Source: Hotel Gwesty Tywi
By 1914, there were around 3000 Welsh settlers in Argentina. Railroads had been built; chapels were established, such as Capel Bethel in Trevelin (pictured here); and Eisteddfodau began to be held in Trelew. Established in the early 1900s, Coleg Camwy in Gaiman--the self-proclaimed Welsh capital of Chubut--is a prime example of the more peaceful coexistence of Welsh and Spanish, in contrast to the uneasy truce between Welsh and English. The slogan on the outside of the building reads: "Nid byd, byd heb wybodaeth. La educacion es el pan de alma." ("A life without knowledge is no life at all. Education is the bread of the soul.") Unfortunately, the Welsh were never recognized as a separate state due to the Argentineans' fear of the British.
However, it's certainly true that in linguistic terms, the Welsh did not experience as much conflict with the Spanish-speaking Argentines as they did with the English in their own homeland. In fact, an interesting dialect--iaith y wladfa--exists as a result of some commingling of phrases between Welsh and Spanish. For example, the native word "che" (at the end of tribe names such as the Tehuelche and Mapuche), meaning "people," has taken on a usage similar to the word "mate," or "gwas" (boy) in Welsh. Therefore, you'll hear people using the phrase Sut mae che? ("How's it going, mate?")
Another example of Spanish mixing with Welsh is in the common phrase mynd am pasiendo, which has a similar meaning to mynd am dro, to go for a walk. One of my favorite instances of linguistic mixture is shown here on this sign for a Welsh tea house.
Source: BBC Cymru'r Byd
In the Eisteddfod today as well, competitions and choral recitals are held in both Welsh and Spanish. But what is being done to further the survival of the Welsh language in the future, in this far-off enclave? A surprising amount, as it turns out. The next article will take a detailed look at current policy on Welsh language in Y Wladfa, and what kinds of programs and activities have been established to help ensure its continuing use.
Sources for Further Information:
BBC Cymru'r Byd: Dolen Ysgolion Cymru-Patagonia
Cymdeithas Cymru-Ariannin (Wales-Argentina Society)
The First Welsh Footstep in Patagonia
Go Britannia! Wales - Patagonia
Hotel Gwesty Tywi, Gaiman, Patagonia
The Living Edens: Patagonia (general info about the area's history, nature, etc.)
Llyfrgell Cenedlaethol Cymru - National Library of Wales (A list of books and articles on the Welsh settlement in Patagonia)
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