your comments
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Michael Hales, Brussels
There is no accounting for tastes. And the same goes for accents. I prefer the accents of Liverpool, Glasgow and the East End to those of North Wales, Afrikaaners or Northern Ireland. Why? I don't know. Maybe some accents are more different from one's own accent and therefore more of an acquired taste than others.
While I enjoy dialect (but in its own place), I cannot bear nonsense such as "Northwalian, Southwalian, Westwalian" (Are there no Eastwalians?) I am not a Walian (or an Alian). I am Welsh. Southern Welsh to be precise...
Wed Apr 29 14:31:33 2009
Sue
I speak to people in Swansea everyday and love the Welsh accent. Am trying to learn some but as I'm 75 percent English finding it very hard. I would love to know what the word 'mun' means as I hear it all the time. So if someone could let me know! Diolch
Tue Apr 7 09:39:16 2009
Joanne, Port Talbot
I luuuurve the way we talk in south wales mun! its a great accent, everywhere i have travelled in the world people say wow i love your accent, where are you from? or aw kool your welsh, what part of wales are you from? most people seem to like it and im proud to have a valleys accent (and for all those narrow minded people out there - no you dont have to sound mega common just because your from the valleys)where ever i go my accent represents my country - cymru am byth!!!!! x
Mon Dec 29 10:53:51 2008
Beth - Swansea
I'm very proud of my Swansea accent which gets stronger when I speak Welsh, and very proud of the fact that I'm sounding more Welsh as I get older. I recently went on tour to South Africa and they loved my accent as much as I do, although I did have to try and speak a little slower as they couldn't understand me.
Tue Dec 9 17:28:44 2008
Samantha, Cynon Valleys
i'm proud to have a strong vallies accent although it can be a problem when speaking to people from england as apparently the strong accent plus the speed at which we speak makes it virtually impossible to be understood. i much prefer the strong sing song accent, from the valleys, swansea, camarthen etc. the cardiff accent really annoys me. so many people sound english. its nice to see so many people are proud of their welsh roots and long may the accent continue. as for polls showing the welsh accent to be one of the least desirable, pffft. cymru am byth.
Tue Aug 5 10:24:14 2008
Rosetta
I like the accents but are there no views of the children of Wales on here. As an English teenager in Wales, I would like to hear my peers speak, not just the 'traditionalists'.
Wed Feb 6 09:06:32 2008
Bill Durkin Albany NY
I worked for many years in Swansea. I do do think the Swansea accent is the best!
Mon Jul 23 10:29:14 2007
Taylor, Swansea
I'm from Pontardawe - so a proper valleys' girl, and I wouldn't change my accent for anything! I love all the different welsh accents, except for North Wales. That accent really annoys me - it doesn't sound anything like Welsh! I love the welsh words like 'mun' 'cwtch' 'uch a fi' and I'm really proud that I can speak Welsh too.
Tue May 8 09:35:05 2007
Jodie Jippo, 19, Swansea Valleys.
I love my accent. It's very strong because I've spent all my life in the valleys.
Moved to Swansea about a year ago and every so often someone will say something about my voice, and ask where I'm from.
Spent some time in North Wales recently and everyone I met had something to say about how strong my accent is. It got me alot of great attention. 0:D
Wed Feb 7 09:04:28 2007
Javiera - Santiago de Chile
Hello, well, I am a student of English at university in Chile and I was doing an assigment and your comments really help me.
I did not know anything about Welsh accent and it seems to me really really good for the ear..!!
Mon Oct 30 09:42:32 2006
Rhys Thomas Haverfordwest
The Pembrokeshire accent of teenagers these days is quite odd, it has a mix of the old west-country sounds with strong English influences. In Haverfordwest and the villages kids say school "scoowel" and I've noticed the words "bramer" used for something good and "kift" if some one or something is stupid or awkward. Commonly the word book is pronounced "buck" and the number fifty as "fuftey". The words "why ay" and "why no" are also heard now and again and if someone is playing truant then the are "mitching". Im 16 and pround of my accent and the different culture that is obvious in the south of the county.
Mon Oct 23 10:06:18 2006
Bernard Barton Kelowna Canada
I was born in s,Wales, Aberavon, but now live in Canada for the last 35 years. A woman came over to me last week and said I love your Welsh accent, I had thought I had lost it. Its nice to know I still have it. I miss Wales.
Tue Aug 22 09:08:44 2006
luke, pembrokeshire
The Pembrokeshire accent is way more English than Welsh. Us teens talk like English people but the older people are very welsh. I sound Welsh to English people but not to myself.
Thu Aug 3 09:54:22 2006
mike -swansea morriston
i dont know what my accents like but Ive heard its a proper swansea accent.
cardiff , newport and pemborkshire and most of north wales seems english to me.
Tue Jul 11 09:32:12 2006
Vic New Zealand
Swansea valley boy, lived in New Zealand 35 years, people still ask me if I'm on holiday, and when did I arrive. I love my accent and birthplace, Cymru a Zealand Newydd am byth.
Tue May 9 09:07:55 2006
Bethan - Tywi Valley
Born in Canada, brought up in Carms from 6, Uni in Newcaslte, lived in Spain, living in Cardiff and have worked in Brynmawr, Ystrad Mynach, Chepstow & Cwmbran. However people always spot my West Walian accent, and they know I am a Welsh speaker from how I pronounce place names! Proud and lucky to have been brought up bilingually, and my accent has always been very popular. Welsh was beaten out of my Grandparents and a lot of "Welshisms" are due to literal translation of Welsh into English.
Mon Mar 20 17:48:54 2006
tracy - swansea
i work 4 directory enquiries and hear many times a day that the welsh accent is sexy and that its a bit sing songy so its much nicer 2 listen 2 on the phone. wats wrong with that aye? we just speak a bit faster than most apparently. we're told 2 speak slowly n english sound so slow on the phone!!!
Fri Feb 24 13:33:30 2006
Gavin, Swansea
Where else in the world could you call someone "Butt" or "mush" and get away with it? most places you'd probably get one right in the mush butt!!!
Thu Feb 23 20:39:25 2006
Pat, Swansea
I have twin grandaughters born in Bedfordshire 9 weeks ago. My daughter makes sure that she puts the phone to their ear everyday so they will always know my strong Swansea accent. They have also been home twice already.
Tue Feb 14 15:42:34 2006
Royston Jones, Gwynedd, originally Swansea
I have lived in Gwynedd for 26 years but I love to go home and hear the Swansea accent, whether it's Morriston or Mumbles.
I have many friends in Llanelli and the accent changes once you cross the river, as it does on the other side when you go to Neath or Port Talbot. And going north into Cwmtawe provides another accent.
Talk of a single south Wales accent is nonsense, within 15 miles of Swansea city centre you can find 4 or 5.
Mon Feb 6 10:58:46 2006
Andrew - Llangennech
I'm going to St.Louis in a weeks time... Does anyone know if the Americans like the Welsh accent? Rebecca from the Swansea Valley you're right... Catherine Zeta Jones sounds like a proper welly with her Yankee/Welsh accent. The best use of the Welsh accent I've seen on TV has got to be Rhys Ifans on Notting Hill, and that sailor fella on Titanic "Is anybody out there..."
Fri Oct 14 22:07:29 2005
Vivienne, South London
Both parents Welsh, Mother from Aberdovey and Father from Pembroke Dock - am very proud to be "London Welsh". Dont feel at all English even though I was born here - Welsh is definitely in the blood! Said "caffled" to one of my friends the other day and was asked if I'd made it up?! I've always thought everyone knew it but have since found out its Welsh! Was brought up with loads of Welsh sayings that I spew forth to friends etc like "uch a fi" and "kift" and "daft hapeth mun" - now I know why all these South Londoners have been giving me sideways glances! Am very proud to have my Welsh roots (and a cousin that plays internationally in Welsh Rugby!) and go "home" to Wales every year, mostly these days to Pembroke as that is where the remaining family are. A beautiful country and wonderful people!
Fri Oct 14 15:12:18 2005
Jon from Swansea
Hey love my accent, one of the greatest advantages about being Welsh - and what a wonderful thing it is to be from such a fantastic and unique culture - even though i have to move to england ill never forget where I came from!
Thu Oct 13 23:59:00 2005
Sean - Cardiff (originally Pembrokeshire)
In reply to Rhodri from Haverfordwest, my wife and I both still use the word “cafeled” or is it “caffled” to mean tangled or messed up. I hope that my children will pick this up as well to keep these phrases alive. After watching the Voices programme the other night I was surprised to learn that “kift” was a Pembrokeshire word. I’ve been using it all my life and just thought it was a widely known phrase.
Tue Aug 30 13:25:42 2005
Gary - Yorkshire, originally from Tenby
When I was at uni I used a few 'Welshisms' not realising they were - eg Kift (for clumsy) and Tup (thick). Interestingly, the only other person at uni I ever heard use either of these words was from Newcastle (maybe not surprising as there seem to be many similarities between the accents - like the 'eugh' vowel for here, hear etc.) Any thoughts why the connections between South Pembs and Tyneside?
Sat Aug 27 09:38:49 2005
Gemma - North Tyneside originally Swansea
I love hearing a good Swansea accent, I don't like Cardiff and Newport accents as much. It is nice to hear a Welsh accent when you live so far away from "home". People tend not to notice my accent up here, I think it's become diluted. I find myself saying "mun" and "uch a fi", people look at me as if to say, "what??"
Thu Aug 25 16:00:01 2005
Rhodri from Haverfordwest
Anyone say cafeled meaning tangled or messed-up anymore? Apparently it's a typical Pembrokeshire word. I think the Pembrokeshire accent is alot different from most of south Wales, and within Pembrokeshire it's different, the difference from Milford to Haverfordwest can be heard sometimes, and the difference from people in the welshry, sound more Carmarthen than Pembs. Some people dont even realise you're Welsh, I found in uni in England that only occasionaly people could tell I am Welsh, certain words and phrases. Apparently I sound more Welsh when I'm drunk!
Wed Aug 24 15:18:57 2005
Andy - Manchester now but originally Maesteg
So where does Maesteg fit in here? To me its neither east nor west, no matter. Welshy Welsh - I love that, the idea there are verying degrees of Welshness. Identity is so important and we should all embrace our roots and value our heritage. So, to add some words from the 'Steg - does anyone fancy a pint of "skiddly pops" (cider and coke) down the "city of dreams" (Bridgend) and pulling some "VC's"? (valley commandos). "Yer daft hapeth mun." (You silly person)
Tue Aug 23 22:06:32 2005
David - Cardiff (originally North Pembs)
Will people please stop referring to a singular 'Pembrokeshire' accent? There isn't one. As any well travelled (in Pembrokeshire) person will tell you it differs from village to village. Does someone from Newport sound like someone from Tenby? Or someone from Mathry like someone from Llangwm? No.
Tue Aug 23 12:12:47 2005
Ruth-Port Talbot
I was born and bred in Port Talbot although my Mum is English and Dad is from Swansea, he was well educated and taught us not to drop the first and last letters of certain words which what Port Talbot people tend to do but apart from that I do have a typical Port Talbot accent. This is very different from the Swansea accent to the west of us and Cardiff to the east. To many people from all over, we as Welsh people all have the same Welsh accents but as in England and Scotland and Ireland we in Wales have very different accents depending on where in Wales you live. We are all very proud of our different accents and dialects in Wales as is everyone else.
Tue Aug 23 07:44:58 2005
Barbara, (ex Pembroke) Channel Islands
Still have my Pembroke Town accent although I left Wales over 35 years ago. The townie accent is different to those heard out in the country villages, and up Tenby way and over Milford way - cross the Langster Line into Welsh Pembrokeshire and the accents become more pronounced and very Welsh. Even the rest of Wales will agree that Pembrokeshire is unique in all aspects.
Sun Aug 21 19:13:54 2005
Sian - Port Talbot
I work in Cardiff with children and they ask me if I am from the valleys. I tell them that you can get no nearer the sea where I am from. I say mun, years for ears etc. I love my accent. I do ham it up sometimes in school if the kids make fun. I just tell them that their Cardiff accent grates on me! I am so proud of my accent. My sister was in America once and was asked where did she learn to speak English so well. The shop assistant had never heard the accent before and didn`t believe it was her first language!
Sun Aug 21 12:38:59 2005
Ed Lloyd Jenkins from Fishguard.
I was born and bred in North Pembs.(Abergwaun), spent 9 years in Swansea, 5 years in the Swindon/Oxford area, 5 years in Gloucestershire, 5 years in the Berks/Essex border region and 20 plus years in Cambridge, yet I still have the West-Walian accent of my happy youth and whats more have never attempted to lose it!
Fri Jul 29 11:34:26 2005
David Morgan, Pennsylvania USA
I must admit as the son of a Cwmafan boyo I favour the fast,sing-song voice of Cwmafan. One of the best Welsh accents I have heard on my many trips thru out Wales. And I have been told by my family in Port Talbot and here in the States as well that for me being born and bred in Pennsylvania I do have some of the quick Cwmafan accent. I love it. And shout out to presenter Chris Needs another son of Cwmafan love the accent Chris do it tidy mun for Dai.
Tue Jul 19 03:34:27 2005
Carolyn Thomas from Newcastle upon Tyne
I have lived in Tyneside for longer than I lived at home in the Neath Valley. Despite a bit of Geordie influence, I'm still proud to have kept my Valley accent. Recently, in a bookshop in Newcastle, the assistant asked me where I'm from - no mistaking him - Llanelli through and through! It's still exciting when a couple of Taffs encounter each other on foreign soil and the first thing we recognise? The accent! The variation in the South Wales accent is something we should all celebrate. I still prefer listening to Richard Burton's "Under Milke Wood" to Dylan Thomas', though, - something to do with the proximity of Tonna to Pontrhydyfen, perhaps?
Sun Jul 17 21:35:24 2005
Rebecca, Swansea Valley
I work in Swansea and am always being teased for being a 'Valley Girl', but I am proud to be a valley girl and will send my children to a Welsh speaking school. I feel very proud when I see Welsh people on TV, Tom Jones for instance, but I hate Catherine Zeta Jones' Welsh-American accent though, it makes me cringe!!
Sun Jun 12 22:06:04 2005
Ron Davies, Bulgaria
I am now living in Plovdiv Bulgaria, I was having a drink and could hear a man order a drink. I went cold not only did I know he was Welsh, I knew he was from Swansea, not just Swansea but Townhill. I hope I never lose my accent I know I will never lose my Welshness and I am proud to be from Bonymaen.
Wed May 11 18:08:31 2005
Karen Manchester - Swansea
My accent has sadly disappeared over years of living in England, however I still have problems pronouncing some words the way the English like it. Like ears are 'Years'.
The Jack accent is the best in South Wales though as it doesn't sound like everyone elses.
Thu Apr 28 12:41:24 2005
Sarah - Swansea
I am very proud not only to be Welsh but of my accent also, the Swansea accent may sound harsh to many people, but to me it's beautiful. You cannot beat the Welsh accent which is ever more apparent in song, the national anthem has never sounded so sweet as it did on March 19th!! Welsh does not equal stupid and such generalisations irritate me and mocking of the Welsh grates on me more so, we're a great nation + have a stunning language and accent. We should be proud to be Welsh, I certainly am.
Fri Mar 25 21:23:21 2005
Sonia from Sheffield
I've had many people tell me that my West Indian accent sounds Welsh! Is that true? How amazing.
Wed Mar 23 17:40:05 2005
Les Morgan - Copenhagen - 23 years.
Beautiful to hear.
Wonderful to be a part of.
Will never forget I´m Welsh.
Fri Mar 18 19:45:01 2005
Neil, Pembrokeshire Coast
The wonderful Pembrokeshire accent of which I am so proud is still well and alive around the coastal areas of the south west of the county (not North Pembs as in "land of dreams"). As for the similar Cornish accent, any local salt will tell you of our southern Cousins who we have more ancient ties to than most of Wales.
Part of our proud individual heritage is that we do not speak Welsh or sound Welshy or wish to do either.
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but when you watch the TV a harsh Welsh accent does make me cringe, and does bring the inevitable conlusions of stupidity.
Where ever you are from, you should be proud of your accent as it makes you who you are.
Mon Feb 14 10:35:49 2005
Nia - Cardigan
I am now living in the Swansea area, and to be perfectly honest with you, I love the Swansea accent! Som clarts (townies) use the rougher, "commoner" accent, but that's the same as east London etc, but the older generation have a slower, softer accent which rolls off the tounge beautifully, and disproves the opinion that the accents of the south are harsh and ugly! But you can't beat the west walian accent, pembrokesherian ol ddy chwffin we! Hir oes i'r famiaith!
Tue Jan 25 11:24:16 2005
Ray Picton, Neath
Speaking face to face you don't notice anything but to listen to someone speaking on the telly it sounds awful.
Mon Jan 24 12:31:52 2005
Justin O'Connor, Cardigan
I cannot see how a Welsh accent can be labelled as one for the whole of wales. The south, north and west Wales accents are as different as Newcastle, Cornwall and Birmingham. Too many people confuse the Welsh as all having a accent which is the same.
Mon Jan 24 12:31:07 2005
Phil, Carmarthenshire
Some Welsh accents are lyrical and wonderful to listen to. Then there are the 'street' style accents of cities like Swansea and Cardiff which can really grate. I suppose they are a blend of wenglish and americana / rap influences which can on the one hand be entertaining, on the other irritating and annoying. It's all part of the rich tapestry of Wales.
Mon Jan 24 12:30:43 2005
Rosie, Carmarthen
I think that the accent in the Gwendraeth Valley is awesome! (But i am a little bit biased!) it's more subtle and less harsh than somewhere like Swansea. the north Welsh accent really irritates me, though!
Mon Jan 24 12:30:17 2005
Frances, Swansea & London
Luv my Welsh accent and people abroad luv it too but it does hinder a career in England especially in London area.
Mon Jan 24 12:29:37 2005
David, Carmarthen
I have backpacked and travelled all over the world (apart from S. America), and without doubt the best thing that I take with me is my west Walian accent. It's always a conversation starter, and opens doors for friendships and kind assistance. It's clearly understood everywhere I've been to, apart from southern England amazingly! In fact, whether it is down to pronunciation of letters, but my Welsh accent was clearer to understand in parts of Europe than my friends' English ones.
Mon Jan 24 12:28:53 2005
Anne Petrick from Ga USA
I always remember my mother saying after she had moved back to Wales, people would say to her your not from around here are you. Mum would say yes I am, they would ask where from then, she would say Ammanford, they would go Ahhh!!! Welshy Welsh then aren't you, at the time she was living in the Neath area.
My one regret was that she never taught me the Welsh language,I find it very lilting and musical sounding.
Sat Jan 22 14:55:40 2005
Peter - Pembroke
The Pembrokeshire accent is very different to any other Welsh accent - it sounds more like Cornish. It is also an accent that is dying out as younger people are influenced in different ways but anyone over fifty is likely to have a strong accent.
Mon Jan 17 13:00:58 2005
Beryl
I am proud of my Welsh accent. Obviously there are some people who feel inferior about having a regional accent, but that is more a lack of education and confidence. As for the people who 'extract the juice' from an accent it is just their way of trying to express some confidence within themselves. Snobbery is always a sign of personal inadequacy. I have been the victim of bullying from my ex partner and his mother but I steadfastly refused to alter. There is also an element of racism in the way an accent is persecuted. I was always taught by my parents to respect other people and demand the same respect from them. When I hear people endeavouring to lose their accent which let us face if you are Welsh it is impoosible, I secretly laugh at them. However, it is possible to speak slowly, and correctly!!!!!!!!
Fri Jan 14 18:31:30 2005
Rebecca - Llangennech
I like the variety of accents that you find in SW Wales. They are very different. I remember when I was in university one of my tutors was from North Pembrokeshire - his accent sounded like it was more Cornish than Welsh.
Fri Jan 14 16:23:28 2005
What do you think about the way we talk in South West Wales? Add your comments here.
What do you think about the way we talk in South West Wales? How different are the accents of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and the Swansea Valleys? Do you have a Welsh accent? What's your verdict on it?
