Functional Welsh for the Mountains
A course for mountain professionals and mountain lovers looking at how we can better interpret the Welsh landscape via a pragmatic understanding of key Welsh language landscape terms. Focusing on 15 key terms along with related adjectives and descriptors.
Run in context on the hill with plenty of opportunities to put the new skills and knowledge gained to use. Further information on routes can be viewed below.
No prior knowledge of Welsh necessary. All levels of Welsh welcome.
Functional Welsh for the Mountains has been recognised as being worth 1 CPD points by the Mountain Training Association. Information on logging the course as such will be provided in the post course material.
A bit of background.
This course came about in large part due to my noticing how a lot of my colleagues and clients in the outdoors were being introduced to Welsh mountain names either through simplified lists of translations or complex etymologies and my wanting to find a middle ground between the two. This involved finding a way to allow people to delve deeper than a one word translation but without getting bogged down in very interesting but not entirely useful bonus terms; focusing on ‘Carnedd’ and not ‘Filiast’ if you will.
After a period of intense research into the area I honed in on the 15 terms that have ended up making up Functional Welsh for the Mountains along with some key descriptors that are commonly found with them and that unlock their vivid imagery and give context of their place in the landscape they describe. The next step in the process was figuring out how to explore them in depth; in an engaging and memorable way which in turn lead me to me establishing numerous opportunities to interact with them creatively and functionally throughout the course along with driving me to create resources such as the course booklet and map key stickers.
I feel it fair to say all of the above has been a labour of love but more than anything it has given me so much joy to be able to deepen my own understanding and relationship with Cymraeg/Welsh and now gives me even more joy to be able share that experience with others. If you have any further questions about the course or its content please don’t hesitate to get in contact.
Booklet and other resources
Booklet and other resources
Every course participant receives a complimentary 84 page booklet which a provides an overview of the course content along with images, mapping, further examples and note writing space. This booklet is not for sale elsewhere and is exclusive to this course.
Additionally attendees receive a map key sticker with the terms covered along with descriptive icons that can be stuck on map covers or elsewhere to aid in recall and interpretation.
Route Information
Courses run in Eryri/Snowdonia
Starting and finish by the Llafn y Cewri/Blade of the Giants Sword sculpture on the shore of Llyn Padarn in central Llanberis the day involves a walk up and down Bwlch Maesgwm. The total distance of the day is give or take 11.5km with just under 400m of steady elevation; the whole day can be done on surfaced paths but the likelihood is there will be sections on level grass.
Courses run in Bannau Brycheiniog
Starting from parking (further information to be sent in pre-course emails) in Coedwig Taf Fechan and involving a walk up to and down from Bwlch ar y Fan provisionally taking in around 7.5km of walking largely on a path with around 200m of elevation.
Book a course in Eryri.
Book a course in Bannau Brycheiniog.
