0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:02 > 0:00:06- Forty years ago, comparatively - few adults learnt Welsh.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10- Now, they're an integral part - of the fabric of Welsh.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13- As the Welsh heartland dwindles...
0:00:13 > 0:00:16- ..some believe learners - are the future of Welsh.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21- But will this affect - the dialects of Welsh?
0:00:21 > 0:00:26- That's what I'm asking this week, - starting at the National Eisteddfod.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32- We say "wes" for yes.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- "Ciaeth fach" is a small cat.
0:00:34 > 0:00:40- To me, the colliers whistling - sounded like the Hallelujah Chorus.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43- It was the strangest - thing I ever heard.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44- "Miglo".
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- "Miglo" is when you disappear.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57- The Vale Of Glamorgan - National Eisteddfod.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59- Walking round the Maes...
0:00:59 > 0:01:05- ..it's great to meet - old friends for a chat or gossip.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08- But what if they're learning Welsh?
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- When you meet a Welsh learner, - do you change the way you speak?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- Maybe I speak a little slower.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- I talk louder.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20- Do you?
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- Do you?- - Like when you're abroad.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24- RAISES VOICE- - Hello! How... are... you?
0:01:25 > 0:01:30- I use simpler words and maybe use - correct Welsh that they understand.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- I'd use more Welsh - words with learners.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- I might use - a few English words with you.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- When I speak German, - I'm not very fluent.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46- It's nice when someone speaks - a little more slowly and clearly.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48- Then you get a better conversation.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51- What about dialect forms?
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- I don't change that.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- For me, this is the correct dialect.
0:01:58 > 0:01:59- LAUGHTER
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- Would you use fewer dialect words?
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- I don't think I could do that.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- I'm afraid I'd speak English, if - I thought they didn't understand.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- My boyfriend's a learner, - but I don't speak Welsh with him.
0:02:15 > 0:02:16- May I ask why?
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- Because we started speaking English.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- I went to the Eisteddfod for - the Learner Of The Year competition.
0:02:25 > 0:02:31- This year's winner, - Isaias Grandis, came from Patagonia.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35- I had an opportunity - to chat with him.
0:02:35 > 0:02:36- You don't have Welsh ancestors.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37- You don't have Welsh ancestors.- - No.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- I'm not from Patagonia - originally either.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- My family moved there - when I was four.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- I'm from Cordoba, Central Argentina.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- My ancestors were Spanish, - Italian and native.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56- It's the perfect mix - for a true Argentinean.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00- Now, I'm a Welsh Argentinean.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- The language is very - interesting there.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- They speak 19th century Welsh.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- You hear things like...
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- .."siop drygistwr" for a pharmacy.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16- And holidays.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- No-one talked about - "gwyliau" in the 19th century.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- Things like that - are very interesting.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Spanish influences Welsh there.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- We don't say - "dewch i mewn", come in.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- We say "pasiwch ymlaen", - pass forward, like Spanish.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- What is the Spanish phrase?
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- "Pase adelante".
0:03:38 > 0:03:43- When we speak, we add - "welsoch chi" or "welaist ti"...
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- ..meaning something like "so".
0:03:46 > 0:03:52- In Spanish, it's "viste", - which means the same thing.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- Patagonia Welsh is very interesting.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- I would say that there is a South - Wales Welsh, North Wales Welsh...
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- ..maybe Mid Wales Welsh - and Patagonia Welsh.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- Later, a meeting was held - in the Maes D Pavilion.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- Patagonia has won - this award, not me.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- This is going to open - the eyes of the people...
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- ..who work for the government.
0:04:21 > 0:04:27- It can also inspire many people - in Patagonia. Thank you very much.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34- After the meeting, - I had a chat with Kay Holder...
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- ..last year's Learner Of The Year.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- How did it feel - to receive the award?
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- The label Learner Of The Year - gave me something different.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- I worked with stewards the night - before the award evening.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- They talked to me - naturally in Welsh.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- After winning, I was on TV.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02- A steward came up to me - and congratulated me, in English!
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- He had changed his mind about me.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- He thought, "I must help her. - She's a learner."
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- After winning the award, - Kay was inspired...
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- ..to participate in Welsh life - in the Vale Of Glamorgan.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21- This morning, we launched a campaign - to establish a Welsh centre...
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- ..so that Welsh speakers - and learners have somewhere to meet.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- And more importantly, possibly...
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- ..to show non-Welsh speakers in - the area that the Welsh language...
0:05:33 > 0:05:34- Exists?
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- Exists?- - Yes. That's the Eisteddfod effect.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37- That what I want to see in the Vale.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- That what I want to see in the Vale.- - To prolong that effect.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44- Exactly, as they did in Wrexham, - with the Saith Seren centre.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- Madison Tazu is English, - but from an Irish family.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51- She grew up in Newcastle Emlyn.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- She was the Learner - Of The Year in 2008.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- But that wasn't the end - of her journey.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04- When I won the Learner Of The Year, - I thought it wasn't difficult.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09- I studied Welsh for ten months. - I won the Learner Of The Year.
0:06:09 > 0:06:15- I didn't think joining in Welsh life - would be difficult. But it is.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- Once learners reach a certain point, - where we're fairly fluent...
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- ..but maybe don't speak perfectly, - there are no courses.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- That was quite hard for me.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- How do you create - a Welsh life for yourself?
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- I think it's difficult.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40- The easiest way is by marrying or - having a partner who speaks Welsh.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46- Then there's a connection between - yourself and the Welsh community...
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- ..because your partner speaks Welsh.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Madison isn't in - a relationship at the moment.
0:06:53 > 0:06:59- So she takes other - opportunities to speak Welsh.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- I work in a care home.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- Some people speak Welsh there.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- I really appreciate - speaking Welsh to them.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- It's nice to see you. How are you?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- Fine. How are you?
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Fine. How are you?- - Fine, thanks. I've missed you.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- You look after us well.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18- Thank you.
0:07:20 > 0:07:26- I stayed in a place not far - from Karaez for three months.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Did you enjoy yourself there?
0:07:29 > 0:07:30- It was marvellous.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32- Do you speak French?
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- It's rather rusty, - because I don't use it.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- That's how it is with languages.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- Tea for people there - and in the lounges. Thank you.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- Rosie.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Do you want a cup of tea?
0:07:47 > 0:07:48- Yes. No sugar.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53- Here you are.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Thank you.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01- Later, I met Madison and her - friends, Rhisiart from England...
0:08:01 > 0:08:06- ..Tamsin from Wales - and Hynek from the Czech Republic.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- They have all learnt Welsh.
0:08:09 > 0:08:15- Do people know you've learnt Welsh - and ask where you come from?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- If I get that, - I say I come from Plwmp.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Not usually.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- People don't.
0:08:24 > 0:08:30- If they do, I say I live - in Borth and that's it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35- They might ask where I came - from originally and I'd tell them.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- Another problem for learners - is starting to copy Welsh speakers.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- How long did it take you - to reach that point?
0:08:45 > 0:08:46- Six years.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- What did you do to reach that point?
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- I want tips! What do I have to do?
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- I got married.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55- LAUGHTER
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- That's what I said earlier!
0:08:58 > 0:09:03- I'd prefer not to get - that question all the time.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08- "How did you learn Welsh? - You've learnt it very well."
0:09:08 > 0:09:13- That's always the conversation - when you meet someone new.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- I think learners are at fault too.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- I'm terrible, when I meet someone - and we speak Welsh...
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- ..I say, "I'm learning Welsh."
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- I'm worried I'll make a mistake.
0:09:26 > 0:09:32- I have to justify that, by - explaining that I'm learning Welsh.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- It's a bad thing to do, really.
0:09:36 > 0:09:42- I'm stuck with that label. - It's a kind of prison.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- The only thing that makes me - feel like a learner...
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- ..is that I sound like a learner.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59- If we didn't sound like learners, - the label would disappear.
0:09:59 > 0:10:05- I'd like to speak like - a farmer from South Ceredigion.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07- That's my dream. It's what I want.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- If speaking in dialect is a way to - lose the label "Welsh learner"...
0:10:15 > 0:10:21- ..would it be a good idea to learn - more dialect from the start?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- Yes, it would. It's very important.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- It's a good way - for them to settle in too.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- I picked up some Gwenhwyseg, - the Gwent dialect.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- Mam spoke like that.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- And her aunt, - whom we called "bopa".
0:10:37 > 0:10:42- I heard people of her generation - speaking good, dialect Welsh.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- I've taught adults - at Glamorgan University.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- I've made a big effort - to teach them the dialect.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- People from the area love it.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- I don't mind. It doesn't - matter which dialect...
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- ..so long as they speak Welsh.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- In the second half, - over a glass of wine and Zumba...
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- ..we hear the opinions - of learners from all over Wales.
0:11:10 > 0:11:10- .
0:11:13 > 0:11:13- Subtitles
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- With more people learning Welsh - as a second language...
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- ..will it influence - the Welsh language in general?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- This is the Bangor office - of Welsh For Adults.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- The agency provides - Welsh courses in North Wales.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- Haydn Hughes - is the centre's Deputy Director.
0:11:36 > 0:11:42- Is Welsh changing, - as the number of learners increases?
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- I don't think - it's possible to say now...
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- ..that there has - been a great change.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- In the Welsh speaking community, - accents change over the years.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- I'm old enough to remember...
0:12:01 > 0:12:07- ..an accent that was called - the Welsh medium school accent...
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- ..in one school in South Wales.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- When it appeared - on the accents landscape...
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- ..people were very critical of it.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- Now, it's one - of the accents of Welsh.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- Welsh will have several new - accents in the future, I'm sure.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32- That's a sign that the language is - viable and something to welcome.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- The important thing is to accept...
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- ..that learners from different - backgrounds want to speak Welsh.
0:12:40 > 0:12:46- The centre organizes events where - Welsh learners meet Welsh speakers.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- Adrienne and Craig, on the left, - are learning Welsh.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- They went with Clwb Gwawr - Pen-y-groes to a local vineyard.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57- What do you say? "Welcome to..."
0:12:57 > 0:12:58- What do you say? "Welcome to..."- - Pant Du.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04- Welcome to Pant Du. Let's all - go to the cafe to keep warm.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- When did this scheme begin?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- When did this scheme begin?- - About a year and a half ago.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- We encourage Welsh - medium societies...
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- ..to think of ways to attract - learners to their activities.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- To make a link?
0:13:22 > 0:13:23- To make a link?- - And to assimilate.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- Very important words.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- Is this the first time - you've done this?
0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Yes.
0:13:30 > 0:13:31- Would you do it again?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Would you do it again?- - Yes. It's an experience.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- It's good, to keep Welsh going.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- To draw people in, to join you.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- You've only been learning - Welsh for six years.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- BACKGROUND CHAT
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- In a Welsh area, you have - to speak Welsh, really.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- I have children too.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53- Does that help?
0:13:53 > 0:13:54- Does that help?- - Yes.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- Because you speak with them.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- They help me too.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- My daughter says, - "No, Mam, you don't say that."
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- She corrects me.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- But her brother, Craig, - learnt Welsh in another area.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- My mother comes from Pen-y-groes, - just up the road.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- But she didn't speak Welsh with us.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- Where did you return to Welsh?
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- Lampeter, Ceredigion.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- Does that mean your accent - is different from your sister...
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- ..who learnt Welsh again here?
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- I don't know. - You could tell, better than me!
0:14:34 > 0:14:39- It can be challenging for learners - to settle in a Welsh community.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- They need confidence - and practice in the local dialect.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- But Adrienne doesn't think those - are the most important factors.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- It's not so much the language, - but the culture.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58- Like the Urdd. - I don't know how it works.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- If you're Welsh, it's in your bones.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- You've grown up with it.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- You know the score.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- With things like the Eisteddfod...
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- ..even though I've lived - here for seven years...
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- ..I'm only learning about it now.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- People assume you know.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- But if you haven't grown up here, - you don't know how things work.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- If it's challenging - to learn Welsh in Welsh areas...
0:15:26 > 0:15:32- ..the challenge is different in - areas where Welsh isn't as strong.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- Meirion Davies is the Development - Director for Menter Iaith Conwy.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- They work with Welsh For Adults...
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- ..to create a strategy - for learners in North Wales.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50- How many people register - to learn Welsh every year?
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- On average, about 20,000.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58- But between 200 and 400, - perhaps, become fluent every year.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- It's a very low percentage.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- What can be done - to raise this figure?
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- We concluded it would be better if - people went on intensive courses...
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- ..and increase the hours, - as well as their course.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- From my experience - of learning another language...
0:16:20 > 0:16:26- ..on an intensive course, I felt - I progressed a year in a week.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- If we want to produce fluent - Welsh speakers, we must do that.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- If we want to produce...
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- ..an army or people who can say - "bore da" and "pnawn da"...
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- ..we can carry on without it.
0:16:43 > 0:16:49- The key is to make it easier for - people to go on intensive courses.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- Say Something In Welsh - is another kind of course.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59- It's an online course, emphasizing - listening and repetition.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- Once a month, people following - the course meet in Tresaith...
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- ..to practise their Welsh - and dance some Zumba.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10- Everyone ready?
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- ZUMBA MUSIC
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- Forward! Good!
0:17:15 > 0:17:16- Come on!
0:17:17 > 0:17:22- As well as physical exercise, - people can exercise their Welsh too.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23- Good!
0:17:24 > 0:17:28- Aran Jones is a co-founder - of Say Something In Welsh.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33- He used his own experience as a - learner to create an online course.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- Why did you think - another course was needed?
0:17:37 > 0:17:42- When I reached the point where I - lived through the medium of Welsh...
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- ..it was as if - a switch had been turned.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- Suddenly, speaking another - language wasn't impossible.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- It wasn't as hard as all that.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58- I started to see that the internet - created new opportunities.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- I looked at the situation. I knew a - lot about learning Welsh as a user.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- I knew that kind of thing - didn't exist in Welsh.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- After preparing - the first fifteen lessons...
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- ..we released them - on an internet page.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- We had about a thousand - using them in a month.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20- Really?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- Really?- - It's just grown since then.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- On the course, learners - are encouraged from the start...
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- ..to use Welsh together - and in local shops.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- May I have a double - Turkish Delight cone, please?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Do you want a flake - or fudge with it?
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- Why not?
0:18:43 > 0:18:45- A single cone.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46- Thanks.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- Rum and raisin, please.
0:18:51 > 0:18:52- Ta-ra.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- The course enables you - to speak naturally.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- You don't think about it.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02- There's no writing at all.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- There's no writing at all.- - No writing or reading.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- You can choose South - or North Wales Welsh.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- What are you following?
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- I'm learning North Wales Welsh.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15- And you?
0:19:15 > 0:19:16- And you?- - North Wales.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- You come from Germany, don't you?
0:19:20 > 0:19:21- Yes.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Why North Wales Welsh?
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- In the first lesson - in South Wales Welsh...
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- ..the word "gallu" appeared.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- I didn't know how to say "ll".
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- LAUGHTER
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- In the North Wales course, - they used "medru".
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- It's easier to say.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48- I didn't realize at first we'd see - so many people using this method...
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- ..and they'd want to speak Welsh - so early in the process.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- I don't remember that when - I went through the Wlpan process.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02- It was difficult to get people - to use Welsh outside the class.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- There's something about - discussing things in the forum...
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- ..and the confidence they get, - in creating new sentences...
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- ..that has just caught on.
0:20:16 > 0:20:23- Over supper, I asked the learners - about the appeal of the course.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28- It's important to develop - our listening and speaking skills.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- We reach the point...
0:20:31 > 0:20:36- ..where we can communicate - with Welsh speakers...
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- ..in a shorter time.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44- The beginning of last year, - I didn't speak a word of Welsh.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49- I live in Manchester. I have no - time to go to an evening class.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55- So I download to my MP3 - and listen when I drive in the car.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- I learn on the way to work.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03- When I learn with friends - in Say Something In Welsh...
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- ..there's no pressure on me...
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- ..to look things up in a book.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- I just talk, talk, talk.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- It's natural.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22- As the sun set, I left the crew - and returned to the Eisteddfod...
0:21:23 > 0:21:28- ..to find out more about Welsh - speakers' attitudes to learners.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- Is the term Welsh learner - positive, negative or neutral?
0:21:33 > 0:21:38- Positive. If someone - is willing to try to learn Welsh...
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- ..we should support them. - So it's positive.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- We shouldn't criticize - or make them feel uncomfortable.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- We should be supportive.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- There's a point when - they should stop being learners.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- I know people who call themselves - learners, but they're not any more.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- Maybe we should call them - Welsh speakers, not learners.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06- When does one stop being a learner?
0:22:06 > 0:22:07- When does one stop being a learner?- - I don't know.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12- Maybe you're a learner forever, - if it's not your mother tongue.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14- So do Welsh speakers...
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- ..sometimes put up a barrier - between themselves and learners?
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Are learners put - on a pedestal, perhaps?
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- I discussed this with blogger - and learner, Carl Morris.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- Do we make a fetish of the learner?
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Yes, maybe in the media...
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- ..learners are put - in a special category...
0:22:37 > 0:22:38- ..set apart from...
0:22:38 > 0:22:40- People!
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- There was an example this week.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48- There was a story about - the new Archdruid, Christine James.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- Some of the press - said she was a learner...
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- ..although she's a lecturer - in Welsh and completely fluent.
0:22:57 > 0:23:03- I understand why they say "learner", - because it's positive.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- But I favour - the term "second language".
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- Second language or learner, - mother tongue or first language...
0:23:13 > 0:23:15- ..the term doesn't matter...
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- ..so long as they don't become - polite words for us and them.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- So whatever our accent...
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- ..or when in our lives - we mastered the language...
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- ..Welsh belongs to us all.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- It's a responsibility we all share.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:23:49 > 0:23:49- .