Yma O Hyd

[lardy]

Re: Yma O Hyd

Let’s be honest, anyone and everyone in Wales who wants to learn to speak Welsh can do so. But the vast majority of us just can’t be arsed.

Learning a language properly takes time and a lot of regular practice. Once a week isn't enough.

Many people don't have the free time to give to it, even if they want to - for example job and family commitments eating up the vast majority of their time. I wouldn't say that anyone who hasn't learned simply can't be arsed

[The Lone Gunman]

Re: Yma O Hyd

It's not for everyone, hence why I thought Yma O Hyd might not be "i ddant pawb", as we say in Welsh (i.e to everyone's taste).

I think Yma O Hyd is a dreadful dirge and, considering the lyrics, I find it more than a little ironic that it gets sung at Welsh football matches. But, as you say, each to their own.

[The Lone Gunman]

Re: Yma O Hyd

I wouldn't say that anyone who hasn't learned simply can't be arsed

I didn’t say anyone, I said the vast majority of us can’t be arsed, and I stand by that 100%.

Fair play to anyone who has tried to learn Welsh and has had to give up due to time constraints or simply because they found it too difficult, but I think we both know that most of us haven’t given the notion a second thought since we left school.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Yma O Hyd

I didn’t say anyone, I said the vast majority of us can’t be arsed, and I stand by that 100%.

Fair play to anyone who has tried to learn Welsh and has had to give up due to time constraints or simply because they found it too difficult, but I think we both know that most of us haven’t given the notion a second thought since we left school.

Most English language people find learning Welsh very difficult

Often people coming from abroad with English as a second language pick up Welsh with relative ease

[MacAdder]

Re: Yma O Hyd

As a Welsh-speaker growing up in the Valleys, I was always aware of being in the minority. There remains a growing number of Welsh Primary and Secondary Schools in traditionally non-Welsh speaking areas of Wales, where the schools are effectively gulags, with the language only really being used in the classroom. Once the kids leave the school gate, the language is left behind. Going off on a tangent, my mother, who was from Maesteg, campaigned for a Welsh unit in a primary school in the mid-80s and was told by the then-Labour MP Allan Rogers to "go back to Welsh Wales, love". The irony of the same politician opening said unit a year later has never been lost on me.

I guess I've always been aware that the language is a divisive issue in Wales. As I said, I would love to see more people in Wales speak the language - and I use it whenever and wherever I can - but I'm always conscious of ramming the language down people's throat, so to speak. It's not for everyone, hence why I thought Yma O Hyd might not be "i ddant pawb", as we say in Welsh (i.e to everyone's taste). It was in no way meant to be a sinister or snobbish comment, I can assure you.

[goats]

Re: Yma O Hyd

that depends entirely on your definition of better

Real

[TWGL1]

Re: Yma O Hyd

As a Welsh-speaker growing up in the Valleys, I was always aware of being in the minority. There remains a growing number of Welsh Primary and Secondary Schools in traditionally non-Welsh speaking areas of Wales, where the schools are effectively gulags, with the language only really being used in the classroom. Once the kids leave the school gate, the language is left behind. Going off on a tangent, my mother, who was from Maesteg, campaigned for a Welsh unit in a primary school in the mid-80s and was told by the then-Labour MP Allan Rogers to "go back to Welsh Wales, love". The irony of the same politician opening said unit a year later has never been lost on me.

I guess I've always been aware that the language is a divisive issue in Wales. As I said, I would love to see more people in Wales speak the language - and I use it whenever and wherever I can - but I'm always conscious of ramming the language down people's throat, so to speak. It's not for everyone, hence why I thought Yma O Hyd might not be "i ddant pawb", as we say in Welsh (i.e to everyone's taste). It was in no way meant to be a sinister or snobbish comment, I can assure you.

My son is in Derbyn, and his Welsh is coming on really well, however , I do resonate with your “gulag” and comment, as in as soon as he leaves school he reverts to speaking English even with his Welsh speaking class friends.

We as parents are learning Welsh however , is so difficult to pick up. That said I’m proud as punch with his progress.

[bobh]

Re: Yma O Hyd

Let’s be honest, anyone and everyone in Wales who wants to learn to speak Welsh can do so. But the vast majority of us just can’t be arsed.

I wish I could.
But, as mentioned, being born in 1954 I had no opportunity to learn while in school, I then spent my college years and much of my working lie in England.
Shortly after moving to Cardiff I suffered a stroke, limiting my mobility and losing my driving licence.
I wolud love to learn , even now, but mobility problems are a major hindrance.

[Gnojek]

Re: Yma O Hyd

My son is in Derbyn, and his Welsh is coming on really well, however , I do resonate with your “gulag” and comment, as in as soon as he leaves school he reverts to speaking English even with his Welsh speaking class friends.

We as parents are learning Welsh however , is so difficult to pick up. That said I’m proud as punch with his progress.

Great to hear you're all learning the language. I was lucky enough to have been brought up in a bilingual household, where I spoke to Welsh to Mam and English to Dad. Like any language, I can well imagine it is difficult to learn. As someone else has said on here, hopefully being bilingual your kids (and you, as parents) may find it slightly easier learning a third language such as French or German, if and when that time comes.

Pob lwc!

[goats]

Re: Yma O Hyd

As if by magic…..

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/watching-wales-football-team-become-23517725

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Yma O Hyd

Many English speaking Welsh people talk about learning the language and quite a few try

But life throws up many things and if I 2as asked if I wanted to try and learn the language I would say I don't have the time or interest

I would rather go for a walk , go fishing or learn to cook as I am a crap cook

Welsh doesn't interest me at all

That doesn't mean that I don't think kids should use the language and pass it on

However the double printing of official forms in Welsh and English is a waste of money especially in South East Wales and the Valleys as are the bilingual answering services on gp phonelines , local council offices , social services etc

Barry ?

Bridgend ?

I know about 20 Welsh speakers , all of them speak English, it's daft

I could understand it in Llanberis or Caernarfon

[William Treseder]

Re: Yma O Hyd

Well I think you are being disingenuous to the very people you are talking about who feel they have every right to cock their nose up at Rugby as that's exactly what they have been subject to

You have already yourself listed bullying sports teachers not allowing youngsters to play football and the media overkill

Are you saying those points you raised are not valid ?

Or they are but because YOU don't let it bother you then all those people with a disdain for Welsh rugby have to like it or lump it ?

As far as I am concerned if one of city or Swansea supporting mates say I fecking can't stand rugby I don't agree 100 percent but I can see why they give it the elbow .

The Rugby haters are in a minority among City fans. The majority i know (and that’s a lot) tend to like, and watch both.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

Re: Yma O Hyd

Having been taught Welsh between the ages of twelve and thirteen, I reckon I’d still be trying to master it now if I’d continued with my studies, Duw, it was hard.

I took French and Latin for those two years in school as well and found them both a lot easier to pick up than Welsh which struck me very much as a language you needed to be taught at the earliest age possible.

I was taught Welsh for 4 years in Primary School in Llanishen around 1960 and then 2 years in secondary. Since then I learnt French and Latin and lived in Germany for 8.5 years in the 80's. My French is ok now as I'm often in France, my German pretty good and I can order food and drink in Spanish and Italian.

Sadly my Welsh is limited to half a dozen sentences and understanding some of the sports commentary on S4C.

Wonderful song and great atmosphere and wish I understood all the words to do it justice. TIB

[UNDERHILL1927]

Re: Yma O Hyd

Why turn a perfectly good thread into a football v rugby battle. Childish from any side that resorts to this.

This song is all about bringing Wales together to show we’re still here….not still here apart from those rugby/football lot. Grow up

[UNDERHILL1927]

Re: Yma O Hyd

And on the note of the Welsh language I’m embarrassed that I’ve never learnt it. I was taught French in school, ****ing French.

I was on the fence but this video has tipped me over and I’m starting to learn Welsh in the next few weeks.