ShwmaeSumae2018
The fifth champion for Shwmae Sumae Day 2018!
Shwmae Sumae Day will be celebrating its 6th year on the 15th of October this year, and as a part of the celebrations a series of champions across Wales will help promote the national day of celebrating the Welsh language. These champions encourage the act of starting each conversation in Welsh amongst those that are learners, with only a few words of Welsh, or fluent, through using simple phrases, as a means of normalising the language amongst their networks and communities.
Our fifth and final champion to be announced this year is Iestyn ap Dafydd, one of the founders of SaySomethinginWelsh.com. Originally from the Rhymney valley, he received his education through the medium of Welsh, although Welsh was not the language of his home. Iestyn explains,
“I almost lost my ability to speak Welsh after leaving school, and although I saved it in time, I can understand how easy it can be to lose a language, and how difficult it can be to rescue it again. After restoring my ability to speak Welsh, I wanted to do something that would help ensure the future of the language, by making it easier for people to use. ‘SaySomethinginWelsh’ was the brain child of myself and co-founder Aran Jones – a Welsh language course developed from our experiences of learning different languages. There are over 50,000 people who have enrolled on the course (over 10 years), and we are currently working on a system that will transform the way, and the amount of time it takes people to learn Welsh. Through this new course, we can guide people on a very short journey in order to partake in everyday conversations – this can take 6 months based on spending about 4 hours’ worth of work a week.”
Explaining the importance of Shwmae Sumae Day, Iestyn says,
“It’s a chance to raise the profile of the Welsh language across the world, and in so doing, encourage people to use / learn / learn more. I intend to run an online 24 hour ‘Shwmaeathon’, where I’ll be able to speak directly with Welsh speakers – whether they are fluent or brand-new learners – all across the globe. Starting at 3am on the 15th (to catch New Zealanders before they’ll be in bed) and end the following morning at 3am (while those in Hawaii have their lunch), I hope to maintain one long conversation and raise awareness amongst the Welsh, at home or exiled, as to how far and wide the language is being learnt and spoken.”
Iestyn will be accepting sponsorship in order to raise money for the Welsh language charity, Calon Tysul in Llandysul, a community ran leisure centre. ‘Diolch’ to Iestyn for his dedication and commitment to the Welsh language and supporting the Shwmae Sumae campaign this year. Contact swyddfa@dathlu.org for more information and assistance and see also our website www.shwmae.cymru for resources that can help you organise events for the day…!
Mae’r Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb.
The Welsh language belongs to us all.
Announcing our fourth Shwmae Sumae champion of 2018!
Over the past five years, Shwmae Sumae Day has called on champions across Wales to help promote the national day of celebrating the Welsh language, held on the 15th of October each year. These champions encourage the act of starting each conversation in Welsh, and using simple phrases, as a means of normalising the language, amongst their networks and communities.
Our fourth champion this year is Dr Lisa Forrest, born in Halifax, North Yorkshire, raised in Plymouth and now living in Carmarthen. Lisa works for the NHS in Glangwili hospital, a diabetic specialist. When she moved to study in Cardiff University, Lisa first came into contact with the Welsh language;
“I met Welsh speakers for the first time in Cardiff University, and I was amazed by the language and culture. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to learn, but after I finished, I met my husband who spoke Welsh as his first language. I remember him speaking on the phone with his family and friends and I gradually heard more and more Welsh. I used to feel uncomfortable when he had to switch to English because of me. I decided to learn the language after the birth of my first child and started going to Welsh classes and ‘Ti a Fi’ groups (pre-nursery group). I started using my Welsh straight away, and I really enjoyed learning with my son. My confidence grew from that point onwards.”
“Diwrnod Shwmae Sumae is an opportunity for everyone to use the Welsh that they have, irrespective of ability. I have to say, that my life has been enriched since learning Welsh. I’ve learnt about the history and culture of Wales and I’ve made many new friends. I enjoy books and music in Welsh and I’m comfortable in Welsh conversation now, and really proud that nobody has to switch to English because of me. I would encourage people to learn and use the Welsh language. It doesn’t matter if you don’t grasp each word. It’s important to be patient when you’re learning – it’s a marathon not a sprint! On the day itself, it’s really important to start each conversation in Welsh. It’s impossible to know which language people speak so saying the small things like ‘Shwmae’ or ‘Bore Da’ can open new doors!”
Diolch o galon (Thanks from the heart) to Lisa for supporting the campaign this year and for all those Welsh learners working within the Welsh NHS! Contact swyddfa@dathlu.org for more information and assistance and see also our website www.shwmae.cymru for resources that can help you organise events for the day…!
Mae’r Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb. The Welsh language belongs to us all.
And our 3rd champion is…
Champions across Wales have been helping us promote Shwmae Sumae Day, the national day of celebrating the Welsh language, held on the 15th of October each year. These champions encourage the act of starting each conversation in Welsh and using simple phrases, as a means of normalising the language.
The third champion to be announced is the 2018 Welsh Learner of the year, Matt Spry, originally from Plymouth, and now a resident of Adamsdown (Waunadda), Cardiff. Matt works for Learn Welsh Cardiff in Cardiff University as a tutor and organiser who teaches refugees and asylum seekers – including organising activities, visits and Welsh events on their behalf. Matt first lived in Wales in the 90s during his time as a student in Cardiff University, before deciding to return in 2013, and begin learning Welsh in 2015. He fell in love with the language instantly and learning Welsh has changed his life completely. He won Welsh Learner of the Year in Cardiff Eisteddfod this year, and now works through the medium of the language, whilst also teaching others, including refugees and asylum seekers in Cardiff. Matt says;
“Shwmae Sumae Day is a great way of encouraging people to use Welsh every day – those fluent, experienced learners and brand-new learners. It is a campaign that aims to give people the confidence to use more Welsh in their daily lives and to encourage others to take an interest in the language and to start learning. It’s really important to me, especially within the area in which I live, Adamsdown in Cardiff. It’s not an area noted for its Welsh speakers, but there are many more speakers and learners there than I’d thought when I first moved here. It’s important for all of us that live in the area to normalise the Welsh language by ensuring that it is heard and spoken on the street, in cafes, shops and pubs – to show that it is a living language in the area. By doing so, I would hope that this encourages more people to use the language in the area or start to learn.”
“On Shwmae Sumae Day this year, a group of learners (that meet every Monday from 10.45 – 11.45 in the Village Hotel, Whitchurch, Cardiff) hope to hold an event in Oasis Cardiff, a centre that helps refugees and asylum seekers. The event will be an opportunity for learners to meet refugees and asylum seekers that are learning Welsh – to help them practice their Welsh, to give the refugees and asylum seekers the opportunity to meet other learners and encourage more of them to learn Welsh.”
Diolch to Matt for supporting the campaign this year! We hope that there’ll be a number of activities and support for Matts work as one of our national champions down in Cardiff and the area. Contact swyddfa@dathlu.org for more information and assistance and visit our website www.shwmae.cymru for resources that can help you organise events for the day…!
Mae’r Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb. The Welsh language belongs to us all.
Our second champion for 2018!
Champions across Wales have helped promote the national day of celebrating the Welsh language, held on the 15th of October each year. These champions encourage the act of starting each conversation in Welsh, and using simple phrases, as a means of normalising the language, amongst their networks and communities.
Our second champion of 2018 is the artist and Director of Creative Engagement with Theatr Clwyd, Gwennan Mair, originally from Llanffestiniog, now living in Ruthin. After being raised through the medium of Welsh on a farm in Llanffestiniog, she moved to study in the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts for three years, and having travelled extensively, has a particular interest in languages and multiculturalism. She also is interested in literature and modern Welsh language music and for Shwmae Sumae Day will be focusing on engaging with people about the Welsh language through music;
“I want to take vinyls to work and spend the morning playing them live and chat with people who are passing, who work or are visiting Theatre Clwyd. I really think that the arts are a great way to promote the language, and it’s a ‘chilled’ way of starting a conversation…”
Regarding the normalisation of the Welsh language and the importance of Shwmae Sumae Day for those that do not speak the language yet, Gwennan says;
“I think it’s really important to give people that don’t speak Welsh the confidence to just try. I do believe in the importance of accuracy, but this should in no way prevent anybody from trying to give it a go. We must offer help, signpost people to events, share Welsh sayings, accompany people to gigs, and nurture people to consider making an attempt at learning the language. Walls should not be created between places or between people, and so we must share, listen and learn from each other.”
Diolch to Gwennan for joining us as a champion this year! Contact swyddfa@dathlu.org for more information and assistance! See also our website www.shwmae.cymru for resources that can help you organise events for the day…!
Mae’r Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb. The Welsh language belongs to us all.
Announcing the first champion for Shwmae Sumae Day 2018!
Over the past five years, Shwmae Sumae Day has called on champions across Wales to help promote the national day of celebrating the Welsh language, held on the 15th of October. These champions encourage the act of starting each conversation in Welsh, and using simple phrases, as a means of normalising the language amongst their networks and communities.
We are very proud to announce that our first champion for 2018 is Dani Schlick, originally from Saxony and Berlin in Germany, and now living in Porthaethwy (Menai Bridge) on Ynys Môn. Dani began learning Welsh in Germany after falling in love with the language during a holiday in Wales. In 2015, she moved back to Wales to learn more of the language, and by 2017 was in the final round of the annual Welsh Learner of the Year competition. She now contributes to a number of cultural, creative and social event in the Welsh language – such as Panad a Sgwrs in Palas Print bookshop in Caernarfon, and Peint a Sgwrs in Bangor. Dani currently works for Mentrau Iaith Cymru as a coordinator focusing on the use of the Welsh language within business. Explaining the importance of Shwmae Sumae Day and her role as one of the champions for the day, Dani says:
“It’s important to raise awareness and the confidence of learners, it is so difficult for so many people to have that confidence to start a conversation in Welsh. This national celebration raises awareness that there is a really simple way of beginning conversations in Welsh by just saying “Shwmae” or “Sumae” as opposed to just a “hello”. It’s a great opportunity for learners to start conversations in Welsh – and for Welsh speakers to speak more Welsh with learners.”
Dani will be working within her community in the north-west, raising awareness to the campaign;
“I will be promoting the day in my new role with Mentrau Iaith Cymru, amongst shops and cafes in my area. I will also be going to events to do with Shwmae Sumae Day, advertising the day and events in the social events that I organise and share events through social media.”
‘Diolch’ to Dani for her enthusiasm and commitment to the Welsh language and supporting the Shwmae Sumae campaign this year. Contact swyddfa@dathlu.org for more information and assistance and see also our website www.shwmae.cymru for resources that can help you organise events for the day…!
Mae’r Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb. The Welsh language belongs to us all.