I’m a Celebrity: Language adviser got Ant and Dec to avoid ‘stereotypical humour’ about Wales
A Welsh language adviser has said he got I’m a Celebrity Ant and Dec to avoid “stereotypical humour” about Wales on the hit ITV show.
Garffild Lloyd Lewis has praised the duo for their Welsh skills and is helping them out for a second year running as the programme returns to Gwrych Castle in Conwy instead of the Australian jungle due to Covid-19.
Last year, with his help, as well as that of his fellow adviser and wife, Siân Eirian Lewis, the show’s viewers got to hear the presenters use phrases such as ‘noswaith dda’ (‘good evening’), ‘croeso’ (‘welcome’) and ‘nos da’ (‘good night’).
Garffild told WalesOnline: “Working alongside an English TV production has been amazing – they are really keen to learn about our culture, but more specifically our sense of humour.
“We made it clear from the beginning that we would avoid all stereotypical humour of Wales and they completely respect that. Ant and Dec would often check with us in regards to their use of humour before making the jokes.”
“From the very beginning, we wanted this opportunity to show that the language could be fun.
“We told Ant and Dec to just go for it but to have fun with it. It’s better to have fun with a language rather than make fun of it.
“They really did enjoy the experience and I think that says a lot about how you try and learn a new language.”
‘Shocked’
He added: “We were so shocked and surprised when ITV got in contact with us last year,” he explained.
“At first, our work was pretty simple – we offered advice and translations for signs they wanted around the set, such as ‘Kiosk Cledwyn’ and ‘Yr Hen Siop’.
“Eventually, however, they wanted more help on pronunciations.
“Due to Covid, all we could do was send over sound files to them – we would record them at home, send them over, Ant and Dec would then send their recordings to check if the pronunciations were OK.
“They did really well considering that some words were quite difficult, for example the word ‘Gwrych’.
“With only a few Welsh words, I think the TV show has done a lot to show that the language is important to us and is a prominent language in a lot of communities across Wales.”
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I’m glad that makers of I’m A Celebrity haven’t gone down the road of the Welsh stereotype of coal mines, sheep etc….. Wales is far more cultured and complicated that that. Also, there’s a difference between laughing with us rather than at us. We are happy to be part of a joke rather than the butt of. We will never stop malicious stereotypes or Cymrophobia, but we can counter this by fighting our cause by making Wales a prosperous country fit for the 21st century. We have so much untapped potential. Our history is vast and as Welsh people have… Read more »
I was fearing the worst when the show started but it quickly became clear they’d decided on a policy of avoiding all the usual stupid jokes about us. Chwarae teg. It’s about respect, and they’ve largely shown it.
They should also show respect to animals and stop the gratuitous suffering in the name of entertainment
onid Ciosg Cledwyn fuasai yn gywir? Does gennym ddim K yn ein iaith. ‘…have fun with it(Cymraeg)’ oedd eu cyngor, dim ‘make fun of it’….