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Pronouncing place names

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)

How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)

Bicester properly!!!!

Gbat

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By *weetiepie99Woman
42 weeks ago

cardiff

Because unless you are from Wales, why would you know how to pronounce it? I'm Welsh born and bred but not fluent. So i struggle sometimes.

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Because unless you are from Wales, why would you know how to pronounce it? I'm Welsh born and bred but not fluent. So i struggle sometimes."

Do you know how to say Edinburgh? Are you from there?

I guess I'm talking about visitors who don't make any effort.

Gbat

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By *weetiepie99Woman
42 weeks ago

cardiff


"Because unless you are from Wales, why would you know how to pronounce it? I'm Welsh born and bred but not fluent. So i struggle sometimes.

Do you know how to say Edinburgh? Are you from there?

I guess I'm talking about visitors who don't make any effort.

Gbat "

Yes of course i do because i can read. Welsh pronunciations sometimes are a little more tricky

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By *emidemiWoman
42 weeks ago

basingstoke

As someone who grew up not far from Llandudno.. I hate when it’s pronounced as CLANdudno. Just no.

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"Bicester properly!!!!

Gbat "

^Giving Bicester a tryster.

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton

How about Towcester? I thought it was tow-cester... turns out it's pronounced toaster...

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"As someone who grew up not far from Llandudno.. I hate when it’s pronounced as CLANdudno. Just no. "
How is it pronounced then?, Mrs x

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Yes of course i do because i can read. Welsh pronunciations sometimes are a little more tricky"

So do you say EdinBOROUGH or EdinBURG? Because if you can read, the sound doesn't follow what's written does it?

I'll revert to my earlier example, Leicester. It's pronounced Lester. You knew that didn't you, but you're not from there.

Gbat

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Bicester properly!!!!

Gbat

^Giving Bicester a tryster."

Bicester is pronounced bisster

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"Because unless you are from Wales, why would you know how to pronounce it? I'm Welsh born and bred but not fluent. So i struggle sometimes.

Do you know how to say Edinburgh? Are you from there?

I guess I'm talking about visitors who don't make any effort.

Gbat "

Maybe the visitors don't feel welcome and can't be bothered, Mrs x

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"Bicester properly!!!!

Gbat

^Giving Bicester a tryster.

Bicester is pronounced bisster"

So how do you pronounce tryst?

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Bicester is pronounced bisster "

My point exactly,

Giving Bicester a tricester.

Gbat

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By *weetiepie99Woman
42 weeks ago

cardiff


"Yes of course i do because i can read. Welsh pronunciations sometimes are a little more tricky

So do you say EdinBOROUGH or EdinBURG? Because if you can read, the sound doesn't follow what's written does it?

I'll revert to my earlier example, Leicester. It's pronounced Lester. You knew that didn't you, but you're not from there.

Gbat "

You're being pedantic. You know what i mean.

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By *ickyKlungespeareMan
42 weeks ago

St Leonards


"As someone who grew up not far from Llandudno.. I hate when it’s pronounced as CLANdudno. Just no. How is it pronounced then?, Mrs x"

hH(c)hlan-d(u)id-no is the closest I can get .

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By *ob Carpe DiemMan
42 weeks ago

Torquay

Where I grew up Badgers Mount and Pratt's Bottom were fairly straightforward

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"As someone who grew up not far from Llandudno.. I hate when it’s pronounced as CLANdudno. Just no. How is it pronounced then?, Mrs x

hH(c)hlan-d(u)id-no is the closest I can get ."

Would never have gotten that and now i can see how it should be said i still cannot, Mrs x

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"You're being pedantic. You know what i mean."

I don't know what you mean, I'm just going on what you wrote. You said you know how Edinburgh is said because you can read, but it's not said how it should read.

It's not me being pedantic, it's you being unclear.

Gbat

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago

TIME TO BE RHYL

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By *weetiepie99Woman
42 weeks ago

cardiff


"You're being pedantic. You know what i mean.

I don't know what you mean, I'm just going on what you wrote. You said you know how Edinburgh is said because you can read, but it's not said how it should read.

It's not me being pedantic, it's you being unclear.

Gbat "

Because i can speak English. Unless you live in Wales why would you be expected to read/speak Welsh.

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By *agnar73Man
42 weeks ago

glasgow-ish


"Yes of course i do because i can read. Welsh pronunciations sometimes are a little more tricky

So do you say EdinBOROUGH or EdinBURG? Because if you can read, the sound doesn't follow what's written does it?

I'll revert to my earlier example, Leicester. It's pronounced Lester. You knew that didn't you, but you're not from there.

Gbat "

Scotrail trains say Edin-bra

I’d say Embra

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By *amie HantsWoman
42 weeks ago

Atlantis

I say loads of places wrong. I don’t think there’s anything sinister about it. I get places in England wrong. For example, I thought Towcester was pronounce Toe-sister until I read above its toaster.

Unless you hear them outloud it’s hard to know. I wouldn’t read too much into it

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"I say loads of places wrong. I don’t think there’s anything sinister about it. I get places in England wrong. For example, I thought Towcester was pronounce Toe-sister until I read above its toaster.

Unless you hear them outloud it’s hard to know. I wouldn’t read too much into it "

Exactly. And you're from Hantshire

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By *ickyKlungespeareMan
42 weeks ago

St Leonards


"As someone who grew up not far from Llandudno.. I hate when it’s pronounced as CLANdudno. Just no. How is it pronounced then?, Mrs x

hH(c)hlan-d(u)id-no is the closest I can get .Would never have gotten that and now i can see how it should be said i still cannot, Mrs x"

Here's one to test posh sorts (or Google cheats ):

Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge.

It's not the mangled English version of the French pronunciation. Neither is it the French pronunciation.

Winner gets an imaginary towcester and cuddly toy x

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By *ou only live onceMan
42 weeks ago

London

Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place..."

Beecham place??

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By *ou only live onceMan
42 weeks ago

London


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??"

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??

"

Hurrah

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By *lder.Woman
42 weeks ago

Not Local

Unless you've ever heard a word said out loud that you have only ever seen written then its just a guess based on how you learnt to read. Ive said loads of names wrong not intentionally but its just how I read them. And I'm from Worcestershistershire.

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey

Don't understand what the issue is, it's not that big of a deal. Mrs x

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By *ickyKlungespeareMan
42 weeks ago

St Leonards


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??

Hurrah "

You iz posh, cheaty, lucky, or maybe all 3 K x

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??

Hurrah

You iz posh, cheaty, lucky, or maybe all 3 K x"

Or clever ... definitely not posh or cheating...

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By *eronicaExplorerWoman
42 weeks ago

London

[Removed by poster at 04/02/24 19:16:28]

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Because i can speak English. Unless you live in Wales why would you be expected to read/speak Welsh."

You do know Edinburgh isn't English don't you?

I'm sorry my original point wasn't clear.

Leicester is pronounced Lester. It doesn't follow the rules of written and spoken English, but people learn it anyway.

I don't think it's asking too much to expect people to learn how to say Bettws Y Coed. There are no difficult sounds in there for English monoglots.

Gbat

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By *parkle1974Woman
42 weeks ago

Leeds

It's a bit like Milngavie in Scotland. Everyone pronounces it wrong

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"It's a bit like Milngavie in Scotland. Everyone pronounces it wrong "

Mull Guy

Gbat

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"Because i can speak English. Unless you live in Wales why would you be expected to read/speak Welsh.

You do know Edinburgh isn't English don't you?

I'm sorry my original point wasn't clear.

Leicester is pronounced Lester. It doesn't follow the rules of written and spoken English, but people learn it anyway.

I don't think it's asking too much to expect people to learn how to say Bettws Y Coed. There are no difficult sounds in there for English monoglots.

Gbat "

Most of the Welsh don't even speak Welsh, so if they can't be bothered why should we?, Mrs x

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By *ickyKlungespeareMan
42 weeks ago

St Leonards


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??

Hurrah

You iz posh, cheaty, lucky, or maybe all 3 K x

Or clever ... definitely not posh or cheating..."

Clever you are for sure...but no amount of clever can work that one out xx

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Most of the Welsh don't even speak Welsh, so if they can't be bothered why should we?, Mrs x"

No one is asking you to. I'm just asking about saying an unusual place name properly.

Gbat

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By *ornucopiaMan
42 weeks ago

Bexley

around here, just about the only village which is pronounced the way it is spelled is 'Fawkham'. Luckily for public decency!

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??

Hurrah

You iz posh, cheaty, lucky, or maybe all 3 K x

Or clever ... definitely not posh or cheating...

Clever you are for sure...but no amount of clever can work that one out xx"

I was being tongue in cheek...I'm not all that clever..its just one of things I knew lol

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"Most of the Welsh don't even speak Welsh, so if they can't be bothered why should we?, Mrs x

No one is asking you to. I'm just asking about saying an unusual place name properly.

Gbat "

But it's in a foreign language, Mrs x

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By *parkle1974Woman
42 weeks ago

Leeds


"It's a bit like Milngavie in Scotland. Everyone pronounces it wrong

Mull Guy

Gbat "

Correct

How about Auchtermuchty

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By *weetiepie99Woman
42 weeks ago

cardiff


"Because i can speak English. Unless you live in Wales why would you be expected to read/speak Welsh.

You do know Edinburgh isn't English don't you?

I'm sorry my original point wasn't clear.

Leicester is pronounced Lester. It doesn't follow the rules of written and spoken English, but people learn it anyway.

I don't think it's asking too much to expect people to learn how to say Bettws Y Coed. There are no difficult sounds in there for English monoglots.

Gbat "

Yes but English is spoken in Scotland along with Gaelic etc etc if you're being pedantic again.

I wouldn't be offended if they cannot pronounce Bettws Y Coed if they've never heard how it is pronounced!!

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By *ardigan SpiceWoman
42 weeks ago

Cardigan/Aberystwyth


"As someone who grew up not far from Llandudno.. I hate when it’s pronounced as CLANdudno. Just no. "

Worse when they just say Landudno. That winds me right up

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By *r TriomanMan
42 weeks ago

Chippenham Malmesbury area

You make a good point. Anyway, how's the weather in Ally-Canty?

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod

42 weeks ago

O o O oo

Where we live now people outside of the area never get the pronunciation right, it isn't the end of the world.

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By *VHeather_RTV/TS
42 weeks ago

Hemel

Let’s add “Belvoir castle” to the mix

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Most of the Welsh don't even speak Welsh, so if they can't be bothered why should we?, Mrs x

No one is asking you to. I'm just asking about saying an unusual place name properly.

Gbat But it's in a foreign language, Mrs x"

And written signs don't necessarily translate to pronunciation... I wouldn't have a clue how any Welsh place names are pronounced because I've never heard them said

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"You make a good point. Anyway, how's the weather in Ally-Canty? "

Alley cant if your speaking Valencian, Alley Cantey if your speaking Spanish.

And I'm not even from here!!!!!

Gbat

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By *ou only live onceMan
42 weeks ago

London


"Let’s add “Belvoir castle” to the mix "

*Snigger*

She said beaver...

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"You make a good point. Anyway, how's the weather in Ally-Canty?

Alley cant if your speaking Valencian, Alley Cantey if your speaking Spanish.

And I'm not even from here!!!!!

Gbat "

Well aren't you mr know it all

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By *ickyKlungespeareMan
42 weeks ago

St Leonards


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??

Hurrah

You iz posh, cheaty, lucky, or maybe all 3 K x

Or clever ... definitely not posh or cheating...

Clever you are for sure...but no amount of clever can work that one out xx

I was being tongue in cheek...I'm not all that clever..its just one of things I knew lol"

And that's how that one works.

When you know, you know.

And when you don't know, you'll never work it out xx

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)

By the way, Welsh isn't a foreign language. It's a British language.

Gbat

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Meet me on Beauchamp Place...

Beecham place??

Hurrah

You iz posh, cheaty, lucky, or maybe all 3 K x

Or clever ... definitely not posh or cheating...

Clever you are for sure...but no amount of clever can work that one out xx

I was being tongue in cheek...I'm not all that clever..its just one of things I knew lol

And that's how that one works.

When you know, you know.

And when you don't know, you'll never work it out xx"

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago

That was because owen glendower wanted the English so confused they couldn't tell each other where they were or going to or came from

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago

Wybunbury?

?????? ????????? ?

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch ?

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Well aren't you mr know it all "

More than some, apparently.

Gbat

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By *ou only live onceMan
42 weeks ago

London

Btw, how do you say Bettws, OP. I always try to get place names right, but I wouldn't know that. 'Betts'?

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By *ittlemiss Hal O weenCouple
42 weeks ago

Southampton


"Wybunbury?

?????? ????????? ?

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch ?

"

That second ones just looks like someone vomited up an entire can of alphabetti spaghetti

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"By the way, Welsh isn't a foreign language. It's a British language.

Gbat "

It is foreign if you speak English, there's no language called British, Mrs x

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"Unless you've ever heard a word said out loud that you have only ever seen written then its just a guess based on how you learnt to read. Ive said loads of names wrong not intentionally but its just how I read them. And I'm from Worcestershistershire. "

Oh thats easy, just say you're from not brown-not-HP-sauce-shire

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT

I really don’t know why the OP is getting so worked up about people not being able to pronounce a place name they have never heard of.

Without asking a local I wouldn’t have a clue how to pronounce it properly.

Just like numerous towns and villages around where I live get mispronounced by holiday markers.

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


" It is foreign if you speak English, there's no language called British, Mrs "

Read what I said. It's a British language, ie, a language from Britain, ie, not foreign.

It's a British language, called Welsh if you're speaking English.

Gbat

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By *weetiepie99Woman
42 weeks ago

cardiff


"By the way, Welsh isn't a foreign language. It's a British language.

Gbat "

Wrong. It is still classed as a foreign language, along with French, Spanish etc according to the UK govt.

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"Wybunbury?

?????? ????????? ?

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch ?

That second ones just looks like someone vomited up an entire can of alphabetti spaghetti "

Odd... preview showed the cyrillic letters ok??

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By *ackformore100Man
42 weeks ago

Tin town


"Because unless you are from Wales, why would you know how to pronounce it? I'm Welsh born and bred but not fluent. So i struggle sometimes.

Do you know how to say Edinburgh? Are you from there?

I guess I'm talking about visitors who don't make any effort.

Gbat "

Edinburgh is a capital city. People can say Cardiff. However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of?

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of? "

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat

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By *ealitybitesMan
42 weeks ago

Belfast

I'm Irish and there are townlands and villages that most people who don't live there struggle to pronounce.

Why would anyone who has never heard of a place or every been near it worry about how it is pronounced?

If the newsreaders and reporters in Britain can't be arsed checking and insist on having 3 different pronunciations in the same report why should anyone else bother their arse?

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By *ealMissShadyWoman
42 weeks ago

St Albans/ Welsh Borders


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat "

I pronounce it 'Betus a Co-ed and being a Welsh speaker; a Gogledd I can understand why non Welsh speakers pronounce it as Betsy Coed....Tolerance on all sides I think...

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"If the newsreaders and reporters in Britain can't be arsed checking and insist on having 3 different pronunciations in the same report ....... "

This is the bit that irks me.

Gbat

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod

42 weeks ago

O o O oo


"

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat "

It is, having googled how to pronounce it there is a website saying it is their favourite question of the area as they get asked it a lot, they then let you know the answer.

A very friendly site it looks and not a bit of angst if people don't pronounce it right.

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of?

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat "

So famous no one seems to have heard of it

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By *ealitybitesMan
42 weeks ago

Belfast


"If the newsreaders and reporters in Britain can't be arsed checking and insist on having 3 different pronunciations in the same report .......

This is the bit that irks me.

Gbat "

We have much simpler two syllable placenames that many can't pronounce because they put the emphasis on the wrong syllable.

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By *ou only live onceMan
42 weeks ago

London


"However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of?

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat

So famous no one seems to have heard of it "

I'd never heard of it, but have now googled and it looks lovely. This is a very niche way for the Welsh Tourist Board to drum up interest, but good on them for the novel marketing...

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


" It is foreign if you speak English, there's no language called British, Mrs

Read what I said. It's a British language, ie, a language from Britain, ie, not foreign.

It's a British language, called Welsh if you're speaking English.

Gbat "

It's still foreign, not at all like English, Mrs x

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
42 weeks ago

North West


"Where we live now people outside of the area never get the pronunciation right, it isn't the end of the world."

Not Lizard Point then?!

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By *rucking-HellMan
42 weeks ago

Northampton

Many years ago an Australian motorist stopped me, and asked for directions. He said "can you tell me which direction Loo Baroo is please mate?"

I Said "Loo Baroo?"

He said "yeah" and showed me it written down.

It was Loughborough. I still laugh about it to this day.

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of?

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat

So famous no one seems to have heard of it

I'd never heard of it, but have now googled and it looks lovely. This is a very niche way for the Welsh Tourist Board to drum up interest, but good on them for the novel marketing..."

You think the OP is on commission from the Welsh tourist board

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By *ou only live onceMan
42 weeks ago

London


"However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of?

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat

So famous no one seems to have heard of it

I'd never heard of it, but have now googled and it looks lovely. This is a very niche way for the Welsh Tourist Board to drum up interest, but good on them for the novel marketing...

You think the OP is on commission from the Welsh tourist board "

No other explanation as far as I can see...

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land

Gosh I remember the hilarity caused when I pronounced Portsmouth as ports and mouth, when I first went off to uni. I quickly learnt to alter how I pronounced things even though it's completely illogical. I often don't understand why some people make no effort to try

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By *ojo2joWoman
42 weeks ago

Penclawdd

[Removed by poster at 04/02/24 19:51:55]

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By *a LunaWoman
42 weeks ago

South Wales

My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod

42 weeks ago

O o O oo


"However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of?

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat

So famous no one seems to have heard of it "

It is a gorgeous place that's for sure..lovely waterfall

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod

42 weeks ago

O o O oo


"Many years ago an Australian motorist stopped me, and asked for directions. He said "can you tell me which direction Loo Baroo is please mate?"

I Said "Loo Baroo?"

He said "yeah" and showed me it written down.

It was Loughborough. I still laugh about it to this day. "

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"However it is you pronounce the examen you gave... Why would anyone who isn't Welsh know how to pronounce a small town nobody has heard of?

It's quite a famous little tourist town. Nice place.

Gbat

So famous no one seems to have heard of it

It is a gorgeous place that's for sure..lovely waterfall"

Oh yes beautiful, Shallow Falls, Mrs x

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By *ojo2joWoman
42 weeks ago

Penclawdd


"Btw, how do you say Bettws, OP. I always try to get place names right, but I wouldn't know that. 'Betts'?"

Bet-oos i coyd

A “w” within a word is “oo”

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"Btw, how do you say Bettws, OP. I always try to get place names right, but I wouldn't know that. 'Betts'?

Bet-oos i coyd

A “w” within a word is “oo” "

Not Betty's Co Head?, Mrs x

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By *ou only live onceMan
42 weeks ago

London


"Btw, how do you say Bettws, OP. I always try to get place names right, but I wouldn't know that. 'Betts'?

Bet-oos i coyd

A “w” within a word is “oo” "

Thank you!

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"Btw, how do you say Bettws, OP. I always try to get place names right, but I wouldn't know that. 'Betts'?

Bet-oos i coyd

A “w” within a word is “oo” "

A simple, straightforward explanation that no one unfamiliar with Welsh pronunciation would have known.

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By *ugby 123Couple
Forum Mod

42 weeks ago

O o O oo


"Where we live now people outside of the area never get the pronunciation right, it isn't the end of the world.

Not Lizard Point then?! "

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

"

Evri cloud has a silver lining

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

Evri cloud has a silver lining "

Ok you've won the thread now

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By *ullyMan
42 weeks ago

Near Clacton

I can't pronounce some Chinese place names, or Japanese, or Russian etc, why should I? I was never there and will never go there!

Most of our schoolteachers were Welsh,came to England with little bits of paper saying they were teachers when all the,mines were closing, and yes I can pronounce the LL sound much to their dismay of most who thought it impossible for an English lad to be able to pronounce it. Apparently of the belief our tongues were not made that way. That said look at the hash some "English" newscasters make of English place names. Fact is it's like wrong spelling, bad grammar etc some are good some poor, does not reflect on the person, or I would hate loathe and despise all Welsh people, especially the "men"!!

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By *ndycoinsMan
42 weeks ago

Whaley Bridge,Nr Buxton,


"Because unless you are from Wales, why would you know how to pronounce it? I'm Welsh born and bred but not fluent. So i struggle sometimes.

Do you know how to say Edinburgh? Are you from there?

I guess I'm talking about visitors who don't make any effort.

Gbat "

I wouldn't expect any Visitor to a village a few miles from me (Eyam) to know it's pronounced Eeem.When it's pronounced E am or I am,guess what?no one dies and no one gets angry about it.

Fofd.

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By *a LunaWoman
42 weeks ago

South Wales


"My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

Evri cloud has a silver lining "

I set them up, you knock them down

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By *arkus1812Man
42 weeks ago

Lifes departure lounge NN9 Northamptonshire East not West MidlandsMidlands

We have in Northamptonshire a village called Cogenhoe, how would you pronounce that?

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Locally known as Cookna, work that one out.

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By *ealitybitesMan
42 weeks ago

Belfast

John Bishop was told as a child he was dyslexic at a time where it was frowned upon to speak of such things.

He expected his father to see it as a weakness but was surprised when his dad put him in the car and drove to Wales.

He pointed at the first placename they saw and told John not to worry as they were all dyslexic in Wales.

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

Evri cloud has a silver lining

I set them up, you knock them down "

Ooo, that’s handy to know, we’re looking for a new sticker upper at skittles

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By *a LunaWoman
42 weeks ago

South Wales


"My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

Evri cloud has a silver lining

I set them up, you knock them down

Ooo, that’s handy to know, we’re looking for a new stick them up her at skittles "

I’m not kind of gal!

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By *illy IdolMan
42 weeks ago

Midlands


"John Bishop was told as a child he was dyslexic at a time where it was frowned upon to speak of such things.

He expected his father to see it as a weakness but was surprised when his dad put him in the car and drove to Wales.

He pointed at the first placename they saw and told John not to worry as they were all dyslexic in Wales. "

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By *dd_soxMan
42 weeks ago

Suffolk

I always thought the 'w' in 'Bettws Y Coed' was silent...

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"John Bishop was told as a child he was dyslexic at a time where it was frowned upon to speak of such things.

He expected his father to see it as a weakness but was surprised when his dad put him in the car and drove to Wales.

He pointed at the first placename they saw and told John not to worry as they were all dyslexic in Wales.

"

Old McDonald had a farm. TJ, TJ, K, Mrs x

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

Evri cloud has a silver lining

I set them up, you knock them down

Ooo, that’s handy to know, we’re looking for a new stick them up her at skittles

I’m not kind of gal! "

That’s not what someone’s written in the gents toilets.

On a side note, I think it’s poor form of you hijacking the OP’s thread for your own entertainment

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By *a LunaWoman
42 weeks ago

South Wales


"I always thought the 'w' in 'Bettws Y Coed' was silent..."

I’ve always pronounced it so it sounds like Lettuce

Bet is y coed

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By *illy IdolMan
42 weeks ago

Midlands


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat "

I imagine it's just because they're not familiar with them. Similar to Americans trying to pronounce English places they've not heard of before.

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By *a LunaWoman
42 weeks ago

South Wales


"My address is a mouthful never mind the place name I always get a “can you spell that”

But Evri can find me, so all is well with the world.

Evri cloud has a silver lining

I set them up, you knock them down

Ooo, that’s handy to know, we’re looking for a new stick them up her at skittles

I’m not kind of gal!

That’s not what someone’s written in the gents toilets.

On a side note, I think it’s poor form of you hijacking the OP’s thread for your own entertainment "

I’ll consider myself told

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By *ackformore100Man
42 weeks ago

Tin town


"We have in Northamptonshire a village called Cogenhoe, how would you pronounce that?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Locally known as Cookna, work that one out.

"

Really irritating when people get that wrong

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat

I imagine it's just because they're not familiar with them. Similar to Americans trying to pronounce English places they've not heard of before."

Exactly and I don't think the vast majority of Welsh people I know at least (some are Welsh speaking some are not), mind mispronunciation at all. But most Americans when told the correct pronunciation then try and use the correct one, without an argument how bloody illogical the English language can be. This is often not the case for Welsh. And I think this is what the OP was getting at. Though I'm happy to be corrected.

Side note most non British people I know love trying to pronounce Welsh name places I then try and pronounce their home towns. My Korean is absolutely abysmal but I got there eventually

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago

I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading.

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"TIME TO BE RHYL"

Ok ok now you’re taking my language

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By *amie HantsWoman
42 weeks ago

Atlantis


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading."

Either either or. Doesn’t really matter. Nothing in Reading is worth reading about.

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By *imi_RougeWoman
42 weeks ago

Portsmouth

My son lives in Cathays, I thought it was pronounced Cath-ays, but it's Cat-ays.

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago

You want to see something funny? Ask someone to read Jamaican patois and see how they do

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading.

Either either or. Doesn’t really matter. Nothing in Reading is worth reading about. "

Do you pronounce it Hants or Hants?

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading.

Either either or. Doesn’t really matter. Nothing in Reading is worth reading about. "

I find it cool that my brain read that how it should be

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading.

Either either or. Doesn’t really matter. Nothing in Reading is worth reading about.

Do you pronounce it Hants or Hants?"

#Bants

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"My son lives in Cathays, I thought it was pronounced Cath-ays, but it's Cat-ays. "

I used to live there a very long time ago. I mispronounced it too when I first arrived in Cardiff

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By *amie HantsWoman
42 weeks ago

Atlantis


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading.

Either either or. Doesn’t really matter. Nothing in Reading is worth reading about.

Do you pronounce it Hants or Hants?"

With a K sound in the middle

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading."

Did that one too

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading.

Either either or. Doesn’t really matter. Nothing in Reading is worth reading about.

Do you pronounce it Hants or Hants?

With a K sound in the middle"

Tom Hants.

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By *emidemiWoman
42 weeks ago

basingstoke


"I once knew a Welsh person who pronounced it Reading and not Reading."

That’s so me

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By *londebiguyMan
42 weeks ago

Southport

There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.

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By *aGaGagging for itCouple
42 weeks ago

Newcastle upon Tyne

We've got a few up our way: Ulgham, Cambois, Alnwick, Howick, Redheugh, Ponteland, Prudhoe.....

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning."

Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"We've got a few up our way: Ulgham, Cambois, Alnwick, Howick, Redheugh, Ponteland, Prudhoe....."

Is that last one pronounced Pridda, or am I mistaking it for another.

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By *ealMissShadyWoman
42 weeks ago

St Albans/ Welsh Borders


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x"

18% of the Welsh population? as that data doesn't include people like me who are first language Welsh living in England I shouldn't think

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By *ortyairCouple
42 weeks ago

Wallasey


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x

18% of the Welsh population? as that data doesn't include people like me who are first language Welsh living in England I shouldn't think"

I think it includes all the Welsh, Mrs x

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By *eroLondonMan
42 weeks ago

Covent Garden

I hoping this thread will go down as the next "Towing Ball" thread.

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning."

Attitudes have changed a lot in recent times. I have several friends who have learnt it in adulthood.

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x

18% of the Welsh population? as that data doesn't include people like me who are first language Welsh living in England I shouldn't think"

Does it ask in the census if you do if you're living in England?

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By *ackformore100Man
42 weeks ago

Tin town

Tomayto tomarto

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By *alcon77Man
42 weeks ago

under the sun & the moon

I'm really bad in Wales.

I always apologise for my pronunciation when I ask for directions. Luckily folks are jovial and forgiving, possibly because I acknowledge my shortcomings..

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"Tomayto tomarto"

You don't want to know how I pronounce it

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat

I imagine it's just because they're not familiar with them. Similar to Americans trying to pronounce English places they've not heard of before.

Exactly and I don't think the vast majority of Welsh people I know at least (some are Welsh speaking some are not), mind mispronunciation at all. But most Americans when told the correct pronunciation then try and use the correct one, without an argument how bloody illogical the English language can be. This is often not the case for Welsh. And I think this is what the OP was getting at. Though I'm happy to be corrected.

Side note most non British people I know love trying to pronounce Welsh name places I then try and pronounce their home towns. My Korean is absolutely abysmal but I got there eventually "

That is EXACTLY what I was getting at! I don't speak Portuguese, but will try and say the place names properly when I visit. Is it too much to ask?

Apparently so.

Gbat

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By *ealMissShadyWoman
42 weeks ago

St Albans/ Welsh Borders


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x

18% of the Welsh population? as that data doesn't include people like me who are first language Welsh living in England I shouldn't think

Does it ask in the census if you do if you're living in England? "

No, not that I can remember. That's why I asked if the data was relating to the population of Wales not the Welsh speakers living in England

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat

I imagine it's just because they're not familiar with them. Similar to Americans trying to pronounce English places they've not heard of before.

Exactly and I don't think the vast majority of Welsh people I know at least (some are Welsh speaking some are not), mind mispronunciation at all. But most Americans when told the correct pronunciation then try and use the correct one, without an argument how bloody illogical the English language can be. This is often not the case for Welsh. And I think this is what the OP was getting at. Though I'm happy to be corrected.

Side note most non British people I know love trying to pronounce Welsh name places I then try and pronounce their home towns. My Korean is absolutely abysmal but I got there eventually

That is EXACTLY what I was getting at! I don't speak Portuguese, but will try and say the place names properly when I visit. Is it too much to ask?

Apparently so.

Gbat

"

Oh come on now, we all want to become one homogenous mass don't we? Let's all speak one version of English. Because percentages and numbers are so important. There are almost five times as many Americans as Britons so American English that is

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat

I imagine it's just because they're not familiar with them. Similar to Americans trying to pronounce English places they've not heard of before.

Exactly and I don't think the vast majority of Welsh people I know at least (some are Welsh speaking some are not), mind mispronunciation at all. But most Americans when told the correct pronunciation then try and use the correct one, without an argument how bloody illogical the English language can be. This is often not the case for Welsh. And I think this is what the OP was getting at. Though I'm happy to be corrected.

Side note most non British people I know love trying to pronounce Welsh name places I then try and pronounce their home towns. My Korean is absolutely abysmal but I got there eventually

That is EXACTLY what I was getting at! I don't speak Portuguese, but will try and say the place names properly when I visit. Is it too much to ask?

Apparently so.

Gbat

"

But that isn’t what you said, in previous posts you mocked people for not being able to pronounce the letter sounds, saying there was nothing particularly difficult.

A couple of people from Wales came on the thread and explained the pronunciation, which anyone not familiar with some of the Welsh language rules would never have known.

Also , just because they have got the pronunciation wrong, how do you know they weren’t trying , just as you ‘try’ with Portuguese but locals may well be amused at your attempts

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x

18% of the Welsh population? as that data doesn't include people like me who are first language Welsh living in England I shouldn't think

Does it ask in the census if you do if you're living in England?

No, not that I can remember. That's why I asked if the data was relating to the population of Wales not the Welsh speakers living in England "

29.5% of Welsh people speak Welsh according to the government statistics. So wouldn't include you or those a bit further afield like in Patagonia

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By *ealMissShadyWoman
42 weeks ago

St Albans/ Welsh Borders


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x

18% of the Welsh population? as that data doesn't include people like me who are first language Welsh living in England I shouldn't think

Does it ask in the census if you do if you're living in England?

No, not that I can remember. That's why I asked if the data was relating to the population of Wales not the Welsh speakers living in England

29.5% of Welsh people speak Welsh according to the government statistics. So wouldn't include you or those a bit further afield like in Patagonia "

Ooh yes! I forgot about the Welsh speaking community in Patagonia. It's a popular language in Japan also

I would be interested to see how many Welsh speakers there are in the UK outside of Wales.

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By *emorefridaCouple
42 weeks ago

La la land


"There are far more important things in this world to worry about than a mispronounced place name.

My mum speaks Welsh and she says that most Welsh people do not bother learning.Only about 18% of the Welsh actually speak Welsh, Mrs x

18% of the Welsh population? as that data doesn't include people like me who are first language Welsh living in England I shouldn't think

Does it ask in the census if you do if you're living in England?

No, not that I can remember. That's why I asked if the data was relating to the population of Wales not the Welsh speakers living in England

29.5% of Welsh people speak Welsh according to the government statistics. So wouldn't include you or those a bit further afield like in Patagonia

Ooh yes! I forgot about the Welsh speaking community in Patagonia. It's a popular language in Japan also

I would be interested to see how many Welsh speakers there are in the UK outside of Wales.

"

That would be interesting, I know lots of my mates/family who live in the UK but not in Wales anymore.

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By *rucking-HellMan
42 weeks ago

Northampton

I traveled to Leominster to meet someone once, and I called it Leo-minster. I was quickly corrected and was told it's Lempster. Never could get my head around that one.

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By *lderflower_AppleWoman
42 weeks ago

Basingstoke


"

I don't think it's asking too much to expect people to learn how to say Bettws Y Coed. There are no difficult sounds in there for English monoglots.

Gbat "

Perhaps you could enlighten we heathens who have no idea how the location is pronounced, primarily because we've never needed to, and it's never come up in conversation.

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By *ty31Man
42 weeks ago

NW London

I'll consider pronouncing Welsh place names when the rest of the country learns to pronounce Marylebone properly

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By *agneto.Man
42 weeks ago

Bham


"You're being pedantic. You know what i mean.

I don't know what you mean, I'm just going on what you wrote. You said you know how Edinburgh is said because you can read, but it's not said how it should read.

It's not me being pedantic, it's you being unclear.

Gbat "

Because Edinburgh is the capital city in Scotland. We know it. Because Leicester have a football team that used to be in the premier League and won the league against the odds. We know it.

I've never heard or had any prior knowledge of your coed gaff.

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By *xonman53Man
42 weeks ago

Thame

Unless you have the phonetic spelling how would you know... Until recently I expect you would have pronounced

Kiev as key ev.... Instead of the Ukrainian pronunciation of keev...

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"But that isn’t what you said, in previous posts you mocked people for not being able to pronounce the letter sounds, saying there was nothing particularly difficult.

A couple of people from Wales came on the thread and explained the pronunciation, which anyone not familiar with some of the Welsh language rules would never have known.

Also , just because they have got the pronunciation wrong, how do you know they weren’t trying , just as you ‘try’ with Portuguese but locals may well be amused at your attempts"

If you think I was mocking, then that's you projecting an emotion that wasn't there.

I actually said "I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch" but there are no "unusual" sounds for English speakers in Bettws Y Coed. It's like Leicester or Worcester. You just have to hear it once to get it right.

I wouldn't expect many new visitors to get the Ll or Ch sounds right without a bit of help.

But see how many posters have said things like why would they know? (There's lots of guide books with a little glossary, and Google translate does sounds as well).

Other posters have referred to Welsh as a foreign language and that's at the heart of what I was feeling.

It's like so many visitors never bother to try and find out, never try to say it properly, and sometimes get dismissive of the language "cos nobody speaks it anyway." These places are part of the UK, have held that name longer than any of us have been alive, and it doesn't take too much effort to try and find out if you want to.

I dare say my Portuguese pronunciation isn't the best, but at least I've looked at the rules before I give it a go.

How do I know the "Betsy" gang aren't trying? Because it's so wide of the mark, that's how.

Gbat

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Perhaps you could enlighten we heathens who have no idea how the location is pronounced, primarily because we've never needed to, and it's never come up in conversation. "

Then it wasn't you I was talking about was it? If you ever go, get some enlightenment yourself.

Gbat

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By *ackformore100Man
42 weeks ago

Tin town


"I traveled to Leominster to meet someone once, and I called it Leo-minster. I was quickly corrected and was told it's Lempster. Never could get my head around that one. "

Start a thread about it.

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By *aGaGagging for itCouple
42 weeks ago

Newcastle upon Tyne


"We've got a few up our way: Ulgham, Cambois, Alnwick, Howick, Redheugh, Ponteland, Prudhoe.....

Is that last one pronounced Pridda, or am I mistaking it for another. "

Close, more 'prudah'

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Until recently I expect you would have pronounced Kiev as key ev.... Instead of the Ukrainian pronunciation of keev..."

But that's because we've usually used the English name rather than the Ukrainian name.

I dare say most of us say Paris rather than ParEE, because we aren't speaking French. But there's only one way to say Limoge, because there's no English name.

Gbat

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By *coobyBoobyDooWoman
42 weeks ago

Markfield

Sorry.

There, is that better now?

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Sorry.

There, is that better now? "

Much. But only if you really mean it.

Gbat

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"We've got a few up our way: Ulgham, Cambois, Alnwick, Howick, Redheugh, Ponteland, Prudhoe.....

Is that last one pronounced Pridda, or am I mistaking it for another. "

Prudda

Howick - hoyk

Alnwick - Anick

Anyone for pronouncing Torpenhow........ ??

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By *arlot o scaraWoman
42 weeks ago

Hell

I grew up down the road, it’s never bothered me.

I dare say a lot of people pronounce Cholmondeley incorrectly as well, which is just down the road in the other direction (England)

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By *abtastic Mr FoxMan
42 weeks ago

A den in the Glen

[Removed by poster at 04/02/24 22:40:00]

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By *.L.0460.Woman
42 weeks ago

Bognor Regis


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat "

I'm a little lost as to why someone's lack of knowledge about correct pronunciation ires you so much? You seem to be taking it as a personal insult!!

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By *abtastic Mr FoxMan
42 weeks ago

A den in the Glen


"We've got a few up our way: Ulgham, Cambois, Alnwick, Howick, Redheugh, Ponteland, Prudhoe.....

Is that last one pronounced Pridda, or am I mistaking it for another.

Prudda

Howick - hoyk

Alnwick - Anick

Anyone for pronouncing Torpenhow........ ??"

Hahaha can't believe I have just seen that just after my post.

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By *coobyBoobyDooWoman
42 weeks ago

Markfield


"Sorry.

There, is that better now?

Much. But only if you really mean it.

Gbat "

Could you tell?

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By *abtastic Mr FoxMan
42 weeks ago

A den in the Glen


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat

I'm a little lost as to why someone's lack of knowledge about correct pronunciation ires you so much? You seem to be taking it as a personal insult!!"

Agreed. But you kind of get to know some of his posts over time.

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"I'm a little lost as to why someone's lack of knowledge about correct pronunciation ires you so much? You seem to be taking it as a personal insult!!"

Not at all. A lot of people seem to be burning heart muscle to justify getting it wrong though.

Mr Fox, you never had a personal invite and didn't need to join in if you didn't want to.

Cheers,

Gbat

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago

[Removed by poster at 04/02/24 22:48:46]

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By *abtastic Mr FoxMan
42 weeks ago

A den in the Glen


"I'm a little lost as to why someone's lack of knowledge about correct pronunciation ires you so much? You seem to be taking it as a personal insult!!

Not at all. A lot of people seem to be burning heart muscle to justify getting it wrong though.

Mr Fox, you never had a personal invite and didn't need to join in if you didn't want to.

Cheers,

Gbat "

I'll see myself out.

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"If I was going to visit Wales I'd make an effort to get places I wanted to visit or i have visited correct be it ask someone or Google it. But otherwise, for now I'm content being none the wiser until such time that I need to rectify that. "

Basically, what I was wishing more people did. Thanks.

Gbat

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By *en_Dover79Man
42 weeks ago

Oswaldtwistle

Oswaldtwistle where I live

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"I'll see myself out."

It's not an airport. You don't need to announce departures.

Gbat

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago


"How come so many people have trouble pronouncing some Welsh place names?

I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch, but FFS, why is Bettws Y Coed ever said as Betsy Co-ed?

If you can say Leicester, Worcester, Southwell or Biceste properlyr, why can't you learn other place names?

Gbat "

I must admit I don't know the language rules for Welsh and I don't know which places follow the Welsh language rules or you can use english ones. So would be unsure of the pronunciation.

If I was going to visit Wales I'd make an effort to get places I wanted to visit or i have visited correct be it ask someone or Google it. But otherwise, for now I'm content being none the wiser until such time that I need to rectify that.

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By *ornucopiaMan
42 weeks ago

Bexley

In the heyday of ship to shore coast stations, one could often hear Italian(for instance) vessels calling "Illfrackombee rahdeeoh, Illfrackombee rahdeeoh, Illfrackombee rahdeeoh".

(Ilfracombe)

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"But that isn’t what you said, in previous posts you mocked people for not being able to pronounce the letter sounds, saying there was nothing particularly difficult.

A couple of people from Wales came on the thread and explained the pronunciation, which anyone not familiar with some of the Welsh language rules would never have known.

Also , just because they have got the pronunciation wrong, how do you know they weren’t trying , just as you ‘try’ with Portuguese but locals may well be amused at your attempts

If you think I was mocking, then that's you projecting an emotion that wasn't there.

I actually said "I can understand if the name contains sounds they are unfamiliar with, such as double Ls or ch" but there are no "unusual" sounds for English speakers in Bettws Y Coed. It's like Leicester or Worcester. You just have to hear it once to get it right.

I wouldn't expect many new visitors to get the Ll or Ch sounds right without a bit of help.

But see how many posters have said things like why would they know? (There's lots of guide books with a little glossary, and Google translate does sounds as well).

Other posters have referred to Welsh as a foreign language and that's at the heart of what I was feeling.

It's like so many visitors never bother to try and find out, never try to say it properly, and sometimes get dismissive of the language "cos nobody speaks it anyway." These places are part of the UK, have held that name longer than any of us have been alive, and it doesn't take too much effort to try and find out if you want to.

I dare say my Portuguese pronunciation isn't the best, but at least I've looked at the rules before I give it a go.

How do I know the "Betsy" gang aren't trying? Because it's so wide of the mark, that's how.

Gbat "

Your continued insistence that Welsh is not a completely different language to English is now laughable.

You also insist that there were no unusual sounds, so why did someone (who actually took the time to explain the pronunciation) , point out that the w in the middle of a word has the sounding of oo, ‘cos of course that’s sooo obvious isn’t it.

You also now go on to say that people can go on Google translate, to get the correct pronunciation, why does it need translating if it’s not a language that is foreign to most people outside of Wales.

Lots of place names all over the UK are completely mispronounced, as has been highlighted throughout this thread, nobody else is taking umbrage about it, most are just amused by their local unique pronunciation of a name.

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By *ascaIMan
42 weeks ago

Cheshire Liverpool Manchester

I’m happy being wrong with my piss poor attempts at pronouncing place names. Most locals will laugh and educate me anyway and we move.

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man
42 weeks ago

BRIDPORT


"I’m happy being wrong with my piss poor attempts at pronouncing place names. Most locals will laugh and educate me anyway and we move. "

Precisely

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By (user no longer on site)
42 weeks ago

What about Youghal near Cork?

It's Pronounced "y'all"

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By *ormalfornorfolkMan
42 weeks ago

Norwich

Wymondham.

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By *bat OP   Man
42 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)


"Your continued insistence that Welsh is not a completely different language to English is now laughable. "

At no point have I said that. It's VERY different. You haven't been reading what I've said.


"You also insist that there were no unusual sounds, so why did someone (who actually took the time to explain the pronunciation) , point out that the w in the middle of a word has the sounding of oo, ‘cos of course that’s sooo obvious isn’t it. "

Is OO really an unusual sound for you? Do you have trouble saying "Who" or "boo" or "too." OO is not an unusual sound for English speakers, you use it regularly. The Ll and Ch are unusual for you, though.

I DO insist there are no unusual sounds in it.


"You also now go on to say that people can go on Google translate, to get the correct pronunciation, why does it need translating if it’s not a language that is foreign to most people outside of Wales. "

It's British language you can't speak not a foreign language you can't speak. Sorry I can't explain that more easily.


"Lots of place names all over the UK are completely mispronounced, as has been highlighted throughout this thread, nobody else is taking umbrage about it, most are just amused by their local unique pronunciation of a name. "

It's the "I don't care" I take umbrage with. I think I said something along those lines about 3 posts in.

It's a subject I'm passionate about. Why are you so invested in the argument?

Gbat

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By *ackformore100Man
42 weeks ago

Tin town

Kilmalcolm, kirkcaldy...

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