“Enwau Prydeinig gwyn?” Problematizing the idea of “White British” names and naming practices from a Welsh perspective

Abstract

Our personal names are a potential source of information to those around us regarding several interconnected aspects of our lives, including our: ethnic, geographic, linguistic and cultural community of origin, and perhaps our national identity. However, interpretations regarding identifiably "White British" names and naming practices are problematic, due to the incorrect underlying assumption of a homogeneity in the indigenous communities of 'Britain'. The field of names and naming is a particularly good example of the wide linguistic and cultural chasm between the Welsh and English indigenous 'British' communities, and thus the generally paradoxical concept of "Britishness" in its wider sense. In this paper, I will explore names and naming practices which are particularly distinctive to a Welsh context, thus unearthing and opening up for wider debate the hidden diversity within the assumed and imposed category of "White British privilege".

Resources and sources in anthroponomastic studies: a review of contemporary references-TRAD

“…A very similar point of view is adopted by WHEELER (2018a), who uses his onomastic autobiography as an ethnographic reflection on areas of language crossing and with the use of minority languages. WHEELER (2018b) emphasizes the value of this type of narration to explore concepts such as identity and belonging, as well as the symbolism of personal names. ALIA ( 2007) presents an essay where she inserts elements belonging to her family history, with different origins and onomastic traditions.…”

Recursos y fuentes en los estudios antroponomásticos: una revisión de referencias contemporáneas

“…minoritarias. EnWheeler (2018b) incide en el valor de este tipo de narraciones para explorar conceptos como el de identidad y pertenencia, así como el simbolismo de los nombres de persona Alia (2007). presenta un ensayo donde intercala elementos pertenecientes a su historia familiar, con diferentes procedencias y tradiciones onomásticas.…”

Self-esteem and Social Media Dependency: A Comparative Analysis of Welsh- and English-Medium Pupils’ Perceptions

“…Labour's minority administration enabled Plaid Cymru to use its political influence to ensure plenary debate on the prospects of the Welsh language," with the Welsh Labour-Plaid Cymru 'pact' comprising a cornerstone of the 'One Wales' agreement (Wheeler, 2018). The net consequence was the passing of a motion that "committed the Assembly to the ambitious objective of 'creating a bilingual Wales' and to committee-led policy reviews" (Royles & Lewis, 2019: 11).…”

“…Beyond the shores of the UK, Royles and Lewis (2019) observed how Welsh language policy and direction might be influenced by continental and global institutional structures; for instance, the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (established 2007) informs Wales' policy-making. In real terms, the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 means the Welsh language should be treated in the same way as English (Wheeler, 2018). Indicating linguistic parity in principle, Wheeler (2018) Parliament, 2021).…”

“…In real terms, the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 means the Welsh language should be treated in the same way as English (Wheeler, 2018). Indicating linguistic parity in principle, Wheeler (2018) Parliament, 2021). Beyond the political arena, the Welsh language is represented within the mass media, journalism, the 'arts', all sectors of education, the NHS, and theology (BBC S4C 2021;Golwg 360, 2021;Y Dinesydd, 2021;Y Cymro, 2021;Arts Council of Wales, 2021;National Eisteddfod, 2021;Urdd, 2021;Welsh Government, 2021c;Prifysgol Abertawe, 2020;Prifysgol Caerdydd, 2020;Iechyd yng Nghymru, 2020;Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, 2021).…”