LocationSoutheast Wales (
Cymru), United Kingdom.
Dialling code44.
Population319,700 (2005).
Time zoneGMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz; square three-pin plugs are standard.
Average January temperatures4.5°C (40°F).
Average July temperatures16°C (61°F).
Annual rainfall1,065mm (41.9 inches).
LanguageIntroductionWelsh (
Cymraeg) is a much older
language than English, closely related to ancient Celtic languages such as Cornish and Breton. Although nearly everyone in Wales speaks English, Welsh is being actively promoted. Children are taught Welsh in school and the
Welsh Language Act (1993) legislates that Welsh and English have equal standing in the public sector in Wales. Both languages will be used in the new National Assembly. Many street and shop signs in Cardiff (
Caerdydd) are bilingual, cash point machines offer a choice between English and Welsh, and many organizations answer the phone in Welsh, then English. Foreign visitors (including those from other parts of the UK) are not expected to speak Welsh but attempts to pronounce the ‘ll’, ‘ch’ and ‘rh’ are well received. Information is provided by
Link Line to Welsh (tel: (0845) 607 6070), and the
Welsh Language Board (tel: (029) 2022 4577; fax: (029) 2022 7577; e-mail:
ymholiadua@bwrdd-yr-Iaith.org.uk; web site:
www.netwales.co.uk/byig/).
Phrases
Yes –
Ie or
ydw No –
Na
Hello –
Helo
Goodbye –
Hwyl or
da bo chi
Please –
Os gwelwch yn dda
Thank you –
Diolch
Cheers! –
Iechyd Da
My name is …
– Fy enw i yw …
How are you? –
Sut ydych chi (formal) /
Sut mae (informal)
I’m very well –
Dw i’n dda iawn
I feel ill –
Dw i’n teimlo’n sâl
How much does it cost? –
Faint ydi hwn?
Do you speak English? –
A ydych chi’n siarad Saesneg?
I don’t speak Welsh –
Dydw i ddim yn siarad Cymraeg
I don’t understand –
Dwi ddim yn deall
Where is …? –
Ble mae …?
Entrance –
Mynedfa
Exit
– Allanfa
Danger –
Perygl
Open –
Ar Agor
Closed –
Ar gau
Toilets –
Toiledau
Doctor –
Meddyg
Hotel –
Gwesty
Restaurant –
Bwyty
Beer –
Cwrw
Wine –
Gwin
Menu –
Bwydlen
Today –
Heddiw
Tomorrow –
Yfory
Monday –
Dydd Llun
Tuesday –
Dydd Mawrth
Wednesday –
Dydd Mercher
Thursday –
Dydd Iau
Friday –
Dydd Gwener
Saturday –
Dydd Sadwrn
Sunday –
Dydd Sul
One –
Un
Two –
Dau
Three –
Tri
Four –
Pedwar
Five –
Pump
Six –
Chwech
Seven –
Saith
Eight –
Wyth
Nine –
Naw
Ten –
Deg
Twenty –
Dauddeg / Ugain
Thirty –
Trideg
Forty –
Pedwardeg
Fifty –
Pumdeg
Sixty –
Chwedeg
Seventy –
Saithdeg
Eighty –
Wythdeg
Ninety –
Nawdeg
One Hundred –
Cant
One Thousand –
MilCost of Living:1 British Pound Sterling (£1) = US$1.46; C$1.77; A$2.05; €1.07Currency conversion rates as of January 2009Special Events:Six Nations
February/March
International annual rugby contest.
Millennium Stadium
Website:
www.rbs6nations.com Worthington Cup Final
Early March
Culmination of the world’s oldest football competition.
Millennium Stadium
Rugby League Challenge Cup Final
Late April
Millennium Stadium
FA Cup Final
May
The annual culmination of the oldest football competition in the world.
Millennium Stadium
Website:
www.thefa.com
Cardiff Singer of the World
Late June
St David’s Hall
Website:
www.bbc.co.uk/cardiffsinger
Everyman Open Air Theater Festival
July-August
Theater performances.
St Fagans National History Museum
Website:
www.everymanfestival.co.uk
Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival
July
Tastings, demonstrations and food shows.
Cardiff Bay
Website:
www.cardiff-festival.com Welsh Promenade Concert
Mid July
Classical music.
St David’s Hall
Website:
www.welshproms.co.uk
Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend
August
The UK’s biggest free outdoor musical festival.
Cardiff Civic Center
Website:
www.cardiff-festival.com
Cardiff MAS Carnival
August
Three-day carnival celebrations at various venues in the city center.
Website:
www.cardiff-festival.com
Mermaid Quay Cardiff Harbour Festival
August
Family festival with nautical theme.
Cardiff Harbour
Website:
www.cardiff-festival.com
Brecon Jazz Festival August
International jazz festival attracting international stars.
Brecon, not far from Cardiff
Website:
www.breconjazz.co.ukLesbian and Gay Mardi Gras
September
One of the biggest of its kind in the UK.
Cooper’s Field, just behind Cardiff Castle
Website:
www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk
International Festival of Musical Theater
October-November
Various venues
Website:
www.cardiffmusicals.com
Cardiff Film Festival
Late November
Chapter Arts Center and UCI
Website:
www.cardifffilmfestival.co.uk
Wales Rally GB
December
The UK leg of the World Rally Championship.
Welsh valleys and the Millennium Stadium
Website:
www.walesrallygb.com
Calennig Christmas and New Year Celebrations
December-January
Various venues in the city center
The
Royal National Eisteddfod (website:
www.eisteddfod.org.uk), the largest annual festival of competitive music making and poetry writing in Europe, takes place alternately in North and South Wales in early August each year.
A good source of information about events in Cardiff can be found on the council’s website:
www.cardiff.gov.uk/eventscalendar.
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