Is it rude?

[andrea81]

Just wondering - I'm Welsh and can speak Welsh fluently. My son is about to start Welsh school so I'm making the effort to speak Welsh to him.

Question is, do you think it's rude for me to speak Welsh in front of those who don't speak it? Either in Wales or elsewhere?

[jackthehat]

No, I don't.
I know that there is the old chestnut about the Welsh reverting to speaking their mother tongue whenever an English person is about.............but I think having a conversation with your son comes under the heading of 'private conversation' and could be done in Martian if you wanted.........if you need to 'explain' to anyone then short and simple is best, like in your message.

Good for you. Welsh needs keeping alive.

[andrea81]

Ye, I think I would probebly give an explanation as I do often worry what people think ; - )

[reachesme]

Is 'canacabant' (spelt wrong i know), mean what i was told by someone years ago, 'go forth and multiply'? And what has it got to do with anyone else what you speak to your son, go for it and if it offends, all well and good.

[andrea81]

I've never heard of that saying. But it sound a bit like another insult "Cacha bant" it translates a 'sh1t off' but you would say it in the same way as f@!k off!

I just am aware that people think i'm being rude, but think I'll stick with it as my son's education comes before anyones feelings!

[reachesme]

Cheers andrea.

[chakka35]

Yes, it's rude - like whispering in other people's presence. I was evacuated to North (Welsh-speaking) Wales during World War 2 to live my my aunt, uncle and cousin.
Eventually I became fluent in Welsh, but before that the family and all Welsh visitors courteously spoke English in my presence. It's simple good manners.

[andrea81]

Corection The Whole of Wales is Welsh speaking! Lot more English influences up north.

Would you ask the same to a spanish person on your hols in spain?

[cambus]

Yes, go forth and multiply with the Welsh language and then more and more people will not be able to understand it. Why should you accommodate all those stupid English speakers, who are too lazy to learn, a simple second language?

[Romeo]

Teach him this:

Bobl Cymru! Gwrthryfelwch yn awr am GYMRU RYDD!
Gymru, Deffro! Ymgodwch GYMRU! Gweriniaeth Gymreig!

Ymgodwch Gymru! Democratiaeth i Gymru!

Chymru rydd sosialaidd!

GYMRU, DEFFRO!! CYMRU RYDD!! CYMRU GOCH!!!

I'm not talking the mickey. I mean it.

[cazzrob]

jack the lad, how dare you dis the welsh? people like you give the english or wherever you're from a bad name.
as andrea said, you wouldn't class a spaniard as rude when you are on holidays in spain. what ever happened to free speech. UMLAEN CYMRU :-)

[andrea81]

Cheers Romeo and cazz. I have to say, my hubby doesn't speak Welsh the poor thing is really trying to learn.

Thought I was being thoughtful but ovbiously some people 'Jack' think that being bilingual (or Welsh) is wrong!

[Scylax]

It is not at all rude to speak Welsh to your son, in the
presence of English speakers, BUT in deference to
the latter, repeat what you have said in English.

This way, the lad assimilates both Welsh and English
simultaneously, and, hopefully, so will the others in your
company.

Noam Chomsky has shown that the L.A.D. (Language
Acquisition Device) is genetic, but only operates
during childhood. By 11+ it's all over. Finito. Kaput.

Give your boy the best chance by speaking both
English and Welsh to him. He will acquire both
languages naturally, and without effort.

Once the L.A.D. has gone (as in your husband's
case) the learning of a second language is a
tedious and unnatural affair - fluency is very
rarely achieved.

[andrea81]

yes I agree scylax, when he goes to welsh school they don't speak english at all, they are totally emursed (spelling?) in the language!

By the time he's 4years, he'll be fluent!

good idea though at least everyone will understand what I am saying and then realise we're bilingual by speaking the two!

[chakka35]

Yes, Skylax has the compromise. While I stick to my view that it is ill-mannered to speak privately in a language which is incomprehensible to someone else present, it mitigates the offence if you supply a translation.

[andrea81]

Well I think I've come to the conclusion that I think more of my son than people might be thinking of me speaking my first language!

After all, If I am speaking in private - isn't that what it is - private? Maybe next time someone in a bus is speaking down front and you can't quite hear them, you should ask them to speak up - it's only good manners!

[spudqueen]

I have no problem with people speaking their own language amongst themselves. I holidayed in Wales for many years and was never offended when I heard people in shops speaking Welsh to each other. These days I'm just as likely to hear people speaking Polish to each other in the street.

[chakka35]

But andrea, according to your original question you were not speaking in private but in the company of someone else. Therefore comparisons with other people on buses and things don't apply.
Anyway, I've said my piece so I'll shut up now.

[jno]

If there are a lot of people speaking a language in front of a non-speaker it would be polite to translate so the other won't feel left out. But like jackthehat, I don't see why you shouldn't speak to your son in any language you like. The fact that others are in earshot doesn't mean that this isn't still a 'private' conversation. They're not being 'left out' of your private talk to your son, it's none of their business in the first place.