Sociolinguistic conditions of functioning of the welsh variety of the english language (wenglish)

The article considers geographical variations in the use of the Welsh variety of the English language (Wenglish) and its correlation with Standard English. The author analyses two quite different tendencies which add to the changes both in the dialect and in Standard English. Having identified separate territories of Wenglish speakers, territorial differences in Wenglish, depending on the area of Wales, are examined through comparative analysis. Use by speakers of Welsh and Wenglish itself is discussed based on area of residence and the age of a given speaker. It is noted that older speakers of Wenglish tend to use a more conservative variety of the language, whereas younger speakers are turning away from the traditional dialect under pressure of modern society, fashion and globalization. Comparisons are made to other varieties of English from historical, cultural and linguistic points of view. The author comes to a conclusion that Wenglish is a unique linguistic phenomenon and raises the question of which forms may be considered the norm, given the regional variations in Wenglish. It is suggested that all forms are valid, but some are so ingrained that they are used more often than the others and are therefore recommended as 'correct'.

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