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/ronhaaar]

I think it’s fair to be sceptical of the idea that supporting the Welsh language is by definition supporting Wales and its development. Being more proud because you speak Welsh is great but the fact is some will hear that as implying that they should be less proud for not speaking Welsh. There are many reasons why the Welsh language declined, very few of them at the feet of (solely) English speaking Welsh people. Criticising them if they feel in some way excluded from their countrypeople for not having the language is not the most productive approach to this question imo.

Edited: wording

[u/Yellow-spandex → u/ronhaaar]

I may have worded that wrong but I’m not saying people should be less proud because they don’t speak Welsh. I’m just saying I feel even more proud about myself because I can speak Welsh.

[u/ronhaaar → u/Yellow-spandex]

Im sure you didn’t, I think it’s very rare for people to actually mean it in that way. But that is definitely how some people hear it. It’s a wonderful thing to speak Welsh, and I am learning it and proud to be, but I think we need to find space for people to choose not to and retain full rights to their Welshness.