One of many wonderful features of the Welsh language is a grammatical form known as the singulative. Rather than taking a shorter word and lengthening it to create a plural, Welsh sometimes does the opposite. "Coed" is a woodland, but a tree is "coeden". It's no wonder solitary trees look so lonely, when they were made to be together. I hope someday they might find their collective footing again in that landscape.
I'm struck by the contrast you describe between busy Brixton and peaceful west Wales. Does the difference between the two help you appreciate both more?
Good question, Robert. Yes I think that is the case. I am a Londoner and there is no way I will be leaving the city any time soon. If I lived in a lovely rural setting like you do, mid Wales would be another landscape. But for a city dweller it feels like another space and time altogether.
Scottish Gaelic also has these multi-branched words. See Rob Macfarlane's "Landmarks".
Thanks Linda. I have just gone back to my copy with added appreciation.
One of many wonderful features of the Welsh language is a grammatical form known as the singulative. Rather than taking a shorter word and lengthening it to create a plural, Welsh sometimes does the opposite. "Coed" is a woodland, but a tree is "coeden". It's no wonder solitary trees look so lonely, when they were made to be together. I hope someday they might find their collective footing again in that landscape.
I'm struck by the contrast you describe between busy Brixton and peaceful west Wales. Does the difference between the two help you appreciate both more?
Good question, Robert. Yes I think that is the case. I am a Londoner and there is no way I will be leaving the city any time soon. If I lived in a lovely rural setting like you do, mid Wales would be another landscape. But for a city dweller it feels like another space and time altogether.