Any Welsh Speakers Here?

[barry1010]

I am trying to pronounce some Welsh words that have the 'll' in the such as Pontcysyllte - I have listened to many people in videos but I just can't form the sound.
Any tips?

[johnny.5]

just raise your voice slightly and say
PONKHA CELTY

[barry1010]

It's the sort of slurring hissing sound that I can't form

[rowanwitch]

Dave taught me...
First, place the tip of your tongue along the gum line behind your front teeth as if you were about to pronounce the letter L. Then, while keeping your tongue firmly in place, blow a constant stream of air out of the two sides of your tongue, it's a sort of Thl sound. I never could master the village just up the road though.

And this place is a bit of a nightmare too
Machynlleth. ( We just referred to it as the home of those blooming nationalist........)

[Canary42]

I don't remember where I read it (a long time ago) or how authentic it is, but the ability to form certain sounds is developed at a very early age and if missed cannot be gained later after vocal chords are fully formed.

This may also explain why some Brits fail to develop the "thr" sound and say (for example) free instead of three.

So sorry, no tips from me :-(

[bobbie22]

I think that ll is very difficult to describe how to say in words.

[barry1010]

I have somehow managed to gurgle, spit and dribble at the same time.
Canary, I suspect you are right

[welshtanner]

Spot on Rowan.

[Togo]

Rowan is correct but I would point out that it is the gumline of your TOP front teeth. I had a workmate from LLanllyfni back when I worked in Bangor. I soon learned how to say it.

[Togo]

Surprisingly our old friend Jackdaw loved Cymraeg and was quite adept.

[Barsel]

Barry@ 12.19. I have a lovely image of you in my mind. :-)

[patgreg]

Try saying Cathleen or pathlab over and over - let the "thl" bit run together - never mind trying to get tongue and teeth in right place - using an English word will stop you worrying about getting it right - once you've got the sound you can use it in Welsh words!

[barry1010]

Thanks all, I will continue my practice, in solitude, wearing a bib.

[barry1010]

This is the chap I am trying to emulate - has he got it right?
At around 1 minute in
https://youtu.be/4vO30u4A0Bk

[THECORBYLOON]

I used to work with a Welshman for a while and he said my pronunciation of, "ll" was good.

When I pronounce the Scots "ch" as in "loch", it comes out the front of my mouth.

When I pronounce the Welsh "ll", I start with a wee bit of the "ch" and the air moves to my right cheek and comes out that side.

[Barsel]

Don't know why Wales ever chose to have words that are difficult to say, unless you're Welsh of course.

[douglas9401]

If I was English I'd just do what comes naturally on holiday and say something, anything at full volume or Anglicise the word and put on an accent. :-P

[Togo]

How very helpful Douglas. But it doesn't work everywhere. I once made a mistake and went to Scotland where they all shouted even louder and effected an English accent. I am told that this is the case, even when speaking to each other. Remarkable.

[douglas9401]

Who are/were "they" when you lost your sense of direction, and humour?

[Togo]

Haha did the truth trigger you again? :))

[Old_Geezer]

Well, Barsel, probably for a very similar resson Cockneys developed Cockney rhyming slang :-)