The Welsh

Twee.

kieranfitz wrote: »

Alot of people a bringing up the language thing. Key difference, the taffs dont have it rammed down their throats every day for 14 years.

They're doing something right. From the Welsh Language Toolkit

the percentage of fluent Welsh speakers among 3-15 year olds had increased from 41% in 1992 i 44% in 2004.

The language is compulsory to age 16 in schools.

Wibbs

Batsy wrote: »

It's a bit unfair to say that it was the English who marched into what is now Wales.

England at the time was under Norman rule so you should blame it on the Normans.

+1. Indeed one can lay the blame for a lot of these islands troubles at their feet.

Funglegunk

I know a Welsh girl who's daycent looking but actually looks better in photos than in person...usually it's the opposite way round.

Very little aptitude for even the simplest of rules in drinking games, but has a razor sharp wit.

I presume the rest of Wales is the same. And I presume they are all as cool and articulate as Hugh from the Valleys on BBC News as well.

Cú Giobach

kieranfitz wrote: »

Alot of people a bringing up the language thing. Key difference, the taffs dont have it rammed down their throats every day for 14 years.

As Twee said, it is compulsory, and has been growing ever since, aided by being given equal status with English in 1993, and a Welsh language television station in 1983.

dlofnep

kieranfitz wrote: »

Alot of people a bringing up the language thing. Key difference, the taffs dont have it rammed down their throats every day for 14 years.

The language is a compulsory subject in Wales, as it is in Ireland. Welsh people just aren't whining little sh*t-eagles like some Irish people.

Fratton Fred

dlofnep wrote: »

The language is a compulsory subject in Wales, as it is in Ireland. Welsh people just aren't whining little sh*t-eagles like some Irish people.

I wouldn't go that far, but it does seem that in Wales the language is a unifying force, whereas in Ireland it can be divisive.

dlofnep

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I wouldn't go that far, but it does seem that in Wales the language is a unifying force, whereas in Ireland it can be divisive.

It can be divisive in Wales too. They just don't bitch and moan about it as much and get on with it.

Yahew

We should start a Pole.

Are the Welsh a great bunch of lads, or not? Wolf tones.

dlofnep

Also - the Welsh language is treated more seriously in Wales, and with more respect. Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour both have a bilingual website. Plaid Cymru's is in Welsh by default, with the option to translate to English. That shows the level of respect they have for the language, and how serious the take it.

Welsh people fight to ensure they can operate through the Welsh language - while in Ireland, Irish speakers are just told to use English by it's detractors.

Cú Giobach

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I wouldn't go that far, but it does seem that in Wales the language is a unifying force, whereas in Ireland it can be divisive.

I deal with a lot of Welsh speakers and they get stick, just like people give here about Irish, with all the same comments about dead languages, what use is it in the modern world......etc
Apart from numbers, things are pretty similar to here regarding the attitudes towards the language.

guyridinghigh

There are exceptions to every rule, and I am sure that there are thoroughly decent Welsh individuals (they weren't all bad in Gavin & Stacey) however, on the whole - as nation - A BIG THUMBS DOWN.... (too cross and militant by half.,,)

Fratton Fred

Cú Giobach wrote: »

I deal with a lot of Welsh speakers and they get stick, just like people give here about Irish, with all the same comments about dead languages, what use is it in the modern world......etc
Apart from numbers, things are pretty similar to here regarding the attitudes towards the language.

You must know more than me then. I've never met a Welsh person who didn't have a reasonable grasp of the language. Even if they didn't use it everyday. I've never heard anyone moan about it though.

That said, I know people from the south east who have experienced the refusing to speak English routine when they have ventured north. I believe there is a significant north/south divide with the south (in particular Cardiff) being considered practically English.

sensibleken

All I know is Geraldus Cambrensis was a dick!

Cú Giobach

Fratton Fred wrote: »

You must know more than me then. I've never met a Welsh person who didn't have a reasonable grasp of the language. Even if they didn't use it everyday. I've never heard anyone moan about it though.

That said, I know people from the south east who have experienced the refusing to speak English routine when they have ventured north. I believe there is a significant north/south divide with the south (in particular Cardiff) being considered practically English.

If you have never met a non Welsh speaking Welshperson than yes I have indeed met more of a variety of Welsh people than you, because there are many.

If you consider Cardiff as "practically English" then you must know very little indeed about Wales. Any division could (maybe) be called "British" Wales or "Welsh" Wales, but certainly not English and there are 10's of thousands of Welsh speakers living in Cardiff and also in the nearby valleys of Rhondda-Cynon-Taf, there are actually more people in South Wales that speak the language than in the North, the divide is actually East /West.
I learned Southern Welsh by the way.

By the "refusing to speak English routine" are you referring to the false urban legend, as people all over Wales welcome visitors in the same way people all over Britain and Ireland do.

bullpost

The Welsh have their own version of Braveheart though - Owain Glyndwr who slapped the English around a fair bit in the 15th Century.

Would make a good film - they could produce it here

Batsy wrote: »

It's a bit unfair to say that it was the English who marched into what is now Wales.

England at the time was under Norman rule so you should blame it on the Normans.

Fratton Fred

Cú Giobach wrote: »

If you have never met a non Welsh speaking Welshperson than yes I have indeed met more of a variety of Welsh people than you, because there are many.

If you consider Cardiff as "practically English" then you must know very little indeed about Wales. Any division could (maybe) be called "British" Wales or "Welsh" Wales, but certainly not English and there are 10's of thousands of Welsh speakers living in Cardiff and also in the nearby valleys of Rhondda-Cynon-Taf, there are actually more people in South Wales that speak the language than in the North, the divide is actually East /West.
I learned Southern Welsh by the way.

By the "refusing to speak English routine" are you referring to the false urban legend, as people all over Wales welcome visitors in the same way people all over Britain and Ireland do.

I worked out of an office in Newport for four years, so I've met a variety of Welsh people thanks.

You really should read posts more carefully.

Fratton Fred

bullpost wrote: »

The Welsh have their own version of Braveheart though - Owain Glyndwr who slapped the English around a fair bit in the 15th Century.

Would make a good film - they could produce it here

The Welsh version of the IRA were called the sons of Glyndwr, although I think the worst thing they ever did was to set light to a few caravans.

dlofnep

bullpost wrote: »

The Welsh have their own version of Braveheart though - Owain Glyndwr who slapped the English around a fair bit in the 15th Century.

Would make a good film - they could produce it here

They are actually looking to make it.

KeithAFC

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I wouldn't go that far, but it does seem that in Wales the language is a unifying force, whereas in Ireland it can be divisive.

A bit different. The Welsh are one people and so are going to back the native language. It isn't the same on this island. Certainly isn't the same in N.I.

Yahew

Cú Giobach wrote: »

If you have never met a non Welsh speaking Welshperson than yes I have indeed met more of a variety of Welsh people than you, because there are many.

If you consider Cardiff as "practically English" then you must know very little indeed about Wales. Any division could (maybe) be called "British" Wales or "Welsh" Wales, but certainly not English and there are 10's of thousands of Welsh speakers living in Cardiff and also in the nearby valleys of Rhondda-Cynon-Taf, there are actually more people in South Wales that speak the language than in the North, the divide is actually East /West.
I learned Southern Welsh by the way.

By the "refusing to speak English routine" are you referring to the false urban legend, as people all over Wales welcome visitors in the same way people all over Britain and Ireland do.

I've heard this rumour from trusted English sources too - they are rude, or hostile if you talk English to them ( if resident for a while).

My feeling is that English should learn the language if they live there.

Cú Giobach

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I worked out of an office in Newport for four years, so I've met a variety of Welsh people thanks.

You really should read posts more carefully.

Well you are living in Ireland now and know very little about Irish people, so I wouldn't take much stock on your knowing Welsh people any better after living in Wales.
Oh I read your post, and it was as I pointed out, quite incorrect.

Yahew

KeithAFC wrote: »

A bit different. The Welsh are one people and so are going to back the native language. It isn't the same on this island. Certainly isn't the same in N.I.

Nobody is claiming Irish/Gaelic is the language of the Unionists.

Fratton Fred

Cú Giobach wrote: »

Well you are living in Ireland now and know very little about Irish people, so I wouldn't take much stock on your knowing Welsh people any better after living in Wales.
Oh I read your post, and it was as I pointed out, quite incorrect.

Please, stop.

Cú Giobach

Yahew wrote: »

I've heard this rumour from trusted English sources too - they are rude, or hostile if you talk English to them ( if resident for a while).

My feeling is that English should learn the language if they live there.

People who have lived there for a while could find some negativity if they don't make an attempt to try and learn at the very least a few words of the local language, same in most parts of the world, that is quite different to being unfriendly to visitors though.
As you say they should learn something if they live there. It is amazing what a simple shwmae, diolch or Ti'n iawn? will do.

Cú Giobach

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Please, stop, you are making an idiot of yourself. Again.

I'm not the one who called South Wales, which has more Welsh speakers than the North "practically English",

Fratton Fred

Cú Giobach wrote: »

I'm not the one who called South Wales, which has more Welsh speakers than the North "practically English",

Neither did I if you read my post again.

Maybe I should have said that the south are considered as bad as the English :-)

Cú Giobach

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Neither did I if you read my post again.
Maybe I should have said that the south are considered as bad as the English :-)

Indeed there is a bit of ribbing between North and South, though they will get together for some mutual ribbing of the Saesnig.

Richard

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Last time I was over in Wales I got stopped by the Heddlu. ,

My advice is - Araf!

Miss Olenska

dlofnep wrote: »

Oh yes, I remember that one too. It's hug, right?

Yep. But not just any old hug, it's a really affectionate, comforting, almost intimate hug. It's pronounced "cutch" like "clutch", and there are related words like 'cwtchy' and 'cwtching'. Love it, beautiful word.

Snowie

the women have unattractive accents

Miss Olenska

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

the women have unattractive accents

So do the men. I do not fancy that accent at all. :pac:

Snowie

Miss Olenska wrote: »

So do the men. I do not fancy that accent at all. :pac:

if theres a thing that could describe vomit audio...

the welsh accent wins ...


the only other accent i hate is Australians i hate them convicts

Miss Olenska

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

the only other accent i hate is Australians i hate them convicts

A soft Australian accent is a beautiful thing. They don't all sound like Kath and Kim. :pac:

Snowie

Miss Olenska wrote: »

A soft Australian accent is a beautiful thing. They don't all sound like Kath and Kim. :pac:

the only person who is remotely sexy voiced is cludia black/ druels :cool:

Miss Olenska

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

the only person who is remotely sexy voiced is cludia black/ druels :cool:

No, I used to have an Australian housemate with a voice like liquid chocolate.

Yahew

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

the women have unattractive accents

The accent can be dire ( Nessa in G&S) or lovely, Stacey in G & S.

kieranfitz

From my experience of them there's way more nessa's then stacey's

Brendog

Funniest language.

"Wibble wobble toil and tobble gooble gobble glerp"

"I am waiting for the Glerp"