Learn Welsh online

January 24, 2006 1:44 PM

Where can I learn to speak Welsh online?

Preferably for free, and preferably with accompanying audio - hopefully as an MP3. I'm half Welsh but speak only a couple of words of the language, I thought it'd be something nice to learn.

posted by samstarling to writing & language (5 comments total)

BBC Online Welsh Lessons
posted by matildaben at 1:53 PM on January 24, 2006

If you have a library card, check your local library's website to see if they offer access to the Rosetta Stone language learning software. Many libraries do, and I know that Rosetta Stone also offers their product in the UK, so that might be the case where you are too. They have Welsh lessons.
posted by litlnemo at 3:10 PM on January 24, 2006

Keep in mind, though, you can never actually learn a language on your own. I presume you intend to interact with actual Welsh speakers, as it is the only way possible to truly learn the language.
posted by Astro Zombie at 3:25 PM on January 24, 2006

The BBC has an official learning-Welsh-language portal at www.bbc.co.uk/learnwelsh.

Another BBC site is the award-winning Colin and Cumberland, where amusing comedy adventures are annotated with the odd Welsh word.

In addition, there's also Clwb Malu Cachu (malu cachu meaning nonsense in Welsh!) which offers online Welsh lessons.
posted by badlydubbedboy at 5:08 PM on January 24, 2006

University of Lampeter used to run a distance learning course in Welsh online. When I tried it in 2001, it was pretty good. I hear it's still going.

Harry Campbell's very excellent Gwybodiadur is probably the definitive resource on where and how to learn Welsh.
posted by scruss at 7:43 PM on January 24, 2006