I heard something a few days ago, that, if true, might help us all have more Welsh Conversations it is simply that …
Welsh Speakers/Receptionists decide the language to use with a person based on how that person replies to “Helo” - if the person matches the pronunciation and reply’s “Helo” - they continue in Welsh (until you look bewildered!) - but if the persons reply is or sounds like “Hello” they switch to English…
I tested this on visits to both Ysbyty Glan Clwyd (Rhyl) and Ysbyty Gwynedd (Bangor), and it seemed to be true … although in both hospitals some staff started with “Hello” and didn’t react to “Helo” or “Bore da” in reply.
Without ever having given it much thought before, it’s certainly true that Welsh speakers will often use Welsh if they hear what they think sounds like a Welsh accent - although this may be true more in the north than in the south?
Yes, I do use the “Helô” method of saying hi when I walk into a shop or other place that might or might not be Welsh-speaking, and I think it helps. Think I might even have gotten the idea from someone on SSIW.
I think a lot of people have a default setting of listening for their ‘preferred’ language. I was at a cricket match recently and my ear was sucked in to two blokes behind. They were from Ynys Môn. Not easy to get a grip on and Mrs Shak thought they were from Eastern Europe. We had a bit of a natter about beer and cricket , but it struck me how sensitised you ear can become. Is this the aural version of the Masons’ handshake? Whatever it is, it works. I’ve had people switch to Welsh when all I’ve said is ‘o reit’ and the helo thing works for me too, so I usually give that a go. Good innit?
I’m pretty sure Aran says just this in Course 1, Lesson 6.3 (the bonus conversational stuff). It’s been a while since I did that lesson, but I’m sure it is in there.
I’m pretty sure Aran says just this in Course 1, Lesson 6.3 (the bonus conversational stuff). It’s been a while since I did that lesson, but I’m sure it is in there.
Couldn’t be specific about which lesson, but I think it was in there somewhere.
However, I’ve lost confidence in my own version of “helô” - I’m never sure I’ve got it right.
When I first met my wife (who’s lived in England since the 1990s), I thought she sounded like she came from Manchester or Liverpool, or generally just northern (to this southern Englishwoman). But anyone from North Wales spots her accent straight away and starts talking Welsh to her. I think I might have to work a bit harder than that, though!
Iestyn mentions this specifically in Gwers 6B in the southern course. “Curiously enough that pronunciation is often how Welsh speakers will guess that someone else speaks Welsh”…not sure if that’s verbatim, but it was something awfully like that. I’ve not yet had the opportunity to test it out though.
