Star Wars Translated into Welsh for First Time on S4C

Key Actors and Characters

The project to dub Star Wars into Welsh has seen several well-known Welsh actors lend their voices. Rhys Ifans, who is also known for his roles in Notting Hill and Harry Potter, will voice the Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi. His brother Llŷr voices C-3PO while Aimee-Ffion Edwards takes on the role of Princess Leia. Mark Lewis Jones, a familiar face from The Last Jedi, will voice Darth Vader.

Project Details and Context

The Welsh version of the film, titled 'Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd,' was produced by Lucasfilm and Disney in collaboration with S4C and the Welsh government via its Creative Wales agency. The announcement was made at the National Eisteddfod, an annual festival held in Pembrokeshire that celebrates music, poetry, and other cultural activities.

Historical Connection to Wales

The connection between Star Wars and Wales goes back decades. A version of the Millennium Falcon was created at a hangar in Pembroke Dock in 1979 for use in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The local area has also hosted other filming projects, including scenes from Lucasfilm's 1988 film Willow and the upcoming series Star Wars: The Acolyte.

Impact on Welsh Language

Lynwen Brennan, co-president of Lucasfilm and a native of Pembrokeshire, expressed her excitement about the project. 'Wales has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language,' she said. 'We have never before had a translation of Star Wars into Welsh, and I am so thankful that in celebration of our 50th anniversary, we have been able to work with some incredible Welsh talent to make that a reality.'

The Welsh government is aiming for one million people to speak Cymraeg by 2050. The first minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, who is fluent in Welsh, expressed his enthusiasm about the new version of Star Wars: 'To see a Welsh-language version, using the talents of some of our best actors, is fantastic. We already produce world-class TV and film here in Wales, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Star Wars in Welsh.'

Language and Cultural Significance

The first scene opens with the iconic line 'May the force be with you,' which is translated as 'A boed i’r Grym fod gyda chi.' The original line, 'A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …' becomes 'Amser maith yn ôl, mewn galaeth bell bell i ffwrdd ...'

The project not only celebrates the Welsh language but also promotes it. 'It’s such an iconic film to so many generations of fans across the world. It’s a fantastic opportunity to promote the Welsh language,' said Geraint Evans, CEO of S4C.

Conclusion

The release of this Welsh version of Star Wars is a significant milestone for both the film franchise and the promotion of the Welsh language. It brings together Welsh talent with one of the world’s most beloved films, creating an experience that resonates culturally while promoting linguistic diversity.

Source: The Guardian