Friday Five meme - culture, language, identity

[diffrentcolours]

1. Of the various cultures, ethnicities or nationalities you belong to, which most strongly do you consider yourself?

British, I suppose. "English" feels a bit too parochial. I would like to say European but that's more an aspiration these days particularly post-Brexit.

2. Is there a culture you cannot claim heritage from but which you feel quite close to?

Technically, Welsh. My mamgu was Welsh and I have a number of second cousins on that branch of the family tree, but we're not close. I've been making an effort to learn and practice the language in recent years, and regularly drive my sister's Welsh husband and my niblings (who understand it but don't speak it) up the wall with my practice.

3. What's one language you wish you knew fluently?

As above, Welsh. Not for any practical reason, I just think it's cool.

4. If you could move anywhere in the world and be guaranteed a job, etc., where would you go?

Brussels. I love the city, I love how European and multicultural it is. It's close enough to the UK for visits. It's the capital of the EU.

5. If you had a time machine, and could witness any one event without altering or disturbing it, what would you want to see?

Hmm. Presumably I'm the only witness and couldn't record it, which means I can't prove it to anyone else. So it'd be something purely for my satisfaction. Part of me wants to see a conspiracy theory come true, like the JFK assassination. But maybe it'd be something like my parents' wedding. I've seen the photos, but it'd be great to have just been there as a bystander and see how happy they were.

Comments

[otter]

Family 'legend' has it that I have a great-grandparent from Wales, but I haven't found records to solidly confirm it. One of my friends when I was a teenager was studying Welsh and I always wished I had access to learning it.