A brief and a plain introduction, teaching how to pronounce the letters in the British tongue, (now commonly called Walsh) whereby an English man shall not only with ease read the said tongue rightly: but marking the same well, it shall be a mean for him with one labour and diligence to attain to the true and natural pronunciation of other expedient and most excellent languages Set forth by W. salisbury. ¶ Imprinted at London by Roberte Crowley, dwelling in Elye rents in Holborn. The year of our Lord M.D.L. ¶ Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum. ¶ To his loving friend, master Richard Colyngborne. William salisbury wisheth prosperous health, and perfect felicity. THE natural inclination, the gentle amity, and the fervent love and favour, which you most affectuously, entrely, and perfectly, do not only own, but have, bear, and prosecute toward me, my country, and country language: and again the sudden semblable vehement affections which I most comparable and ardent, mutually and duly do bear towards you: hath caused me to abortiat, (if I might speak my country language, I needed not to borrow the latin term, neither make any further explanation thereof) and to bring forth my late conceived child before his natural and destinated time of birth. But what than? For this evil chance there lieth none other remedy, but either (if he seem to have his lineamentes tyghtly proportionated, though as yet somewhat lumpyshe) to lick him hereafter (as the Bear doth her whelp) into a more perfect shape: either else, if he shall appear overmuch monstrous to take him and throw him into the bottomless flood of Lethe, where then he shall neither grieve the Parents hearts, nor yet offend the eyen of kin, nor stranger. But peradventure you will say, what by all this? you speak in parables, but I pray you friend salisbury speak plain english to me. Well therefore to appear in mine own likeness, and to be as plain as the plain of Salesburie. The said child is this book, whom you so inordinately desire to go abroad before the appointed season by the determination of the grave, discrete and pithy Poet Horace Flactus, whose verses be not far from these in sentence. When that thy restless pen, of fame hath aught contrived: At Metius ear see that thou tune, the cord in work revived And let them judge therein, whose hears be grisly grown; Let middle age, let unripe years, thereon their judgement sown Than mayst thou well at will (nine years in trial spent) Set forth the work of wisdoms brain, that the in lot is lent The sound escaped once, can not be called back: But shut up thoughts in heart mai be, amended where they lack. Yet nevertheless, for your faithful friendships' sake I will not only wink at this, but even advisedly will forsake the prudent counsel of the wise man thus admonishing. A fool differeth nothing from a wise man while he keepeth silence: yea, and I am not abashed to publish these unsavoury trifles (for the small commodity that you shall perceive by them) among the honourable theatre, and worshipful company of the learned, which most plenteously (thanks be to the Lord) abound now in every place. But of whence than cometh this unshamefast boldness? Marry of a licence granted and provided form by the very same Poet, whose own praise, metre, and words (ne jest by unapt traduction of the same, I should disgrace the divine poetical majesty) I will here subscribe. — hoc tibi dictum Tolle memor, certis medium et tolerabile rebus Recte concedi: consultus juris et actor Lausarum mediocris, abest virtute diserti Messale, nec scit quantum Caselitus Aulus Sed tamen in pretio est. Besides this, the head learned man of all our time even Erasmus Roterodamus, holdeth sore on my part, for it is a true said saw (saith he) that there is not written so ill a book, but it is worthy the reading for some consideration. And again, he affirmeth even about the same place that it is expedient to hear the unlearned play the orators or preachers, whereby it may appear, what shall be decent, and what not. Therefore (I say) be it expedient or rather tolerable to admit as well some such unlearned writers as have not the grace to observe To prepon or comeliness every where, and at all times. Amongst which sort I will not disdain to be accounted, seeing I am adsured to satisfy in some part your mind, though it be but slenderly to the purpose. And in as much as I am fulli persuaded that you be the man to whom both for good learning & perfect judgement therein, and for the favour pretended toward this feeble enterprise, I needs must commit this book (if for the littleness it may be justly called a book) not only to be red, corrected, & perfected, but also to be defended from the cankered malicious checks of all those, who at all times can be at better leisure to rebuke other men's doings, than to do aught themselves. Thus far you heartily well. At Thavies Inn in Holborn more hastily, than speedily. M.D.L. ¶ William salisbury to the Reader. IT was not long after (gentle Reader) that I had compiled a little Dictionarye for the use and behove of my country men, the Walshmen, and the same set forth and published at the kings highness licence and pleasure, but there came certain people unto me, The occasion of the making of this book. whereof some were English marchers bordering upon Wales: and some not skilled in the Walshe tongue, nevertheless having good and honest occasions, either for their promotions and livings, either else for trade of Marchaundice and other their affairs to be conversant in the said country of Wales, and peradventure sometime chance to be among them that can not a word of English. And some other were such Walshmen that had been brought up from their youth and tender age, out of the precinct of their native country, who thought it reproach to be utterly ignorant in their mother tongue, having a mind also to come to some knowledge therein, whereby they might the rather (seeming less strange) renew friendship and familiarity with their country folk and friends, (which thing otherwise they could not so conveniently bring to pass) & most chiefly to edify them, as well in civil institutions, as in godly doctrine. Now the other some, were such English men as had not so urgent a cause, nor so earnest an occasion to travel in this behalf, but yet were they so fervent (as it seemed by their importune request) as they (whom I spoke of before) whom the Greeks with one proper term call Philoglottous, Language lovers whose gentle hearted disposition is always addict, bent, & given to be seen in all languages, but specially of their own fellow subjects and country men, though they purchase there by but small gains, lucre, or winning, which things be the honeyed sweet baits of the avaricious beastly misers, and contrariwise the defiance of all liberal and noble stomachs. When (I say) such men resorted unto me to question whether the said Dictionarye was as indifferent for english men to learn Walshe by, as for Walshe men to learn English: I answered that it was not all so indifferent. The reason why, if I should declare it, should not be easily perceived but of the learned, who do understand it already. Than amongst other communication had, they asked, whether the pronunciation of the Letters in Walshe, did differ from the english sounding of them? And I said very much. And so they perceiving that they could not profit in building any further on the Walshe, lacking the foundation and ground work (which was the Walshe pronunciation of the letters) desired me eft sons to writ unto them (as they had seen me do in Walsh to my contryemen, to introducte them to pronounce the letters english like) a few english rules of the natural power of the letters in our tongue. And so than, in as much as I was not only induced with the premises, but also further persuaded that neither any inconvenience or mischief might ensue or grow thereof, but rather the increase of mutual amity and brotherly love, and continual friendship, and some commodity at the least wise, to such as be desirous to be occupied thereabouts. As for all other, even as it shall never work them pleasure, so shall it no displeasure. Even therefore at the last, I have been so bold as to enterprise (condescending to such men's honest request) to invent and write these plain, simple, and rude rudiments of the Walshe pronunciation of the letters, most humbly desiring the Readers to accept them with no less benivolente humanity than I heartily pretended towards them, when I went about to treat of the matter. ¶ The Pronunciation of the the lettters in the british tongue. THE letters in the british or Walshe tongue, have the same figure & fashion as they have in English, and be in numbered as here underneath in the Alphabet appeareth. A b c ch d dd e f ff g h i k l ll m n oh p r s t th' v u w y. These be the vowels. a e i oh u w y. These two vowels a, w, be mutable. The dipthonges be these, and be pronounced after the very Greek pronunciation. As evaggel of evamgeliou. Ae ai au awe ay ei ewe ia ie io iw oe owe oy uw wy. These letters be called consonauntes. b c ch d dd f ff g k l ll m n oh p r s t th' u The pronunciation of A. A In british or Walshe in every word hath the true pronunciation of A in latin. And it is never sounded like the diphthong au, as the French men sound it coming before m. or. n. in their tongue, nor so fully in the mouth as the Germans sound it in this word Magen: Neither yet as it is pronounced in English, when it cometh before ge, ll. sh. tch: For in these words and such other in english, Damage, heritage, language, ash, lash, watch, calm, call (a) is thought to decline toward the sound of these dipthonges ai, au, and the words to be read in this wise, domaige, heritaige, languaige, aishe, waitche, cawl, calm. But as I said before, a. in welsh hath always but one sound what so ever letter it follow or go before, as in these words ap, cap. which have the same pronunciation & signification in both the tongues. Much less hath a, such variety in Walshe, as hath Aleph in Hebrew (which alone the points altered) hath the sound of every vowel. Howbeit that composition, derivation, and the plural numbered, do oft times in the common welsh speech change a, for e. as in these words, unweith, seithfed, ebestyl. Nevertheless e. then succeadeth, and is also written in the stead of a. so that the Reader shall never be troubled therewith. The sound of B. B, In Walshe is universally read and pronounced as it is in english. Albeit when a word beginneth with b, and is joined with more words coming in a reason, the phrase and the manner of the Walshe speech (much like after the Hebrews idiom) shall altar the sound of that b. So do these welsh words, cwit, cwicul, vicses which be derived of cubitus, cubiculum, bisextus, into the sound of the Hebrew letter that they call Beth not daggessed, or of the Greek Veta, either else of u being consonant in latin or English, as thus. Where as b. in this welsh word bys a finger, is the primitive (or if I should borrow the Hebrew term) the radical letter, which coming in the context of a reason shall not than be called b. but u as in this text: I vys: his finger. And sometime b. shall be turned into m, as for an ensample. vy miss: my finger. And yet for all the alteration of this letter b, and of diverse other (as you shall perceive hereafter) which by their nature be changeable one for an other, it shall nothing let nor hinder any man, from the true and proper reading of the letters so altered. For as soon as the ydiome or propriety of the tongue receiveth one letter for an other, the radical is omitted and left away: and the accessory or the letter that cometh in stead of the radical, is forthwith written and so pronounced after his own nature & power as it is plain enough, by the former exemple. Provided always that such transmutation of letters in speaking (for therein consists all the difficulty) is most diligently to be marked, observed, ☜ and taken heed unto, of him that shall delight to speak welsh aright. How C is pronounced. C, Maketh K. for look what power hath c. As witnesseth cicut deducted of cicuta, natali● of natalitis. accen of accentus discipul of discipulus, cist of cista. in English or in Latin, when it cometh before a. o. u. that same shall it have in Welsh before any vowel, dypthonge, or consonant what so ever it be. How be it some of our time do use to write. k. rather than, c. where writers in times passed have left c. written in their ancient books, specially before. a. o. u. and before all manner consonantes, and in the later end of words. Also othersome there be, that sound now c as. g. in the last termination of a word: An exemple: oc, koc, lloc: which be most commonly red, og, kog, llog. Furthermore it is the nature of c. to be turned into ch, Construction is taken here for the joining together of words otherwise called a reason. Carw is the absolute word and other whiles into, g. But I mean this, when a word that begynneh with c cometh in construction as thus: Carw, a heart, Ewic a charw, a hind and a heart. Either else when c or. k. (for they be both one in effect) is the first letter of a word that shall be compounded, as for an example: Angraff, angered, angrist, which be compounded of an, and of kraff, kred, krist. The sound of ch. Ch, doth wholly agreed with the pronunciation of ch, also in the German tongue, of the Chy, or the Hebrew Cheth. or of gh, in english: And it hath no affinity at all with ch, in english, except in these words, Mychael, Mychaelmas, and a few such other. Ch also when it is the radical letter in any Walshe word, remaineth immutable in every place. The sound of D. D, Is red in Walshe none otherwise than in English, saving only that oftentimes d, in the first syllables shall be turned into dd, resembling much Daleth the Hebrew d. And sometime when a word beginning with d, is compounded with (an) the d, shall slip away, as anawn, of an, and dawn: anoeth, of an and doth. Dd is nothing like of pronunciation to dd. in english or latin: For the double dd. in Walsh hath the very sound of dhelta, or dhaleth, dashed with raphe, or of d. betwixt ii vowels in the Hispanish tongue, either else of th'. as they be commonly sounded in these english words, the, that, this, thine: Neither do I mean nothing less than that dd. in Walshe be sounded at any time after the sound of th'. in these words of english, with thin, thank. But you shall find in old written english books, a letter having the figure of a Roman y. that your ancestors called dhorn, which was of one efficacy with the welsh dd. And there be now in some countries in England that pronounce dd. even in these words * An instrument of a Couper. adds, fedder, according as they be pronounced in the Welsh. And you must note that dd. in welsh is not called double dd. neither is it a double letter (though it seemeth so to be) wherefore it doth not fortify nor harden the syllable that it is in, but causeth it to be a great deal more thick, soft, & smooth. For he that first added to the second d. ment thereby to aspirate the d. and signify that it should be more lightly sounded, and not the contrary. But I think it had be easier, more meet, and less strange to the Reader, if that he had put h. after the former d, in a sign of asperation, than to add an other d, thereto. And as it seemeth it is not passing three or four, HUNDRED years ago, since they began to double their d, for before that time by lykelihode they used one constant manner of pronunciation of their letters, even as the Hebrews did at the beginning. How E aught to be sounded E, Without any exception hath one permanent pronunciation in Walsh, and that is the self pronunciation of Epsylon in Greek, or of e, in the latin being sounded aright, or e. in English, as it is sounded in these words, a were wreak, break, wrest. And the learner must take good heed, that he never do read the said e, as it is read in these English words, we, believe: For than by so doing, shall he either altar the signification of the word wherein the same e, is so corruptelye read, either else cause it to betoken nothing at all in that speech. Example: pe, signifieth in English and, if: now, if you read it pi. than will it betoken this letter p. or the bird that you call in english a Pye. And so gwe is, a web: but if you sound e. as i reading it gwi: than hath it no signification in the Walshe. And least peradventure the foresaid example of the Welsh or strange tongue be somewhat obscure, than take this in your own mother tongue for an explanation of that other: wherbi you shall perceive that the diversity of pronunciation of e, in these english words subscribed hereafter, will also make them to have diverse significations, and they be these words, bear, peer, he'll meal. Neither yet do we use in Walshe at any time to write e, in the middle or last syllables and to leave it unspoken in reading: as it is done by Scheva in Hebrew, or as the manner of writing and reading of the same, is accustomed in english, as it shall be more manifest by these words that follow: gold, silk, pureness, cheapside: wherein (as I suppose) e. is not written to the intent it might be read or spoken, but to mollify the syllable that it is put in. But now I am occasioned to decline and stray somewhat from my purpose, An observation for writing of english which in printing can not so well be kept. and to reveal my fantasy to young writers of english, who (me thinketh) take over much pains, and bestow unrequisite cost (having no respect to the nature of the english ending e.) in doubling letters to harden the syllable, and immediately they add an, e (which is a sign of mitigating and softening of the syllable) after the letters so doubled, as thus: man, worship god, wot, wish, goodness, hem net: which words with such other like, might with less labour, and as well for the purpose, be written on this wise: man, worship, God, wot, wish, goodness, hemm, net: or rather this: man, worship, God, wots, wish, goodness, him net. For according to the comen proverb, it is but folly to bestow more, where less will serve. How F is commonly sounded. F In Walshe and V being consonant in welsh english, or latin, be so nigh of sound that they use most commonly to writ in Welsh indifferently the one for the other. And I myself have heard english men in some countries of Englaude sound f. even as we sound it in Walshe for I have marked their manner of pronunciation and specially in sounding these words: voure, vive, disvigure, vishe: where they would say, four, five, disfigure, fish. etc. But who so ever knoweth the sound of the letter called Digamma (whose figure is much like F. but overwhelmed upsydedowne, as you see here F) he shall also know thereby the very sound of the single f. Eolicum. F in Walshe. The sound of ff. ff In Walshe hath but the same sound that the single f. hath in english. And they are fain to use the double ff. for the single f. because they have abused f. in stead of u a consonant. But in such words as have p. for the first letter of their original (for to keep the orthography) they writ ph. and not ff. as thus. Petr a Phawl, Peter and Paul. The pronunciation of G. G In every word in Walshe soundeth as the Hebrew Gymel: or g. in Doutche, or as g. in English soundeth before a oh u. And mark well that g. never soundeth in Walshe as it doth in english in these words, George, ginger. G, is but very seldom turned into changed Gwedy Gwad. Glass G, also in Welsh sometime (when it cometh in a reason) shall be turned into ch, and sometime elided or left clean out of the word as thus: a chwedy hynny. iawn ne wad: koch ne las: and not koch ne glass. And otherwhile words compounded shall put away g, as these do, serloyw, dulas: whose simple be these: ser, gloyw: du glass. Of the aspiration H. H, In every word that it is written in, in Walshe, hath his aspiration in speaking also, and is read, even as in these words of English, hard, herded, heart, hurt: And therefore where so ever h, is written in Welsh, let it be read with all, and not held still, as it is done in French and english in such words as be derived out of latin as these, honest, habitation, humble habit. etc. Except when h, is settled between two vowels in welsh words: for than it forceth not greatly whether h, be sounded or not, as in these words that follow: brenhin, kyhyr, mehein, gweheu, heheu, gwehydd, gohir. etc. The sound of I I, In Walshe hath the mere pronunciation of i, in latin, as learned men in our time use to sound it, & not as they that with their corrupt pronunciation make a diphthong of it, saying: veidei, teibei, for vidi, tibi. But look how i, soundeth in english in these words: singing, ringing, drinking, winking, nigh, sigh, might, right. So theni, in every syllable in welsh hath even the same sound as e, hath in English in these words: we, see three, be. And i, is never sounded so broad in welsh as it is in this English word * Ego I And beside that i, is never consonant in welsh, but ever remaining a vowel, as it doth in the German tongue, or as iota in the Greek. And because they that have not tasted of the precepts of Grammar do not lightly understand what this term consonant means: I will speak herein as plain as I can, for to induce them to understand my meaning. When i, is consonant. Therefore when we say in spelling m, a, ma: i, e, ie, st, e, ste, majesty: (or) I, e, je, s, u, s, sus, jesus: now in these two words, majesty and jesus: i, is consonant. When i, is a vowel. But when I spell on this wise: i, per se, i, ȝork, ork, and with doing them together, read iork: than i, is not called consonant, but hath the name of a vowel. And therefore if you list to read rightly Walshe words in whom i, is written, an other vowel immediately following (for therein else is there no hindrance for the strange reader) than must you hearken (how i, I for Y. I in this word iye, (oculus) is now commonly written & read as it is in Welsh. which, I write for y) is sounded in these english words: jane, iarde, i-arne, ielde, i▪ elk, ielle, ielow, iere, iok, iong, iougth, jorke, iou: And though these words be written here now with i, in the first letter of every one, yet it is meant that you should read them as the i, were y, and as they had be written on on this fashion: yane, yard, yield, yolk, yell, yellow, year, yok, young, youth york, you. Now I trust that the dullest witted child that never read but two lines, perceiveth so familiar a rudiment. The sound of K. KING, Followeth the rule of c, in every point, and therefore look for the effect of k, where it is treated of the letter c. The sound of L. L, Hath none other difference in sound in welsh than in English. And note that it neither causeth a, nor oh, when they come before it, to sound any more fullier in the mouth, than they do else sound, coming before any other letter. And for the plainer understanding thereof, look in the rules that entreat of the sound of a, and o. And mark when soever you see l, to be the first letter of a word, that either the same word cometh in construction, either else the word is of an other language, and but usurped in Welsh. Of the strange sound of double .ll. Ll, can not be declared any thing like to the purpose in writing, but only by mouth: if you than will learn how it aught to be sounded: For (as it is said before of d) so the second l, is added in stead of h: but look how Lambda coming before jota is sounded in the Greek: even so pronounce well, in the welsh. And if you could it kindly on the right and just pronunciation of lh, thus aspirated: not leaving unsounded the entire efficacity and the whole strength of the aspiration: than should not you be far dissonant from the true sound of our Welsh ll. For the Welsh l, is spoken the tongue bowed up a little to the roof of the mouth, and with that somewhat extending itself betwixt the fore teeth, the lips not all touching together (but leaving open as it were for a window) the right wyke of the mouth for to breath out with a thick aspirated spirit the same ll. But as I said before, and if you will have the very welsh sound of this letter: give ear to a walshmen when he speaketh culltell, which betokeneth a knife in English: or ellyll a ghost: The Welsh man or the Hispanyard compose their mouths much after one fashion when they pronounce their ll, saving that the walsheman uttereth it with a more thicker and a more mightier spirit. The sound of M. M, In Walsh hath such a sound as you hear it have in English or latin: but yet it is one of the letters that be changeable in construction as thus: mwy, moo: llai ne uwy, less or more, mwyuwy, more (and) more. The sound of N. N, Is none otherwise sounded in Walsh than in English: but sometime (after the latin manner) when it cometh before b, or lordship, in composition, it is than turned into m, as ymblaen, which is compounded of yn and blaen: amparch, of an and parch, amp will, of an and pwyll. The sound of O. O, In Walshe is sounded according to the right sounding of it in latin: either else as the sound of oh, is in these English words: a do, a roo, a too: and oh, never soundeth in Walshe as it doth in these words of English: to do, too. But mark that oh, in Walshe going before l, ll, soundeth nothing more boystouse, that is to say, that it inclineth to the sound of the dipthonge ou (as it doth in english) not more than if it had go be fore any other letter. The sound of P. P, In Walshe differeth not from the English sound of lordship: but lordship coming in construction followeth the rules of the Hebrew phe: save sometime it is turned into b, as thus: pedwar bump, for pump. And sometime lordship, in composition is changed also into b, as when we say ymbell for ympell. And one while it is left out of the compound words: as when these words: kymell, kymorth, be written for kympell, kymporth. And an other while our tongue giveth us to sound it, as it were an h, as when we say: ymhle, ymhlwy, ymhlas, for ymple, ymplwy, ymplas. The sound of Q. Q, Is not received among the numbered of the letters in welsh as yet, but k supplieth his room, & usurpeth his office in every place. And the Greks are fain to practise the same feat, as you may see it done. Luc. two. where Kyriniou, is written for Quirino. The sound of R. R, Is sounded alike in Walshe and english, but r, in Welsh for the most part is pronounced with aspiration, especially being the first letter of the word. And for the aspiration h, they commonly put to an other r, as they play by d, and l, even thus: rrwygwyd, rrodres, rringill, Rufain: But the manner of some is to writ one great captal R, (when it is the first letter of a word) for the lesser double rr. Also r, serveth the turn that n, doth in English, that is to wit, to be put between vowels meeting together in two sundry words, for to stop the uncomely gaping in speech as you shall perceive by these words: your awr: a-n hour. The sound of. S. S, Soundeth in Walshe as it doth in latin: neither hath it two divers sounds as it hath in english or French, for when it cometh between two vowels in these two languages, it is so remissly and lithly sounded as it were a z, as by these two words of both the tongues it is manifestly proved. Faisant a pheasant. The sound of T. T, Likewise hath but one sound, and that is as the latins sound it in these words: atat tute, tegit: Neither do I mean that t, in Walshe is sounded at any time like th', as some barbarous lispers do, who deprave the true latin pronunciation, reading Amath, for amat, dederith for dederit. etc. Howbeit mark well this exception, that t, is never read like c, throughout the welsh tongue, as it is commonly read of English men in latin verbales ending in tio, as pronunciatio, electio, subiectio. etc. Mark also, that it is the nature of t, to be turned into d, and sometime into th', and some other time it is so lightly spoken, that the t, is quite left away, and there remaineth but the h, in stead of the t. But this is to be understand when t, is the first letter of a word set in constrction to be construed or built together on this fashion: Nam thric ynhy dwy ne dair. For before they be hewed, squared, and joined together with their tenants and mortesses, they lie in rude and undressed timber after this manner of sort: Nam tryc ynty dwy ne tair. The absolute words. Furthermore t, in derivation is left out of the derived words, that they might sound more pleasant to the ear, as you may take these for an example: chwano● of chwant: gwnoc of gwynt: monweni of monwent: henieu of haunt. etc. The sound of Th. Th', hath the semblable and like sound in Walsh as it hath in english in these words: thorough, thick, and thin: but it is never so lythlye spoken, as it is commonly sounded in these other words: that, thou thy, this. Moreover th', written for the first letter of any word, showeth the same word to be than in construction. For there is no welsh word standing absolutely that hath th', for his first letter but t, is his native and original letter, for the which in construction th', is commonly used. Neither yet do we use to writ th', in any word, and to read the same as t, or d, as it is commonly done in these english words: Thomas, throne, treasure, Thavie sin: which be most universally spoken after this sort: Thavies inn. Tomas, throne, treasure, Davies inn. The sound of V being consonant. There be but few words in Walshe that begin with v. V, Specially being written in this manner of fashion v, soundeth in welsh as in english or latin, when it is a consonant. And it lightly never beginneth a word, except the word be constructed & joined with one or more words. For than b, or m, being the original or radical letter, is transmuted or changed (according to the congruity of the tongue) into five, a consonant. The sound of u, being a vowel. But u, written after this manner u, is a vowel, and soundeth as the vulgar English people sound it in these words of english: trust, bury, busy. But know well that it is never sounded in welsh, as it is done in any of these two english words (notwithstanding the diverse sound of them) sure, luck. Also the sound of u, in French, or ü, with two pricks over the head in Teutche, or the Scottish pronunciation of u, alludeth somewhat near unto the sound of it in Walshe, though yet none of them all, doth so exactly (as I think) express it, as the Hebraick Kubuts doth. For the Welsh u, is none other thing, but a mean sound betwixt u, and y, being latin vowels. And therefore who so ever will destinctlye learn the Welsh sound of u, let him once give ear to a welsh man, when he speaketh in Welsh, the words that signify in english obedience (or) one * Acus, seu palea chaff: which be these in Walshe. uvudd, ussun. And this vowel u, alone among all the letters in Walshe, swerveth in sound from the true latin pronunciation. Neither is u thus sounded, but of the unlearned, u abused for Y. who abuse it for y, & that more often of us that be of North-wales, than of the Southern Walshman. The sound of w. W, In Walshe and english hath but one figure and power, though it chanceth to have two diverse names, for in english you call it double vu, & in Walshe we give it the name of a single u, but than sounding it after the Latin pronunciation. But the lesser Greek oh, joined together with the Greek y, made a dipthonge, or the Hebraik Vaf. cum puncto schurek in ventre, either oo, in these english vocables: book, look, board, word, shall rather express his name, than his proper efficacy. But his own power, and peculiar office in Walshe, shall there no letter nor letters more precisely set it forth than the w, itself, with the english pronunciation. For although the Germaynes use a w, yet in some words sound they it (to my hearing) as the further u, were a vowel, and the latter a consonant, where we the Britons sound both vu, wholly together as one vowel, without any sundry distinction, but being always either the further or the later part of a dipthonge in english on this wise: with, awe: and in Walshe as thus: with, awen. The sound of X. X, Is not found as yet in the Welsh Alphabet: for the welsh speech hath no need of his office: because that such welsh words as be deducted of the Latin, turn their x, into ss, as do these: crws, nos, estestenna, escommuna, estran, bicses, which come of Crux, nox, extendo, excommunico, extraneus bisextus. The sound of Y. Y, Is sounded in Walsh as it is these English words: yn, sin, is, thin, win. neither yet, as it is sounded of the common people in any of these two words following: wide, wing. Also y, being a word countervaileth the signification of (the) in English: and of Lemot, in French, or of the articles Ha', Ho, in Hebrew & Greek, as thus: y dyn, whose proper signification in english is not commonly used, except a man should say, the person: but Lemot homme, shall well declare it to any that shall be skilled in the French. Of the letter Z. Z, In Walshe is unknown in so much that it was never placed in any welsh word hitherto: Neither needed I once to speak of it but because I would put the reader utterly out of doubt in this behalf. Of the Abbreviations. &, con, Be never used in the Welsh, neither occupy they but few breviations of syllables, but writ every syllable at length, save only in some proper names of men as they do in these: Eden, for Edenyved: Eign Eigion: Gron, for Grono: Gr. or Gruf, for Gruffith: jeunn for jorum, for jorwerth: Ken, for kenwryck: Lln for lewelin: Mad for Madock: Tud for Tuder. etc Which kind of breviations be not unworthy the marking of all such english men, as shall be either pregnotaries, clerks, or counsellors in Wales. For I do remember that once a clerk (being but a young beginner) at an assize in our country, red a man's name being (short written) Eden ap jorum where he should have read it Edenyvet ap Yorwerth And so the crier called still, Eden ap jorum come into the court, or loose. x.li. that shalt thou loose, for thou was seen here even now. And true it was, for the person that was so often and so loud called, stood still all this while even at the criers back, and answered not at all (being so strangely misnamed) until he had wellmost lost amerciment. At which feact (the geste at the last perceived) was there no small laughter of all the whole court. A brief rehearsal of all the rules before, with certain other additions thereto pertaining. A comparison of the pronunciation of the letters in Walsh to the pronunciation of the Greek & Hebrew letters. A, Is most unlike of pronunciation to the Hebrews Aleph. B, most entirely resembleth the nature of Beth. C, and KING, be not unlike in sound unto Caph & Koph. Ch, chi, cheth, and caph with caphe, be of one sound. D, soundeth as Daleth Daghessata. Dd, containeth the power but of one letter, and that of Dhelta, or of Dhaleth, not Daggesset. E, is much spoken after the sound of the vowels Segol, or Epsilon. F, and Beth, without the point Dags, or the Greek Veta, be as one in sound. ff (or) ph, agree in pronunciation with the Greek Phy, or the Hebraick phe, not pointed with Dages. G, is sounded as Gimel. H, and thasperation he, be equal in power. I, in every point agreeth with the Greek iota. L, Lamedh, and Lambdha, disagree not in sound. Ll, countrevayleth Lambda coming before iota. M, N. mem, nun, and my, nigh, differ not in sound. O, and Omega shall sound as one PEA, doth as well imitate Phe and Phy in sound as in other conditions. R, hath a peculiar concinuitie with Rho. S, Samech, and Sigma may go together well enough for their tune. T, soundeth as Teth, or Taf in the Greek. Th', hath the very sound of Theta or Taf having no Dages. V, being consonant soundeth as Beth without Dages or as Veta doth. V, being vowel is read as Kubuts and not much unlike unto Ypsilon. Y, hath the very sound of Ypsilon. What concinnitee the Letters in Walshe have with the Greek letters. IT seemeth not only expedient for the learner hereof, to compare the pronunciation of the letters, to the Hebrews phrase of sounding, but it is also requisite & no less necessary (for him that hath a sight in the Greek tongue) the same also to sort after the division of the Greek letters. Wherefore we call four of the consonantes thin, because they include no manner of aspiration in them: And the same four shall we call thick, when they are aspirated, of whom also three be called mean, or middle lettters, and that when they be neither thick, neither yet thin. The thin letters be these: k p t l. The thick letters are these: ch ph ll. The middle letters, g v dd. And as these letters in the Greek inflexions do pass one into an other, so have they in Walshe, such like alteration. The mutable or changeable vowels be these: a, w. The mutable consonantes be these: b p c, or k d ll m t. And all the rest as well of the bowels as of the consonantes be unmutable. Of the sound of ch, g, i Ch in Welsh is but one letter These three letters, ch, g, i, have never the like sound in the welsh tongue, as they have in these english words, cheer, gentle, jack. Of contraction used in Walshe. I-o shall be contracted into oh, long, or into awe: as digio, digo, or digaw: llidio or llidaw. And such manner of contraction is more peculiar unto the Southern Walshmen, than to us of North-wales. Of accente. The observation of accente is it that shall do much toward the attaining of the native pronunciation of any language, in so much that sometime the alteration of accent shall altere also the signification of the word, as in these words in Greek: Neos, Tomos, Pharos. and these in Welsh: gwydd, gwyll, gwyr: and in English: these, differ, provide, deny. etc. Certain English words whereof you may gather the Welsh pronunciation of the letters. Archangel, Being, Called, Michael, Discomfyted* Dde, Ever * F for FIVE Fillaynous, Fend, Gget, Him, Dd for th' Itch I-elding, Kest, Say, Mellttt, Murmuring, Not, Over, prevailed, Ravening, Horrible, Satanas, Tormented, Thorough, Valeant, Business, Worthy, Yll. These be words wherein the letters be most unlikely sounded to the welsh pronunciation of them. All, Combe, dumb, Cease, Cyve, Check, Adder, Eel, Fish, Gender, Engyn, humour, Honour, In, jaundice, Fall, * The bide. Osyll, Reason, Season, Thomas, That, Uncle, Idle, Singing. The signification of a, in Walshe. A, in Welsh set before an interrogative reason betokeneth (whether) in english as thus: a ddaw ef, a y ynte ni ddaw? that is (if I might so well phrase it in english) whither will he come or whether will he not come? A y hwn yw ef? is this he? A y hon ywr uwlyddyn vecses? is this the bisext or leap year? But you must mark that sometime a, in Walshe is the further piece of ac, which agreeth in signification with (ac) in latin, and with (and) in english: And this conjunction ac, in Walshe, set in construction before a word that beginneth with a consonant shall put away c, and shall be read after the only power of a, as thus. Deo a Mair: un a dau, and not Deo ac Mair, un ac dau. The signification of Y. Y, betokeneth in English (the) as thus: y gwr, the man: y wraic, the woman. And when y, cometh before a verb, it betokeneth (there) and if the verb or word that followeth after the y, begin with a vowel, than shall there be added d, dd, or r, unto the y, for to stop the overmuch gaping that the meeting together of the to many vowels should else have caused, as thus: yd, oedd, ydd, oedd (or) yr, oedd, there was. And sometime y, include th' in itself such a relation as schin in the Hebrew doth. A general rule for the reading of Walsh. THough there be diverse precepts heretofore written of the Walshe pronunciation of the letters, I would think it not overmuch dissonant nor yet to wide from the purpose, to admonish you in this behalf, that is: that you aught not to read the Walshe according as you do the english or French, but even after the reading of the latin. For in reading english or French, you do not read some words all so fully as they be written. And in many other you seem to sound the syllables more fully than the expressed letters do give. Which manner of reading is so utterly eschewed in welsh, as you perceive it to be exactly observed of them that perfitly read the latin tongue: Neither do I mean here to call them perfit and latinelyke readers as many as do read: angnus, mangnus, for agnus, magnus, ingnis, for ignis: santus, for sanctus, sawl for sal: soul, for sol: and for mihi, meichei: and egow for ego: tuw for tu: and quiths ligith, in stead of quid legit. etc. Therefore you must learn to forget such manner of pronunciation against you prepare yourselves to read the welsh. Moore over you aught to know, that these words dringo, gwingo, kynga, myngen, anglod, angered: and the most part of such like welsh words having ng, in them, and being of more syllables than ove, shall be read as these english words be (but you must admit them to be read now as of two syllables every word) Kings, rings, bringeth, singeth: For even as you do not read them: kings, rynges, bringeth singeth: but rather in this wise: kings, rynges, bring eth: even so do wesounde: dringo, & not dringo: gwing oh myngen, and not myngen: Albeit yet as ng, may be severed and parted in this english word singeth (but the signification altered) so have we some words in Welsh (when they are spoken) in whom the syllables may be severed in ng, as in these: an-gerth, llan-gwm, trin gyrch. etc. MOre over master Colingborn, this shallbe further to certify you, that mine intent herein was not to instruct or to teach any man absolutely the welsh tongue, but rather to let the reader have a sight of it (as it were thorough a lattesse) and to prove whether it were possible for a man to come to the natural speech of a language, with the only introduction of precepts. For I mean nothing less than to go about to induce any English man to learn Walshe (but for hope to attain so much english of such in permutation thereof) but contrarily I would feign with all industry endeavour myself to help and further all Walshemen to come to the knowledge of english, English as a language most expedient, and most worthiest to be learned, studied, and enhanced, of all them that be subjects, and under the obeisance of the imperial diadem, and triumphant Sceptre of England, even for the attaynement of knowledge in God's word, and other liberal sciences which thorough the benefit of the learned men of our days be commonly had and set forth in the said English tongue. Walshe Again as for the Welsh tongue even as it is not now to be compared with the english language, so is it not so rude, so gross, nor so barbarous, as strangers being therein all ignorant and blind do adiugde it to be: nor yet (to speak indifferently without all affections) is it not all so copious, so fine, so pure, nor so fully replenished with eligancie, graces, & eloquence, as they themselves suppose it. Howbeit when the whole Isle was commonly called britain, the dwellers Brutes or Britons, When England Schotlande & Wales were called Britain were the Walshemens' ancestors called Brytons and accordyngelye their language British, I will not refel nor greatly deny, neither can I justly gainsay but their tongue than was as copious of fit words, and all manner of proper vocables, and as well adournated with worshipful sciences, and honourable knowledge, as any other barbarous tongues were. And so still continued (though their sceptre declined, and their Kingdom decayed, and they also were driven into the most unfertyll region, barenest country, and most desert province of all the Isle) until the conquest of Wales. For than (as they say) the nobles and the greatest men of the country being captives, & brought prisoners into the tower of London there to remain during their lives, desired of a common request, that they might have with them all such books of their tongue as they most delighted in, and so their ptition was heard, and for the lightness soon granted, and so brought with them all the principalest and chiefest books, as well of their own, as of other their friends, of whom they could obtain any to serve for their purpose: whose mind was none other but to pass the time and their predestinate, perpetual captivity in the amenous variety of overreading and revolving many volumes, and sundry books of diverse sciences and strange matters. And that is the common answer of the Walshe Bard. Bards (for so call they their Poets or rhyme makers) When a man shall object or cast in their teeth the foolish uncertainty and the fantastical vanities of their prophecies (which they call Brutes) or the doubtful race and kind of living of their uncanonised saints: whom that notwithstanding they doth invocate and worship with the most high hon●noure and lowliest reverence. Lhyfreu Kymry ai llofrudd, Ir twr gwyn aythant are gudd, Ysceler oedd i Scolan Vwrw. r twr oh lyfreu it tam Gutto. r. Glyn. Adding and alleging in excuse thereof, that the relics and residue of the books and monuments, as well of their Saints lives, as of their Brutish prophecies and other sciences (which perished not in the tower (for there they say certain were burned) at the insurrection of their country rebel Owen Glyn-door: were in like manner destroyed, & utterly devastat, or at the lest wise that there escaped not one, that was not uncurablye maimed, and irrecuparablye torn and mangled. But hereto it might rather appertain to speak to renew, and call to remembrance the diligent and curious observance of old antiquiti, as concerning exact pronunciation and right sounding of words syllables, and letters, which even the noble nation of the Greeks (who excelled all other nations in every kind of good learning) did not once neglect to invent, practice, and duly execute for the wonting, exercising, and perfeictinge of the tongue of youth, to the end it should not so easily stumble, stagger, lysp, or relent beside the just and true sounding of all such letters, syllables, and words, as were hard to be sounded for the strange concourse and unwont meeting together of the over many consonantes in the same: Of which sort the Greeks have many words, as it appeareth in this verse. Graun chtho●ian aes●hros phthonos ●●●age● ouxiphos e●hthrou. And such verses be called of them Chalepoi. that is: hard to pronunce accordingly. And the Latins have devised them for the same purpose this other verse. Arx stridens rostris, sphinx prester torrida seps strix. And the diligence of the ancient English men hath found out (to avoid the volutable and slipper lapse of the tongue in sounding together a meinie of words containing in them diverse consonantes of unlike pronunciation) this compact of words & such other like. Three beans in a bladder, rattle bladder rattle. The English Saxons called first the Brytons walshemen Also the Brytons (I mean them whom the unlearned and the common sort of people call still in the old Saxons term Walshmen) of like regard have joined together certain words for the same intent: which who so ever shall readily, roundly, and perfectly sound: the same shall also pronounce more easily all other words: And you shall take this now for one hard sentence in Walsh, but to be spoken roundly: Paam y bid garw blayn blue barf gafyr? am y bod yn pori bric helyn garw gardd bardd baron. etc. Here is an other of that sort but shorter: Barkutan yn pigo pupur. An other as hard. Kiffill are ben gallt y pistill. These examples may seem to some men not only vulgar and childish, but also vain, unfruitful, and no less foolish: and so be they in deed (and what is not so, being abused or mistaken?) if they be not applied to the directed scope and purposed intent. But now who shall be so unlucky as to leap over a block and stumble at a straw? And who is he that shall distincly pronounce in Dutch Bildtschuitzer, but the same shall soon pronounce Verdampt? What man is he that can sound Wynchester Englyshelike, but cosequently speak haut or such other light word? And so who is he that can speak thabove wryghten welsh sentences and can miss of the pronunciation of other words of more common construction? And because (as I protested before) I do not intend to encourage you nor any man else, british misnamed Welsh. than is over desirous to the study of british (I mean the language that by continual misnomer the recorder of the ancient hostility is called Walshe) I will not once speak a a word in praise of it (though and if I were learned I might say somewhat to it) but willingly will pretermit to set forth what select words, what consonant and fine terms, and what sententious and net adages, which the old, sage, & learned fathers have not only invented, but also of the Greeks and the Latins most prosperously have taken, translated, accepted, and until this day still retained: I will omit to declare any white of the manifold rhetorical phrases, I will wink at the tropes, metaphors, & translations, and such manner of speeches which the british tongue hath as common, The Hebrew tongue yea rather as peculiar or sisterlyke with the holy language. And as for to confer the pronunciation of them both together I will not: for, what should I make a comparison betwixt white, and even like white? or liken an egg, to an egg? And if I should but once enter to treat of the unspeakable felicity, and the wondrous graces of the British metres (who his inexplicable observative composition, Look else in the last leaf no man but by the only gift of nature hath ever attained) I should never make an end. But now after this, o, how it grieveth me to disclose the unfeigned truth, and to confess the undisimuled verity, that there remaineth now but welsh pamphlets for the goodly British books, sometime so well furnished with all kind of literature: and so few british fragments of the book of Christ's own religion remain unwormeaten, For if the gospel be hid, it is hide among them that are lost. two. Co. iiii and defended from injury of time, and the book of Howel da ap Cadell so long preserved self and sound? Yea, it is rather to be lamented and greatly to be sorrowed to see how few Walshemen have the knowledge of the english tongue, which as by the next way might now restaurate for the outworn barren Britishe, the relics of the noble Britons to their ever affectionate knowledge, and accustomed learning of good letters, piety, and godliness. But now master Colingborne, least peradventure, where I think myself but familiarly to talk here with you, and other my familiares (as my meaning is none other in deed) some thankeles taunter intermeddle and say unto me, alluding to that mock of Diogenes. O viri Myndi portas occludite, ne quando urbs vestra egrediatur. meaning this thereby. O my good friend have done with your Walshe fables have done: for else your jolly prooemion. and your goodly parergon shallbe longer than all your book beside: Here therefore at the last I make an end. FINIS. An addition. The manner of one kind of metre in the british tongue. DISTICHI BRITANNICI POLYMETRI RATIO THEORETICA. Genus metri. Ciccanet crows cysne Widoc. chart of cynghanedd meter The name of the metre ¶ Cyccanet traws HARMONIA Cuckoe adardy coed it dec CONCENTUS TAUTOGRAMMATON HOMOEOPTOTON CYCCANET Cwvert hardꝭ mewn cyvair tec The versifienge another kind of metre. Pop gwlat aeth [orat un a thri] De braint/ I brintio mewn trevi. [' sef orat Deo] Nio anos mewn Daoni Bot yr vn gwaith in jaith ni. Aehi caradd ac cant. FINIS.