Amazing achievement , da iawn ! I find speaking to a stranger in Welsh over the phone one of the hardest things to do
4 Likes
I should have realised it could get harder still 
Like, being in ASDA near the menās socks and getting an unexpected phone call from a Caernarfon number and having all of about ten seconds to put on my Welsh head. Estate Agent calling back of course. Actually the second Estate Agent that I rang yesterday!
Many (most?) people in this situation might have switched to Englsih - and I fully understand the logic of doing so, But I had my balchder (pride) as a (newish) Welsh Speaker so I could not āblow my coverā by changing back after having introduced myself in Welsh in the first place. So I handled the call in Welsh (in the menās socks area in ASDA in Bolton where they definitely speak English - the Lancashire flavour of English at that). I think I managed to explain the appointments I already arranged and the fact I am free the rest of the day of those appointments.
A few more goes at this and it may even start to feel normal, hopefully 
14 Likes
A small breakthrough but nice. I am finding myself joining in with small-talk/greetings, rather than just freezing.
Also, on the weekend, a Welsh speaking friend started to flow into some real stuff about a mutual friend not being too well. She noticed that I was having to concentrate, so translated into English. I then heard myself saying āDwiān deall; Dwiān siarad tipyn bachā (I understand; I speak a little bit) and then the conversation changed back to Welsh.
Onwards and upwards, as they say.
12 Likes
These are some BIG wins youāre getting under your belt now, Bob 
Thatās a HUGE step, John - it doesnāt take many of those to normalise using Welsh with a certain person, so donāt underestimate the value and importance of what you managed thereā¦
3 Likes
Well done, awesome!
Great day in Y Fro Gymraeg on Monday. I had quite a few Welsh conversations
I ā¦
Viewed 4 houses around Penygroes - all in Welsh.
Enjoyed a cup of tea at Antur Waunfawr - a charitable venture that gives work opportunities to people with mental disabilities. The lady who served me tea initially spoke a mixture of English and Welsh, but soon switched to Welsh-only once she realised I was sticking to Welsh.
Spoke to a couple parked on a high road overlooking Llanberis and Llyn Padarn lake, about alternative routes on foot. Again, one of the couple started with English, but revealed himself as a true local Welsh speaker once he saw that I was not switching to English myself. I got a good earful of high-speed local history and general information. All very interesting.
Found a Post Office which was amazingly still operating in a small village (Brynrefail) and paid one of my bills.
Ordered Fish and Chips (in Welsh of course) from a chippy with an English sounding name in Llanberis. Despite the name, service in Welsh was impeccable.
Had a quick drink in a local tavern whose name means āOnion Headā. People who know the area will know where I mean. Locals with tales to tell ā¦
And back āhomeā to Bolton, Lancs - via the Saith Seren in Wrecsam of course. Regular Monday night chat group and lots to recount about my day in Gwynedd.
And now itās the early hours of Wednesday. Off to bed for me because I will be back ātonightā i.e. Wednesday evening for more house viewing back in Penygroes. Feeling more like āadreā (home) every time ā¦
13 Likes
Incredible! Definitely not SMALL successes!! Ginormous ones! 
sized!! So, my favouriteā¦
3 Likes
Emilia ydw i. I would like to share my recent success with you. I just started my Cymraeg journey with SSI W yesterday. My actual Cymraeg journey is already lasting from about a year, but Iām still a complete beginner. I am blind and it was pretty hard for me to find fully accessible resources to learn. But I was feeling more and more desperate, because learning yr iaith Cymraeg was always my big dream and Iām determinate to make it come true. And, it looks like Say SOmething In Welsh is working for me, yay! Iām rally thrilled! 
I am also extremely happy that I joined this community and that there are so many people that love Welsh language too. That means a lot to me, because I donāt know such people yet. You all probably know how it is when you tell the people that youāre learning Welsh, or even at least trying and people are looking at you as if you were crazy. 
I donāt care about it completely, but itās always nice to meet other people who are crazy in the same way as you.
Emilia o wlad Pwyl.
16 Likes
Croeso! welcome to the Forum! Where are you? Are there Welsh speakers near you?
Emilia tells us she is from Gwlad Pwyl / Poland
1 Like
Maeān ddrwg gen i! Lack of observation! @tatjana might be a good person to advise, because she knows what it like to learn from really long distance aind some difficulties! Also she is wonderfully helpful!
1 Like
Thank you @henddraig.
Croeso Emilia!
Iām glad youāre enjoying learning with SSiW and that you joined our forum. As it seams just right now you donāt need particular advise and youāre doing just fine. As long as youāre happy with your progress and itās fun to learn youāll do just great. There surely will be some difficult times and problems on the way (3 levels to go) but when it comes weāre all happy to help on here. Of course weād be extreamly happy if youād just fly through the course without any downs and obstacles and we (well I surely can say this in the name of all of us) wish this will be one big happy journey for you.
Iām from Slovenia, so one more Slavic āas crazy as youā person learning Welsh from the distance but despite I donāt find any Welsh speakers here Iām doing just fine. We also have one more thing (almost) in common. Well I am not blind but donāt see well also so I can perfectly understand your frustration in finding the perfectly suitable course for you. Congrats to come here and finally properly begin. If youāll fly with such momentum you can perfectly be great Welsh speaker in some months or letās say a year or so.
Good luck and if any help is needed regarding learning weāre all here to help.
Hwyl!
Tatjana
4 Likes
Thanks, diolch yn fawr @tatjana and now @jackie-ysbiwr you will realise why I thoughtn of our Slovenian friend. I have a question for you. Why did you choose to be Jackie when you have a lovely name like Emilia? My name is actually Jacqueline (Jackie) wjich I do not like. As I am an old dragon, I chose henddraig! So you chose the name I do not like and cannot write in the Welsh alphabet! It is ironic!
1 Like
and cannot write in the Welsh alphabet!
You and all my fellow Joneses can take comfort from the fact that ājā is often now included in the alphabet between āiā and ālā. The latest, most pleasing confirmation of this came when I saw it on my granddaughterās Welsh medium classroom wall.
2 Likes
Iāve heard that ājā once was a part of the Welsh alphabet and then somehow disappeared from it however Iāve noticed that it returns in it again.
Iām using it with ājystā meaning ājustā and no one complains about that.
2 Likes
Oh true, and I am old fashioned, although from what Tatjana says, perhaps not so very old fashioned, However my actual name contains a āQā which is certainly not in the Welsh alphabet!
1 Like
In that case how do we spell the loan word āquiteā? I guess it must be cweit.
1 Like
Bob! Why didnāt you say you were in our neck of the woods? Come and have a panad tro nesaf
2 Likes
A very warm welcome to the forum, Emilia - Iām delighted to hear that the course is going well for you so farā¦
1 Like
@jackie-ysbiwr Welcome, Emilia! Glad that SSiW seems to be working for you, and glad that you came on to the forum to tell us your story. We are all happy to help if you have any questions along the way.
Iām in the US and am another crazy person learning on my own, just for fun
4 Likes