The Welsh language is such a severe mutation of the original English
spoken in the Middle Ages that, to the inexperienced eye, it is barely
distinguishable from, say, Klingon.
In fact, in July, the Welsh
government, responding to queries about a possible UFO sighting near
Cardiff airport, playfully issued its galaxy-friendly response in
Klingon -- “jang vlDa je due luq,” meaning that further information will
be provided.
In Welsh, for example, “I cannot understand Welsh” is
“nad oes modd i ddeall Cymraeg.”
Recently, in Swansea, Wales, alleged
drug dealer Dwaine Campbell, 25, adamantly refused to leave his cell
for a court hearing because he feared being judged in Welsh--until
authorities promised to transfer the case to Campbell’s native England.
Source: Wales Online
Damien's note: The red Welsh dragon's sign says, "I'm speaking Welsh."
I take a certain pride in having Welsh forbears, but I must admit the language escapes me. I have tried a couple of times to learn how to say some basic things, but it is no use. In fact, I can say more in Kiswahili than in Cymraeg.
ReplyDeleteIt looks a tough language, yes.
ReplyDelete