DEDICATED TO TODAY' S

ENGLISH LESSON

Welcome to
Wales!
Presented by Gluh Nicoleta and Mamula
Anna
 Famous People
TOM JONES
He’s a veritable Welsh icon, an ultimate guilty
pleasure who’s earned the respect and trust of
his peers by never straying from his chosen path
of making music for his own pleasure and that
of millions of others.
ROB BRYDON
is a Welsh actor, comedian, radio and television
presenter, singer and impressionist. He played Dr
Paul Hamilton in the Australian/British comedy
series Supernova, Bryn West in the sitcom Gavin
& Stacey and Keith Barret in the BBC comedy
series Marion and Geoff and its spin-off The
Keith Barret Show.
ANTHONY HOPKINS
is a Welsh actor, composer, director and film
producer. He is the recipient of multiple accolades,
including an Academy Award, three BAFTAs, two
Emmys and the Cecil B. DeMille Award. In 1993, he
was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to
the arts. Hopkins received a star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame in 2003, and in 2008 he received
the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime achievement from
the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
 Famous People
DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY
is a Welsh singer, whose career began in 1953, well
known for her expressive voice and for recording the
soundtrack theme songs to the James Bond films
Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and
Moonraker (1979). In January 1959, Bassey became the
first Welsh person to gain a No. 1 single. In 2000,
Bassey was appointed a Dame Commander of the
Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to the
performing arts. In 1977 she received the Brit Award
for Best British Female Solo Artist in the previous 25
years. Bassey is one of the most popular female
vocalists in Britain.
concert and has performed for British Armed Forces
KATHERINE JENKINS CATHERINE ZETA
is a Welsh mezzo-soprano from Neath, Wales. JONES
Jenkins performs operatic arias, popular songs,
musical theatre and hymns. After winning singing is a Welsh actress. Her screen debut
competitions in her youth, Jenkins studied at the came in the unsuccessful French-Italian
Royal Academy of Music, modelled and taught film 1001 Nights (1990), and she went
voice. She came to wide public attention in 2003 on to find greater success as a regular in
when she sang at Westminster Cathedral in honour
the British television series The Darling
of Pope John Paul II's silver jubilee. Since 2004, she
Buds of May (1991–1993). Oscar winner
has released numerous albums that have performed
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
well on British and foreign charts. In both 2005 and
2006, her albums received Classic Brit Awards as Chicago
Album of the Year. She has been seen widely in
in Iraq and Afghanistan. She has sung at sporting
events, on television shows and in support of many
charities.
Welsh language Slang minute
Tidy – Great, fantastic, brilliant etc…
I’ll do it now in a minute – A Welsh oxymoron suggesting you’ll do it in the near future – it almost certainly won’t actually be
in a minute
Cwtch – Pronounced “kutch”, to rhyme with butch. Translated most directly as “safe place”, it’s the Welsh equivalent of a
cuddle, although it is, of course, better
Ych a fi – Pronounced “uh-ch ah vee”. A phrase used to allude to something rude or disgusting – literally, “yuck”
Mush – A term of endearment often used by people from Swansea, pronounced to rhyme with push
Mitching – Bunking off. The Welsh equivalent of playing truant from school
Lush – An adjective of delight describing something very, very nice (abbreviated from luscious)
Chopsing – Getting mouthy. When someone is arguing or giving you an earful, for example, “The player was chopsing the
referee.”
Buzzing – A word that has two phrases – 1) something that is especially unpleasant 2) to be excited for something
Tamping – A word used to describe your rage at something frustrating. “He was absolutely tamping when the hospital
cancelled his appointment at the last minute.”
Dwt/Dwtty – Pronounced “dut” / “dutty”, to rhyme with foot / footie. Someone who is cute, sweet and diminutive
I’m not being funny – A filler used before someone announces something quite serious
Alright or wha? – An introductory term used to mean “hello”
Butt – Similar to “mush” in that it is a term of endearment often used by people in Swansea and some other areas of South
Wales
Like – A filler word that will be inserted into sentences at any point. It’ll still make sense to Welsh people
Iechyd da – Pronounced “yeah-ch-id dah”. The direct translation from Welsh is “good health” and this is generally used when
toasting with a drink in hand – essentially, it means “cheers”
Cymru am byth – Pronounced “come-ree am-bith”. Frequently uttered whenever sport comes into the equation. It translates
as “Wales Forever” or “Long Live Wales”. It will often be heard on international rugby days
Daps – A pair or trainers – originally in reference to plimsoll shoes but can be used more broadly for any casual footwear
What’s occurrin’? – An iconic greeting catchphrase by Ruth Jones’ character Nessa, in Gavin and Stacey, which has become
part of the lexicon for fans of the show
Drive – In other countries it’s a verb meaning to operate the direction of a motor vehicle. In Wales, it’s what you call your bus
driver. When travelling by bus in Wales, be sure to say “cheers drive” as you leave the vehicle