Right.
Here’s another to get you all overwrought and agitated.
No doubt the Daily Mail has exagerated as usual.
However, after listening to something on Radio 4 this afternoon about exports, I might ask why we are wasting the time of young people teaching them what is in effect a dead language anyway..?
The piece on R4 informed me that less than 2% of Britain’s total exports go to China, whereas our ‘EU partners’ the jolly old Germans manage nearer 10% and are looking to increase that figure.
Apparently they are willing to organise themselves better than we are. That of course includes learning Chinese languages and customs.
I might suggest that if we are to dig ourselves out of the current deep hole, then teaching Mandarin for future adults might be a better bet than something which apparently has no vowels, and no one other than the Welsh in Wales (a place I never go to by choice) speaks.
As ever, kick it around to your hearts content.
Andy
By: AlanR - 15th November 2012 at 09:21
A lot of people say it’s an Urban Myth, but from personal experience I can
vouch for it being true.
A number of times back in the 60’s when going into shops in Wales, people
would stop talking in English, and revert to Welsh.
Strange people.
Saying that, I love Wales as a country. Had some lovely holidays there.
By: Snapper - 15th November 2012 at 09:18
Indeed and I was pointing out that **** is a legitimate and long-standing part of the English language ergo the use of it does not indicate a need for education in language.
By: charliehunt - 15th November 2012 at 09:07
“we should try to educate our populace in their national tongue, English.”
That was the point I was referring to….but I would certainly not have expected it to matter to you, because you have expressed your laissez-faire philosophy of life very clearly here and elsewhere.:)
By: Snapper - 15th November 2012 at 09:01
Why is that a good point? It’s nothing to do with language, it’s to do with social etiquette. **** has been around (in printed form, so provably) for 500 years or so. That makes it as much a part of the nglish language as bother. **** **** **** **** ****. What does it REALLY matter to you how othe rpeople speak? I went to London yesterday, I heard people speaking foreign. I heard people swear. I heard people rabbiting on ten to the dozen. I heard people hyphenating. And so it flowed, over and around me, like a drop of Lea and Perrins blending seamlessly in the melting pot of my day, adding flavour to it.
By: charliehunt - 15th November 2012 at 08:45
Maybe, before getting wound up over foreign languages, we should try to educate our populace in their national tongue, English. From what I hear, wherever I travel, these days, if it has more than four letters, and doesn’t start with “f,” the majority seem dumbstruck.
Now that’s a very good point!
By: PeeDee - 14th November 2012 at 23:41
I’d rather hear the beautiful musical tones of the Welsh than the plinky plonk of Mandarin.
All day long.
By: Snapper - 14th November 2012 at 23:30
Who cares? They can live in England if they want to speak English.
By: Robbo - 14th November 2012 at 21:55
Neu hyd yn oed yn well, plentyn yng Nghymru.
By: Andy in Beds - 14th November 2012 at 21:43
No need to worry, Andy. It’s just one of the grown-ups popping in to tell you to play nicely with the other kids.
Yes, why grow up when you can be a child..??
By: Robbo - 14th November 2012 at 21:37
Yeah, you’re probably right.
Not worth getting upset over.Do I know you..?
No need to worry, Andy. It’s just one of the grown-ups popping in to tell you to play nicely with the other kids.
I must say that I was astounded to see dual language posters plastered around the walls of my local tax office the last time I had the good fortune to visit. I had no idea until that time that there was a significant Welsh enclave in Croydon.
By: Edgar Brooks - 14th November 2012 at 21:12
Maybe, before getting wound up over foreign languages, we should try to educate our populace in their national tongue, English. From what I hear, wherever I travel, these days, if it has more than four letters, and doesn’t start with “f,” the majority seem dumbstruck.
By: Andy in Beds - 14th November 2012 at 20:57
.
Have a super evening in Bedfordshire.:D:D
Yeah, you’re probably right.
Not worth getting upset over.
Do I know you..?
By: sxmfan - 14th November 2012 at 20:31
Andrew my dear boy, calm down, no need to get personal.
I’m sure that deep down you are a nice guy.
Have a super evening in Bedfordshire.:D:D
By: charliehunt - 14th November 2012 at 19:47
A very long ago time whilst youth hostelling in Wales we were having a cuppa in a cafe in Newport, I think it was, and at the next table a clearly distraught teenager was sobbing into his tea.
He had just received his exam results and had passed French but failed Welsh. My friend and I then realised just how bonkers the Welsh were!!:D The lad could not be consoled and we left before being tempted to bring him to his senses.
By all means retain the language for historical interest, for those who are interested, but don’t enforce it on the population and visitors to the region, most of whom couldn’t care less. Every official document emanating from various UK government departments has to be available in Welsh as well as English.:confused:
By: AlanR - 14th November 2012 at 19:35
How ridiculous, and I wonder if it’s actually true ?
Sounds more like an Urban Myth.
By: Andy in Beds - 14th November 2012 at 19:25
Really don’t think that this is the correct forum to post this.
Why not, it’s general discussion..??
I can’t think that ‘Modern Military’ or GA would be more appropriate.
I am an exiled Taff and proud of my country. Cymru am Byth !!:diablo::diablo:
Well we all have our own crosses to bear I suppose.
By: sxmfan - 14th November 2012 at 19:21
Better still teach Welsh & Mandarin.
Whilst I don’t agree with using children in this way (if true), I defend the right of a nation (any nation) to retain its own language.
Really don’t think that this is the correct forum to post this.
I am an exiled Taff and proud of my country. Cymru am Byth !!:diablo::diablo:
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November 14, 2012 at 7:07 pm