twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Sorry mods if this is in the wrong place. I wasn't quite sure where I should post it. Please will you move it if I have got it wrong Thanks. I just wondered if there would be any Welsh speaking Zed drivers (or partners) coming along as I would love to learn a few useful Welsh words or simply learn how to pronounce the road signs properly I find it really frustrating that I can understand the meaning of the road signs (because I have seen the bilingual ones so often) but have absolutely no idea of the correct pronunciation. I bought myself a "Teach Yourself Welsh" book but it was impossible to follow without hearing the words spoken and I had to give up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I know what you mean but this always makes me chuckle, the Welsh for hotel is gwesty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Araf. Seen on the roads far too often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Araf nawr!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I like watching Welsh soap operas. It makes me laugh when they drop the odd English word in because there isn't a Welsh equivalent. I know, it's childish, but funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 I am childish too because I can still remember a conversation I overheard in Wales where, after a stream of words that were completely incomprensible to me, one of the women said 'swimming costume' and 'sandwiches' I thought I must suddenly have learnt how to understand Welsh. Bear in mind that I was only about 7 years old at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Despite having lived in Wales for the vast majority of my life I don't speak any Welsh and neither does Caroline. Most of the population around here speak English only, you have to travel to the smaller villages to the South of Mold before you hear any Welsh. In Flintshire where I live, Polish speakers outnumber Welsh speakers about 20 to one . However, I know that ChrisS's son Liam speaks fluent Welsh and new member jonny the mod who will be popping down with me on Friday afternoon has some Welsh. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 JetSet, Polish is the main language in my nearest town too but I hadn't realised that it was common in Flintshire. The part of Wales where I always stay seems to be entirely Welsh speaking and I feel quite ignorant sometimes because I daren't even try a "Good morning" in case my accent is so bad that everyone laughs at me If anyone has the patience to teach me how to pronounce a few words I would be very grateful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny the mod Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Rydw i'n galli siared cymraeg, ond rydwi i wedi anghofio mwyafryd ohono rwan. mean problem achos rydw i ddym yn gwybod beth dywnrod rydw in mynd. (i think i got that close enough.. its been a long time since i spoke welsh on a daily basis.... i do know all the swear words if you interested) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I am childish too because I can still remember a conversation I overheard in Wales where, after a stream of words that were completely incomprensible to me, one of the women said 'swimming costume' and 'sandwiches' I thought I must suddenly have learnt how to understand Welsh. Bear in mind that I was only about 7 years old at the time in hindsight, was she perhaps referring to a gentleman who she thought had stuffed his sandwiches down his swimming costume to make him look, let's say, more manly ? :getmicoat: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Ha ha, hopefully I will have no need to swear at anyone in Welsh and I haven't a clue what you have written (like I said, I only know 'slow down' and 'police') but you could teach me how to say "Hello" and "Thank you" instead if you like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 What's Welsh for budgie smugglers? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I believe Bora da is good morning or good day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 What's Welsh for budgie smugglers? smyglwyr bwji .... apparantly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny the mod Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Bore dda is correct.. ive no cowing idea what the old smugglers mean twobears, but hello is actually HELLO !!! (dont laugh). thank you will be hard for a begginer but have a go at this.... DEE....OL CH ERN VAWER (the ch is pronounced as if you were bringing up a greenie!,sorry but thats the way it sounds) If you can say that well done mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny the mod Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 oh and by the way that was written in trying to help the english version if a fellow welshy has a pop at me...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Love it Hugh Graham, I will practise saying it but who knows if I am saying it right? Right, I'm off now. Nos da everyone. Did you see what I did there?!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobears Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thanks jonny the mod I think I need you on permanent standby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Nos da everyone cysgu dynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I am childish too because I can still remember a conversation I overheard in Wales where, after a stream of words that were completely incomprensible to me, one of the women said 'swimming costume' and 'sandwiches' There are 2 explanations. As Ekona has said there are quite often no Welsh equivalent words and the Welsh (unlike The French) seem quite happy to express things in English. Welsh isn't a dynamic ever changing language like English as apart from a small Welsh speaking population in Patagonia there aren't any outside influences. The other explanation is that what is known as "code switching" is fairly common in Wales especially among younger people. I recently travelled to Cardiff on a train that originated in North West Wales a Welsh speaking stronghold and some of the youngsters were speaking whole sentences in English before lapsing back into Welsh......really weird. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I can help with the pronu....pronoun ................. the way its said but I'm not fluent at all - my son is (same as liam) but he won't be there however, south walean welsh and north walean (aka GOG) are completely different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ioneabee Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I overheard a collegue of mine saying (an I kid you not) "Foundatio, dim deepio" you work it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetleben Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 You won't have any trouble speaking English in Betws Y Coed but a diolch (thanks) would be appreciated by the yocals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJRFulton Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Popty Ping. I live in the heart of Welsh speaking country, however I'm Scottish and speak not a word (apart from the odd insult). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beetleben Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 microwave, that's such a lame alternative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.