LgV18 Welsh Language: Linguistic, Cultural and Historical Aspects

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2021
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. Tereza Kabeláčová, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Linguistics and Baltic Languages – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 16:00–17:40 J22
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 10 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/10, only registered: 0/10, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/10
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
  • Hughes, Elwyn. Cwrs Wlpan. Prifysgol Bangor University, 2015.
  • Koch, John Thomas. The Gododdin of Aneirin. University of Wales, Cardiff, 1997.
  • Bromwich, Rachel. Dafydd ap Gwilym, A selection of poems. Cardiff, 1952.
  • Haycock, Marged. Legendary poems from the Book of Taliesin. Aberystwyth, 2007.
  • Hughes, Elwyn. Cwrs Pellach. Prifysgol Bangor University, 2015.
  • Ford, Patrick K. The Celtic Poets. Song and Tales from Early Ireland and Wales. Belmont, Massachusetts, 1999.
  • Davies, Sioned. The Mabinogion. Oxford University Press, 2007.
  • MacAulay, Donald. The Celtic Languages, The Welsh Language written by Alan R. Thomas, Cambridge University Press, 1992.
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.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2021/LgV18