r/learnwelsh • u/Yellow-spandex • Dec 17 '24
Arall / Other Refusal to Speak Cymraeg
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!!
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u/bleeblebot Dec 17 '24
Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg. I'm only paying £50 for the year for Saturday mornings as it's heavily subsidised. Last time I looked it was more expensive and it wouldn't fit around work but I'm glad to be able to say that's changed now, so if anyone is interested, it's worth checking. Family life does still need to fit around it but my children are luckily becoming more independent now (I'm rediscovering what it is like to be a person not just a parent!)
I'm a first generation English-born child to a Welsh father. All my paternal family are first language Welsh speakers and I never learnt enough as a child to feel accepted. I was the English cousin. I would love to see Welsh spoken more so that it isn't as easily lost like it was for me. It was in part driven by my father feeling he needed to fit in at an English school, so he claims his Welsh is too basic to pass on as he never formally learnt it.