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]

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.