The Language of Remembrance: First World War Memorial Inscriptions in Wales

The inscriptions on First World War memorials in Wales may be written in English only, Welsh only, or both languages may be utilised. Questions naturally arise over how the two languages are used. Is one language ‘dominant’, either in terms of volume or placement on the memorial? Do the languages perform separate roles? And are the sentiments expressed in Welsh different to those expressed in English? This paper takes the final question as its focus, comparing the wording of Welsh and English inscriptions on memorials across the country. It draws out subtle but significant variations in tone between the Welsh and English languages, indicating the existence of divergent narratives regarding war, and death in war, as well as differing experiences of bereavement.

Jenny is a PhD student at the University of Kent, researching First World War commemoration in Wales from 1914 to 1939. She is particularly interested in the differences in tone between English- and Welsh-language commemoration.

This session is a hybrid session and in-person tickets are limited.