As I begin my medical education at Swansea University Medical School, I have also embarked on learning Cymraeg (Welsh), a lyrical Celtic language with over 1,500 years of history and vibrant relevance in modern Wales. This page documents my journey through the Welsh language: from key grammar structures to healthcare-specific vocabulary, shared with the hope of inspiring connection and cultural understanding.

Why Welsh Matters in Medicine

For me, learning Welsh is more than a personal passion; it’s a professional promise. Language is the foundation of trust and healing in medicine. Research shows that patients communicate more clearly, honestly, and emotionally when speaking in their native tongue, especially during vulnerable or complex medical encounters. These moments demand not only clinical precision but also cultural sensitivity.

My goal is to speak with Welsh-speaking patients directly, without interpreters. I aim to foster authentic connections, understand cultural nuances, and reduce communication barriers that can impact care outcomes. Through this process, I am becoming more attuned to health literacy challenges and more integrated into the social fabric of Welsh communities.

Essential Welsh for Healthcare Communication

Below are core grammar structures and vocabulary that I have found especially relevant in clinical settings. These foundations help me ask key questions, explain procedures, and engage empathetically with patients.

Basic Grammar Patterns

Question & Statement Forms: Ydy v. Ydyn and Mae v. Maen

• Ydy - Is...? / Does...?

• Ydyn - Are...? / Do...?

• Mae - Is / Does

• Maen - Are / Do

Examples in Medical Context

• Ydy'r claf yn teimlo'n well heddiw? - Is the patient feeling better today?

• Ydyn nhw'n cymryd eu meddyginiaeth? - Are they taking their medication?

• Mae hi angen prawf gwaed. - She needs a blood test.

• Maen nhw'n aros am eu canlyniadau. - They are waiting for their results.

Pronoun Contractions (Short Forms)

In spoken Welsh, subject pronouns and the verb "bod" (to be) are often contracted for fluency.

Negation Patterns

Negation in Welsh often involves "ddim" and changes "mae" → "dydy" in negative sentences.

• Dydy’r claf ddim yma eto. – The patient is not here yet.

Definite Article: y, yr, and 'r

All three mean "the," but the choice depends on the first letter of the following word and its position in the sentence.

Healthcare-Related Vocabulary

Body Parts

• pen - head

• braich - arm

• coes - leg

• calon - heart

• ysgyfaint - lungs

• afu - liver

• gwaed - blood

• croen - skin

Medical Terms

• meddyg - doctor

• nyrs - nurse

• ysbyty - hospital

• claf - patient

• poen - pain

• triniaeth - treatment

• llawdriniaeth - surgery

• meddyginiaeth - medication

Common Clinical Phrases

• Sut ydych chi'n teimlo? - How are you feeling?

• Ble mae'r boen? - Where is the pain?

• Ers pryd? - Since when?

• Rhaid i chi gymryd y feddyginiaeth hon. - You must take this medication.

• Dw i angen gwneud archwiliad. - I need to do an examination.

Looking Forward: My Welsh Language Integration

My aim is not just to learn Welsh, but to live it, integrating it meaningfully into patient care. Beyond vocabulary and grammar, I am focusing on active application in real-world healthcare environments.

Success will be defined not by fluency alone, but by the confidence and comfort of the Welsh-speaking patients I serve. When they can speak freely, understand fully, and participate confidently in their care, I’ll know this journey has come full circle.

Through this blend of language learning, cultural insight, and clinical compassion, I am building the foundation for a career where words don’t just diagnose but connect.