Inheritance
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"I don't really have a story. But I have a fear." Dafydd's story compares his life today with life in his grandfather's time.
Transcript
"I don't really have a story but I have a fear. I fear that I won't be able to speak my mother's tongue with my grandchildren ... not because they won't be able to but because they won't want to speak their grandfather's old language. After all, will their Wales bare any resemblance to my Wales? My Wales is nothing like my grandfather's that's for sure.
You see, although Welsh was the everyday language for most of the families in my grandfather's area, it was of no value to him if he wanted to move up in the world... good job he was so happy where he was, innit? What's funny - and sad - is that Taid's reality couldn't be much more different to mine.
The Welsh language has never seen so much status, respect and finance as it does today. Welsh is an equal language, and there never has not been so much supportive mutterings and eager head nodding.
I myself am employed to facilitate, encourage and promote the use of the language and the National Assembly striving for a bilingual Wales. How things have changed, hey?
Taid would be amazed. But my reality's different for another reason because despite all the support ... fewer and fewer people seem to be speaking Welsh out on the streets ... this hurts me.
Which would I prefer ... the paradox of my lifetime or the simple reality of my grandfather's? The Welsh language will not survive unless the Welsh people themselves speak it ... but how the hell can my colleagues at the Mentrau have any impact on this against the tsunami which is globalisation... Sometimes I feel as if I'm really helping to make a difference and that the language is starting to flourish again, and at other times my stomach churns with frustration. Are people blind, or do they choose not to see? Am I being unreasonable? Does the fact that I wish that Taid's tongue to remain a community language just as it was in his days ... does this make me a hopeless romantic? Does it make me a bigot? Does it make me a racist?
Would I prefer my Taid's life where Welsh was simply not an issue, or would I rather this today? I'm so confused but I've a feeling that I'm going to find tomorrow even more confusing."
An interview with the author
What's your story about?
As I say at the beginning of my digital story, I don't really have a story. I'm trying to convey my panic and fear. I'm seriously worried about the Welsh language dying. It seems that not many people care about this in politics and in the media. I'm trying to convey my personal viewpoint and I hope it gives a new perspective to this "political correctness" that's been choking a sensible discussion on the matter since the year 2000.
Can you tell me something about yourself?
I'm 22 and I've lived in Rhyl all my life. I was lucky enough to have a Welsh-language education in Ysgol Dewi Sant in Rhyl and in Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph. I graduated in Modern Welsh Studies from Aberystwyth in 2001. Since then I've been working for Menter Iaith Dinbych Conwy - Denbigh and Conwy Language Enterprise.
The Welsh language is obviously very important to you ...
Yes, I chose this subject because it's always on my mind. The arguments that have been around the matter over the past year and a half and the totally simplistic level of the discussion and the undilutedly anti-Welsh bias in some of the press bring out the panic in me. I'm hearing powerful and very serious words - such as "racist" and so on - being used freely without anyone batting an eyelid. I work in the field of language planning with the 'Menter' initiative, so I'm more aware of the situation. I'm surprised by people's apathy: there are no objections and there doesn't seem to be any real comprehension of the seriousness of the situation.
Did you enjoy making your digital story?
A fantastic experience! A splendid catharsis. I felt relieved after finishing. It was very intense, especially the scripting session. That was quite an emotional day. Getting to know other people and working in a group was a lot of fun, and viewing the finished stories was excellent.
Your comments
"So moving. I believe there is a strong move to re-establish the welsh language. I would think it should start in the schools."
Kathy, Brisbane, Australia."FANTASTIC!!! I can't even begin to tell you how I reacted. With the first chords of the song and the title, I was hooked. Such an interesting and frustrating question posed. There is so much feeling and depth in these words, I wish the rest of the country felt and thought the same. All I can really say, is keep fighting - for how you want it to be. Welsh back then ... Welsh now? At least you are Welsh."
Sarah, Chicago, USA.
