Llyn Bochlwyd
Llyn Bochlwyd (Welsh pronunciation: [ɬɨ̞n boːχluːɨ̯d, ɬɪn boːχlʊi̯d]) 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 |
| 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
The 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 is said to resemble the map of Australia, when viewed from above.[3]
The adoption of a new English name in favour of the pre-existing Welsh name has been criticised as Linguistic discrimination. In 2018 the broadcaster Tudur Owen cited the name change as "erasing history".[2]
The name change has been cited as part of the debate around preserving historic place-names in law. In 2020, the Shadow Minister for Culture and the Welsh Language, Sian Gwenllian mentioned the lake in raising the possibility of a new bill to preserve Welsh place-names.[4]
References
- "Llyn Bochlwyd". Snowdonia Guide. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- 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.
