That Was Easy For You to Say....
Several years ago, my family took a trip to to Scotland. For those of you who have never heard a true deep Scottish accent, you would swear they were not speaking English, but they are. You actually need a translator to understand them. Here is a fine example from their version of the Jerry Springer Show.
Yup, that is English they are speaking. Listen a few times and you can pick out a word or two. This makes for an interesting trip. Try checking in at the airport and the clerk behind the desk sounds like that? It happened to us, and we ended up pissing off the clerk, because we had to ask for someone who spoke without such a thick accent... (my husband is still dubious that she was really not speaking Scottish)
On our next trip to the UK we went to Wales. I had never been before, but heard that it was amazing beautiful and also home to the Castle of King Arthur. Now what Scotland is to odd accents, the Welch are to odd spellings. It does come from the fact, that the Welsh language is particularly odd. It kind of sounds like Finnish + Klingon.
Here is an example:
So now you have an idea...
The only thing odder than thier language is their spellings. I would say that they are akin to Slavic languages, excpet much longer. For instance, the town we stayed in, is called Abergavenny, which by pretty straight forward inpronunciations, the road that our hotel was on was LLANDDEWI SKIRRID, and no I can't pronounce it. We don't have those sounds in English (or Spanish if you think the double L or Y have those sounds)
This leads me to a recent news article that I saw. An English weatherman, perfectly pulled off thepronunciationof this Welsh town. It is also the town with the longest name in the UK. Take a listen:
Yeah, I bet that was easy for him to say. Not! He actually pronounced: LlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogochNow you give it a try.
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I remember flying back to KY from New York, on Derby Day no less, with the Queen's horse trainer and vet. The vet spoke Irish/English, and I couldn't understand a word he said. They were going to the sales in Lexington. I wasn't the only one with difficulties... The vet told the stewardess that his meal wasn't fit for a dog. So, she brought him another one-- for his dog.
Ha ! There's places in the deep south where you need an interpreter too !
Great article!
It's really interesting when you listen to Irish, English, Scottish, and Welshfolk music that one can easily discernmusic straight out of the hills of Appalachia. As a matter of fact American Blue Grass is highly popular in the Isles!
How cool!
If people who understand English can't understand them, are they really speaking English?
"Finnish + Klingon"
LMAO !
I love the newscaster, he carried off the name with style.
Uffda, yabetcha....
They speak that in Minnesota, ask Larry.
Ya, shore; ya bethchya they do!
:~)
Unfortunately I couldn't open your videos.
I have been to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwymdrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, and at the railway station there I purchased a ticket as tourists are advised to do to prove I was there. However, nobody says the name in full - they just say "Llanfair p g". Which castle was King Arthur's? I was at Carnaervon Castle on the coast and had a Medieaval Dinner at Ruthin Castle while there. By the way, I had no difficulty understanding the speech of the Welsh, but having worked at a college here in China that had an Australian teacher I could hardly understand a word he said.
I love it Feronia...I have to keep a copy of that poem, inmy loo no less.
Ya gotta love the Scot's...beside the whiskey that is.
The men wear skirts, well kilts. Only real men wear kilts.
Feronia ,
Sounds like its time for some Welsh rarebit for dinae ...
That is the Welsh way... nothing can't be solved with a pint and a good sing song.
LMAO... good one!
This is true also.
Maybe I should have named this article "English, with English subtitles provided".
In England when they talk about American English they say this:
Two countries divided by a common language.
Very true Larry. Most people don't realize that southern fiddling is really from Ireland. Same thing with country music and skiffle.
Nice point!
A philosophical question. Good one!
Answers?
You say they are speaking English. Can the people in England understand them ?
But I understand Minnesotan. I didn't understand a word of Welsh. I still say the truth is somewhere in all those found in Welsh burial grounds.
Bryn Celli Ddu Burial Chamber
LOL, Perrie youunderstand Minnesotan!!...Have you ever heard the Cornish accent? LOL, my dad's sister married a ''Cousin Jack'', that's what we called the Cornish people. Loved the guy, well he was my uncle, but I don't think I understood much of what he said over the years.
There was a small contingent of Cornish people working the iron mines in northern Minnesota. Funny, most of them ended up marrying Indians. I guess we were the only ones that could understand them..
or maybe they were the only ones that could understand us.
These are priceless, Feronia. Glad you took a picture of them.
The Scots are a truly warm and unique people.
Lucky you! Got to go to Shetland! I have always wanted to go there.
LOL Buzz, I can't believe that you have actually been there. Very Cool.
King Arthur had several castles in Wales, but the one where he and Merlon were supposed to be was Chepstow Castle and their fort was Llan-y-Gelli.
Funny, I can always understand an Aussie. It's only the Scotish I have a problem with. Maybe regionaldiphthongs?
This one is a hoot! Only could have come from Scotland!
Inshtring posht.
Good one Mac!
Indeed it does Ambie! Thanks for sharing that video!