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, from a view point 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.
