matthew Rhys

Matthew Rhys, a native of Cardiff now living in Los Angeles, has appeared in more than 30 roles for film and television, including "The House of America," "The Edge of Love," and the television drama "Brothers and Sisters."

In 1885, a group of Welsh settlers in Chubut, Argentina set out to explore the Andes and found and settled Cwm Hyfryd, "Pleasant Valley". They were members of the largest Welsh settlement in South America, founded twenty years earlier by the passengers of the Mimosa.

Actor and author Matthew Rhys joined a group of the descendants of the original Cwm Hyfryd expedition to recreate their accomplishment, on horseback as they did themselves. Rhys has published a beautiful book of his photographs and commentary on this experience: Patagonia: Croesi'r Paith/Crossing the Plain, a photographic memoir of this journey by horse through the Patagonian landscape and some of its Welsh history.

Although formatted as a beautiful coffee-table style book, Patagonia is about equal parts text and photographs, mainly black and white. It's presented in English and Welsh, including an introduction in those languages and Spanish. Rhys has included some background history of Welsh immigration to Argentina and the story of the original journey, including a few wonderful historic photos of those early settlers and the Argentina of their time. Instead of a linear description of the trip, chapters focus on Rhys' companions and elements of his experience, with titles like "Lunch," about the routine of easting, resting and riding and "Knives," which gives some insight into the arrangement of the trip. Rhys describes the following encounter:

"A number of farmers, and their wives and children, came out to greet us. One old gentleman gestured toward me inviting me to slow down. He ventured something in Spanish, and I gave him my customary response:

"'Perdon, no hablo catellano, señor.'

"'Wyt ti'n siarad Cymraeg, fachgen?' ('Do you speak Welsh?') was his answer."

The photographs are excellent. Sometimes humorous, sometimes heroically panoramic. Sometimes warm and small and precise little narratives themselves of people and things.

Patagonia was a comfortable pleasure to read. Picture and narrative together subtly built a sense of place and people, of Rhys' experience, the things he saw and the men who accompanied him, the marks on the land the original settlers left and the effect all this had at the end of the trail. The people, the landscape and customs are brought vividly and splendidly to life and conjure the desire to enjoy an asado in the Andes with these wonderful people, in this beautiful place.

Patagonia is published by Gomer Press and is available through Amazon.com

Keeping Up with the Joneses -yn y Gymraeg: A Taste of the Welsh Language

As part of this years Left Coast Eisteddfod we are pleased and proud to announce the following event. For full details visit the Portland Central Library event page here:- Keeping Up with the Joneses -yn y Gymraeg: A Taste of the Welsh Language "In this fun, activity-based course, you will be able to do what Welsh stars Catherine Zeta-Jones & Tom Jones CAN'T do - you’ll be able to speak the language of Cymraeg (Welsh)! In this 2 hr taster course, forget dictionaries or taking notes, instead you’ll be meeting new ffrindiau(friends) and sharing gwybodaeth(information) about your interests. This is an activity-based experience that is so enjoyable you won’t even know you’re learning! Expect to participate, experiment and most of all to have fun! In this class we’ll also be: **having a laugh and a go at pronouncing Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch **storytelling – enjoy reading some of your favorite Jumbo Fairy tale books in Welsh. **listening to englynion and other styles of Welsh poetry."   About the teacher: To California native Diana Manzanilla, discovering Cymraeg was a fluke. Yet, the language instantly captivated her, causing her to leave home and family for the beautiful green valleys of Wales. She spent 2 years in that glorious land - the first spent learning Welsh and the second spent teaching Welsh to adults using the same methods you’ll experience in this course.

First Original Welsh World Cup Guidebook

This year, for the first time, Welsh readers will be able to prepare for the World Cup with an original book which is as attractive as anything available in English. In the past, adaptations of English books on the championship have been published, but this year, due to new funds made available by the Wales Books Council for the designing of Welsh books and visual materials, a new full-colour book will be published by Y Lolfa on 5th of May. Cwpan y Byd 2010 will include a foreword by John Hartson, a free wall chart of the matches and a Welsh perspective on the event along with text by an experienced author, Gwyn Jenkins. The new funding from the Wales Books Council means that the book has been professionally designed by Elgan Griffiths and includes photographs from the Press Association. Lefi Gruffudd from Y Lolfa said: “It’s great to be able to commission an original book for the World Cup with an author and designer of such high standard. It will look as good as anything else available in any language. It is also good that the text will put a Welsh tilt on things and a different perspective than the often biased material seen in the English press.” Elwyn Jones, Director of the Wales Book Council, said: “It’s great to welcome the first product of the extra funding made available for Welsh books by the Assembly Government this year. It’s good to have an original Welsh book about the World Cup, and for that book to be as colourful and lively as this one. Congratulations to Y Lolfa for taking advantage of this opportunity.” The book, Cwpan y Byd 2010, will surely be a great aid to anyone who wishes to keep track of all the countries and players who will be competing in South Africa this year. It is packed with facts and figures, including details of all the matches, fantastic photographs of the players, a foreword by John Hartson and a free wall chart. The author, Gwyn Jenkins, published the first Welsh book on football for children, Gôl (Y Lolfa 1980) and this is another volume that will prove to be essential to supporters of the world’s most popular sport. Gwyn Jenkins also edited Llyfr y Ganrif. The book will available in Welsh bookshops from the 5th of May for £4.95. Cwpan y Byd – Llawlyfr Cymraeg Am y Tro Cyntaf Am y tro cyntaf erioed eleni mi fydd darllenwyr Cymraeg yn gallu paratoi ar gyfer Cwpan y Byd gyda llyfr gwreiddiol sydd mor ddeniadol ag unrhyw beth a geir yn Saesneg. Yn y gorffennol cyhoeddwyd addasiadau o lyfrau Saesneg am y bencampwriaeth, ond eleni, oherwydd arian newydd i ddylunio a deunydd gweledol mewn llyfrau Cymraeg gan Gyngor Llyfrau Cymru, mi fydd llyfr newydd llawn lliw yn cael ei gyhoeddi gan Y Lolfa ar Fai y 1af. Bydd y llyfr Cwpan y Byd 2010 yn cynnwys rhagair gan John Hartson, siart am ddim o’r gemau a gogwydd Gymreig ar bethau gyda thestun gan yr awdur profiadol, Gwyn Jenkins. Mae’r nawdd newydd gan y Cyngor Llyfrau wedi golygu bod modd cael dyluniad proffesiynol gan Elgan Griffiths a defnyddio lluniau Press Association. Yn ôl Lefi Gruffudd o wasg Y Lolfa: “Mae’n wych o beth gallu comisiynu llyfr gwreiddiol ar gyfer Cwpan y Byd gydag awdur a dylunydd o safon mor uchel. Mi fydd yn edrych gystal ag unrhyw beth mewn unrhyw iaith. Mae’n dda fod y testun hefyd yn cynnwys cyfeiriadaeth Gymreig a safbwynt gwahanol i’r holl ddeunydd unllygeidiog a welir yn y wasg Saesneg.” Dywedodd Elwyn Jones, Cyfarwyddwr Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru, ''Mae'n braf iawn croesawu ffrwyth cyntaf y nawdd ychwanegol a ddaeth ar gyfer llyfrau Cymraeg gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad eleni. Gwych o beth yw cael llyfr gwreiddiol Cymraeg am Gwpan y Byd, a hwnnw'n llyfr bywiog a lliwgar. Llongyfarchiadau i'r Lolfa am fanteisio ar y cyfle.' Mi fydd y llyfr newydd Cwpan y Byd 2010 yn siwr o fod yn gymorth i’r sawl sydd am bwyso a mesur yr holl wledydd a’r sêr a fydd yn cystadlu yn Ne Affrica eleni. Mae’n llawn ffeithiau, yn cynnwys holl fanylion y gemau, lluniau gwych o’r chwaraewyr, rhagair gan John Hartson, a hefyd siart am ddim. Cyhoeddodd yr awdur, Gwyn Jenkins, y llyfr Cymraeg cyntaf i blant ar bêl-droed, sef Gôl (y Lolfa 1980) a dyma gyfrol arall a fydd yn hanfodol i gefnogwyr gêm fwyaf poblogaidd y byd. Gwyn Jenkins oedd hefyd golygydd Llyfr y Ganrif. Lansir y gyfrol ar Fai 1af yn y Fedwen Lyfrau, Llanrwst.

Ten Questions With Caroline Roper-Deyo of The Cor Cymraeg de California

Americymru: When was the choir founded and how would you describe its mission? Caroline: The Welsh Choir of Southern California ( Cor Cymraeg De Califfornia), was founded in the Fall of 1997 by Michael J. Lewis, who was it’s first music conductor and director. The mission of the Welsh Choir of Southern California (Cor Cymraeg De Califfornia) is to bring the glories of Welsh music and culture to audiences worldwide through performance and recordings. Americymru: How many members do you have and how often do you all get together for rehearsals? Caroline: Currently there are about 30 members in the mixed-voice choir. We generally rehearse weekly on Sunday afternoons in West Los Angeles near LAX. Americymru: What is your typical repertoire? Do you perform in both Welsh and English? Caroline: We sing in both Welsh and English and our typical repertoire includes new music featuring contemporary Welsh poets and composers, as well as traditional hymns and folk songs. Our performances often include the contributions of of distinguished local musicians as well as guest artists from Wales. Americymru: What are the minimum qualifications for persons wishing to join the choir? Caroline: The minimum qualification for any person wishing to sing with the Welsh Choir of Southern California (Cor Cymraeg De Califfornia) is that they must love to sing.Loving Welsh music is also a plus. Knowing Welsh is not a requirement as language coaching is provided. Americymru: Would you say that the choral singing tradition is alive and vibrant in the U.S.A. today? Caroline: Yes the choral singing tradition is not only alive and well it is growing. As evidenced by the development of choirs and festivals and competitions. Americymru: Is there anywhere online where people can go to hear the choir? Do you have any CD’s available or planned? Caroline: I’m not certain if there are places on-line where you can currently hear us sing. It is my understanding that a couple of our performances have been put on YouTube but I haven’t checked recently. Also the performance at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C was archived but I don’t know if it is still accessible. We have one CD that we released in 2002: Hearts Afire * Calonnau ar Dan We are currently working on a second CD. Grants for funding will be greatly appreciated. Americymru: What would you say was your most notable performance or experience with the choir? Caroline: It is very difficult to say which would be our most notable performance.I suspect every person in the choir would choose different ones for different reasons: Singing at the National Cathedral, May 2007 for California Day (we were chosen from over 60 choirs in the state who were considered). Singing at Saint James Episcopal Church, March 2004 where the lines were so long we were almost an hour late starting and people had to be seated in the chapel; or, Singing at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, Wales, July 3rd, 2003 for a packed crowded including rows of dignitaries and church officials. Americymru: Do you have any plans to perform outside California in the near future? Caroline: Yes we hope to return to Wales to tour – possibly in 2011.In the summer of 2008 we sang in Vancouver and Victoria and have been invited to return. All possibilities. Americymru: Can you tell us anything about your recent concert with Julia Bentham? Caroline: Unfortunately Julia Bentham was not able to sing with us.She became ill the day before our concert and spent the week in a hotel room in Santa Monica. It was a great disappointment but we were gratified that she was able to return to London with her daughter and is now doing well. Americymru: Any other message for the members and readers of AmerCymru? Caroline: We would like to encourage you to experience the joys of Welsh music whether you participate by singing, playing or listening. Once you do you will never again know depression without hope, darkness without light, and you will understand why Welsh music is and has been the hallmark of Wales for 100’s of years. Pob Bendith. Cariad Caroline, Chorister and Publicist

Cwrs Goleuni'r Gogledd – The Northern Lights Course

Cymdeithas Madog presents Cwrs Cymraeg 2009:
Cwrs Goleuni'r Gogledd – The Northern Lights Course
University of Alberta, Augustana Campus ~ Camrose, Alberta, CanadaSunday, July 19 – Sunday, July 26, 2009

Cwrs Cymraeg, meaning Welsh Course, is a unique educational opportunity for language enthusiasts, individuals or families of Welsh descent, or anybody interested in the beautiful Welsh language and culture. It is a week-long residential course emphasizing the spoken language and provides instruction/classes at seven levels, ranging from the absolute beginner to those who are well advanced.

At this year's course in Camrose, Alberta, Hefina Phillips will be the lead tutor; joining her from North America will be Annette Evans, Deian Evans, Marta Diaz, and Aled Llion. The tutors from Wales will be Geraint Wilson-Price and Chris Reynolds. There are approximately 5 hours of language class each day, supplemented by further language and culture-related activities in the afternoon. Evening events such as singing, folk dancing, Welsh-language films, and a Noson Lawen (talent night) provide additional opportunities to relax while enjoying a Welsh-language atmosphere.

Registration and Fees: A check or money order for $100, in US funds, reserves a place. Deposits, together with the applicant's mailing address and e-mail, should be sent to the Cwrs Cymraeg registrar: Shirley McKee, Registrar, Cwrs Cymraeg 2009; 3033 Willowbrook Way, Beavercreek, OH 45431-7702 USA. On-line registration and deposit payment will be available soon--please check www.madog.org for updates. For questions, please contact the registrar at registrar@madog.org

Make checks payable to: Cwrs Cymraeg 2009. The deposit will be applied to the cost of registration. Deposits are fully refundable until April 30, 2009. No refunds of deposits will be made after June 1, and registration will close on June 15. If necessary, we will establish a waiting list, so after June 1 check with the Registrar regarding openings.

Fees for the course include all meals, tuition, course materials, and official evening activities. This covers the period from dinner on Sunday evening, July 19 until and including breakfast on Sunday, July 26. A mid-week trip will be an extra cost option.

Adult Resident (Double occupancy) $740.00

Adult Commuter $640.00

Discount for students (off above rates) - $50.00

Tag-along (Double occupancy) $440.00

Upgrade to Single occupancy $60.00

Full payment is due by June 15. Payments after June 15 will be subject to a $50 late fee.

Scholarships: An application for a scholarship should be postmarked by April 20, 2009. The application may be submitted either online or though the mail. The $100 deposit for the course must be paid to hold a place on the course and for the applicant to be considered for a scholarship. If an applicant is not awarded a scholarship and cannot afford to attend otherwise, the deposit will be refunded in full.

Full scholarship details and application materials can be mailed to anyone without internet access. The scholarship application form and answers to frequently asked questions will be available online in February 2009 on the Cymdeithas Madog website, www.madog.org.

For scholarship information and requests, contact:

Bill Roberts

Cymdeithas Madog Scholarship Committee

875 Wilmot Road

Deerfield, IL 60015 USA

Scholarship Endowment Fund: For over 30 years, Cymdeithas Madog has provided a unique opportunity to study the Welsh language in North America. Thanks to the generosity of the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association (WNGGA), the National Welsh American Foundation (NWAF), societies and individuals, we have been able to offer a limited number of partial scholarships each year, to help students attend the course. In many cases the award makes a crucial difference.

In addition, Cymdeithas Madog has established a Scholarship Endowment Fund to provide scholarship assistance. Donations to this fund are always welcome! Cymdeithas Madog is a non-profit organization [501(c)(3)] and such contributions are US tax deductible. If you would like to make a donation to Cymdeithas Madog, send a check, payable to Cymdeithas Madog's Scholarship Endowment Fund, to the registrar at the above address.

Further Information: Visit the Cymdeithas Madog website, www.madog.org. The site will maintain updated information about registering online and other details as they become available. We invite you to start making plans to attend Cwrs Goleuni'r Gogledd--The Northern Lights Course! Veterans of previous courses already know what a rich and rewarding experience Cwrs Cymraeg is, and they extend a warm welcome to each new participant.

Sincerely,

Cymdeithas Madog Board of Directors

Free Welsh Music Digital Album Download - Get it Here!

Help yourself to a free Welsh language digital album. Download from "Dan Y Cownter/Under The Counter". The album features tracks from Fleur Dafydd, MC Mabon and Dr Huw amongst others. Just click on the banner above or HERE to be taken to the download site.

From the site:- "Following the overwhelming popularity of Dan y Cownter (Under the Counter) and Dan y Cownter 2 - two previously released CDs featuring the best and latest music from Wales, distributed for free in order to promote Welsh language music; Welsh Music Foundation is proud to present this brand new website - the third edition in the series: "Dan Y Cownter 3" (more...)"