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Travels in an Old Tongue: Touring the World Speaking Welsh

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Travels in an Old Tongue: Touring the World Speaking Welsh (Paperback)

by Pamela Petro (Author)

4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Flamingo; New edition edition (1 Jun 1998)
Language English
ISBN-10: 000655010X
ISBN-13: 978-0006550105
Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.4 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 540,179 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Studying in Lampeter, Dyfed and learning Welsh, Pamela Petro found it infuriating that whenever she stumbled with her Welsh, the locals would always revert to English. She decided to go where English was not an option - all kinds of unlikely places with long-standing Welsh-speaking communities. She visited the Hong Kong Men's Choir, all Chinaman who sing in Welsh; the Japanese bardic "eisteddfod" in Tokyo; the Welsh golfers of Oslo; the diners of the Paris Welsh society; and Patagonia.

About the Author

Pamela Petro has been educated at Brown, Paris and Harvard Universities; in 1983 she went to the University of Wales at Lampeter for the first time, to do her MA, returning in 1992 for intensive instruction in the Welsh language. She has since taught Welsh and travel writing in the USA. She regularly contributes to the New York Times Travel Section and to Planet, and has compiled a guide to New England. This is her first 'real' book. She has, by the way, no Welsh blood.

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.0 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can take the boy out of Wales!, 21 Feb 2002

By	hugh_jenkins@hotmail.com (Perth, Australia (originally Wales)) - See all my reviews

As a Welshman who has lived overseas for a number of years I found this book really struck a chord. Petro is an American, but her ability to understand and describe the Welsh personality is extraordinary. She obviously loved her subject matter, but to take on the task of learning Welsh and then conversing in it with native speakers took no shortage of courage. In all, a very witty book, and a re-affirmation that you can take the boy out of Wales, but you can never take Wales out of the boy.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny travel book no matter where you are from, 20 Jul 2001

By A Customer

You don't have to be Welsh to enjoy this book. I am Welsh and have given it to friends in Wales, England and the USA who have all loved it.

Whilst she is an American learning Welsh, other people learning a different language will be able to relate to her problem of trying to understand and gain confidence in actually speaking a foreign language.

Her tales of travelling around the world and the characters she met keep the pace moving along nicely. For anyone wanting a funny travel book this is a must!

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable but, 28 May 2001

By A Customer

This was a fun read, but does not go on any "must read" lists about Wales, Welsh culture, etc... The author spins some funny anecdotes about her travels around the world searching for the Welsh language, but the narrator should step back once in a while and let the story tell itself. Frankly, the author and her travelling companion, who has no discernable interest in the Welsh language or culture, do get on the reader's nerves tipyn bach. Petro does have a writer's talent but this is light reading that because of the novelty of its subject matter has achieved some cult following among the American Welsh and expats. By all means read it. But - for a true understanding of Welsh culture far better you read "The Matter of Wales" by Jan Morris, or "Land of My Fathers" by Gwynfor Evans.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars trite and stereotypical
want to read a wingy rant by a silly yank let loose throughout the world? want to hear someone moan about how bad they are at learning languages? Read more

Published on 8 May 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars Brings any Welsh genes bubbling to the surface.
The very idea of touring the world chasing up Welsh speakers got my interest right from the start.
Following Pamela's plans for her travels
and the frustrations caused,... Read more

Published on 6 Feb 2002 by iain@stitt.demon.co.uk

5.0 out of 5 stars A travel book, not a book about being or speaking welsh.
This is an excellent book. the author, an American has gained a love of Wales and "Welshness" from her time in Lampeter, learning Welsh but more importantly being in... Read more

Published on 4 May 2000 by Dennis Moore

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, informative and very funny book
Essentially the story of one woman's travel round the world in search of Welsh speakers (with a view to practising the language without the corrupting influence of English), this... Read more

Published on 17 Jan 2000

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