Proud to be Welsh
In the next few months you’re going to meet quite a few new columnists here at Smitten by Britain. I’m happy to have Beth here, author of My Good Life blog because I desperately needed someone to help me cover Wales. Who better but a Welshman (errr, woman)?
I’m Beth a 24 year old Mammy to Little Man(4) and Dot(6 months) and fiancé to J, 31. I can just about say I live in Wales as I’m smack bang in the middle of the two Severn Bridges. Although I’d say this isn’t exactly the heart of Wales, I’m a typical ‘valley girl’ having been brought up in the South Wales Valleys, more specifically the Sirhowy Valley. (I also understand that ‘valley girl’ has totally different connotations in certain parts of America than in South Wales, but even the definition given by UrbanDictionary.com is not how I’d describe myself).
However, this is all just small talk, what I really want to do is give you a small insight into why I love saying I’m Welsh.
The Welsh are commonly assumed to be artistic and creative. Which in some cases is true..some incredible poets have come from Wales and have you actually heard the male voice choirs? I however missed out on the creative talents on offer and ended up with, well, a strong sense of patriotism. Wales has succeeded in creating some great athletes, Colin Jackson for one and although Wales never gets very far in football, Rugby has a slightly better success rate (although not much), but, again, I missed out on any sporting talents too.
So what exactly am I proud of when I say I’m proud to be Welsh?
For one, the scenery is beautiful.
This is one place local to where I grew up and I do believe I’d be hard pushed to find anywhere as beautiful and tranquil as this.
The other thing I’m proud of is the Welsh Language, complex as it may be it’s something that should not be lost. Sadly, it’s estimated that less than ¼ of the population of Wales speak the native tongue and I’m afraid to say that despite a basic understanding, I fall within the ¾ that are do not speak it.
My great-grandparents on both sides of my family were bilingual and my children are being raised bilingually, with every effort on my part to become bilingual with them. On this note, when researching family history, I discovered I am distantly related to James James who composed the tune to the Welsh National Anthem and his father Evan James, who wrote the lyrics and in my opinion this is something to be mighty proud of.
Many people (including myself) find the Welsh language complex and confusing and the variations in dialect between the different regions within Wales can be mind-boggling. Little Man attended Nursery (Meithrin) before starting Reception (Derbynfa) in both the Valleys and down here and the pronunciation of Meithrin differed in that short distance. It was pronounced MYTH-RIN in the Valleys and MAY-thRIN down here. (I’m still not sure if I’ve got it right!)
It isn’t only in the Welsh language that these Regional Variations occur. I’m from the Valleys, I talk very quickly (there’s a vlog on my blog if you really want to hear my accent) and I call my Mother, Mam.
The population in towns/cities in South Wales are generally labelled ‘townies’ because of their accent. For example, “sound as a pound and twice as round” would sound “sewnd as a pewnd and twice as rewnd” if you get my drift? Say it out loud and you’ll hear it. North Wales and West Wales are different again despite retaining the sing-songy quality.
Anyway, I’m rabbiting on now.
I’ll leave you with one more small activity… try saying ‘around the roundabout’ with a ‘townie’ accent…
Beth
My Good Life – http://mygoodlife.me.uk
My Good Life – The Recipe Blog – http://mygoodlife.me.uk/recipes
Twitter – http://twitter.com/BethGoodLife
Interested in guest blogging? Drop me a line through my Contact page.
I have always wanted to go to Wales. Such a beautiful country. My fiancé, Jack, lives in Bristol, England and his mother is Welsh. His grandmother lives in a town in South Wales near Cardiff. I’m very much looking forward to visiting Wales and we’re also planning a little weekend getaway to Aberystwyth. Lovely post, Beth!
Comment by Lis — June 17, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
Thanks for having me here..
Wales is beautiful and I hope you enjoy your visit to Wales, Lis.
Beth
Comment by Beth — June 17, 2010 @ 6:18 pm
I live in Northern California, United States. But I am proud of my Welsh heritage. My great grand father on my mother’s side. So my grandpa’s father came from Wales to America. I do not know where in Wales he came from but I do know we still have family in Wales and I think they know the Welsh language. So I think that makes me a quarter Welsh. Since my grand father would be half Welsh and my mother a third Welsh?
Comment by Whitni — June 17, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
Brilliant post, Beth.
I was born and raised in Devon, England but both sides of my family are from Wales (Rhondda, Powys and Pembrokeshire). I have lived in Cardiff and am always in Wales – I guess it just never leaves the blood no matter where you happen to be born.
My ancestors all used to speak Welsh but I cannot.
You have got me all excited about my next trip up to Cardiff now
Comment by Tom Evans — June 17, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
[...] now, but before I say goodnight head over to Smitten By Britain to check out my guest post “Proud to be Welsh“.. [...]
Pingback by It’s finally here…. — June 17, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
Like Beth I am also Welsh but I do speak the lingo. I was born and bred in the West (WEST is BEST) after all.
Diolch am dangos dy cariad am Cymru Beth / Thank you for showing your love for Wales Beth
BNMx
Comment by Barenakedmummy — June 18, 2010 @ 6:18 am
Both my grandparents where from Wales( they are buried there ) and I spent many a vacation there as a child.My grandparents moved to
England when they got married to find work( My grandfather was a coal miner in Wales) Wales is a very special place, not only because of my family, but because of the people,it’s beauty, and yes language ..
I took my husband there years ago and he fell in love with it.. He; to this day mention how he would love to live there.
It’s such a special, special place
Comment by feather14 — June 18, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
Love learning a bit more about Wales. It seems a magical place to me; The language strange and beautiful, the landscape grand.
Comment by Miss Marla — June 20, 2010 @ 8:32 pm
Well, i can;t say enough good about Wales. I love it. My aunt lived at the base of the Brecon Beacons for decades into her 90′s. She found it heaven on earth. It is indeed.
Comment by Mmm... — June 29, 2010 @ 4:34 am
Well, hello, there! Thanks for the background on Welsh… Loved Wales when we traveled and actually made my singing debut there on a tour… local singer had his meal at the podium (during the show!), turned and asked me to finish his set (that’s another story) so he could have his dinner. So, he gave me his guitar and it went rather well, if I do say so… club owner offered me a job!… such a holiday… come visit when you can… meanwhile, I’ll be practicing my valley Welsh…
Twitter: SolarChief
Comment by SharleneT — June 29, 2010 @ 10:20 pm
[...] now, but before I say goodnight head over to Smitten By Britain to check out my guest post “Proud to be Welsh“.. [...]
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[...] now, but before I say goodnight head over to Smitten By Britain to check out my guest post “Proud to be Welsh“.. [...]
[...] now, but before I say goodnight head over to Smitten By Britain to check out my guest post “Proud to be Welsh“.. [...]