威尔士文化和教育 .pptVIP

* * * Wales Culture Education 威尔士的文化和教育 Presented by Virginia West Director Wales International Consortium The UK Wales Maps Wales Study Destination Wales Wales for Culture The People The Welsh are descended from many ethnic groups including the original Britons, Celts, Romans and Scandinavians. The population of 2.94 million has undergone much change over the centuries, with many inward and outward migrations of population. Welsh Language Welsh is spoken by about 20% of the population. It is one of Europe’s oldest and most musical languages, often referred to as the “language of heaven”. Just as Cantonese or Shanghai dialect is spoken by a large number of people in China; Welsh is spoken by many people in Wales. Nevertheless, English is the main daily language in Wales like Scotland and Ireland. Bore da Good morning Nos da Good night Diolch Thank you Dragons In Welsh mythology, King Vortigern ordered two sleeping dragons – one white, one red, to be awoken. A ferocious battle lasting many years began but finally the red dragon was triumphant. It is now the symbol of Wales. Myths and legends are at the heart of Welsh culture. The Mabinogion A group of medieval stories known that dates from the 11th century. It includes Arthurian romances, the story of Afanc the monster in the lake and also Annwn, King of the Fairies. Arthur and Merlin The Gododdin is one of the earliest surviving poems written in Welsh by the bard (poet) Aneirin around the year 594, and contains the earliest known reference to Arthur. The reputed burial site of Merlin the Wizard is near Carmarthen and his Round Table is still there in the Roman remains at Caerleon near Newport. Devils Bridge The town of Devil’s bridge near the University of Wales Aberystwyth takes its name from a legend of a clever old lady who outwitted Satan! Myths and Legends Leeks and Daffodils The daffodil and the leek are national flowers of Wales. The leek was adopted after St D