A video of Rob McElhenney nailing the pronunciation of Llanfairpwll during an interview on an American chat show has garnered praise all over social media. The actor and comedian appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert alongside Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds.
During their interview with Colbert the actors were promoting their new documentary series Welcome to Wrexham. The pair discussed their scheme to buy one of the oldest football teams in the world, Wrexham AFC, and how the community in the town accepted them. You can get more Wrexham news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
When asked if they had learnt any Welsh words during their trips to Wrexham,Ryan Reynolds noted that the language was "growing" and "building back up again". He then added that Rob had been learning a little bit of Welsh.
Read more: Welcome to Wrexham review: Sincerity shines through the Hollywood pizzazz amid patronising subtitles
"Well I've learnt the longest town name in all of western Europe," Rob said. "But you'd have to put it up on the screen to really see it." He then went on to pronounce the Anglesey village name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
His pronunciation of the village name received a round of applause during the interview and on social media. Doctor Cymraeg, who shared the clip on Twitter, said: "Zero disrespect to Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds whatsoever, but I don’t think these two will ever truly appreciate what they’re doing for #Cymraeg. Diolch. Up the Town".
In response a Twitter user called Chris Stone praised the actor for pronouncing the name in a certain Welsh accent they said: "Definitely some gog in there. Wonder where he stands on the llaeth conundrum". Twitter user, Lloyd, said: "Bloody love what these two are doing for Welsh culture and language".
Bethan L Evans asked: "How is his pronunciation better than mine though?" while Twitter user named Chuck F said: "Anyone spreading the good word of Wales to the wider masses is appreciated."
The clip came only a few days after Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Morfydd Clark, who is originally from Penarth, appeared on the chat show and pronounced the Welsh alphabet. The host, Stephen Colbert, described the alphabet as "beautiful" and noted he couldn't tell when one letter ended and another one began.
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