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Welsh Language

Welsh Language

Welsh is one of Europe’s oldest living languages, underpinning a rich culture and heritage. You’ll see it on bilingual signs everywhere. Over one-quarter of Conwy County’s population speaks Welsh, so you’ll also hear it in our streets, towns and villages – along, of course, with English.

This lyrical language, amongst other things, makes Wales different. It shouldn’t cause you any problems or confusion. In fact, it’s good fun to dip into the language and to get your mouth around pronunciations. The effort’s well worth it, even if you manage to speak only a few words.

It’s also a very revealing language – in the sense that Welsh placenames tell you a lot about their immediate surroundings. Llan, for example – as in Llanrwst or Llandudno – signifies the presence of a church or religious settlement. Aber means ‘mouth of’ – so Abergele means ‘Mouth of the River Gele’. When you see llyn on the map look out for a lake. If there’s a mynydd ahead then you’ll have a mountain to climb.