What is this called....'r

Welsh
#1

Sorry for newbie question. I know what this is, but can someone tell me what it is called.

#2

While I’m here, can i ask another question…
If i was to say ‘a young man’ is it dyn ifanc or mae dyn ifanc. When do you use mae or not?

#3

I think you’d call it a determiner that follows a vowel.

“a young man” = “dyn ifanc”
Mae is a form of the verb bod, so you’d use it when you need to say ‘is’.
e.g. there is a young man here = mae 'na dyn ifanc yma
a young man is learning = mae dyn ifanc yn dysgu

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#4

Many thanks for explaining about ‘mae’ …that makes sense and is really useful.

With regards to 'r…on Duolingo they say something that sounds like ‘pwll nadair’ or something similar?

#5

Collnod er (apostrophe r) I think. It seems that the computerised voice cannnot be prevented from saying the “collnod”!
Sue

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#6

That is one of the more annoying “features” of the computerized text-to-speech engine. When it reads the 'r, it says collnod r (apostrophe r).

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#7

We agree. That’s good.
Sue

#8

Thanks

#9

Thanks…its been bugging me!

#10

Im on a roll now, so im going to be cheeky and ask 2 more questions…

I live in Caerphilly (south Wales) and just want to ask about…

Month… they pronounce it as ‘mish’ on the challenges, but everyone here says it should be ‘mis’.

Enjoy…on the challenge its ‘joio’ but welsh speakers here say they would never use it. Always mwynhau.

Views…

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#11

Hi @steve-pugh-1

…these are both regional things - both things which are southern…it turns out there is quite a bit of shushing that goes on though - both north and south…!

You’ll tend to hear a ‘Sh’mae as a greeting in the south versus Sut mae further north…but ne’sh’ i in the north versus nes i in the south (for I did something)…this is a scons-versus-scones pronunciation thing in both directions!

Both mwynhau and joio are options and these sorts of words can be very regionalised.

SSIW tends to introduce you to different ways to say the same thing (in due course) so that even if you have a preferred way of saying something yourself, you aren’t thrown by people who choose another way…this is a really helpful thing for conversation.

In the same way that if you meet someone who says scones is right and scons is wrong (pronunciation-wise) you might bear this in mind for future questions/ answers with those people!..

…although, of course, if they mean 'we don’t say it like that round here ’ then that is very useful thing …,and one of the best ways to select an option!

Although initially a tiny bit confusing, I’d recommend embracing the options - the truth is there Is no right or wrong - these things are all part of the living language.

Choose your favourite - remember the others - so they don’t trip you up!

Rich :slight_smile:

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#12

Brill…thanks

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#13

Hmm. Often what people say they say and what they actually say can be different! I would not be at all surprised if some of your Welsh speakers think of themselves as using the more ‘correct’, more ‘Welsh’ mwynhau, but in casual conversation use joio without even thinking about it. :slight_smile:

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#14

Thanks so much, I have puzzled over this and your answer makes total sense. :blush:

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