Watch: The perfect Welsh pronunciation from US quiz show host
A TV show host perfectly nailed the Welsh language in an episode of long-running US quiz, Jeopardy.
America’s favourite quiz show which is celebrating its 60th year in 2024 is watched by millions stateside.
When contestant Troy picked the ‘organizations’ category, Jeopardy host Ken Jennings posed the question ‘Helping preserve a heritage, the British groups Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Gymraeg is also known as this language society?’
Troy quickly knew the answer and correctly answered: ‘Welsh’.
This question on tonight’s @Jeopardy episode was waaaay too easy …..
💪🏼🏴 pic.twitter.com/Vn29WrPrCR
— Jay – Upper East Side Hawk (@wasUESH) August 16, 2024
However, we couldn’t help but be impressed by Ken’s impeccable pronunciation of Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Gymraeg.
No doubt the host was briefed and practiced how to pronounce Welsh spellings.
Which shows it doesn’t take much to treat the language with the respect it deserves.
So hats off to Ken, a former record winning contestant on the US gameshow, who became Jeopardy host in 2022. Da iawn ti!
Ken’s sterling effort was in contrast to a BBC newsreader who was slammed for her terrible pronunciation of a Welsh national park.
Catherine Byaruhang was seemingly unprepared when it came to pronouncing Bannau Brycheiniog on a BBC news bulletin.
In a story about the increase in the numbers of tourists visiting one of Wales’ most “Instagrammable” national parks, she mangled her words badly when attempting to pronounce the name of the park.
When the clip was posted online the newsreader was criticised by many from Wales on social media.
Posting the clip on Facebook, Ashley Drake pointed out that the BBC has a pronunciation unit to assist their broadcasters to get it right.
“Did she miss the memo or was the pronunciation unit on their summer holidays at Dolygoloo or Betsi Co-ed?” he said. “This simply isn’t acceptable.”
Iwan Rhys Roberts added: “Would this happen if the location was in another country or the name wasn’t in Welsh?”
While one Facebook user suggested that the newsreader had ‘given it her best shot’, Essex Havard replied: “Sorry, but ‘gave it her best shot’ might be ok if you are on holiday there but not if you are representing the UK’s national broadcaster on their news programme.”
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You should hear the pronunciations on BBC Radio Wales traffic and news bulletins. Kevin Coed and Ponticoomur! Disgraceful for a national broadcaster that is funded by the taxpayer. Would they keep their jobs with shambolic pronounciation of English placenames?
I agree. It’s pathetic for a radio station covering Cymru. Penllergare, Brynglass, Pontardawee, Ponteepridd being just a few more examples. Don’t these presenters undergo a pronunciation test before being employed? Another thing is the station’s crap signal. My son travels across the border into England to work and the signal strength there is brilliant. When he crosses back into Cymru it is absolutely terrible.
‘Lann-eli’ on a Radio Wales bulletin was fleeting…but it shall nevertheless stay in my memory forever.
Also I have heard llanteeg, it’s pronounced…. Clanteg
Real radio about 20 odd years ago, traffic news. They said “Aber sign on” for Abercynon
Credit goes to the American host of Jeopardy Ken Jennings. Ether he has Welsh ancestry, good researchers , or both. All it takes is a little time effort and research to avoid any embarrassment. And if still you cannot remember how to pronounce a Welsh place name. Simply write it down phonetically. Common sense. This cannot be said of the arrogant BBC who continually butcher Welsh in their programming as highlighted in the video link. 🙄
I can remember Bradley Walsh asking a question about what he thought was pronounced the River “Tor” for Tawe on The Chase while “mastermind” Sean Walsh frequently refers to “Carefilly” for Caerphilly/Caerffili.
Can’t really blame them but where are the pronunciation gurus?