Cymru Am Byth

So our last full day of Orientation is culminating tonight with a 'Cultural Fair'. Each country has to perform something representative of their culture. The UK Fulbrighters decided to break into groups that represent all four countries and the Welsh contingent (aka myself and Gil from Canton) plumped for 'A Pocket Guide to Wenglish': we'll role play a 'typical' Wenglish conversation (written by moi) and then peform it again using Standard English (marinally less embarrassing than performing 'I'm a Little Teapot', methinks, as the English are doing. Yes, they *really* are!). For those of you who have never heard of the term 'Wenglish' it's basically the dialect used by English-speaking Welsh people, which incorporates Welsh words and grammar. Here's our script:



A Hiya!
(Hello!)

B ‘right butt, how’re you, ‘en?
(Hello my friend, how are you feeling today?)

A ‘Been better, like – my bad leg’s been giving me gyp again
(I have felt better, in all honesty – my injured leg has been causing me discomfort.)

B Fair dos, you’ve had that bad leg for yonks. You under the doctor?
(Oh my, you have been suffering with an injured leg for a long time now, poor you. Have you consulted a doctor?)

A Aye, but she’s proper didoreth like and a bit twp.
(I did indeed visit my GP but sadly she’s rather useless and more than a little stupid.)

B Is it?
(Really?)

A Aye
(Yes)

B Dew! It’s tamping down out there!
(Goodness me, it is raining heavily outside!)

A No change there then! Look – there’s Dai the Milk; he’s carrying on with Shinko’s girl now.
(It’s always raining in Wales (!) Look – I can see the milkman called David, who has recently started a relationship with Mr Jenkins’ daughter.)

B Where’s he to, ‘en?
(Where is he? I can’t see him.)

A He’s over by there!
(He’s standing there!)

B Oh aye, so he is. So, pub later, is it?
(Oh yes, I can see him now. So, would you like to accompany me to the pub later?)

A Tidy.
(I certainly would like to accompany you to the pub, yes.)

B ‘gis a cwtch then.
(I would like a hug goodbye.)

A + B Ta ra
(Goodbye.)


...I'll be glad when it's over!

I'll post more on Orientation when I have time: I have a role play to learn ;)

Cymru am Byth! ( which roughly translates as 'W(h)ales Forever' - the more observant of you will understand my addition*) :)


** Update**

So I survived the cultural dinner...just! It took all my willpower to get on that stage as lots of people were photographing the participants and those of you who know me will understand just how badly I wanted to run far away, in the opposite direction, at that point (Gil wouldn't let me out of her sight though. Foiled!) Our Wenglish sketch seemed to go down well though and the overall UK presentation (performed as if it was an episode of 'Britain's Got Talent'. Scotland won...we were a close second) was, according to the British Council peeps, the best they'd EVER seen!!!!1! Go us! I also got told by all members of a large American exchange family that they thought the Wenglish act was one of the best of the night; they'd 'voted' for us and thought we were really funny. Oh yes! *smug face* Personally, I enjoyed watching the other cultural presentations more, especially when they involved dancing.

Orientation proved to be an interesting week. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kristin and meeting my fellow Fulbrighters from the US, France, The Czech Republic, Turkey, Ghana, India, Hungary, Mexico, Switzerland (apologies to any country I can't recall at the mo'). However, I would have liked more 'quality' time with both them and Kristin as opposed to sitting in endless lengthy lectures on the education system in the US and how to teach effectively (...) For those exchange partners who were heading to their respective posts on the Friday, there must have been a great deal of uncertainty as we were only given two and a half hours of allocated partner time all week: I feel fortunate to have ten further days with Kristin. Organised events, such as the bus tour of 'DC, would, I feel have been far more productive and effective. Kristin and I learned far more about each other and our exchange in the four-and-a-half hours we were browsing the museums and walking the streets of 'DC whilst chatting than we would have in any number of lectures. Still, I got to see a lot of the city, have dinner in Georgetown and attend *the* club to go to, so it was all good really!

* pro-tip: look *really* closely at the picture: comments welcome!