Helo, dyma Radio Un

August 24, 2005 5:18 AM

Subtitles on the radio.Last night Radio 1, the BBC's flagship youth station, broadcast an hour of Welsh language music and chat. The webcast includes subtitles.
posted by ceiriog (6 comments total)

Thanks so much for this! I can't wait to listen to it.
posted by Mayor Curley at 5:22 AM on August 24, 2005

While it's all cool... I'm not really sure what the point is. The programme is rather aimed at Cymraeg speakers - so why then go on about the importance of the Welsh language and the fact that there are native speakers? Those who listen to the broadcast will know that already :)
posted by badlydubbedboy at 6:22 AM on August 24, 2005

This is very cool indeed.
posted by funambulist at 7:53 AM on August 24, 2005

Brilliant, diolch ceiriog!
posted by ceri richard at 8:31 AM on August 24, 2005

badlydubbedboy: I think they're honestly hoping to reach non-Welsh speakers who are unlikely to have heard the language spoken before, even if they've heard Welsh bands on Peel, and more recently on Huw Stephens' show. The format of the show is specifically for the benefit of the di-Gymraeg, and yes, some of it is a bit laborious if you live in the language already.

The interview with Gruff Rhys is interesting - someone obviously forgot to tell him that there would be "subtitles" (need a new word here) so he translated much of what he said. The stuff about "dreaming in electricity and mathematics" sounded perfectly reasonable in Welsh, but he sounded like he was on mushrooms when he said it all again in English.

Gruff Rhys, on mushrooms, on the radio? Sgersli belîf!
posted by ceiriog at 9:46 AM on August 24, 2005

It wasn't the thing about electricity that sounded funny, it was the dreaming of trout jumping through cheese... but that sounds to me more like the effect of being hungry than mushrooms :)

I have never heard the language spoken before, at least not a full conversation. It sounds so cool and rich. I love those rolled r's.
posted by funambulist at 11:02 AM on August 24, 2005