Vocabulary: Welsh proper names

Prepared 5 minute reports are to be presented.

In the first half of the class, the brief reports, prepared beforehand, will be completed on the basis of pre-class preparations, and presented in the second half of the class. This form of organisation will be followed in subsequent meetings.

Place names

The meanings and origins of Welsh place names will be discussed in relation to Welsh history.

1. Find a map of Wales and list
   • Names of counties.
   • Name of major towns, with locations.
   • Names of rivers, with locations.
   • Names of mountains and mountain ranges, with locations.
   • Names of coastal and sea areas.
2. Select 5 of these toponyms.
3. Research the meanings of these toponyms.
4. Research the history of the places or areas named.

Personal names

1. Girls' first names.
2. Boys' first names.
3. Typical Welsh surnames.
4. Names of historical figures, and brief descriptions of their role in Welsh and British history, politics, culture - a small and eclectic set to start with:
   • Dafydd y Garreg Wen
   • Owain Glyndwr
   • Hywel Dda
   • Geraldus Cambrensis
   • Jemima Nicholas
   • Lloyd George
   • Dylan Thomas
   • Aneurin Bevan

An additional question: What is "Y Ddraig Goch"?