h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Black Mountains are a bit far South for me, I'm an Anglesey and Gwynedd girl. If you can't pronouce my nickname, call me Cadi (sounds like the golfer's aide). I live near some beautifully tounge-twisting places, of which the most famous is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysilio gogogoch. However that name is rather contrived, designed by some comedian who was asked to find a way of distingushing this Llanfair, from all the others in the area (Llanfair means "St Mary's", so you can just imagine how many there are!) He (or she) came up with the idea of a tremendously long name that would set the village apart from all the others, and having the tourists flooding in. Well, it worked!

But for really hard names (hard for the English, that is) you don't need length, just consonants. eg: Amlwch, Benllech, Gaerwen, Llanrwst, Llandona or Rhythun. Go on, have a go! Remember e=eh, w=oo, y=uh or ee, u=ee, ll=l+breathe out like for th, ch=as in German. th is always soft as in thud, never hard as in then, and finally, remember this is NOT ENGLISH so be prepared for new sounds, and read carefully. Once you've mastered the basics, have another go at Llanfairpwll, to give it it's local name. You'll find it easier than expected. Anyone who really wants to learn the lingo, search for Welsh course on the web. There is a site, but I can't quote it because (a) I'm not allowed, and (b) I've lost it.

Yes, I'm keen to see the language spread, and yes, I know that you've all had the experience of being cold-shouldered in Wales because you're not Welsh. So! If ANYONE writes back with the chestnut "I went to Wales, and as soon as I walked in they all started speaking Welsh" I shall probably scream!!! Yes, it happens. But not nearly as often as some English people like to think it does. You may have had an Empire, but that doesn't mean that the world revolves around England. The very idea is ridculous. Everyone knows it revolves around Wales.

I can relate to your 'I went to Wales and as soon as I entered a room they started speaking Welsh'. But it is not only English people who say this. I live in South Wales, an anglicised part and I hear the comment often.
The one which gets me is 'I wish I could learn to speak Welsh', my usual answer is 'well, you're the only one who is stopping you from learning'.

I agree with Cadi about how rare it is for a group of Welsh people to think of excluding English people using the Welsh language. In fact it's never happened to me in nearly 15 years in Wales. I learned Welsh some years ago, and I recommend it to anyone spending time in this incredible country.
Pam rydych chi ddim eisiau dysgu yr hen iaith Cymraeg, iaith mor arbennig, mor hyfryd...? As Cadi points out, the entire world does not revolve around England, and nor should it. Oes sawl lle arall, dim Lloegr yn unig. Mae'r byd yn le mawr, tydy o?
Well, come and enjoy this beautiful place, especially the Farmhouse Gallery in Llanfair Caereinion - now there's a mouthful.

JohnTheTalk

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. My father's English and has tried to learn the language but has given up way to many times. Living in Swansea makes me mad because of such a little amount of people willing to bother speaking it

What about Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llysfaen?