Ooh, I like this idea! I’m working on translating the interface for the Amikumu app now … well, in between other things when I get the time! So far we’ve only really thought about people using it as individuals, but it could be really interesting if businesses wanted to register, then put the sticker in their window to help people find them. I’ll have to speak to the developers about it - maybe we could have a different symbol or something to indicate a business.
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Just a note to confirm that if you’re looking for the posts discussing a possible app, I’ve moved them to a separate topic so that other ideas don’t get trampled in the rush.
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i have been thinking about how i started speaking other languages! It wasn’t huge self confidence, it was necessity! Go to Paris on s South Wales Transport Rugby trip when Wales are playing France. Be the only girl in a group of girls who knows any French! You try or you get nowhere! Even for tickets I had to follow my nose, directions and luck! In Italy, I used a Teach yourself book to learn a bit and found I could manage on the rare occasions when no English was spoken! So to get folk to use their Welsh, we need Welsh speakers to see it as their duty to encourage the Million by speaking Welsh in preference to English. Letters to your AM if you are in Wales suggesting ads on S4C showing scenario -learner tries halting Welsh, gets reply in English. Goes back to friend and says, “Nobody seems to speak Welsh here.” Nice lady asks,“are you learning Welsh?” Transpires everyone speaks Welsh! When told these poor folk are learning and want to practice, in no time they are all chatting! Moral, no one will use their Welsh if you keep switching to English!
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Learners want to be able to practise Welsh. This may sound a bit controversial but there need to be events where non speakers feel as though they are missing out.
-Neighbourhood events such as BBQ, Fete’s, sports, arts and crafts, theatre, panto, whatever should be advertised. The advert should be bilingual as you want to draw in everyone but don’t want to exclude children- they shouldn’t have to miss out for something they haven’t had a chance to change). BUT, it should state that the medium of the event will be in Welsh. I can remember seeing like this in Pontcanna when I just started learning. The leaflet was only in Welsh, so non speakers wouldn’t attend.
-Once there, everything should be in Welsh, and Welsh courses could be advertised, it’s a bit of Trojan Horse approach. One event a month should be a constant reminder that there exists a community which they could be part of.
When I came to Cardiff, it was tough to ‘find Welsh things’. This needs to change- and not just in Treganna.
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As a writer, I throw in a bit of Welsh interacting with other writers on the Writers’ Lifts, found on Twitter and Instagram. I will reply “Diolch” and post a Welsh flag emoji so it comes across intuitively. Also, I wrote and performed a song in Welsh, an ode to my cat. In the video description I posted the lyrics in Welsh and English. My hope is that more people will learn it after watching me sing to my cat in Welsh.
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Was there ever any progress on the one in a million facebook profile overlay? Only I would like to add such a thing to my profile ffoto.
Cofion
Tony
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I have been trying to encourage more people to learn by making videos like this one:
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Have you heard of Radio Deeside? I was interviewed by their presenter Adam Philips. He hosts a bilingual Cymraeg/Saesneg show, hoping to encourage new learners. I find his format very intuitive.
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SSIW AGAIN … just met ANOTHER ex-welsh speaker in Shotton. Went to welsh speaking school in Mold. No confidence. I explained that my confidence came through SSIW, so suggested he try it, but I am thinking that there might be a version available for the thousands like this fella ?
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Dwi’n trio:
Please listen, follow and tell a friend.
Diolch / Thank you
Yes, yes, yes please. I live in the English Midlands so this would be a fantastic way to find people to speak Welsh with.