Re: The Welsh language
 

Yes, but what point is there in learning a language which is of no practical use? We need fewer languages, not more, and I would love to see the day when the whole world speaks one language so that we can all understand each other and our different perspectives.

Having so many different languages is a barrier to understanding and serve no useful purpose in my view.

Re: The Welsh language
 

And that language would be French ? ;) Non ? Let me guess......

Re: The Welsh language
 

This is not a response specific to Welsh, but language is not a facet of practicality, it is one of culture. As Winston Churchill famously alluded, if one did not fight for their culture, then they have nothing to fight for. Seven billion people will never be monolingual, and I would never want to live in such a world. Look up Esperanto, the failed attempt to create a new lingua-franca. English is not a good example of a well-designed language, neither are other lingua-francas, plus they are too rooted in cultural and imperialistic connotations. English is also a relatively new language in comparison to others and as such is itself too much of a mixture of others. Welsh, a language far older than English, is one of those major influences on English vocabulary.

Re: The Welsh language
 

I've only been to Wales once that I remember and one of the things I liked about it was in the pub the people on the table next to us stopped speaking Welsh and spoke English to each other, I don't know if it was a gesture to guests visiting their country to make them feel more comfortable or not but I always appreciated it as such.

Re: The Welsh language
 

Many mad decisions have been made over the years in the name of culture. :p:

---------- Post added at 09:43 ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 ----------

It doesn't really matter, as long as we can all communicate with each other.

A less controversial way of going about getting rid of the language divide is if schools worldwide taught one additional common language (whatever that would be) to the native language.

Re: The Welsh language
 

Bear in mind you’re talking about a culture that was in place before your own and has every right to be part of Britain as yours.

Re: The Welsh language
 

+1

Re: The Welsh language
 

+2. And who have every right to speak the mother tongue in their own Country whether or not people who don't speak the language are in attendance. Notwithstanding that in my experience Welsh speakers always switch to English in the presence of monoglots because they are friendly toward and united with their English neighbours and, indeed, their own non-Welsh-speaking compatriots.

Re: The Welsh language
 

+ 3

Anglo Saxons go home I say, bloody immigrants !

Re: The Welsh language
 

1 it helps greatly with tourism and as a link to the culture of Wales

2 I dont know which children come out not speaking welsh as a father of two who have gone through welsh language schools i can say that every child i met was able to speak it as a First language and also speak english as a first language. The ones from the south mostly can do so with out you being able to tell they speak welsh when speaking english and vice versa.

3 Now this is where some of the activists are at fault ( IMHO ) the stations need to embrace the bi lingual ability of the new young speakers this is also something the eisteddfods should do too.

4 Yep that works for Latin .

---------- Post added at 18:04 ---------- Previous post was at 16:47 ----------

It is though mostly its the north walians ;) they get a shock when my kids are up there as we speak English ( i still cant get to grips with welsh lol ) the shop keepers talk in welsh then one of my two adds to a conversation just before we leave . It can be quite funny if they have been talking about us lol

Re: The Welsh language
 

Brilliant post - clever kids.

Re: The Welsh language
 

[QUOTE=OLD BOY;35912958]Many mad decisions have been made over the years in the name of culture. :p:

---------- Post added at 09:43 ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 ----------



It doesn't really matter, as long as we can all communicate with each other.


I agree.
There are so many other ways to communicate other than verbally. Even in vocal inflections. Touch, facial expression, body language.
I guess it depends on the willingness of the giver and receiver to comprehend. :shrug:

BTW, French, German and Spanish have been taught, every week, in primary schools for at least a decade, in my local borough, to primary school children from the age of 7. I've done it meself.
But not the Welsh language.
Welsh-speaking people should embrace their home language but sometimes it won't be much use to the corporate world.

A true smile and kindness go a long way.