We do a lot of to-ing and fro-ing on our trips to the UK, and I was in transit at Cardiff station four times, on the last occasion. The Welsh used for the station announcements and on the notice boards is becoming familiar to me! Like the Quebec French speakers, the people who speak this minority language want to preserve it––by force, if necessary.
At the station exit directions are given in Welsh first and English second to the Stadiwm y Milleniwm, Canol y dinas (city centre), Tacsis (taxis) and Maes parcio (carpark). Next to this is the Customer Information desk, Gwybodaeth i Gwsmeriaid (what a mouthful).
On the arrivals and departures board the trains are listed, going from Caerdydd (Cardiff) to Casnewydd (Newport), Llundain (London), Abertawe (Swansea) and Harbwr Abergwaun (Fishguard), for example.
The station announcements are given first in Welsh, then in English.
Platfform Un ... Dau ... Tri ... (pronounced een, dye, tree ...) Pedwar ...
There's a Platform 0 at Cardiff station too, Plattform Sero.
I love languages.
blending an assortment of thoughts and experiences for my friends, relations and kindred spirit
By Alison Hobbs, blending a mixture of thoughts and experiences for friends, relations and kindred spirits.
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