When you’re using the ‘prefer’ construction, the forms of bod are all in the 3rd person because you’re basically saying “It is preferable with me/you/him/her/us/them”
So it’s really only the pronoun that will change:
Mae’n well 'da fi - I prefer
Mae’n well da hi/fe/fo - she/he prefers
Roedd hi’n well 'da fi - I preferred
Roedd hi’n well 'da ni - we preferred
Bydd hi’n well 'da fi - I will prefer
Bydd hi’n well 'da nhw - they will prefer
Bysai’n well 'da fi - I would prefer
Bysai’n well 'da ti/chi - you would prefer
I find it a little funny that in spite of the Introduction to the course saying that when, as children, we acquire our first language we don’t worry, nor are we aware of, such things as grammar or writing, translation and so on. And this is the magic of SSIW. Yet so many times I see people worrying over the grammar of the Cymraeg they are learning yet are happy (and oblivious) to the ungrammatical English they use every day!
My problem is, I was not that child. I am not that happy and oblivious adult. I have cared about saying things “correctly” since before I can remember, and I have always asked “Why do we say that? Does that mean we should also say this? (If not, why not?)”
Every time SSiW claims “When you were a child, you…” I can only respond, “Maybe when you were a child!”
Stop assuming we’re all normal!
@verity-davey I still remember the intense embarrassment I felt at school, aged around 9 probably, when a teacher distributing books asked me “Don’t you have a book already?”
I spent a few seconds analysing the question and what I should answer. I didn’t have a book, so I answered “Yes” considering that to be an affirmative response agreeing with the statement that I didn’t have a book, but of course, I was supposed to say “No”, but to me that was disagreeing with the statement and meant that I DID have a book.
The teacher got frustrated with me, and I tried to explain it to him, but it got me in more trouble. I decided there and then that English was illogical!
Most children wouldn’t naturally ask such questions, but if you’re an adult with even a flicker of curiosity, your mind relentlessly fires off questions about whatever you’re trying to learn. Now, don’t picture a pink elephant! Did you manage to keep it out of your thoughts, or did it barge in uninvited? Also, if we aren’t supposed to ask questions, why does this forum even exist to begin with?
Dear Verity, I apologise for upsetting you.
My comments were not meant to be aimed at you. I thought I was just making a whimsical & humorous remark to the forum members generally. Obviously it did not come across that way. I actually have a lot of respect for you especially the way you explained the difference between ‘Do’n I ddim’ & ‘Nes i ddim’ (which, coincidentally, just came up on facebook!).
To make sure I don’t offend you or anyone else on the forum I am taking myself off the forum from today. Also, the incident has had a very negative effect on me and I find my stomach turning into knots at the thought of continuing to learn Welsh (not your fault). So, as it’s no longer enjoyable I am cancelling my subscription to SSIW from today as well. That way I can be sure of not upsetting anyone again.
Thanks for your help in the past, I really appreciated it.
What on earth? Who said I was upset? I made a comment saying that I’m not normal, with a laughing emoji. If someone PM’ed you to give you a lecture or something, it wasn’t on my request!
We all try to make the forum a friendly and welcoming place, and I’m sure no-one wants you to leave. You’ve done nothing wrong!
Gosh, David, I’m sorry you feel so upset, but I really didn’t read Verity’s response as indicating that she was hurt by your comment. No one wants you to leave or stop learning Welsh.
I understood exactly what you meant – and I agree it is generally best not to get too caught up in tiny details – but it’s also very hard to resist the urge if your personality is such that the tiny details are important to you.
I’ve often thought about commenting that sometimes the learning might go more easily if one can learn to just say to oneself “This doesn’t entirely make sense, but I should just accept it and move on because it’ll maybe make sense later”. But that’s easier said than done for some people, and that doesn’t make those people not normal!! We all have our own learning styles!
