There is a Welsh proverb which says: “Cenedlheb iaith cenedl heb galon”and which means “Anation without a language [is] a nation without a heart”.
At the beginning of the third millenium Welsh is spoken by around half a milion people in Wales or about 20 percent of the population of 2.7000.000. This is more than double the number that spoke Welsh in the Middle Ages but around half the number that spoke it at the beginning in the 20th century. Welsh is understood by about 750.000 people in Wales. Welsh speakers are scattered in equal numbers all over the country. Some areas in the North and West are thought of as the Welsh heartland because the percentage speaking Welsh there is quite high, from 50 to 80 percent! But nummerically, Cardiff and Swansea areas have as many Welah speakers as the counties of north Wales. Welsh has been spoken for 1600 years and the Welsh language survived until today although people - especially the English people- tried more than once to bann it away. The English language has had and still has a strong influence on the Welsh language. History is one of the main reasons which made the Welsh language vanish.In the first part of my work I will have a look on the History of the Welsh language. What happened in the past that there are only 20 percent of the Welsh population who can speak Welsh left?
In the second part I will examine the process of borrowing words from another language. The Welsh language mainly changed through borrowing words from the English language. As well as the Welsh gentry adopted the English manner and culture it also adopted the English language. In this part I will look in which way both languages borrowed from another and what were the reasons for borrrowing. In the last part I will answer the question if Welsh is a vanishing language and if it is the fault of the English language that Welsh nearly died out.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The History of the Welsh Language
- 3. The Change of the Welsh Language Through English Loans
- 3.1 English Loans in Welsh
- 3.1.1 Welsh Loans in English
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to investigate the impact of English loanwords on the Welsh language, exploring the historical context and the reasons behind the language shift. It examines the historical trajectory of the Welsh language, focusing on periods of significant change influenced by English.
- The historical decline and resurgence of the Welsh language.
- The role of English influence in shaping the Welsh language.
- The process of borrowing words between Welsh and English.
- The sociolinguistic factors contributing to language change.
- The concept of language endangerment and revitalization.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the significance of language to national identity, using the Welsh proverb "A nation without a language is a nation without a heart." It establishes the context of the study by presenting current statistics on Welsh speakers and briefly outlines the paper's structure and objectives, focusing on the historical decline of Welsh and the influence of English loanwords.
2. The History of the Welsh Language: This chapter details the historical trajectory of the Welsh language, from its origins as a Celtic language to its period under threat from English. It discusses the annexation of Wales by England in 1536 and the subsequent dominance of English in law, administration, education, and commerce. The chapter highlights the social pressures to adopt English, particularly among the gentry, and the role of printing in furthering the spread of English. However, it also notes a significant turning point with the 1563 Act of Parliament translating the Bible and Book of Common Prayer into Welsh. The chapter further traces the decline of Welsh in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly within Welsh households, and the impact of Foster's Education Act in 1847. Despite these setbacks, the chapter concludes with the resurgence of Welsh in the 20th century, fueled by movements such as the Plaid Genedlaethol Cymry and the increasing use of Welsh in education, media, and cultural life.
3. The Change of the Welsh Language Through English Loans: This chapter delves into the linguistic process of borrowing, defining loanwords and outlining the reasons for their adoption, emphasizing "need" and "prestige." It analyzes the adaptation of loanwords into the recipient language (RL), highlighting phonological and morphological adjustments. The chapter explores methods for identifying loanwords, using phonological clues and morphological complexity to determine the direction of borrowing between Welsh and English. This chapter's focus is on the systematic analysis of language change and borrowing processes, rather than a simple listing of loanwords.
Keywords
Welsh language, English language, language contact, loanwords, language change, language endangerment, language revitalization, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, code-switching, bilingualism, Wales, Celtic languages.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the Welsh Language and English Loanwords
What is the overall topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper investigating the impact of English loanwords on the Welsh language. It covers the historical context, reasons for language shift, and the processes of borrowing words between the two languages. The preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the historical decline and resurgence of the Welsh language, the role of English influence in shaping it, the process of borrowing words between Welsh and English, sociolinguistic factors contributing to language change, and the concept of language endangerment and revitalization.
What is covered in the Introduction chapter?
The introduction highlights the significance of language to national identity, using a Welsh proverb. It presents current statistics on Welsh speakers, outlines the paper's structure and objectives, and focuses on the historical decline of Welsh and the influence of English loanwords.
What does the chapter on the History of the Welsh Language discuss?
This chapter traces the history of the Welsh language from its origins to its period under threat from English. It discusses the annexation of Wales by England, the dominance of English in various sectors, social pressures to adopt English, and the role of printing. It also highlights a turning point with the 1563 Act of Parliament translating the Bible and Book of Common Prayer into Welsh, and the subsequent decline and resurgence of the Welsh language in later centuries.
What is the focus of the chapter on "The Change of the Welsh Language Through English Loans"?
This chapter delves into the linguistic process of borrowing, defining loanwords and outlining reasons for their adoption. It analyzes the adaptation of loanwords into the Welsh language, highlighting phonological and morphological adjustments. The chapter focuses on the systematic analysis of language change and borrowing processes, rather than a simple listing of loanwords, and explores methods for identifying loanwords using phonological clues and morphological complexity.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include: Welsh language, English language, language contact, loanwords, language change, language endangerment, language revitalization, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, code-switching, bilingualism, Wales, and Celtic languages.
What is the overall objective of the research paper?
The paper aims to investigate the impact of English loanwords on the Welsh language, exploring the historical context and the reasons behind the language shift.
What specific aspects of language change are examined?
The paper examines the historical trajectory of the Welsh language, focusing on periods of significant change influenced by English, including the process of borrowing words, the adaptation of loanwords, and the sociolinguistic factors contributing to this change.
Where can I find the full paper?
The provided text is a preview only. The location of the full paper is not included in this preview.
- Quote paper
- Nadine Kröschel (Author), 2002, Welsh - A vanishing language through English loans, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/58172
