Welshness is hard to define
Welshness may be the degree to which you are Welsh or how Welsh others say you are. Are you Welsh just because you live or work in Wales? Some say you have to be born in Wales. Others insist you must have Welsh parents. Still others argue you must speak Welsh.
Does displaying this prove one’s Welshness?
Does Cardiff lack Welshness?
Although Cardiff is the capital of Wales, some people think it is too cosmopolitan to be truly Welsh. So many people there have English origins – or Irish, Scottish, Italian, Polish, Asian, Afro-Caribbean etc. The Cardiff accent does not sound Welsh enough for purists. The matter is complicated, since some Cardiffians don’t consider themselves to be Welsh, although few say they are English.
The Principality Stadium in Cardiff: the epitome of Welshness?
What about Monmouthshire?
Monmouthshire, or Gwent, has changed hands between Wales and England a few times and its inhabitants do not all consider themselves to have the same degree of Welshness. I love the motto of the old borough of Monmouth, which means Loyal to Both. That’s how I felt when I lived in Wales – and I still do.
The coat of arms of the former Borough of Monmouth. A denial of Welshness?
Can the English claim any Welshness?
Was I not Welsh when I lived and worked in the principality? Am I committing cultural appropriation when I set my novels in Wales? Do the English have no Welsh in them? DNA studies show that most of us have, in varying degrees. Perhaps there is little point in worrying about it, just as there is little point in making an issue of immigration(!). How British are any of us? I explained that in a previous post, which I hope amused you, as well as making you think.
CYMRU AM BYTH!
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