BS: X-Mas Request - Irish & Welsh pronunciations

Subject: BS: X-Mas Request
From: Keital
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 12:26 PM

Dear Fellow 'Catters,
         I've just learned how to wish someone Merry Christmas in
Irish and Welsh, but I'm not sure of the pronunciations. Is there
anyone out there that can help me? The tranlations that I have are as follows and if they are wrong maybe you could give me the correct versions as well:
    Irish: "Nodlaig mhaith chugnot."
    Welsh: "Nadolig Llawen."
Thanks a bunch and have a Great Holiday season! Lift a tankard of Glug for me!!

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request
From: Keital
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:17 PM

Come on, now, you guys! Is someone gonna help me or am I
just whistlin' Dixie here!! Give a poor old one-eyed Viking

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request
From: Keital
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:22 PM

NORMAN DOGS CUT ME OFF!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request
From: Dead Horse
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:23 PM

Don't know the Irish, but the Welsh goes *Nadolig Llawen*.
Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:36 PM

Irish is Nollaig Shona.

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request
From: Keital
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:49 PM

Thanks, for the help, however, what I need is how to pronounce
what I've got. Keep it coming! Thanks again!

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request - Irish & Welsh pronunciations
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 04:44 PM

Nadolig Llawen:
Na (as in Na t King Cole) dol (as in Doll) ig (as in igloo) [So far, so easy!)
Ll (this is the difficult bit! The initial letter 'Ll' is pronounced by placing the tongue against the roof of the mouth and then exhaling both above and below the tongue whilst bringing the tongue down to its ususal position just touching the back of the lower teeth. Keeping the mouth open throughout) aw (pronounced 'Ow' as in 'that hurts') en (pronounced as in hen or ten).
All together, Nadolig Llawen, a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda (and a happy new year)

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request - Irish & Welsh pronunciations
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 05:15 PM

For information on the Irish try here:

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cultures/irish-faq/part03/

Nollaig is the word for both Christmas and the month December, and sona/shona is the word for happy, as Gaeilge.

The first is pronounced (roughly approximating here) "no lug" and the latter "h-yun-a" with "yun" rhyming with English "run" but you barely pronounce the "y". I'm sure a native speaker could describe the pronunciation better than I.

"Nollaig Shona" is the generic greeting, such as you would find on a Christmas card. If you are addressing people...it gets a bit more complicated, depending upon how many people you are addressing, how you want to address them (ie formally or informally, etc.)

Considering your limited command of the language, I'd definitely stick with the generic form. It's just easier for everyone that way.

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request - Irish & Welsh pronunciations
From: Declan
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 05:32 AM

Pronounciations vary from region to region but Nollag Shona Dhuit (Nuh-lug Hun-nah gwit) in the singular and Nollag Shona Dhaoibh (Nuh-lug hun-nah gweeve (or maybe yeeve)) in the plural.

Or if you're feeling particularly brave try Nollag faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise (nuh-lug fwee hayne ogg-gus fwee wash-sha) which means a peaceful and (faoi mhaise translates as blessed or prosperous) Christmas.

Nollaig Faoi shéan agus ath bhlian faoi mhaise do gach éinne ar an Mhudcat ó Deaglán. Go meirimíd beó ag an am seo arís.

(I'm not doing phonetics for that but it means a Peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everyone on Mudcat from Declan. May we all be alive at this time again.)

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request - Irish & Welsh pronunciations
From: Keital
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 09:28 AM

Dear 'Cats,
    Thanks to everyone who responded to my request. I
never doubt that I'll get the answers I'm looking for when
I post at the Cafe.
                   God jul og godt nytt aat,
                                       Keital

Subject: RE: BS: X-Mas Request - Irish & Welsh pronunciations
From: GUEST,david
Date: 20 Dec 02 - 04:11 PM

it's nice to see people taking the trouble to pronounce welsh words properly.keep it up.hwyl nawr.david