I live in an area of Wales known as The Valleys. I live in one of them. Over the other side of the mountain in the next valley, is Ebbw Vale (Glan Ebwy in Welsh). A little south of it is Cwm (another name, in Welsh, for a vale or valley).
Cwm is pronounced "coom", with a short "oo", and it is a source of great amusement when visitors from elsewhere pronounce it "quim".
In the context of Dr Grammarfuss's question, though, I'd say a valley was a geographial location, a vale a smaller enclave, with an implication of isolation and peace.
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Last edited by Ann Drysdale; 11-23-2015 at 12:52 AM.
Reason: removed an off-topic and unedifying link.
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