The whole thing or just one specific part?
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The death of my father was also a big part of my starting (finally) to learn Welsh. He was English, but his death made me realise that this really was my last chance to speak to mum in her first language before it was too late.
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I’m lucky enough to be part of an extended family of Welsh speakers but my bit of it moved to London in the 1880s and lost the ability to speak Welsh. I suppose my grandparents just thought it wasn’t necessary. I’ve just finished the six months course and feel like I’ve joined an exclusive club! Thanks to the lockdown I haven’t been able to visit Wales since I started learning, but I can’t wait to give it a go in the wild as soon as I can. I want to get on with the Deep End, as soon as I can sort out my subscription question.
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With me it’s just my love of the Welsh language. I’m casually dipping into some other (sort of connected) languages at the same time as learning Welsh and really enjoying that. If anything, that has helped me to realise how comfortable(ish) I am with Welsh, in comparison, anyway. It’s great that I can now hold a basic conversation, so my motivation is to build on that in any way that I can.
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I’m on Level 3.
Practical reason - it makes me better equipped to do my job (I work in a library). I have held conversations over the phone and in person in Welsh.
Not bad for a “dead language” that has no practical applications.
Emotional reasons - I now chat in Welsh to my mum, who is in her 80s. Good for both our brains!
Also, I’ve always loved walking and exploring Wales (I live in Pembs, but head to Mid and Orth Wales a lot). I wouldn’t say I feel “more Welsh” - that’s always a tricky area. However, I do feel a extra level of connection and understanding to the world around me.
It has enhanced my life massively 
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Hi, it was the very sudden death of my partner of 20 years at the end of January and then the lockdown that made me realise it was time I put a long held wish into fruition. Also, finding Ssiw and the free lessons spurred me on to sign up plus the support of natural Welsh speakers in my rural village in Carmarthenshire. They have been so supportive of me through all this mayhem, with me shielding as well that I thought it would be great to hold conversations with them. Pwb Lwc pawb!
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So sorry to hear about your partner, and so important to keep busy and to keep your mind active after a loss like that … doubly so during this lockdown period.
Interesting point about the free lessons drawing you in and spurred you on to sign up. There’s a recent thread where this was discussed.
All power to you.
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Diolch, that’s very kind of you.
I finish shielding on Sunday and I’m quite nervous about the new normal out there!
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Bore da
I am a new learner and would find it really helpful to have handy phrases etc as above ( which is a great idea) sent through with a recording of their pronunciation as struggling with this. I have not attended any fly on the wall ones yet. However, it is my mission to attend very soon and push on as been on the site about a month.
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Hi @Vkelly, something tells me you wanted to reple to this thread instead … A list of useful everyday phrases
See also @CatrinLliarJones Word or idiom of the day thread, which includes sound recordings Gair neu Idiom y Diwrnod - Word or Idiom of the Day
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