Llyn Bochlwyd (Welsh pronunciation: [ɬɨ̞n bɔχluːɨ̯d, ɬɪn bɔχlʊi̯d]) is a lake in Snowdonia, Wales, in Conwy County Borough. It lies in Cwm Bochlwyd, near Llyn Ogwen in the Glyderau mountain range.[1]
| Llyn Bochlwyd | |
|---|---|
 The outflow of Llyn Bochlwyd | |
  Llyn Bochlwyd | |
| Location | Snowdonia, Wales |
| Coordinates | 53°06′N 4°0′W / 53.100°N 4.000°W |
| Type | natural |
| Primary outflows | Nant Bochlwyd |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 4.208 ha (10.40 acres) |
| Surface elevation | 555 m (1,821 ft) |
Name and controversy
editThe name translates as "Lake of the Greycheek". According to a local legend, this is where an old grey stag, fleeing a hunter, miraculously escaped by leaping from a great height into the lake and swimming to safety while holding its grey cheeks above the surface, in order to breathe.[2]
In some English-language guidebooks and websites, the lake is referred to as "Lake Australia", as the shape of the lake when viewed from above is said to resemble the map of Australia.[3] The adoption of a new English name in favour of the traditional Welsh name has been criticised as linguistic discrimination. In 2018 the broadcaster Tudur Owen cited the name change as an example of "erasing history".[2] The name change has also been referenced in the debate around preserving historic place-names in law. In 2020, the Shadow Minister for Culture and the Welsh Language, Siân Gwenllian, mentioned the lake when raising the possibility of a new bill to preserve Welsh place-names.[4] In 2023 the Eryri National Park Authority voted to use a standardised list of names for its lakes, all of which are in Welsh only.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Llyn Bochlwyd". Snowdonia Guide. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ a b Tudur Owen, Fear 'history is lost when Welsh place names are changed’, BBC Cymru Wales
- ^ "Llyn Bochlwyd". Snowdonia Guide. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Gwenllian, Sian (4 August 2020). "It's Llyn Bochlwyd, not Lake Australia: Why we should protect our Welsh place names". Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ Hoskin, Rowenna (16 November 2023). "Snowdonia: Eryri National Park to use Welsh lake names only". BBC News. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
External links
edit
Media related to Llyn Bochlwyd at Wikimedia Commons- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Llyn Bochlwyd and surrounding area
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