Just picked up the latest SSIW e-mail and feared that the reference to Ffiliffest 2015 was another attempt at black hiwmor concerning the results achieved by the SSIW crew in Dysgwr y Flwyddyn 2015. Delighted to see that this is not the case and will go ahead and add my thoughts to those already expressed regarding the competition.
On Saturday I was able to enjoy a day out at a top ranking country hotel getting to meet and chat throughout the day with a host of similarly minded people sharing enthusiasm for the Welsh language and communicating entirely through the medium of Welsh. Whatever standards one sets oneself, it is very difficult to see that outcome as anything other than an overwhelming success and I would hope that is a feeling that all participants share. The results of the adjudication, then, are secondary………….oh, and there was cake and scones - in abundance.
I was warned sometime in advance that there is little clarity about what the judges are seeking to assess in the competition. What the competition appears to be is a hybrid between Dysgwr y Flwyddyn and a lifetime/long-term achievement award for second language speakers. I have no doubt that all finalists have been able to demonstrate a high level of commitment to the Welsh language, an appropriate degree of fluency and that they all deserve the recognition conferred by the status of finalists. The finalists that I met and talked to were enthusiastic and charming and I wish them all well. The fact that I was able to understand most of what each said to me, however, suggests they all have a little more work to do to expand their vocabulary. Let’s not forget, though, that we’re all learners of the language. Some may have had a 5-10 year start over others but we all started from the same place so maybe Dysgwr y Flwyddyn is an appropriate description. The question of what the competition is trying to achieve is a different matter and maybe one for discussion in a separate thread.
As regards the process of adjudication, everyone would share the view that 10 minutes is insufficient time to make a full and reasoned assessment of contestants. From a practical perspective, however, there is no sensible alternative and we are necessarily engaged in something of a crap-shoot. This applies to all contestants, however, and I see little likelihood or evidence of bias against so-called non-traditional learners. I do have sympathy, however, for Skype contestants. However time restrictions impacted live performers, this must have been magnified by time delays for those across the water.
Anyone who has passed through the ordeals of fire and water imposed by the hell of short-form verbs in course 3 would find the experience of competition balmy by comparison and I would encourage participation in DyF. It’s free to enter, without any external pressures and really no need for special preparation. I have done very little more than exploit the SSIW materials and put myself in situations where I can use the materials in live situations. You will get to meet interesting people and have fun. It’s like Bootcamp without the beer and snoring but please don’t let that put you off……….and did I mention the cakes?
Language learning, like devolution, is a process not an event as Ron Davies would, no doubt, want to remind us. Participation is a very significant positive milestone for all regardless of the outcome.
Hwyl fawr.
