The Significance of the Official Name Adoption for Eryri and Yr Wyddfa

The official designations for Wales’ highest mountain and most expansive national park, Yr Wyddfa and Eryri, respectively, may prompt questions regarding a name alteration. However, numerous Welsh speakers emphasize that these names are not new, having been consistently employed by them. Writer and broadcaster Tudur Owen stated, “We don’t consider it to be a name change.” He further explained, “It would feel odd for us to use things like Snowdon and Snowdonia, because they just feel so alien and they’re not words that people in the area use.” Tony Evans, a resident of Milton Keynes originally from Pontypridd, was unaware of the change while on the mountain. He humorously remarked, “It doesn’t bother me so long as I can find my way up and down it safely.” He also described the experience, saying, “It’s a stunning walk and really enjoyable on a crisp autumn day.” Mohiuddin Kamal, from Rhuddlan in Denbighshire, expressed his view that the initiative is “brilliant.” He commented, “People in Wales have their own language and they want to protect their own heritage,” adding, “I support that and everyone should.” In November 2022, the park authority formally decided to adopt Yr Wyddfa instead of Snowdon, and Eryri instead of Snowdonia, for all official communications. This decision was prompted by a petition signed by 5,000 individuals advocating for the change. The authority contended that this transition would offer a global opportunity “to engage with the Welsh language and its rich culture.” The national park authority confirmed its ongoing commitment to using Yr Wyddfa and Eryri, citing a survey that indicated most visitors perceived the change favorably. Mr. Owen suggested that the initiative should be considered a “change in brand,” a practice he asserted “companies do successfully all the time.” He observed, “When I speak to visitors often they will be really enthusiastic about Welsh names because they come to Wales and they find the Welsh language and the culture a refreshing change.” He further elaborated, “When you use our Welsh place names you’re not only speaking the language but you’re linking back to 2,000 years of history.” He contended that much of the criticism stems from ignorance, as individuals “link the language to politics, they link it to nationalism and some kind of ulterior motive, when it isn’t at all.” Mr. Owen expressed his belief that the core issue involves assisting individuals in making an “informed choice.” He stated, “You can choose Welsh or English – but Eryri and Yr Wyddfa are the official words.” He added, “People are still going to use Snowdon and Snowdonia, and I would never say that they should not be allowed to, but it’s just that choice and we need to make that informed choice.” He recommended observing other nations “where bilingualism is normal.” He concluded, “Wales is, and can be, a truly bilingual country where we have English and Welsh co-existing and intermingling.” The pronunciation for Yr Wyddfa is Uhr With-Va, and for Eryri, it is Eh Ruh-Ree. A survey conducted by the park authority during the summer revealed that up to 65% of visitors to Yr Wyddfa regarded the changes positively, whereas 10 to 15% expressed opposition. Concerns have been raised regarding pronunciation and potential visitor confusion. The park authority noted that some visitors were “unaware of the longstanding Welsh names and may mistakenly believe they are new.” However, Mr. Owen stated that he had observed no indication that the adoption of Welsh names had impacted visitors or commerce. He remarked, “In the last few months I’ve seen an explosion of people naming their companies Eryri something.” He further added, “We have queues of people coming to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, the cafe is overrun, so it doesn’t seem to be affecting trade at all.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.