Even a few words can change how you experience this city.

But why must I put myself through this ordeal?

Walking through Southampton city centre one afternoon, I noticed something felt oddly amiss. The signs and billboards seemed incomplete: like a sentence that had been cut off halfway through. I kept expecting more, scanning for information that wasn't there.

It took me a moment to realise what I was looking for: Welsh translations.

I had become so used to seeing every sign in Cardiff carry a translation beneath the English that a monolingual billboard now felt somehow naked. Without meaning to, the Welsh language had integrated itself into my experience of Cardiff. The surprised smiles and instant warmth that speaking Welsh with the Welsh brings into a conversation is simply beautiful, and paves the way for deeper communication and understanding, interpersonally and culturally.

That simply is my case for learning the Welsh language, or any language for that matter.

Sounds good, where do I start?

At the risk of sounding like generative AI, I must say, your enthusiasm is quite infectious! Conveniently, the Welsh government and Cardiff University share this enthusiasm, and have resources you can use to learn Welsh. I'll list a few here - 

• The Welsh Government's Learn Welsh programme - found at learnwelsh.cymru, the Government provides free resources and structured courses for every level.
• OpenLearn: Croeso - The Open University is a free, structured beginners' course covering reading, writing, listening and speaking. You can start without even signing up, and completing it earns you a free Statement of Participation.
• Say Something in Welsh - is conversational, fast-paced, and free if you do it alongside a Learn Welsh course. It is designed to get you speaking from day one. 
• Duolingo - the app we have all heard of and the owl we all recognise. Not everyone's cup of 'te', but a few minutes a day with an interactive reward interface might just do the trick.
• BBC Cymru Fyw and S4C - perhaps the most passive option on this list, but do not underestimate it. Letting Welsh wash over you through news articles on BBC Cymru Fyw or an S4C drama in the evening helps your ear adjust to the rhythms of the language faster than you might expect. You will understand very little at first. That is entirely the point, and is perhaps also a stage every Welsh learner should eventually reach, even when practicing.

Some words to get you started!

Welsh pronunciation is far more consistent than English once you learn a handful of rules, and locals will appreciate the effort far more than they will ever notice any mistakes.

Bore da (bor-eh dah) - Good morning. Use it on your Residence Life Assistant, with a fellow learner, or at the library desk. It is the simplest way to raise a smile before 9 a.m.

Diolch (dee-olch) - Thank you. Possibly the most ubiquitous word you will learn. The 'ch' is a soft sound from the back of the throat - like the Scottish "loch". Once you have got this one, you will use it constantly.

Croeso (kroy-so) - Welcome, or you're welcome. You will see this word on signs across Wales. It doubles in conversation.

Iawn (yown, rhymes with "town") - Fine, OK, yes. "Ti'n iawn?" means "Are you alright?" and "Iawn, diolch." is a natural response.

Hwyl fawr (hoo-il vawr) - Goodbye. Literally translating as "big fun" or "good spirits", it is a warm send-off. You can say it, for example, to your flatmates when you leave the kitchen.

Pob lwc (good luck)!! And remember, practice makes permanent.