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Post by althea on Jun 26, 2018 11:34:05 GMT
I am always amazed that people come into Wales and are shocked to hear the Welsh people speaking Welsh. Are you so surprised when you go to Spain and hear Spanish spoken? If you knew the history of Wales and the Welsh language,it's a miracle that any can still speak Welsh. The English tried to exterminate the Welsh language and children were beaten for speaking Welsh in schools. Croeso Y Cymru,Jimmy. That means you would be very welcome in Wales. But Wales is part of the United Kingdom where the language is English. Spain is not Then why don't the English speak Welsh? It works both ways you know.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2018 13:15:42 GMT
But Wales is part of the United Kingdom where the language is English. Spain is not Oh Jimmy, you were doing so well until you forgot that Welsh is an official language in Wales Is it "an" official language or "the" official one
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2018 13:58:50 GMT
Oh Jimmy, you were doing so well until you forgot that Welsh is an official language in Wales Is it "an" official language or "the" official one You're clutching at straws now. Sometimes it's best to retire gracefully As I remember, Wales has had two official languages, English and Welsh, of equal status since the 90s. I'm not Welsh but I'm sure someone suitably qualified will be along soon to confirm this is right.
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Post by rondetto on Jun 26, 2018 17:14:00 GMT
I'm Welsh. Yes English is taught in every school, Welsh is still taught too, however the latest census says that only 21.7% speak Welsh as a first language. If I go to Spain I learn enough to get by as I do in Greece and France. I am envious and admire people who can learn several languages.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2018 17:51:05 GMT
I'm Welsh. Yes English is taught in every school, Welsh is still taught too, however the latest census says that only 21.7% speak Welsh as a first language. If I go to Spain I learn enough to get by as I do in Greece and France. I am envious and admire people who can learn several languages. Thanks, you have proved my point
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2018 5:45:00 GMT
I'm Welsh. Yes English is taught in every school, Welsh is still taught too, however the latest census says that only 21.7% speak Welsh as a first language. If I go to Spain I learn enough to get by as I do in Greece and France. I am envious and admire people who can learn several languages. Great stuff rondetto. You can't put a price on knowing a little of the local language when you travel. I remember, in pre-internet days, borrowing books and cassettes (maybe Berlitz but definitely no CDs!) to learn some Spanish before I travelled around inland Spain. Enjoyed my trip much more and made many new friends along the way
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Post by starlilolill on Jun 27, 2018 10:45:44 GMT
When you go to the 'trouble' of learning enough of a language to be understood by the locals it is much appreciated. When we moved to France 15 years ago our French language was enough to get by (almost) but now we feel more confident and the French friends love it. We can have a proper conversation now without getting the dictionary out!
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Post by althea on Jun 27, 2018 14:46:32 GMT
The Welsh also appreciate people who have a go at speaking Welsh.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2018 7:52:01 GMT
When you go to the 'trouble' of learning enough of a language to be understood by the locals it is much appreciated. When we moved to France 15 years ago our French language was enough to get by (almost) but now we feel more confident and the French friends love it. We can have a proper conversation now without getting the dictionary out! If you move to live somewhere that has a different language it is obvious necessary to learn their language I was visiting Wales for a holiday, as I have visited several Continental countries - deliberately choosing places that I know all speak English. I go for a holiday and to relax, not to exhaust myself trying new languages Regarding this notion that one has to speak the language to learn about the culture, under that argument the popular programme Poldark should be transmitted in Cornish, another dead language reinvented with three different versions. Don't think it would attract many viewers
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Post by honeybear on Jun 28, 2018 8:23:07 GMT
I'd hardly refer to Poldark as culture. A bodice-ripper for the masses more like.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2018 10:58:03 GMT
I'd hardly refer to Poldark as culture. A bodice-ripper for the masses more like. Doesn't culture involve studying history and the way we were? I would have thought Poldark is a good example of 18th century life and customs
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Post by althea on Jun 29, 2018 19:10:22 GMT
A mother mouse and a baby mouse were walking along when all of a sudden a cat attacked them.
The mother mouse goes, "BARK!" and the cat runs away.
"See?" says the mother mouse to her baby. "Now do you see why it's important to learn a foreign language?"
(Tongue in cheek,Jimmy.)
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2018 4:45:11 GMT
Reminds me of... A mouse is in his mousehole and he wants to go out to get something to eat, but he’s afraid there might be a big cat outside, so he puts his ear by the opening and all he hears is “Bow Wow” so he thinks, “Well, there can’t be a cat out there because there’s a big old dog”, so he goes out of his mouse hole and is promptly caught and eaten by a cat, who licks his lips and says “It’s good to be bilingual!”
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