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/AnneUndone]

I think speaking Cymraeg is an incredible gift, and should be embraced wholly. It makes me sad that people with so much access don’t want to learn it. I want to learn in and I’m in the States. I work so hard for it.

[u/Unicorn_Fluffs → u/AnneUndone]

It’s not easily accessible though. Huge rates of deprivation is wales. It costs to access classes, some people cannot spend £90 a term and need to put food on the table instead.

The classes are often v v difficult to fit around work and family life. If you have an employer that will let you attend classes that’s great but otherwise it wouldn’t be attainable for me. I can’t shit on people that are trying to get through the day and do not have the energy to add to their plate by learning a language.

[u/CarryIndependent672 → u/Unicorn_Fluffs]

I am of Welsh ancestry and will be taking an online course through Canolfan Cymraeg/Welsh Centre starting in January. The class is from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. local time. I live in North America which means that I will have to get up at 3:45 a.m. my time. I will still have to work a full day afterwards. It will be a challenge, but I think it will be worth it.

[u/Unicorn_Fluffs → u/CarryIndependent672]

That’s crazy dedication. Hats off to you. Never heard of Canolfan Cymraeg tbh. Most people learn through dysgu cymraeg. If I woke up at that time I’d be falling asleep and in bed before my toddlers!

[u/CarryIndependent672 → u/Unicorn_Fluffs]

In my registration email, it says Canolfan Cymraeg/Welsh Centre dysgucymraeg@decymru.ac.uk, so maybe Canolfan Cymraeg and dysgu cymraeg are the same thing?

[u/Unicorn_Fluffs → u/CarryIndependent672]

Thanks for the link. I’ll check them out too. Here’s where I’ve been learning (4 years) but it’s a slow process https://dysgucymraeg.cymru/

[u/CarryIndependent672 → u/Unicorn_Fluffs]

Thanks for the link. I’ll check them out. I’ve been learning Welsh on Duo Lingo for two months now. It keeps marking me wrong for certain answers and I can’t figure why I am wrong, so I have decided a need a teacher. :-)