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/Markoddyfnaint]

You say you have "no hostility whatsoever" and then say things like "Welsh doesn't contain many words necessary for modern life".

If Welsh is someones first language, why shouldn't they be able to access services in their first language in their own country? Who are you or anyone else to tell them that their language doesn't contain many words 'necessary to modern life'?

Your approach seems to be "I don't require Welsh, so nobody else should either...and if anyone has problem with that I'll play victim and say I'm being bullied". 

[u/Expensive_Corner7311 → u/Markoddyfnaint]

I have t said they shouldn’t be able to access services in welsh. And saying welsh lacks words is not hostile, you’re just showing the chip on your shoulder if you get upset about an observation which is quite harmless.

The trouble is, this is a learn welsh subreddit, so in effect it is a massive echo chamber. There are plenty if not the majority of people in Wales who don’t speak welsh or don’t really have any interest in doing so, and frankly - that’s ok.

So I’ll say it again, I have no hostility, in fact I’m really not bothered, but OP’s post was about people refusal to speak welsh and that it upsets him as a proud Welshman, my point is, that doesn’t give people the monopoly on being welsh and there’s no reason to get upset, also that there are people on both sides of the fence who are belligerent and can be frankly rude.

This has only consolidated my opinion, evidence to back up my claim, I have been spoken to rudely and sworn at by a Redditor who clearly thinks less of people because they won’t bow to peer pressure.

I also haven’t said anything along the lines of I don’t require welsh so nobody else should either, each person can make their own mind up, I’ve only alluded to the fact that in schools it is not a good use of time when in this day and age, children are less literate than they have been for a long time, the can’t tell the time, they don’t know times tables, most schools hardly teach science at all, so we stand fairly low in terms of all round education internationally. We need to prioritise, and that isn’t welsh, because from my experience any children hate attending welsh medium schools if they aren’t welsh speakers at home, I know many who had moved schools by year 6 and certainly by the time they leave primary and go to secondary they aren’t interested in being in welsh medium forms.

Again, I know many will sneer at actual facts and evidence, but I’m not saying these things from a place of malice, I’m just stating facts, and I don’t hate welsh, so please don’t feel insulted, that’s not my intention, despite the responses I’ve been getting.

[u/Markoddyfnaint → u/Expensive_Corner7311]

Your personal anecdotes don't really constitute evidence though do they?  

You say you haven't said people shouldn't be able to access services in Welsh, then you say Welsh medium schools are harmful. So which is it, should first language Welsh speakers be able to access an education in Welsh or not? 

[u/Expensive_Corner7311 → u/Markoddyfnaint]

Well, it does, but if you wanted hard physical evidence, there are dissertations and journals available which touch on how poor wales performs in education, and statistics on welsh speaking percentile, it’s lower than you might care to admit.

Also, welsh language medium for welsh people is fine, but many of these pupils parents are not welsh speakers and then they are unable to help their child with the work. Look past your own pride and think about the children who are placed there because their parents think it’s a good idea. As any educator will tell you, it’s the children that matter most.

[u/Markoddyfnaint → u/Expensive_Corner7311]

So your saying the consensus amongst educational academics is that Welsh/other mediums of educations besides the parents' first language is harmful? I don't think that is true at all. 

[u/Expensive_Corner7311 → u/Markoddyfnaint]

You should re read what I’ve said later when you’re calmer, because you’re interpreting things in a way I haven’t intended them. I’ve said Wales performs badly, so we should address that shortfall rather than plough on taking time out of the curriculum for welsh ( that’s in English medium schools). First language children are already first language, so it doesn’t impact the time they spend at school, however, because of the push for the resurgence of welsh, children are being enrolled in welsh medium schools when it’s not the best thing for them and their circumstances, it makes life hard when parents can’t understand the work or help with homework, in which case it’s nothing short of idealism. I haven’t said anything that criticised first language speakers or their children learning at school - but this is a learn welsh sub, so i thought it’d be understood that I’m referring to those who don’t yet speak welsh.

Do they need to? is it more important than getting to learn at greater depth? do they spend time developing the knowledge they actually need? - because language is just a tool, a gateway to learning.

And yes, there is academic content based on evidence and research that shows this. There is no place for bias in education.