General Chat

:-D yes ;-)

There are lots of words that don't 'exist' in Welsh and have been 'phoneticised', or are even unchanged:

Bom atomig
penecillin
ffliw
polio
menengitis
niwclear
syphallis ....

as we were on the 'scientific' track ....... :-D

Next Round ...... ;-)

Surely many words have been phoneticised or whatever into English. Many French words, and certainly Latin and Greek.

We want a cup of char - should it not be something like tchai? It was never spelt char when I was in India. Difficult to see how something from Mahon in Minorca (pronounced something like Marne) could wind up as May-on-aise.

Welsh is phonetic so would look weird if it tried to follow English which is far from phonetic. A child might read one of these Welsh books and read am-bee-lan-say (with stress on lan) and then be quite cross when they realised what the vehicle was in the story. Am-biw-lans (with stress on biw) is how we say that.

I think there are loads more words to learn in English, and often we have to say several words to say something short in English. For example, os gwelwch yn dda (if you see well) and s'il vous plait in French - and please in English. Diolch yn fawr, merci beaucoup, ta. Un ar bymtheg ar bedwar ugain, 96.

All about communication in the end. What you feel comfortable with. When English speaking people go to Spain to live, most can say a few words and ask for things in Spanish, children learn naturally at school. It breaks down barriers, people smile. :-) :-)

As this thread is all about a shop assistant not speaking Welsh when asked...you say your son works in Tesco John? As an English born person living in Wales, is he able to change from English to Welsh when asked?

Jax. That just is not the issue at all. In most parts of Wales, it is often difficult to find a cashier who can speak Welsh. Often they have to wear badges.

If I want to speak Welsh in the Valleys, there are very few opportunities. In fact, it seemed to be much easier to use Welsh when I lived in London as I spent almost all weekends speaking only Welsh - London Welsh, Welsh chapel, Welsh pub etc..

In Pwllheli, most cashiers will be bilingual. Naturally Welsh speakers as first language, but also very good in English - particularly in holiday areas. I can choose usually which language to speak in in that sort of Welsh town. I usually speak to people in Welsh in Welsh speaking areas, just cos I can and they prefer it. And, if they said the amount in English in a Welsh conversation, I might give cashier a look of surprise.

Don't think they have ever used English with me when we have been using Welsh, but I have heard that they do say the money in English in some shops. A little bit iritating perhaps, but not enough to cause a big fuss. Perhaps Robyn Lewis has not yet developed a "look".

Jax~~
This thread has has many topics and all been fun :-) ;-)....well some of them !!

Awh....Don't question poor John again , bless him. ;-)

Ydych chi'n siarad Cymraeg ?

would be good if this thread died - going over old ground ad nauseum :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\

I was just interested thats all, Sandie :-)

I dont know much about Wales only been there once in 1976, stayed in Cardiff with ex fiance's rellies....I dont remember them speaking Welsh

AnnC I keep thinking that. But it has been a bit like the embers of a fire. Suddenly thread bursts into life for no obvious reason and then everyone gets fed up and removes posts etc. Then it bursts into life again.

Sometimes I think FGS. Other times I think, wow that was a good point (usually Sandie, MrD or Superstar). And other times I just quietly chuckle away - and often laugh out loud to consternation of family and neighbours. :-)

Edit. Jax. I took it that way too. I hope you enjoyed Cardiff, and you would always be made welcome in any part of Wales. You might see a lot more Welsh in Cardiff now. I certainly speak more Welsh if I am working in certain Cardiff suburbs. Lot of Welsh speakers now in places like Llandaff and Pontcanna

But you still have not answered the question John . , does your son speak welsh in Tesco?

Oh Sylv...does it matter , you ( we ) probable won't believe the answer anyway , cos John is John, tongue in cheek . ;-) :-D

bursts into life for no obvious reason!!!!! you keep lighting the flame

Sylvia you should know by now that John dictates the subject on this thread as long he is able to post and keep posting about what he wants to which normally anything about him and what he has dreamed up in the last 15 mins then he will ignore you,

**whispers ** we all know John isnt even really Welsh the only real Welshman on this thread is Mr Daff ;-) **

Thank you Mr Daff for the 'gizzard worm' translation, I'm sorry I missed seeing it earlier. It was what my older brother used to say when I was a child lol, "Be good or the gizzard worm will get you!" :-)

aivlyS I don't think I have encountered you before. Such a nice friendly message. Now there used to be somebody of the same name on Genes who......... (remainder of message deleted on grounds of good taste)

Someone hide that box of matches . . . . purleeze :-|

Blaze keeps us warm on such a cold night, Wend ;-)

FGS a simple yes or no John would have sufficed.

Then we could have got back to languages and their origins as MrDaff and I were looking forward to that as it's something we both have an interest in as well as a few others on GR.

For the record my eldest works for Tesco in their call centre and although she can speak Welsh she doesn't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not exactly something covered by the OSA.

Alright, Sue. Answer is yes or no.

Why on earth should I answer one of this new Sylvia's questions when the one time I asked her a question (and I had been very open in answering questions from her and others) she not only refused to answer but has chased me round the boards ever since suggesting I am interested in her.

Well, I'm not of course. And I will only show her mine from now on if........

Good taste John .... ? lol .. did you have a microwave meal again tonight ?lol .. I never eat them prefer real cooking .