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

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

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 .

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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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

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.

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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

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

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.

I’ve not been in the stadium for a Welsh game since 2019 so I think I’ve missed the introduction of Yma O Hyd. When did it start and was there any stimulus (BBC Wales TV preview maybe)?

Anyone know what the song is actually about? My 10 year old said he sang it in school on st david’s day recently and it’s something along the lines of “I’m still here”….

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Originally Posted by goats

Anyone know what the song is actually about? My 10 year old said he sang it in school on st david’s day recently and it’s something along the lines of “I’m still here”….

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I found this the other day, I bookmarked it


Still Here

You don't remember Macsen,1
nobody knows him.
One thousand and six hundred years,
a time too long to remember.
When Magnus Maximus2 left Wales,
in the year 383,
leaving us a whole nation,
and today - look at us!

We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here.

Let the wind blow from the East,3
let the storm roar from the sea,
let the lightning split the heavens,
and the thunder shout "encore!"
Let the tears of the faint-hearted flow,
and the servile lick the floor.
Despite the blackness around us,
we are ready for the breaking of the dawn!

We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here.

We remember that Macsen the Emperor
left our country in one whole piece.
And we shall shout before the nations,
"We'll be here until Judgement Day!"
Despite every Dic Siôn Dafydd,4
despite old Maggie5 and her crew,
we'll be here until the end of time,
and the Welsh language will be alive!

We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything.
We are still here,
we are still here,
in spite of everyone and everything,
in spite of everyone and everything...

1. The Welsh name for Magnus Maximus, Macsen Wledig. See below.
2. Welsh emperor of the Western Roman Empire, 383-388.
3. Referring to the Anglo-Saxon settlements east of Welsh territory.
4. A character in a poem of the Welsh satirical poet Jac Glan-y-gors.
5. Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of the United Kingdom, 1979-1990.
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/yma-o...till-here.html

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Originally Posted by UNDERHILL1927

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.

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I did Welsh History ( or a form of it ) in Barry boys Comp ( instead of a language ) got me fairly interested in learning more ( this was before the interweb ) and got me fairly deep into the Free Wales army / Meibion Glyndwr

my daughter is learning welsh at the mo, kids pick up languages fairly easy, she is doing Spanish in school and Welsh at home

I quite like it at Wales games - but hate it played down the city....relate more to cardiff born cardiff bred.

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Originally Posted by Whisperer

I quite like it at Wales games - but hate it played down the city....relate more to cardiff born cardiff bred.

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Yeah I think it suits a Wales match for sure, they travel down from up north in good numbers aswell. I bet they love it, the ones I know really enjoy coming down here for a big night….

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Whisperer

I quite like it at Wales games - but hate it played down the city....relate more to cardiff born cardiff bred.

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Men of Harlech christ that's dreadful

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

Men of Harlech christ that's dreadful

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Yes that’s terrible…. It would perhaps be more tolerable if people sang the words :hehe:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TWGL1

Yes that’s terrible…. It would perhaps be more tolerable if people sang the words :hehe:

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That's not going to happen , it's more than one line

Our lot can't cope 😢

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Enoch Mort

Very powerful song with the crowd generating a great atmosphere. Pity about the bloke at 2.00 into the clip who is more preoccupied with his phone than the fervour of the occasion.

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Depends what he was using his phone for really doesn't it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gnojek

I quite like the Hennessy clip. Yes, it's old school and stereotypical, but he's as much a part of Cardiff - more, arguably - as Dafydd Iwan, and I say that as a proud Welsh speaker who'd love nothing more than to see more people use the language. Yma o Hyd is a tub-thumping anthem that I've shouted (my voice is awful) more times than I care to remember, but the club and city represent Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers alike. To be honest, I'm pleasantly surprised the song seems to have been adopted so readily by non-Welsh speakers.

I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm starting to get a bit concerned that Yma o Hyd is becoming too mainstream and far too overplayed. It's an awful comparison, but it feels like our version of Sweet Caroline, which used to be a nice song, but is now played everywhere, from numerous betting adverts to every England game.

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You are not rationing a chocolate bar during world War 2, you don't have to savour it.

Nowhere near the level that sweet Caroline is used.

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Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman

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.

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That means going out of your own way to learn a skill. Not the same as being taught in school, people are more likely to bother if it is being taught.

I've fancied learning a language for ages, but I question my desire because I never actually get around to doing it even at times I've got hours spare in a day..it's the effort that puts me off. Not many people go out of their way to make extra effort..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

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

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Why is it a waste of money?
Why should someone who wants to fill in forms in their own language have to do it in English.
Would you expect a bi lingual French man to fill it one in English just because he can.
As for the waste of time in South East Wales and the Valleys statement that shows an ignorance on your part.
You under estimate how many welsh speakers there are in these areas.

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Originally Posted by willo1927

Why is it a waste of money?
Why should someone who wants to fill in forms in their own language have to do it in English.
Would you expect a bi lingual French man to fill it one in English just because he can.
As for the waste of time in South East Wales and the Valleys statement that shows an ignorance on your part.
You under estimate how many welsh speakers there are in these areas.

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I would have bilingual forms and council services in predominantly welsh speaking areas but in most of South Wales I think it's a daft box ticking exercise

Most welsh speakers I know don't bother with S4C and certainly don't fill in forms in welsh

WTF is the point of having a woman on the council telephone answering machine in Bridgend speak to you in welsh ?

Carmarthen I can dig that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

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

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But surely every Welsh speaker has the right in our country to receive government/council forms/literature etc in Welsh? What a poor country we would be if we denied Welsh speakers the opportunity to use Welsh as it's a waste of money.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

But surely every Welsh speaker has the right in our country to receive government/council forms/literature etc in Welsh? What a poor country we would be if we denied Welsh speakers the opportunity to use Welsh as it's a waste of money.

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Well I don't think it's as clear cut as that

The vast majority of forms in Welsh from government agencies that arrive on the doorstep in South East Wales go in the recycling

In South West Wales it's almost certainly going to be that a fair amount are used as Welsh is the dominant language in Carmarthenshire etc

I think in an area where Welsh is spoken hugely as a living language Welsh speakers should be provided with Welsh forms

But what's the point of spending money on Welsh council forms where the language isn't used on a day to day basis

Apart from the pontcanna taffia District where in Cardiff are people conversing in Welsh on a level that justifies spending money on forms , signage etc ?

I just think it's daft and doesn't do anything to strengthen the language

Welsh will never die now , it will always be here as the song says , like the country but the way to keep it growing is by teaching people how to speak it in English speaking Wales in schools , night classes etc

We are not going to preserve Welsh by having council tax forms sent out in Welsh

It's just a waste of money that could be spent on teaching or promoting the language . Having a form come through your door in Welsh isn't going to do that .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

I would have bilingual forms and council services in predominantly welsh speaking areas but in most of South Wales I think it's a daft box ticking exercise

Most welsh speakers I know don't bother with S4C and certainly don't fill in forms in welsh

WTF is the point of having a woman on the council telephone answering machine in Bridgend speak to you in welsh ?

Carmarthen I can dig that

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Nobody in Bridgend speaks Welsh?
That's funny because there were bus loads from Bridgend and Maesteg in my school.
More people speak welsh in Wales than fish.
So on that bssis what is the point of fishing?
Just because you don't use a service doesn't mean that others don't

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

Well I don't think it's as clear cut as that

The vast majority of forms in Welsh from government agencies that arrive on the doorstep in South East Wales go in the recycling

In South West Wales it's almost certainly going to be that a fair amount are used as Welsh is the dominant language in Carmarthenshire etc

I think in an area where Welsh is spoken hugely as a living language Welsh speakers should be provided with Welsh forms

But what's the point of spending money on Welsh council forms where the language isn't used on a day to day basis

Apart from the pontcanna taffia District where in Cardiff are people conversing in Welsh on a level that justifies spending money on forms , signage etc ?

I just think it's daft and doesn't do anything to strengthen the language

Welsh will never die now , it will always be here as the song says , like the country but the way to keep it growing is by teaching people how to speak it in English speaking Wales in schools , night classes etc

We are not going to preserve Welsh by having council tax forms sent out in Welsh

It's just a waste of money that could be spent on teaching or promoting the language . Having a form come through your door in Welsh isn't going to do that .

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Disgraceful attitude.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

Well I don't think it's as clear cut as that

The vast majority of forms in Welsh from government agencies that arrive on the doorstep in South East Wales go in the recycling

In South West Wales it's almost certainly going to be that a fair amount are used as Welsh is the dominant language in Carmarthenshire etc

I think in an area where Welsh is spoken hugely as a living language Welsh speakers should be provided with Welsh forms

But what's the point of spending money on Welsh council forms where the language isn't used on a day to day basis

Apart from the pontcanna taffia District where in Cardiff are people conversing in Welsh on a level that justifies spending money on forms , signage etc ?

I just think it's daft and doesn't do anything to strengthen the language

Welsh will never die now , it will always be here as the song says , like the country but the way to keep it growing is by teaching people how to speak it in English speaking Wales in schools , night classes etc

We are not going to preserve Welsh by having council tax forms sent out in Welsh

It's just a waste of money that could be spent on teaching or promoting the language . Having a form come through your door in Welsh isn't going to do that .

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So, just for the record, you think it's a waste of money for Welsh speakers to be able to communicate in Welsh for government/local authority services in predominantly non Welsh speaking areas? Would you also get rid of Welsh language council phone lines in councils where Welsh speakers are in a minority?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by willo1927

Disgraceful attitude.

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It certainly is.

How many other countries in the world would have people suggesting their own people should be denied the opportunity to use their own language?

I must of watched it 20 times on YouTube. I was lucky enough too be there on the night it was amazing. Comments on social media from all parts of the world are saying how passionate the Welsh fans are. We may not be the best team in the world but our passion and songs like Yma O Hyd sets us apart from all others:wales:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by willo1927

Nobody in Bridgend speaks Welsh?
That's funny because there were bus loads from Bridgend and Maesteg in my school.
More people speak welsh in Wales than fish.
So on that bssis what is the point of fishing?
Just because you don't use a service doesn't mean that others don't

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Well I certainly havnt said that nobody in Bridgend speaks Welsh

There a shop in Bridgend , a little shop on the cobbled Bridge over the river . It's a welsh shop selling Welsh stuff . It's the only shop of its kind in Bridgend . I certainly hope it survives but its not going to be kept going by people getting sent forms from Bridgend Council in Welsh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by willo1927

Disgraceful attitude.

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I don't think there's anything disgraceful about stating that spending money on bilingual Council forms that in many places are simply thrown in the bin is daft

I would spend the money on night classes to help people speak Welsh

Spending money on council tax forms in Welsh in Splott is ridiculous

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Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman

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.

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Yeah let's have GSTQ instead unless you have a better suggestion. which I doubt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

So, just for the record, you think it's a waste of money for Welsh speakers to be able to communicate in Welsh for government/local authority services in predominantly non Welsh speaking areas?


Yes it's daft

Would you also get rid of Welsh language council phone lines in councils where Welsh speakers are in a minority?

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Yep

You also phone up the doctors locally and you have 3 minutes of a recorded message in Welsh then English

It's ridiculous

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

I don't think there's anything disgraceful about stating that spending money on bilingual Council forms that in many places are simply thrown in the bin is daft

I would spend the money on night classes to help people speak Welsh

Spending money on council tax forms in Welsh in Splott is ridiculous

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What would be the point in the classes? In your World there'd be no form in Welsh for the students to fill in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

It certainly is.

How many other countries in the world would have people suggesting their own people should be denied the opportunity to use their own language?

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I am not saying that though

I am saying in predominantly English speaking areas of South Wales drop all the silly box ticking nonsense

There are loads of ways Welsh speaking people can use the language as a living language

Try finding a Welsh speaking member of staff to deal with your council tax problem in say Barry

Good luck with that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

I don't think there's anything disgraceful about stating that spending money on bilingual Council forms that in many places are simply thrown in the bin is daft

I would spend the money on night classes to help people speak Welsh

Spending money on council tax forms in Welsh in Splott is ridiculous

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You do realise there a welsh school in Splott?
There are welsh speaking clubs in Cardiff plus sport teams but you think no welsh is spoke there? Weird

As for forms thrown in the bin most are welsh on.one side and English on the other.
I find it strange that because you don't speak welsh then using forms in the language should stop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

Yep

You also phone up the doctors locally and you have 3 minutes of a recorded message in Welsh then English

It's ridiculous

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I tell you what is ridiculous, denying Welsh speakers the opportunity to use Welsh.

The Welsh language has been on its arse in recent decades because, in part, people have been denied the opportunity to use the language. We now have an act giving Welsh equal prominence with English. It ensures anyone who wants to be able to use the medium of Welsh to communicate with publicly funded organisations are able to do so as a fundamental right. You want to remove that right from Welsh speakers. What effect will that have on the language? Not a positive one. A language dies a word at a time.

You clearly don't agree with Welsh speakers having this right - it's a waste of money.

Funnily enough, about 10 years ago I used to have the same opinion as you. I have radically changed my mind on the subject. My wife speaks Welsh. She chooses to communicate with our council in Welsh. I would never deny her that opportunity. I have Welsh speaking friends who do the same.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

I am not saying that though

I am saying in predominantly English speaking areas of South Wales drop all the silly box ticking nonsense

There are loads of ways Welsh speaking people can use the language as a living language

Try finding a Welsh speaking member of staff to deal with your council tax problem in say Barry

Good luck with that

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There are Welsh speakers all over South Wales, if a Welsh speaker wants a form /phone message in Welsh they should be able to have it.

The moment you stop providing that service the language will quietly start to die.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GL1Blue

What would be the point in the classes? In your World there'd be no form in Welsh for the students to fill in.

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So people are learning Welsh so they can fill in Cardiff County Council forms ?

Or you are talking about other forms ?

Do you think the Welsh language is stronger through more people being taught it as youngsters and young adults or by people DEMANDING to be provided with Welsh language council tax forms ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

So people are learning Welsh so they can fill in Cardiff County Council forms ?

Or you are talking about other forms ?

Do you think the Welsh language is stronger through more people being taught it as youngsters and young adults or by people DEMANDING to be provided with Welsh language council tax forms ?

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Simple question, yes or no.

Should Welsh speakers, regardless of where they live in Wales, be able to communicate in Welsh to their local council, government etc?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by willo1927

You do realise there a welsh school in Splott?
There are welsh speaking clubs in Cardiff plus sport teams but you think no welsh is spoke there? Weird

As for forms thrown in the bin most are welsh on.one side and English on the other.
I find it strange that because you don't speak welsh then using forms in the language should stop.

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I don't think it's because I don't speak Welsh that these bilingual forms should stop .

I think they should stop because it's a waste of money and box ticking .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GL1Blue

There are Welsh speakers all over South Wales, if a Welsh speaker wants a form /phone message in Welsh they should be able to have it.

The moment you stop providing that service the language will quietly start to die.

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I don't think anyone can demand something and expect to get it

It's 2022 , the welsh language is strong and its strong because people are speaking it and people are learning it . They are not learning it by getting a form through the post in welsh as well as English.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY

So people are learning Welsh so they can fill in Cardiff County Council forms ?

Or you are talking about other forms ?

Do you think the Welsh language is stronger through more people being taught it as youngsters and young adults or by people DEMANDING to be provided with Welsh language council tax forms ?

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In it's simplest terms you're saying that someone who is Welsh speaking shouldn't get a form or message in Welsh when they are in Wales.

I really can't understand why you think that's reasonable.

I'm not saying that people learn Welsh in order to fill in forms, I know people who can't speak Welsh but fill in the Welsh part of the form as they want the form to be sent out in Welsh in the future!

Clearly education makes the language stronger, that's a no-brainer. Only sending out English forms means that Welsh speakers don't get the option, but they should get that option for the reasons in the first paragraph.