An Idiot Abroad - Welsh: They Don't Need It

From the "An Idiot Abroad" preview show. Karl gives his thoughts on the validity of the Welsh language...

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• an
• idiot
• abroad
• karl
• pilkington
• ricky
• gervais
• stephen
• merchant
• wales
• welsh

[thewickedfae]

@bill739 I really believe Karl just simply thinks that because Wales and England are on the same small bit of land, the Welsh should speak English because England is bigger than Wales and occupies it - end of story. He doesn't take into account that Wales is its own country with its own culture and language, etc. It's apart of the UK because England made it so, so therefore fall in line with England please. Again, he's not being malicious but he's just a bit ignorant.

[thewickedfae]

@IONZZIE What does that have to do with.. anything in the entire world? I didn't say anything against Wales. Wtf.

[CheapWannabe]

@thewickedfae For fuc*** sake English is not my native tongue nor I wish the world to speak it. I am merely intrigued by the lack of clear reason why small languages should survive into the future. Your reason is 'to retain culture,' but the way I see with my own language/culture is that popular culture (music, foods, television, art, fashion) from abroad change the lifestyles, and slowly the language. Not the other way around.

[thewickedfae]

@CheapWannabe Friends who have foreign born parents tend to embrace or accept keeping that culture alive. They speak that language to family. The US is a different place than most.

[thewickedfae]

@CheapWannabe Never seen the situation so I don't know as children tend to learn both at a very young age where they don't have those questions. Never had a friend in that situation question it.

[CheapWannabe]

You're absolutely right. I'm in the same boat here. But now what will happen to us if we continue our lives, create families here in US. Here we have a little sucker asking why you're trying to teach me Welsh/Gaelic/Wayuu/Lithuanian or whatever. - Oh well dear I want you to keep the culture & traditions of X. - mom/dad why did you move here then? Why do I need a silly tradition? <== I don't like that question. But what you tell him/her?

[thewickedfae]

@CheapWannabe I've explained my reasons and if you don't feel they're valid reasons then you don't. You've said you feel the world should speak English. Ok. World will eventually be a bland hodgepodge

[CheapWannabe]

@thewickedfae I don't want a world like that? I just think Karl strips away bullshit emotions & sentiments and tells it like it is. I would love Welsh to prosper as all other languages including my own (which I have to admit will not). But that does not mean I can't think about what purpose Welsch or other languages with similar fate serve. I like to think. Questioning things makes me more curious & amazed about life.

[CheapWannabe]

@thewickedfae Stop talking crap & give me a reason besides sentimental/nationalism why Welsh is needed. Comparing it to English is stupid as they're not on the same scale. Compare it to Wayuu language. Closer number of speakers. Why should Wayuu language survive extinction? What is the point of having Wayuu? Why should you teach it to children?

[CheapWannabe]

@thewickedfae I don't think English is the most important language, nor is English MY language. It's my second language that I have been using only for 9 years. Would I like if they told me to give up? Hell no! But as much I am sad for the language that we lose (on average one every two weeks) I am fascinated & acknowledge that they die because they are no longer useful.

[thewickedfae]

@CheapWannabe I intend to move somewhere in Europe and would learn my new country's language before doing so without thought. I think it's disrespectful to impose yourself on a group of people. If a country doesn't want to take on your foreign language as an entire nation, they don't have to. Its their country. Simple as that for me. Native English speakers just tend to be arrogant about their language and don't understand why the entire world won't cater to them so the world ends up doing so.

[thewickedfae]

@CheapWannabe I'd just say that allowing another culture to shift your own is never a good thing. I'd hate to be in a country where my culture was seemingly being phased out. As I said, language tends to be the glue that binds a culture and its traditions. I live in the US and here many people from other countries speak English but keep their native language for speaking at home or with other native speakers. It is a connection and helps keep their culture alive.