The Sprout

dirty

Commented 28 months ago - 15th January 2014 - 14:23pm

For real. I think it's necessary because Wales was undoubtedly colonised by the English which saw language and culture stigmatised in the very land from which it originated. For me it's not question of 'learn Welsh or extra time for other subjects' it's 'learn Welsh and reformulate the curriculum so it benefits all young people according to their abilities'. Welsh and English both have equal footing in Wales in terms of legislation: so whether or not it is a choice- it isn't. Just like English Languge and Literature isn't a choice at GCSE level. Trust me: when you get out of school and you're gonna get a better paying job for speaking Welsh, it'll be worth it. Plus learning one language makes it easier to learn another.

Pasternak

Commented 28 months ago - 16th January 2014 - 14:49pm

Ooooh, another debate about Welsh! I love how furious this topic can make some people.

*Grabs popcorn and watches the comments*

LilyScribbles

Commented 28 months ago - 17th January 2014 - 13:23pm

I think learning Welsh is really important in school. Not everyone learns any other languages (by the time I started GCSE I was only studying Welsh and English) and I think that learning at least one other language to English is vital for allowing the brain to be able to learn and absorb new languages in the future. If Welsh wasn't compulsory then many people would not choose to learn a second language. I really enjoyed Welsh in school though so i guess it depends on your personal experience. :)

Yeah i think i'm so negative about welsh is because of experience. Never enjoyed it and i was slow to learn it when everyone knew so much more than me.

simdude101 (correspondent)

Commented 25 months ago - 27th April 2014 - 13:10pm

I have to tell you that you are wrong. You said that Welsh is not important anywhere else in the world, but Patagonia in Europe speak welsh!

Pasternak

Commented 19 months ago - 22nd October 2014 - 19:27pm

Isn't Patagonia in South America?

MarshMallo

Commented 18 months ago - 25th October 2014 - 10:51am

Yes, Patagonia is a mountainous region in Argentina in South America. The colonisation who speak Welsh there, Y Wladfa (or, Y Wladfa Gymreig) also speak Spanish. It's interesting how Welsh has changed but stuck there compared with here, because English hasn't been looking over the language's shoulder there for centuries. I think Welsh is under less threat alongside Spanish than English, but I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because a "Welsh Not" hasn't existed there.
Another interesting thing is that, apparently, Welsh in South America lacks all mutation, which is a key characteristic in Celtic languages, but also the hardest and most annoying thing about learning to speak the language properly.
My headteacher in primary went, and I've got to say I'd like to see the language in use there as well.

SamuelPatterson

Commented 18 months ago - 25th October 2014 - 17:11pm

Yes, it is in South America. The southern-most point of land besides the Arctic desert, I believe.

simdude101 (correspondent)

Commented 18 months ago - 5th November 2014 - 17:10pm

oops, back then my geography was awful, please excuse that, i now know that patagonia is in south america. :p

Flower13

Commented 10 months ago - 22nd June 2015 - 15:44pm

I don't see that it should be banned in schools but you shouldn't be forced to learn this ancient language. As well as this why do we need to spend so much extra money putting signs and letters in welsh as well as English? If you need it in welsh ask!

AnyaD

Commented 10 months ago - 22nd June 2015 - 15:51pm

I think Welsh is important because in Wales it was the first language, but a lot of money is spent on signs in welsh. In areas where they speak English there is no need to waste money. :)