| Cofi dialect | |
|---|---|
| Y dafodiaith Cofi | |
| Native to | Wales |
| Region | Caernarfon,Gwynedd |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
| Glottolog | None |
Cofi (Welsh pronunciation:[ˈkɔvi]) is one of theregionalaccents anddialects of theWelsh language found in northWales, and centred onCaernarfon, inGwynedd, and its surrounding district. A person from Caernarfon is known colloquially as aCofi.[1]
Cofi has been called "one of Wales’ most famous regional dialects". In 2011, the Welsh television production companyCwmni Da organised a special event atCaernarfon Town Football Club celebrating theCofi dialect. The event was filmed as part of a television series known asAr Lafar.[2]
According to broadcaster Mari Gwilym, "Cofis are straight as arrows and we are extremely proud of theCofi dialect as it is a real asset to Wales. Caernarfon has earned a reputation throughout Wales as the town of theCofis which I think is great because it’s an extremely important part of their heritage".[2]
TheCofi dialect has been "immortalized" in the radio monologues of Richard Hughes and inWilliam Owen's storiesChwedlau Pen Deitsch (1961)[3]
The actorDewi Rhys is aCofi. He has written a book onCofi humour calledHiwmor y Cofi.[4] He comments: "I don’t think we asCofis try and be individual, but we just are. We like to think that we’re life’s losers, but we look forward to getting out there and doing different things. When you first meet aCofi, you’re usually greeted with this deadpan sort of look, you can never tell what’s going through their minds. That’s probably down to shyness or a desire to be left alone. I think it’s fair to say that you don’t get much small talk with aCofi."[2]
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales has a recording of Gareth Wyn Jones speaking theCofi dialect.[5]
O Flaen dy Lygaid is an opera in theCofi dialect which has been produced with the help of children from theYsgubor Goch housing estate in Caernarfon. The idea behind the ‘Cofi Opera’ is to create, produce and perform an opera with children from the estate performing alongside professional opera singers; the opera forms part of theCofis Bach project based in Caernarfon'sNoddfa Centre. The opera has been produced with the help of CaernarfonpoetMeirion MacIntyre Hughes,composerOwain Llwyd andrapperEd Holden.[6]
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