I'm glad you wrote that in English (I wouldn't have had a chance in Welsh). I've read it a several times since yesterday, trying to think of some meaningful comments.
I've never been to Wales. All I know about it is from what I read and what I hear (there is some great contemporary music). Perhaps it is my own bias as a learner, but I see a lot of Welsh embracing the language. Their own language...and their own national and cultural identity. More importantly, it is having pride in the language and identity, and a willingness to fight for it. We know at least one person that has put up a 'Ble Mae'r Gymraeg?' sticker.
I should be working now (forgive the grammar and style), but this has given me a lot to think about.
Thanks for the comment -- if you want to spread this link around, feel free. I'd love to get other perspectives on it.
Note that I'm not necessarily saying that Wales needs outright independence, although coming frmo where I come frmo, we're sort of biased in favor of the idea of giving the monarchy the finger. :-) But "Wales needs a nerve center" isn't necessarily the same thing, and frankly, thanks to the hijinks of Chimpy and his band of trained macaques, our system of government isn't as appealing as something that should be aspired to in toto.
But the idea of a "United something or others" be it states or kingdoms isn't a bad thing. For Wales to have its own internal nerve center and to be part of the larger whole is probably best. But more self-determination is crucial; without it, they are England's fridge to be raided for stuff to consume and will remain so.
If you get a chance to go, it's magnificent, although I suspect you've heard that already. :-)
Minor comment: I'm reminded of a friend of mine there, living in Ynys Mon, who was enomrously proud to discover that her husband had, in his youth, occupied himself with spraying "ILDIWCH" on monolingual "Yield" signs on the street. :-)
I love a people whose activism centers on their language. I think it's one of the reasons why I like Deaf culture so much. They're like geographically non-specific Welshmen/women.
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I've never been to Wales. All I know about it is from what I read and what I hear (there is some great contemporary music). Perhaps it is my own bias as a learner, but I see a lot of Welsh embracing the language. Their own language...and their own national and cultural identity. More importantly, it is having pride in the language and identity, and a willingness to fight for it. We know at least one person that has put up a 'Ble Mae'r Gymraeg?' sticker.
I should be working now (forgive the grammar and style), but this has given me a lot to think about.
Reply
Note that I'm not necessarily saying that Wales needs outright independence, although coming frmo where I come frmo, we're sort of biased in favor of the idea of giving the monarchy the finger. :-) But "Wales needs a nerve center" isn't necessarily the same thing, and frankly, thanks to the hijinks of Chimpy and his band of trained macaques, our system of government isn't as appealing as something that should be aspired to in toto.
But the idea of a "United something or others" be it states or kingdoms isn't a bad thing. For Wales to have its own internal nerve center and to be part of the larger whole is probably best. But more self-determination is crucial; without it, they are England's fridge to be raided for stuff to consume and will remain so.
If you get a chance to go, it's magnificent, although I suspect you've heard that already. :-)
Reply
I love a people whose activism centers on their language. I think it's one of the reasons why I like Deaf culture so much. They're like geographically non-specific Welshmen/women.
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