Strange Destinations

[Tim R-T-C]

On the Welsh topic I was amused on Cardiff station last time I was there (back in '04 I think) by the Welsh announcements which would be a stream of gibberish (to me!) with "First Great Western" and "London Paddington" randomly cropping up mid-flow.

I noticed that the Welsh announcements always came first, presumably to reward those Welsh speakers with being the first to board.

 

[Michael.Y]

On the Welsh topic I was amused on Cardiff station last time I was there (back in '04 I think) by the Welsh announcements which would be a stream of gibberish (to me!) with "First Great Western" and "London Paddington" randomly cropping up mid-flow.

I noticed that the Welsh announcements always came first, presumably to reward those Welsh speakers with being the first to board.

More a political thing. Down the road in Newport, it's English first.

You wouldn't have heard London Paddington in Welsh though, it's always translated to Llundain Paddington (which, admittedly, sounds very similar). Though why selected England destinations are translated (Amwythig, Henffordd, Harbwr Portsmouth) are translated where as others aren't is beyond me.

 

[rf_ioliver]

You wouldn't have heard London Paddington in Welsh though, it's always translated to Llundain Paddington (which, admittedly, sounds very similar). Though why selected England destinations are translated (Amwythig, Henffordd, Harbwr Portsmouth) are translated where as others aren't is beyond me.

Many English towns have Welsh names, some of which are the original names.

There are some interesting cases such as Kent and Dover being of Welsh origin. Another example is Glasgow is from the Welsh "glas-coed" meaning green wood (NB: glas is blue but in this context means green...you'll have to look up how the concept and mapping of colours works in different languages).

I have a Welsh language UK map somewhere...must find it...

t.

Ian

 

[PR1Berske]

Huw: I'll have a consonant please Carol
Carol: L
Huw: Another consonant please
Carol: L
Huw: And another consonant
Carol: L
Huw: Consonant
Carol: Y
Huw: Three more consonants
Carol: L, L, and G
Huw: Another consonant
Carol: L
Huw: Consonant
Carol: And finally, L

Richard Whitely: You have thirty seconds starting from… now!

:

Richard Whitely: Huw?

Huw: Nine.

LL is a separate letter in Welsh
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The announcement from hell surely for anyone who isn't Welsh:

"...the rear half of the train will call at: Penhelig, Aberdovey, Tywyn, Tonfanau, Llwyngwril, Fairbourne, Morfa Mawddach, Barmouth, Llanaber, Talybont, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llanbedr, Pensarn, Llandanwg, Harlech, Tygwyn, Talsarnau, Llandecwyn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Minffordd, Porthmadog, Criccieth, Penychain, Abererch and Pwllheli."

By the time you've finished the train's probably gone!

Programming automated announcements must be a nightmare.

 

[Michael.Y]

Many English towns have Welsh names, some of which are the original names.<snip>

Yes I'm aware of all you say (I am Welsh after all!) -- my point was - why is London translated to Llundain when Swindon doesn't become Brynmoch for example?

 

[Minilad]

Its St Byew Doe :P

Isn't that the bloke who writes a column about fares and stuff in a magazine

 

[benk1342]

(NB: glas is blue but in this context means green...you'll have to look up how the concept and mapping of colours works in different languages).

Same in Japanese --- in some contexts "ao" means blue; in others it means green.

 

[Michael.Y]

In ancient Greece, they called blue "bronze."

 

[table38]

In ancient Greece, they called blue "bronze."

In Azerbaijan, they call Blue "losers"

 

[transmanche]

Another example is Glasgow is from the Welsh "glas-coed" meaning green wood (NB: glas is blue but in this context means green...you'll have to look up how the concept and mapping of colours works in different languages).

Strangely, whilst in modern Welsh glas means blue - in modern Irish Gaelic, glas still means green.

I have a Welsh language UK map somewhere...must find it...

That sounds very interesting. I'd love to know where I could get hold of one.

 

[Smethwickian]

The announcement from hell surely for anyone who isn't Welsh:

"...the rear half of the train will call at: Penhelig, Aberdovey, Tywyn, Tonfanau, Llwyngwril, Fairbourne, Morfa Mawddach, Barmouth, Llanaber, Talybont, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llanbedr, Pensarn, Llandanwg, Harlech, Tygwyn, Talsarnau, Llandecwyn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Minffordd, Porthmadog, Criccieth, Penychain, Abererch and Pwllheli."

By the time you've finished the train's probably gone!

No joke at all. At Smethwick Galton Bridge where ATW services heading to both Aberystwyth and Pwllheli (splitting at Machynlleth) stop, the automated announcement just about manages the stations by the time people are on board and the doors shutting but is then still going on about which ones are request stops as the train pulls away....

 

[rf_ioliver]

Yes I'm aware of all you say (I am Welsh after all!) -- my point was - why is London translated to Llundain when Swindon doesn't become Brynmoch for example?

I guess because Swindon never originally had a Welsh name...at least Llundain dates to pre-Roman times

t.

Ian