FF:LgV18 Welsh Language and its Aspects - Course Information

LgV18 Welsh Language: Linguistic, Cultural and Historical Aspects

Extent and Intensity

2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).

Teacher(s)

prof. RNDr. Václav Blažek, CSc. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lucie Vinšová, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

prof. RNDr. Václav Blažek, CSc.
Department of Linguistics and Baltic Languages – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Michaela Květoňová
Supplier department: Department of Linguistics and Baltic Languages – Faculty of Arts

Timetable

Tue 12:00–13:40 Virtuální místnost, except Tue 14. 11.

Prerequisites

Good knowledge of English language

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display

Course objectives

Students will become acquainted with the Welsh language from a multiple of viewpoints and will learn to appreciate the linguistic, literary and historical contexts in which this language has evolved into its present form. During the lessons, students will be presented with the basic structure of Modern Welsh grammar, will learn basic conversation and try to interpret and translate some excerpts from modern and medieval Welsh literature.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able: - Conduct an easy Welsh conversation - Translate short literary excerpts with the aid of a dictionary - Apply the acquired knowledge of the basic grammar rules (mutations) in translation - Describe elemental linguistic features of the Welsh language in its relation to other Celtic languages - Explain essential historical, geographical and cultural aspects of the Welsh language and its development

Syllabus

• The lessons will be divided into conversational, linguistic and literary parts: Modern Welsh: pronunciation, basic conversation, mutations, auxiliary verbs, tenses. Linguistics: Welsh language in relation to other brythonic languages, brief history of the Welsh language, dialects, morphology, syntax. Literature, translation, interpretation: short translations of Welsh folklore and poetry (modern and medieval), excerpts from Mabinogi, Taliesin, Dafydd Ap Gwilym, Y Gododdin (originals and English translations).

Literature

• King, Gareth: Modern Welsh. A Comprehensive Grammar. London, 2003
• Davies, Sioned. The Mabinogion. Oxford University Press, 2007.
• Hughes, Elwyn. Cwrs Wlpan. Prifysgol Bangor University, 2015.
• Bromwich, Rachel. Dafydd ap Gwilym, A selection of poems. Cardiff, 1952.
• MacAulay, Donald. The Celtic Languages, The Welsh Language written by Alan R. Thomas, Cambridge University Press, 1992.
• Koch, John Thomas. The Gododdin of Aneirin. University of Wales, Cardiff, 1997.
• Ford, Patrick K. The Celtic Poets. Song and Tales from Early Ireland and Wales. Belmont, Massachusetts, 1999.
• Hughes, Elwyn. Cwrs Pellach. Prifysgol Bangor University, 2015.
• Haycock, Marged. Legendary poems from the Book of Taliesin. Aberystwyth, 2007.

Teaching methods

During the lessons, students will have the opportunity to practise basic Welsh conversation as well as learn some grammatical patterns (via dialogues, reading, speaking, listening etc.). Another important part of our sessions will be translations and interpretations of literary texts (Welsh and English)- for these, students will be asked to come with some self-prepared materials. Discussions and group work with texts will be also included in the lesson curriculum.

Assessment methods

Text preparation for lessons (interpretation, short translations, reading of materials before the lesson etc.), 60% attendance, presentation on a chosen topic or a short test.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further Comments

Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.

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