Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Nickbat on 01 November 2008, 14:54:03
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You could get a job checking road signs!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7702913.stm
;D ;D ;D
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Heard about this on the radio this morning,rather hilarious. ;D ;D
A job for Debs methinks, she speaks welsh (and several other tongues besides iirc). although with her wicked sense of humour,they could end up in even more trouble than they are already in. ::) :D ;D
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Sorry what i am going to say might be a bit pc ,apologies to anyone who speaks welsh (Debs i assume)...... This is so damn typipal of the powers that be to waste money on stupid signs which are a waste of tax payers money , how many people speak welsh ? i know they teach it in schools and that it is a EEC thing to try to keep languages alive , but do we really need signs in other languages other than english ,english is the majoritie language in this country . I assume when people take there driving test in wales it is done in english?so why all the signs in welsh , its not cheap to put these signs up (heard a figure like 10k per mile or some ridicules amount of money which all comes out of taxs).
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Debs posted it yesterday.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225400845/2#2
I thought she had posted an explanation as well, but i couldnt find it. :-/
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Sorry what i am going to say might be a bit pc ,apologies to anyone who speaks welsh (Debs i assume)...... This is so darn typipal of the powers that be to waste money on stupid signs which are a waste of tax payers money , how many people speak welsh ? i know they teach it in schools and that it is a EEC thing to try to keep languages alive , but do we really need signs in other languages other than english ,english is the majoritie language in this country . I assume when people take there driving test in wales it is done in english?so why all the signs in welsh , its not cheap to put these signs up (heard a figure like 10k per mile or some ridicules amount of money which all comes out of taxs).
The Welsh pay their own taxes, under their own legislation. Roads are either funded by The Welsh Office or Local Authorities --- so at least it is their own money they are wasting !
However -- it is a typical bureaucratic up cock !!!!!
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Few people who claim to be Welsh, speak Welsh. Few people who claim to be English, speak English. The reason the signs in Wales are bi-lingual is that you have to slow down in order to read the English part which is second on the sign. road safety sea boyo
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Few people who claim to be Welsh, speak Welsh. Few people who claim to be English, speak English. The reason the signs in Wales are bi-lingual is that you have to slow down in order to read the English part which is second on the sign. road safety sea boyo
Yes and you are so busy trying to read the signs, you hit the sheep!! ;D ;D BBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! :D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
At least I used to going up the "Heads of the Valley" road!! ;D ;D ;D ;)
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This is so darn typipal of the powers that be to waste money on stupid signs which are a waste of tax payers money , how many people speak welsh ?
If, as a race you try to stamp out a countrys language, identity and culture and try imposing your own language, ZIP IT AND PAY THE COST !
By the way, Welsh is my first language, I learnt yours when I was about 7yrs old.
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This is so darn typipal of the powers that be to waste money on stupid signs which are a waste of tax payers money , how many people speak welsh ?
If, as a race you try to stamp out a countrys language, identity and culture and try imposing your own language, ZIP IT AND PAY THE COST !
By the way, Welsh is my first language, I learnt yours when I was about 7yrs old.
Well said Turk, and I think it is right and proper to have signs in Welsh in Welsh Wales to give respect to that cutural heritage and nationality which I know many are rightly proud of! :y :y
In England though we could try that, but our signs would end up miles high with all the national cultures we now cater for!! :D :D :D ;)
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Debs posted it yesterday.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225400845/2#2
I thought she had posted an explanation as well, but i couldnt find it. :-/
My apologies for duplicating thread. :-[
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Only just spotted this.
Languages have developed throughout the ages (and will continue to do so), to reflect culture, civilisation and the advancement of peoples of all types. To argue that any should be allowed to disappear because they are 'inconvenient' is narrow minded to say the least. On the contrary, much effort and the associated cost should be accepted as essential to prevent this already dumbed down world having no recollection of history, tradition etc. and accepting standards which produce the sub standard use of language which prevails everywhere today.
I like to dabble with the local language when I visit different places, and duly had a go at Welsh, but abandoned it quickly as being well beyond my capabilities. But I will defend its retention on road signs and anywhere else in Wales to the bitter end.
The stupid error highlighted here just reflects the incompetence of individuals responsible for dealing with these things. Very commonplace, unfortunately.
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Sorry what i am going to say might be a bit pc ,apologies to anyone who speaks welsh (Debs i assume)...... This is so darn typipal of the powers that be to waste money on stupid signs which are a waste of tax payers money , how many people speak welsh ? i know they teach it in schools and that it is a EEC thing to try to keep languages alive , but do we really need signs in other languages other than english ,english is the majoritie language in this country . I assume when people take there driving test in wales it is done in english?so why all the signs in welsh , its not cheap to put these signs up (heard a figure like 10k per mile or some ridicules amount of money which all comes out of taxs).
There are two National (statutory) languages in the U.K: English and Welsh!
Languages such as Punjabi, Urdu, Cantonese, Tamill etc.; although 'recognised' practically, by local govt./councils and health/benefits organisations etc. they are not official national languages of this great Nation.
I believe that there are [size=9]circa[/size] 480,000 native Welsh-speaking people using their own language, not to be awkward, but because it it their mother-tongue; in fact many (rather skillfully) also learn English too!.....I returned their 'favour' and learned Welsh so I may enjoy living here with it`s culture, rich social history and literary and musical heritage. (I also speak a few other 'tongues' for the same reason; of wanting to fully-participate in the countries in which I have been fortunate to live).
It is a fact, that the history of the Welsh language is littered with attempts to stamp out the language (by Politicians and Monarchs)....but, like the people, the language endures.
Please remember that Welsh people are British: just like you and I.....many just happen to be bi-lingual.
BTW: Driving tests, road signs, elecricity-bills, council-tax demands and even the chip shop menu`s are all available in Welsh and English here....not just because it`s required by 'British Law', but so that mono-glots (Welsh or English speakers only) can live their daily lives without language being an issue.
I know it`s a humorous analogy; but just how-well would you manage driving around in Russia; trying to navigate with all the road signs in the Cyrillic alphabet?.....Welsh-only mono-glots would face a similar situation would it not be for the bi-lingual roadsigns you so-deride. :-[
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so I remembered correctly Debs,you are a cunning linguist. :y :D ;D ;D
............sorry,couldnt resist.
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Or maybe a book hanging off a chain under each sign with the various languages translated. Ya wanna know what the sign says...look it up ! ;D
But seriously though, fair e'nuff for the native languages of the U.K (not that I'm saying there should be a Welsh translation on signs in England) but road sign translations for immigrants ?!?!:-? People that decide to live in another country should learn the language and integrate. If they don't like it, they can go back to their native country.
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Or maybe a book hanging off a chain under each sign with the various languages translated. Ya wanna know what the sign says...look it up ! ;D
But seriously though, fair e'nuff for the native languages of the U.K (not that I'm saying there should be a Welsh translation on signs in England) but road sign translations for immigrants ?!?!:-? People that decide to live in another country should learn the language and integrate. If they don't like it, they can go back to their native country.
We have some of those Turk on the roads coming away from Dover! :y :y They state "Please drive on the left" in English, French and German! 8-) 8-) 8-)
So all other nationalities drive where they like!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
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This is so darn typipal of the powers that be to waste money on stupid signs which are a waste of tax payers money , how many people speak welsh ?
If, as a race you try to stamp out a countrys language, identity and culture and try imposing your own language, ZIP IT AND PAY THE COST !
By the way, Welsh is my first language, I learnt yours when I was about 7yrs old.
Well said Turk, and I think it is right and proper to have signs in Welsh in Welsh Wales to give respect to that cutural heritage and nationality which I know many are rightly proud of! :y :y
In England though we could try that, but our signs would end up miles high with all the national cultures we now cater for!! :D :D :D ;)
Spot on LZ :y
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Are there really any people who speak only Welsh and not English?
When I was at University in Bangor 40 years ago, there were very few around, and I'm sure most of them could speak perfectly good English when they wanted to. I find it difficult to believe that anyone in the UK in the 21st century can live a life so isolated that they haven't needed to learn English. I'll except from that those elderly immigrants who live entirely in extended families or virtually closed communities. However, that exception won't cover Welsh.
Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with people speaking Welsh and using it as an everyday language - it's actually a very beautiful language to listen to, even if you don't know what they're saying.
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I fully agree with Debs and Lizzie ---- we, as Brits, often complain bitterly at the English language being eroded by text speak and the like -- why should it be any different for the welsh (or Cornish, come to that!) ?
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I did Welsh in school but ive forgotten most of it.
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I know it`s a humorous analogy; but just how-well would you manage driving around in Russia; trying to navigate with all the road signs in the Cyrillic alphabet?.....Welsh-only mono-glots would face a similar situation would it not be for the bi-lingual roadsigns you so-deride.
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Having traveled round most places in europe and some of the old eastern block countries (bulgaria,hungary ,poland and the old East Germany they do have signs up in english or there equivilent ,even Greece has english under there signs) I did atempt to learn some off the languages of europe , french ,german,spanish and italian i might not have been fluant but i got by ;) ;) dont think this im having a pop at the welsh per se ,as my mums side of family origanally come from wales and worked in the kent coalmines and me dads side are all from over the place , US,Aus, ,me i lived in germany longer than uk till i was 16 and for the last 20 years i spent more time tramping round europe in a truck than i care to remember :) :) :)
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We drive on the left ??? :o That would explain the flashing headlights and blaring horns. ;D
I suppose exiting a major port like Dover, the translated signs make sense.
I've been to the South of France a few times on a bike. 1st few miles are ok as it's new and a novelty, but as you get more relaxed and complacent, well, in a car you know which side you should be on as the steering wheel is nearest the kerb. On a bike..nightmare ! I forgot on one occasion as I left a petrol station. I couldn't quite make out what the driver of the on-coming vehicle was shouting as he swerved and careered along the (fortunately) wide grass verge, but the fist waving out thru the roof gave me a pretty good indication. (...and yes, it was a 2cv !)
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Are there really any people who speak only Welsh and not English?
When I was at University in Bangor 40 years ago, there were very few around, and I'm sure most of them could speak perfectly good English when they wanted to. I find it difficult to believe that anyone in the UK in the 21st century can live a life so isolated that they haven't needed to learn English. I'll except from that those elderly immigrants who live entirely in extended families or virtually closed communities. However, that exception won't cover Welsh.
Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with people speaking Welsh and using it as an everyday language - it's actually a very beautiful language to listen to, even if you don't know what they're saying.
University towns don`t really represent the linguistic norm; what with all those incomer student residents and their fancy exotic 'townie' tastes in fast-women and loose-food! ;D
The are quite a few elder non-English speakers here in the rural areas.
Farming families (especially seniors) don`t travel much and can spend months (or years) without going far enough to need English....and I have found that even though many can speak English; not doing-so very often, does tend to make them 'rusty' and feel a little 'uncomfortable' when doing-so. ;)
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Are there really any people who speak only Welsh and not English?
When I was at University in Bangor 40 years ago, there were very few around, and I'm sure most of them could speak perfectly good English when they wanted to. I find it difficult to believe that anyone in the UK in the 21st century can live a life so isolated that they haven't needed to learn English. I'll except from that those elderly immigrants who live entirely in extended families or virtually closed communities. However, that exception won't cover Welsh.
Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with people speaking Welsh and using it as an everyday language - it's actually a very beautiful language to listen to, even if you don't know what they're saying.
University towns don`t really represent the linguistic norm; what with all those incomer student residents and their fancy exotic 'townie' tastes in fast-women and loose-food! ;D
The are quite a few elder non-English speakers here in the rural areas.
Farming families (especially seniors) don`t travel much and can spend months (or years) without going far enough to need English....and I have found that even though many can speak English; not doing-so very often, does tend to make them 'rusty' and feel a little 'uncomfortable' when doing-so. ;)
Isn't that the truth Debs! In Canterbury and at the University I hear French, German, Spanish, Flemish, Slovakian, Romanian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Japanes, Chinese, etc, etc. etc. :y :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :y
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We drive on the left ??? That would explain the flashing headlights and blaring horns.
That goes back to the days of calvarymen on horses ,something to do with which hand a sword or a lance was carried, im sure our resident history buff will enlighten us more ::) ::) ::)
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[highlight][/highlight]We drive on the left ??? That would explain the flashing headlights and blaring horns.
That goes back to the days of calvarymen on horses ,something to do with which hand a sword or a lance was carried, im sure our resident history buff will enlighten us more ::) ::) ::)
That is correct, as the majority of people are right handed so the calvary slash and stab their swords or lances on the right, so "drive" to the left of the oncoming enemy, as you do coming down (always) clockwise spiral stairs in castles. Chariots were also driven to the left so the warriors could use their right arm to fight the enemy on their right. :y :y :y
If you have any doubts. try imagining holding the horses reigns whilst using your (strong) right hand for the sword! 8-) 8-) 8-)
Mentioning the chariots; another useful bit of information is the width of their axles is believed by some as the reason why the standard gauge of 4' foot eight and a half inches was adopted by the early railways, but no one that I have read has really proved that. ::) ::) ::)
If that is true then it doubly proves how wrong it was to adopt the gauge and not Brunel's wonderfull broad gauge for the GWR of seven foot and a quarter inch! ::) ::) ::)
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[highlight][/highlight]We drive on the left ??? That would explain the flashing headlights and blaring horns.
That goes back to the days of calvarymen on horses ,something to do with which hand a sword or a lance was carried, im sure our resident history buff will enlighten us more ::) ::) ::)
That is correct, as the majority of people are right handed so the calvary slash and stab their swords or lances on the right, so "drive" to the left of the oncoming enemy, as you do coming down (always) clockwise spiral stairs in castles. Chariots were also driven to the left so the warriors could use their right arm to fight the enemy on their right. :y :y :y
If you have any doubts. try imagining holding the horses reigns whilst using your (strong) right hand for the sword! 8-) 8-) 8-)
Mentioning the chariots; another useful bit of information is the width of their axles is believed by some as the reason why the standard guage of 4' foot eight and a half inches was adopted by the early railways, but no one that I have read has really proved that. ::) ::) ::)
Well thats me knackered then as im left handed ;D ;D ;D ,i must be a oddball as i played golf right handed ,kicked a ball right footed and played r/h ice hockey ,bowled a cricket ball left handed but batted right handed and the few times ive driven a l/hd car or truck im at a total lose with what to do with me right hand changing gear ;D ;D ;D ;D no im not ambedexterous as when i write right handed it looks like a demented spiders been lose on the page ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Are there really any people who speak only Welsh and not English?
When I was at University in Bangor 40 years ago, there were very few around, and I'm sure most of them could speak perfectly good English when they wanted to. I find it difficult to believe that anyone in the UK in the 21st century can live a life so isolated that they haven't needed to learn English. I'll except from that those elderly immigrants who live entirely in extended families or virtually closed communities. However, that exception won't cover Welsh.
Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with people speaking Welsh and using it as an everyday language - it's actually a very beautiful language to listen to, even if you don't know what they're saying.
University towns don`t really represent the linguistic norm; what with all those incomer student residents and their fancy exotic 'townie' tastes in fast-women and loose-food! ;D
The are quite a few elder non-English speakers here in the rural areas.
Farming families (especially seniors) don`t travel much and can spend months (or years) without going far enough to need English....and I have found that even though many can speak English; not doing-so very often, does tend to make them 'rusty' and feel a little 'uncomfortable' when doing-so. ;)
Isn't that the truth Debs! In Canterbury and at the University I hear French, German, Spanish, Flemish, Slovakian, Romanian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Polish, Japanes, Chinese, etc, etc. etc. :y :y :y ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :y
:o :o ;D
* Although not related with subject Turkish language is composed of 39 different pre-historical languages..So not very easy to learn and talk..sentence structure is totally reverse to latin.. :-/
* Only good side is my country is using Latin Alphabet..Or else original historical Turkish writing is somewhet similiar to Chinese -Japanese :o
(and have no relations with arabic language )
* In my country currently most common languages used now are more than 4 ..
Of course I believe the importance of the local languages, but I must state that language differences on earth only cause problems.. :-/