Editor

Having read Jean Miles’ letter in last week’s edition I felt I had to respond. She is correct in saying that the name Snowdon is know all over the world and comes from the old Saxon name of Snow Dune; it is not the true name of the highest mountain in Wales given to it by the indigenous people of this region (the Saxons never got to North Wales).

Its right name is Yr Wyddfa which means the burial place or barrow and in Welsh/Ancient British legends is the burial place of Rhita Gawr, a giant slain by King Arthur. There are so many Arthurian legends linked to Yr Wyddfa. So no one is asking for a name change but to use its true name.

Also what does Snowdonia mean, just lots of Snow Dune hills? Doesn’t have much going for it does it, whereas Eryri evokes so much more, the abode of the eagles (sadly no longer here), it could possibly also mean the Highlands.

Surely the people who live in this part of the world, wherever you come from, should be proud and also encouraged to use the true name and to also enlighten visitors to the area about their real meaning.

The linguistic Anglicisation of place names to make things easier to say is so sad and takes away the true meaning of places and erodes the link between the land and the people.

It’s happening too much -Pumlumon to Plynlimon, Beinn Nibheis to Ben Nevis, Carnan t-Sabhail to Cairn Toul, Chomolungma to Everest. Next it will be change Carnedd Dafydd to Dave’s Cairn, or Mont Blanc to White Mountain, though I doubt the French would be happy.

And good luck on trying toAnglicise Pen Pumlummon Llygad-Bychan or Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain - a mountain in Scotland higher than Yr Wyddfa.

I understand that Snowdon will still be used but can I please respectfully request that the name is not further changed or demeaned by the use of Mount Snowdon or Snowdon Mountain - for me that really is a step too far, and in the interest of balance I would not want the names of mountains in England changed either.

Dylan Hughes Talsarnau

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