Englishman - http://www.geiriadur.net/RenewableCandy wrote:Is that the Welsh for Sassenach?welshgreen wrote:...sais
Doesn't seem to refer Tess or you, RC, but I'm sure as Saesnes you'd be welcome!
Running away to Wales.
Moderator: Peak Moderation
I was born in a small market town in Berkshire, and both parents were locals. They were both getting on a bit (Dad was the age I am now!) and the youngest of large families, so I was brought up in a very different world. The town had been designated as a new town before I was born, but at that time only some outlying estates had been built. In the 60s and 70s the whole old town was destroyed and invaded by tens of thousands of outsiders. It was a bit like a mild version of ethnic cleansing, as the traditional culture was wiped out. That's why I'm looking for somewhere where traditional culture, and a simpler less materialistic life still exists.
Alas, I've been a rootless person, a serial nomad chasing the next job. I wouldn't recommend such a rootless life for most people, though it suits a few. I've lived in different parts of England/Wales and always begin as an outsider, having to earn any real acceptance. It takes serious effort (less in big cities) but I only think of it as showing proper interest and respect. It's also enlightened self-interest: "you only get out of life what you put in" sort-of-thing. Related to that I think if anyone is going to settle permanently in Wales it would be a good and rewarding thing to try and learn the native language of your adopted country (think of all those Brits living in Spain who don't even try to learn Spanish). I struggled and made a fool of myself frequently but don't regret a second of it.
Scotland was brought into the union because it was cheaper than defending the border from scottish brigands, who raided Northern England quite a lot, it also denied a safe port to anyone on the continent who fancied invading. Normaly France I think.Are you for real? Border patrols and tripwire? Are you talking peak oil or Dawn of the Dead?
Without North Sea Oil, Scotland will be a massive drain on Englands finances, which, along with a few political reasons, make keeping it a questionable benefit.
Given the increase in England's population since then, both total and relative to that of Scotland, a militarised border could be an option.
Theres plenty of other reasons that favour England and Wales over Scotland, I was just nailing the coffin as it were.
Code: Select all
Related to that I think if anyone is going to settle permanently in Wales it would be a good and rewarding thing to try and learn the native language of your adopted countryThere may be areas, probably those were looking at, where its still spoken by a majority, but less than a third of welsh people are fluent in it.
I'm a realist, not a hippie
I recognise this, but that only makes learning the language more rewarding. It's not a practical thing, it's a respectful thing, even if the majority don't give a toss. I'd personally like the language to survive.DominicJ wrote: My girlfriends family are Welsh, none of them speak it, beyond a few phrases and some choice insults.
There may be areas, probably those were looking at, where its still spoken by a majority, but less than a third of welsh people are fluent in it.
but I'm from Yorkshire so I might be a little biased.
Militarised borderDominicJ wrote:Scotland was brought into the union because it was cheaper than defending the border from scottish brigands, who raided Northern England quite a lot, it also denied a safe port to anyone on the continent who fancied invading. Normaly France I think.
Without North Sea Oil, Scotland will be a massive drain on Englands finances, which, along with a few political reasons, make keeping it a questionable benefit.
Given the increase in England's population since then, both total and relative to that of Scotland, a militarised border could be an option.
Theres plenty of other reasons that favour England and Wales over Scotland, I was just nailing the coffin as it were.
Oh yeah, let's fix this for you...
Honest to godWith North Sea Oil, England is a massive drain on Scotland's resources
You may well find that the local old codgers (from whom you're likely to get much of the knowledge about how to GYO & live frugally) only understand Welsh.Tess wrote:I recognise this, but that only makes learning the language more rewarding. It's not a practical thing, it's a respectful thing, even if the majority don't give a toss. I'd personally like the language to survive.
I studied Italian at evening school for a year before coming here, only to find that none of the old people here spoke Italian and couldn't understand a word I spoke. I've since had to learn the local dialect, which is a cross between Albanian & Greek.
Also, if it's anything like rural life here, there's a big element of "Well if old Bob reckons they're alright, they must be." All too often, old people are dismissed, but they're often still well respected in their local communities.
Around here, 100% of the idigenous population speak Welsh as their first language. All local primary schools only teach in Welsh, English is taught a couple of lessons a week. It's a quite different world from Cardiff, say.DominicJ wrote:There may be areas, probably those were looking at, where its still spoken by a majority, but less than a third of welsh people are fluent in it.
I joined the start-up Transition Town movement here but it turned out to be 99% English. I shan't be continuing with it unless it successfully addresses the imbalance as I see it as being too divisive.
GD
Feel free to provide the numbers to back up your claim that Scotland subsidises England. Arc of prosperity and all that
An hour in the local pub should provide a good base
Feel free to provide the numbers to back up your claim that Scotland subsidises England. Arc of prosperity and all that
It is likely to be an all or nothing, either Welsh will be the home language for virtualy everyone, or it'll be something they "learnt" at school.You may well find that the local old codgers (from whom you're likely to get much of the knowledge about how to GYO & live frugally) only understand Welsh.
An hour in the local pub should provide a good base
I'm a realist, not a hippie
Shouldn't you stick at it, and try to bring in the indigenous locals?Ted wrote:I joined the start-up Transition Town movement here but it turned out to be 99% English. I shan't be continuing with it unless it successfully addresses the imbalance as I see it as being too divisive.
I went to the first meeting of Transition Teifi, and think that almost everyone there was English, or at least non Welsh. The incomers tend to be the ones who bring in the new ideas, but Transition benefits everyone, and local culture, history and tradition are an important part of it. Many Welsh people may be closer to self reliance than most English, but when TSHTF they will need things like the Transition movement to survive as well.
There are are lot of Scots living in England. Scots run the "English" government too, so they've done a pretty good job of invading!DominicJ wrote:Given the increase in England's population since then, both total and relative to that of Scotland, a militarised border could be an option.
Theres plenty of other reasons that favour England and Wales over Scotland, I was just nailing the coffin as it were.