I'm not sure I suggested that speaking the language was a prerequisite to being Welsh. I think the fact that Welsh is so prevalent in documents etc is for the benefit of the 29.7% of the population that speak it fluently and, to promote a part of Wales that is important to our identity and culture. On the basis that you have no problem with people indulging amongst themselves, can't you just ignore the stuff which you feel is being forced on to you? In other words, it's your choice.
Easier said than done Clingo. Ring a public body or a publicly funded body in Wales or even a doctor's surgery, the phone is answered in Welsh - by order of His Majesty Drakeford's government. Some give you an either/or option fairly quickly but others drone on for ages in Welsh before speaking English. E-mails from the same organisations, even libraries, give you half in Welsh first or even worse mix it up. Other than the either/or option, an absolute waste of time. Where I receive hard copy letters (yes some still use them) from these people I get pages in Welsh and English. A total waste of time and money. At the game last week, all announcements were given in Welsh first. As a side to that, when we had the first Wales game at CCS, the announcer was obviously ucked from the rugby fraternity. He announced the subs, as replacements. What an f'ing liberty!!!
Perhaps trying to see it from the view of the 29.7% is worth a go. Wales, like the rest of the UK quite rightly puts worthy efforts into providing for minority groups. The 29.7% is hardly a small minority and it's in its own country. A country that only speaks English because it was once "forced" on it. Anyway, it doesn't look as though we'll see eye to eye on this one.
Should have made clear I have no problem with the national anthem My rant related to the language being thrust down our throats at every turn.
Don't want to get too involved with "taking sides", but here is my take on it. My mother was from Pontypridd and Welsh, my father was from Cheltenham and English. I was born and raised in Wales (Bridgend) and regard myself as out and out Welsh through association and upbringing - the language is a different matter. I don't speak a word of it. I was given the option at BBCG of Welsh or French at around the age of 13. Despite the impassioned pleas of the Welsh master to all those in my form year to choose Welsh, I and probably 90% of the others chose French - never regretted it. Whilst certainly not fluent, I can hold my own in it and that served me well in business dealings through the years with French, Belgian and even German companies. Interestingly, my daughter had a similar choice to make, only this time is was Welsh or German - she chose German, went to Leeds' University, got a degree in it and spent several years working for Audi in Ingolstadt. Whilst over there, she got a very good job with the biggest German insurance company and came back to the UK to head up a team in it's operation over here. I've got no problem at all with those that support and promote the Welsh language and its' heritage, but from my experiences, it's very much a social thing - or in some respects anti-social. The bilingual policies being pursued by the Welsh language promoters is at best an inconvenience, at worst something of a nuisance. It's relevance in the wider world is minimal but can understand those for whom the world stops at Chepstow.
As a non Welsh speaker I must say that I am on the Welsh speaker side, in the 1891 census most of my ancesters only spoke Welsh. It was the schools and Church of England who told people that if you wanted to "get on" your had to speak English. Within 30 years 90% of my ancestors has English as their 1st language. I went to Grammar school it was very anti Welsh, we had 3 classes X the top students, Y those like me could just about get most subjects done and Z these were the less able students. They were taught Welsh History while us in Y & X were taught Latin only God knows why. Having said that I will admit my hatered of Yma o Hyd it turns my blood cold.
Whilst I understand your hatred of Yma o Hyd from a political point of view I think it's a great anthem style song with a fabulous crescendo type of chorus which can fire up the players as well as giving the crowd a buzz. And from another viewpoint we've sung anti england songs at every international match I've been to and lets be honest..... it's a darn sight better than Tank and his band of jack terrors singing 'let's all pi$$ on the english side of the bridge'
It's not political, it's the fact that it starts with the Romans in 400BC at that time there was no place called Wales and the Language was nothing like todays Welsh, it's just a load of rubbish. End of.
I dont speak Welsh other than very basic from school. But we should preserve our language. No tin hat. This post is just really sad.
I also think we should preserve "our" (not mine) language - it's something pretty unique and worth retaining in an increasingly English world. My point of view is more toward the aesthetics of doing so versus the practicalities of life. To be able to converse with others in Wales using it's historic language is a wonderful aspiration and worthy of the effort for those that aspire to it. My only doubts regarding "language learning" are directed towards those who live their lives in the wider world rather than just this side of Chepstow. Adult learning through choice should be encouraged, but educationally speaking, French or German for example are of much greater benefit for future generations - that doesn't mean in any way that Welsh should be discouraged for those that choose it.
Aparently, if you want to learn a second language, Spanish opens up most opportunities. French and German are generally only used in europe and many of those will speak english. Spanish opens up a lot of South America. Speaking of South America, of course, if you go to Patagonia you could always speak Welsh. My dad's dad was from Anglsey and English was his second language. That side of the family, in N Wales, are all bilingual and use Welsh conversationally at home. One of my second cousins, who coincidentally ended up living half a mile from me in Cheshire, brought his kids up to be bi-lingual. Doesnt help them now, they live in Australia.
Anyway on a positive note Ben Cabango came through last night injury free and is fit to play Saturday.
