Hi, I started learning Welsh in October 2010, nurses uniforms changed to an all Wales type with a choice to have a Cymraeg symbol embroidered onto the uniform in that year too. I didn’t have that Cymraeg symbol, as back then I couldn’t string a sentence together let alone understand someone speaking Welsh to me.
Just over 4 years and all that has changed. I have found it increasing frustrating that my work place, where I spend a lot of my time is in the English language with just the odd occasion that I get the opportunity to speak Welsh at all.
So with a desperate need for new uniforms, I took the plunge and asked for uniforms with the Cymraeg symbol, which arrived today!
So next time I am in work I wonder if it will make a difference… Gawn ni weld!
Gwych! 
Llongyfarchiadau mawr iawn iawn iti, Tricia! 
Brilliant!!! 
Da iawn Tricia! Hope you get to use much more Welsh in the workplace as a result. Croesi bysedd! : -)
I hope so too and not only with patients but with other staff and professionals too.
When these uniforms first came out and people having the Cymraeg symbol, that is when I found out that people that I worked with for years could speak Welsh!
Firstly, “Da iawn yn wyr!”. Secondly, it is so sad that nobody spoke their own language until wearing labels that said they could! You might have learned a lot sooner if you had been in an environment where you heard Cymraeg every day in corridors, common rooms etc… from Jackie
p.s. Even Wenglish would do! I remember being embolden to speak to some ladies on a bus who were chatting one or two words in each language apparently at random!! In fact, I suspect most people say at least the odd English word when speaking Cymraeg!
Which reminds me of a question I have in gearing up for the June Bootcamp in Tresaith. I understand that all talk should be in Welsh at Bootcamp, but what about substituting the odd English word if you’re really stuck?
The usual advice is to mime or try to explain by using what you have (this is often done with great light-hearted hilarity)…Oh! It’s also recommend you don’t keep referring to dictionaries. But to be honest if you’ve truly done the lessons and vocabs you’ll be o.k.
Over five years of Bootcamps I’ve only seen a few people - three I think - have real difficulties: I think they hadn’t really done the lessons correctly.
That said you’ll have a blast. Hopefully, I’ll be turning up at one so there’s a chance we might meet.
Dinas, thanks for the info and the encouragement. I definitely can see the value in this policy, because it could be a slippery slope. I have lots of time to think up and practise ways of coping, so thanks for the heads-up.
Here is an update of theCymraeg symbol and it’s effect in work.
The first week I didn’t notice any change but as was also acutely aware of that symbol on my uniform!
Second week I had completely forgotten about the symbol and was pleasantly suprised with the bore da’s started being said to me and the Diolch yn fawr’s after speaking to families of patients. As well as patients speaking Welsh to me.
Yesterday a nurse from the next ward started speaking Welsh to me in the shared kitchen between wards. It turned out that he is doing Cwrs Mynediad so I have directed him to this wonderful site.
So a good week for the Welsh Language, well for me that is!
Brilliant Tricia! My personal observation since I now start every conversation in Welsh - when I’m in Wales - is that Welsh is more widely spoken/understood than the official figures…
Interesting posts for me here. And…sounds encouraging too. Is this symbol an embroidered one the uniform then? I have been trying to find a Welsh Learners badge, that apparently used to exist, but have never managed to find one. Several people I know have also been searching.
It seems the best way to know, which Welsh people can actually speak Welsh. When I have attempt to use my little Welsh, the two main reactions are, either the person launches into a busy stream of words I cannot understand, [ encouraging though] or the person says sorry I don’t speak Welsh. So…I am then anxious about trying on someone else.
If anyone knows where I can obtain badges or symbols for Welsh learners, I would be so grateful! The nearest I have is a Shwmai shwmai badge, which has a limited response.
S’mae Ann?
Try this thread
The orange Cymraeg badges can the obtained via the Welsh Language Commissioners office I believe. They are not learners’ badges per se, but they stand out reasonably well due to the colour. I also have a few Dysgu Cymraeg badges left ( the ones shaped like a megaphone) if you want one, let me know.
Hwyl,
Stu
Thank you so much for the prompt reply. I will contact them tomorrow and hopefully they still have them. If not…may I come back to you and take up your kind offer? Diolch yn fawr iawn!
Ann
In reply to the early part of your first post, yes the symbol is embroidered on the uniforms, I think it is to do with infection control as we are not allowed to wear badges. ( though name badges seem to be exempt!)
I have a Cymraeg symbol badge that I picked up from the Eisteddfod and wear it on one of my jackets. Though I have not had a response like the one I posted earlier! Though I suppose hospitals are a particular environment!
Well I hope you get your badge and be pleasantly surprised with a diolch and much more!
Since I started wearing this uniform not many people speak Welsh to me and I completely forgot that I had this symbol on my uniform.
This week changed a bit.
On Thursday a patient came in and I sat by her to do her admission. She asked me if I was working tomorrow, I said no but I have to get to a class by 9am. She asked what kind of class so I said that I am learning Welsh. She started speaking Welsh to me and I did my first admission ever in Welsh. Well mostly, I didn’t know ‘risk assessments’ and ‘consenting to using bed rails’. Otherwise it was conducted in Welsh.
Today I had my first conversation with a professional. A woman turned up on the ward and just started speaking Welsh to me, so thrown into the deep end I spoke Welsh back. She was a palliative specialist nurse asking about a patient. We talked for 3 or 4 minutes when one of her questions completely threw me, she must have noticed as she asked in Welsh if I wanted her to speak English to me now, I answered ’ sori Dw i’n dysgu Cymraeg’ . She was amazed that I was a learner and said that I didn’t come across as one and Da iawn i ti!
So a good week in breaking through the English barrier in work!
Fantastic, Tricia!!! I think my friends in Gwynedd would use - risk assessment… - quite normally
I’m sure you’ll find out on this forum, Tricia. 
Inspiring story by the way 
Very encouraging story. Well done! Now i have a badge i am hoping to rise to the challenge as you have. 
I’d love to see more stories like this in what passes for our national press - hugely inspirational - llongyfarchiadau mawr iawn! 