Saesneg
Welsh
Etymology
From Middle Welsh Saesnec, from Proto-Brythonic *saxsneg, from Latin saxonica (lingua) (“Saxon (language)”). Equivalent to Saeson (“English people”) + -eg (language suffix).
Pronunciation
- (North Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈseɨ̯snɛɡ/
- (North Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈseɨ̯snaɡ/, /ˈsɨ̞snɛɡ/, /ˈsɨ̞snaɡ/
- (South Wales, standard) (colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈsei̯snɛɡ/
- (South Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈsɪsnɛɡ/
Audio: (file)
Ll
Proper noun
Saesneg f (not mutable)
- English (language)
Adjective
Saesneg (feminine singular Saesneg, plural Saesneg, not comparable, not mutable)
- (relational) English language; English-speaking, in English, etc.
- llyfrau Saesneg ― English-language books
Related terms
- Hen Saesneg (“Old English”)
- Seisnig (“English”, adjective)
Further reading
- D. G. Lewis, N. Lewis, editors (2005–present), “Saesneg”, in Gweiadur: the Welsh–English Dictionary, Gwerin
- R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “Saesneg”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies