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)

Proper noun

Saesneg f

1. English (language)

See also

• Seisnig

Further reading

• 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