Stigma around the Welsh language in our teens
Did you grow up feeling embarrassed wanting to speak Welsh? If so, you are not alone. Many young adults and children have expressed how judgmental society and others their age can be about speaking the Welsh language, even some who are fluent in Welsh! This has been a problem for generations and I believe that something needs to be done to break the cycle.
The Welsh Not
During the 19th century school children were punished for speaking Welsh by having to wear a wooden plaque around their necks if caught, many were also punished physically! This caused the children to feel ashamed and scared to speak their countries language. This suppressed the use of the Welsh language and the negative effects of this still impacts the view of the Welsh language to this day.
Social Judgment
Many children have grown up being told by others their age that it is “uncool” to speak Welsh, whether this is at home, among friends or in public. Being raised in a Welsh speaking household can cause some children to feel embarrassed and fear mockery as it is not “normal” and can cause them to feel like an outsider. Due to hearing the lack of Welsh language getting spoken in public it causes children to want to fit in by speaking English like everybody else around them.
Communities and Support
Although young people sometimes feel ashamed to speak Welsh freely, there are communities and events that encourage the use of the Welsh language! The Eisteddfod being the biggest event, but there are plenty more such as Tafwyl and Ffilifest, and organisations such as the Urdd and Coleg Cymraeg that are all extremely encouraging and supportive of the use of the Welsh language!
In conclusion I hope that if you relate to anything that you read, reading this has helped you feel seen and heard. Remember, be part of the solution and not part of the problem!