The Welsh and their words

The traditional culture in Wales has always placed special emphasis on the reading of poetry and the singing of choirs. In the 19th century there was a powerful puritan religious movement that preached a good and simple life. In the chapels the oratory of the preacher and the strong singing of male voice choirs were used to win the hearts of the people and turn them away from bad living.

Politicians

This Welsh understanding of the power of words lies behind a fine tradition of radical and eloquent politicians who have contributed a great deal to British politics since the beginning of the century. David Lloyd George, although born in Manchester of Welsh parents, was brought up in Wales. He entered the House of Commons at the age of twenty-seven as a member of the Liberal Party.

After holding various government offices, he became the first Welsh Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1916, a post he held until 1922. His interest in the old and the poor led him to start the first national insurance scheme and system of old-age pensions. These were the foundation of the present day National Health Service and other forms of social welfare.

Equally inspired by fairness and justice, Aneurin Bevan, who had worked in the coal-mines of South Wales as a boy, became one of the most powerful speakers ever known in the House of Commons. His battle with authority began when he led the miners in the general strike of 1926. He stood for Parliament as an independent Labour candidate in 1929 and by 1931 was the official Labour MP. During the Second World War he was famous for his long and bitter arguments with Winston Churchill about matters of government policy and defence. In 1948, as Minister of Health in the new Labour Government, he established the National Health Service to ensure that both rich and poor have the same health care. His commitment to the poor, together with his willingness to debate every issue with the opposition party, inspired many post-war Labour MPs.

His successor in the constituency of Ebbw Vale was Michael Foot, who, although he never became Prime Minister, is famous for his speeches in the House of Commons and for his role as Minister of Employment in the Labour governments of the 1970s. His role as leader of the Labour party was taken over in 1983 by Neil Kinnock, another radical Welshman. He was born in Tredegar, the same village as Aneurin Bevan, and would be happy to think he was carrying on the same political tradition. Like other Welsh politicians in the Labour party, he is against a separate Parliament for Wales. Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Nationalist Party, was very angry when he voted against this in 1978. Like Foot and Bevan before him, his roots lie firmly with the ordinary people of the Welsh valleys, and he feels that separate government would not really help them a great deal.

What's in a name?

The way in which British surnames have developed is very complicated. Before the Normans arrived, the use of surnames wasn't really known. Many English surnames were originally connected with a person's job - Charles Baker, Margaret Thatcher; someone's size - Jack Long, Mary Little; or a family relationship - Robin Williamson (Robin, son of William), Peter Richardson.

The most common Welsh surnames were all originally Christian names in some form: Dylan Thomas, Roger Davies (a form of David), Geoffrey Jones (from John), David Williams etc. Many other names come from the tradition of calling a child 'son of' his father using the Welsh word ap (or ab). This 'p' can be found at the beginning of many common Welsh names, eg Gary Pritchard, which is the same as the English Richardson. Other examples are Prees, Price, Parry, and Pugh.

Welshmen living in England are often called by the nickname 'Taffy'. This may come from the River Taff, which runs through the capital Cardiff, or it may come from Dafydd, the Welsh form of David.

'Fish and chips' comes into Welsh

Welsh is a Celtic language, and is very difficult to learn. It has very musical intonation, and difficult sounds such as ch and ll.

Because many people in Wales speak English, the Welsh language has borrowed a lot of English words. Many Welsh-speakers going out to buy the most famous British meal would ask for 'fish and chips i swper' (for supper).

Parts of the motor-car such as 'clutch', 'brake' or 'radiator' have come into Welsh almost unchanged.

Many Welsh-speakers use English words and add a Welsh ending, so we hear 'switchio', 'climbio', and 'recommendio'.

Some people think that this is lazy and that new words should be properly translated into Welsh before being used.

Susan Sheerin, Jonathan Seath, Gillian White: Spotlight on Britain; Oxford University Press, 1985, page 94 ff.

Should the Government of a country be responsible for health care or should there be some form of private insurance? If you can pay, should you be the first in the queue for special medical treatment?

Wales voted against having its own separate Parliament. Why do you think this happened? Are there any regions in your own country that would like their own government?

Are there English or other foreign words used in your own language? Why are they used?

Do you think people should use English words without translating them?