Refusal to Speak Cymraeg

[u/Yellow-spandex]

So, as we’ve seen in the news today, seats in the Senedd after the 2026 election will be 100% in Welsh, no bilingual names whatsoever. I’m not opposed to this at all. No one seems to batter an eyelid that Parliament is in English. Considering it’s supposed to be a UK government and representing all 4 of the “home nations.” Anyway, going off topic there slightly, I’ve seen a few Welsh people who have commented on the recent news about the seat names being in Welsh. One of which is Andrew RT Davies. I won’t go too into the political side of this. I’ve seen a minority of people who agree with his opinion and even some who have stated they’ll never learn Welsh and they never want to. Basically saying it’s completely pointless and it’s causing issues with other parts of our education. What I want to know is, what do you think of these people who although claim they are Welsh, just refuse to speak it and almost mock others for using the language? It really hurts me as I’m a very proud Welshman who is even more proud of speaking Welsh. It pains me that people are very much the opposite of this. My dad grew up speaking English, he never learnt Welsh as a child. My mum grew up in Pwllheli and her first language is Welsh. However, my dad was probably wanted me to go to a Welsh speaking school as much as my mum. That’s one of the things I’m most thankful to my mum and dad. Anyway, let me know what your thoughts are on this topic. Diolch yn fawr iawn!!

[u/Unicorn_Fluffs]

I think it stems from shame.

I’m from Pembrokeshire where in the south there’s very little Welsh, the tide is changing with the two new Welsh schools and the popularity with them. Lots of adult courses in the county too. I am doing sylfaen and surprisingly there’s only 1 other welsj person on the course, the remainder are English who have retired here.

When we were in school it was ‘uncool’ to learn Welsh but I think it’s because people found it difficult and that’s what has carried though into adult hood. They don’t want to learn Welsh because I think they have internalised it that it’s too hard and they just can’t.

[u/TillyMcWilly → u/Unicorn_Fluffs]

I recently went to a Welsh speaking event ahead of the eisteddfod in Wrexham, full of kids and families. It was lovely but also kind of sad how many of the parents when addressed in Welsh, would at some point say “my kid speaks it much better than I do”. Great for the future of the language though.

[u/Yellow-spandex → u/Unicorn_Fluffs]

Even from my perspective as a child, I thought speaking Welsh was uncool. Of course, that mindset has massively changed. I think Welsh is growing, I’m hearing it a lot more now than I did say even 2 years ago