Welsh

"Teach Yourself World Cultures: Wales" is a concise and lively overview of Wales: the country, its language and its people. If you are learning the language, in, for example, an evening class and want to know more about the country and how it works, this is the book for you. Or, if you simply have an interest in Wales for whatever reason, it will broaden your knowledge about the country and its inhabitants. The book is divided into three sections. Chapters One and Two deal with the forces - historical, geographical, geological, demographical and linguistic - that have brought about the formation of the country we know as Wales and the language we know as Welsh. Chapters Three to Seven deal with the wealth of creative aspects of Welsh culture from the beginnings to the present day. These chapters take a look at the main areas or works of literature, art and architecture, music, traditions and festivals, science and technology, fashion, and food and drink, together with the people who have created and are still creating them. Chapters Eight to Eleven deal with aspects of contemporary Welsh society and the practicalities of living in present-day Wales: the way the political structure of the country is organized, education, the environment, the workplace and how people spend their leisure time. The final chapter looks at the country's political, economic and social relations with the wider world, and takes a glance at the future. Each chapter ends with a section entitled 'Taking it Further', where you will find useful addresses, websites, suggested places to visit and things to see and do in order to develop your interest further and increase your knowledge. Each chapter also contains a list of useful words and phrases which will help you to talk or write about the subject in question. "Teach Yourself World Cultures: Wales" is your key to understanding Wales' past, present and future and contains all the information you need to participate in Welsh life and culture.