Not Welsh Speaking Welsh

Cath - Calm down and have a cuppa

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11 August 2024 at 09.51

Yesterday Mrs Leftfoot and I took part in the demonstration of solidarity in Newcastle.   

As we wandered along from the Haymarket she noticed a little group of half a dozen police officers with "Heddlu" on their ID patches.

"They must be Welsh" she said.

So as we passed them I turned, smiled and said "Shw'mae" and got the reply "Shw'mae".

"Ble ti'n dod o te?" I asked ("where are you from then?")

Silence then "Sorry we don't speak Welsh."

"Oh" I had a little think "Is that a Newport accent then?"

"No, Cardiff."

"Oh my brother lives in Barry.  Have a good day."

And with that very Welsh exchange we moved on.

I should have twigged they weren't Welsh speaking Welsh when they replied "shw'mae" to "shw'mae" and not "go iawn diolch".

For those without the original language of this land: "shw'mae" is the equivalent of the French "ca va" or "how's things" and the reply (from people in Carmarthenshire at least) is "right enough thanks".

Mrs Quilt  It shames me that I’m from the generation before Welsh was spoken more widely in eastern Wales.  My Irish sister in law knows far more than me!