I went to Chapel today. Dafydd Iwan was the preacher! After the service someone introduced me: this is Liz from Australia. I shook his hand and started speaking to him. He did a double take and said: oh, you speak Welsh. I said yes (probably the wrong yes), that I was staying in an artist residency for six months and working on my writing and improving my Welsh. He said, oh, I think I heard you on the radio. I said, yes, on Sian Cothi. I was the one speaking really slow. He said: I thought you were incredible at which I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Lol!
Just thought I’d share with the group of people who would understand what a wow moment that was.
Firstly, I can understand exactly “what a wow moment that was”. Congratulations!
Secondly, have you ever read “You Don’t Speak Welsh!” by Sandi Thomas? If not, it’s a treat in store for you. The book is named after what Dafydd Iwan said to the (Californian) author when they met before a gig. It’s out-of-print, but secondhand copies are easy to find.
Hi! Yes, I have read the Sandi Thomas book. On reflection it was a reverse situation. He clearly wasn’t expecting me to speak Welsh. So, that was fun. And then to hear the words. O, ti’n siarad Cymraeg! It felt like an affirmation.
Lol!
