The Welsh Language.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 8 April 1890, Page 2

The Welsh Language.

A Pennsylvanian gentleman , writing from North Wales to an American newspaper, says : — " Welch is the language in general use here, and greets your ears wherever you go. It is spoken, too, in a'l its original purity as it. came. from the Tower of Babel. I have heard of some attempts to learn it by ambitious Englishmen, but I have never heard of anyone succeeding. After a few attempts to adapt their jaws to the villainous pronunciation they are obliged to give it up and send for a doctor. Learniug Dutch or Chinese is child's play compared to it. •'Here is a dialogue between au English tourist and a Wulsh sheep girl, heard some time ago, which fairly illustrates the native beauties oi the "Welsh tongue. Perhaps some of the good citizens of North Wales in your country will be able to dissect 401116 of the heaviest phrases for the benefit of your readers. I cannot." " Tourist.— Good morning, my pretty maid. Whose sheep are these ? " Shepherdess.— They belong to Mr Gwilyu Gronwy Cadwaladr, sir. "T.- Oh a very nice nwne, too. And were does he live? " b.— At Pantyllechgertro'rgefr gwylltion. "T.— Nicer still. Do yon lose any of them sometimes ? " S. — Not often, sir ; last year five of them tumbled over into Nanter chyHislawyclogwcoed and were killed. "T.— What a place to tumble in to be sure. What is that lake I sea over there ? " S.— Llynycwrnlledaethyrhwch. 11 T. — Have yon been much from home at all ? " S.— Only in Anglesey, sir; I went with my brother and my sister to Llanerchymeddyinmondo, and from there to see Crigiau, Crugul), and came back to Llauf airmathaf arnei thaf and then — "T.- Hold hard. Let me breath a little, my dear* Well where afterwards ? " S.— Well my brother has to go back to Chwarel Caebraichycafn, and my aister to Tre'rhianed, Llanelhairarn, but on our way home we went to see the little church by the river— such a funny, old fashioned church, sir. « T.— Where is it ! I mean what parish? " S.— ln LWairpwllgwyngyllgogoryohwyrndrobwiltysiliogogogoch. "T.— Meroy on us. That is' enough. Good day, my girl 11 S. — Good morning, sir.