What are the basics of Welsh grammar?

Answer 1

Welsh Grammar is far from simple, and the rules are somewhat intricate, and confuse even hardened Welsh speakers. A few very brief basics are:

There Is No Indefinite article (a/an):

for example "A dog" would just be "Ci"

There are Three ways to spell and say "The"

When in front of a consonant, We use "Y"

However:

If the noun is feminine Soft Mutation will take place.

So, "Cat" for example is a feminine noun which begins with a consonant. so "The Cat" is "Y Cath" before mutation. After mutation takes place, the noun becomes "Y Gath."

The Second is "Yr"

"yr" is used in front of a vowel and in front of h. Remember that "w" and "y" are vowels in Welsh.

So "Apple" Begins with a vowel in welsh, therefore, "The Apple" becomes "Yr Afal"

The Third is "'r"

is used after a word ending in a vowel - no matter whether the word which follows begins with a vowel or with a consonant. For example, The phrase "The Children Are" Becomes "Mae'rPlant"

Mutation occurs in these eight letters:

Soft:

P is Written and pronounced as B

T as D

C as G

B as F

D as Dd (Th)

M as F

Ll as L

and Rh as R.

Nasal:

P is Written and pronounced as Mh

T as Nh

C as Ngh

B as M

D as N

G as Ng

Aspirate:

P as Ph

T as Th

C as Ch.

It Is Useful to remember that in welsh the Adjective follows the Noun.

So, "The red Car" Would become " Y Car Coch." which translates directly as "The Car Red."

There Are Three exceptions, however the words are not overly common.

Hen (meaning Old)

Hoff (Favourite)

Prif (Main/Cheif)

So, "The Old car" Become "Y Car Hen." Which translates at the same.

As with French, Words are either Masculine or Feminine, as there is no way to distinguish, When learning the words, it is important to learn whether it is masculine or feminine, so you do not make a mistake when mutating.

These are brief basics, but some of the most important rules.