Image, the WN appears to have started in localised areas based on Anglican and non conformist schools due to English teachers being there. A Government review of Education in Wales shows some interesting comments.
Cultural impact Edit
"Among other injurious effects, this custom has been found to lead children to visit stealthily the houses of their school-fellows for the purpose of detecting those who speak Welsh to their parents, and transferring to them the punishment due to themselves."
Extracts from Reports of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the state of Education in Wales, 1847.[7]
The most frequent use of the Welsh Not in schools appears to be in the first decades following the publication of the government's Reports of the commissioners of enquiry into the state of education in Wales in 1847.
The reports noted that schools in Wales were inadequate, with English monoglot teachers and English textbooks in use in areas where the children spoke only Welsh. It concluded that the Welsh as a race were "ignorant", "lazy" and "immoral", and that one of the main causes of this was the continuing use of the "evil" Welsh language.[8]
The Reports had great influence in Wales, becoming known as Brad y Llyfrau Gleision (the Treachery of the Blue Books) among Welsh speakers, and supporting the removal of Welsh as a moral endeavour. In linking the Welsh language with low educational standards and poor morality, the report also highlighted the effective use of the "Welsh Not" and, while it did not officially endorse its use, it popularised the method as an effective tool for educators throughout Wales.[9]
Some strong “official” opinions in that! WN not officially endorsed but popularised ..... indirect political pressure?
In my view this is an example from history of prevailing attitudes and actions at that time that today would be unacceptable. That is being seen with the current protests. Historic attitudes that still have current day effects and not enough having been done over a long time to change them.
English is the predominant global language in many spheres so is desirable to be able to use. I have family, friends who have Welsh as a first language with everyday conversation in Welsh. Everyone flits from Welsh to English as those spoken to change. It is deemed rude to exclude someone who cannot speak Welsh. In Taffmog we have a mix of Welsh and non Welsh speakers. English is mainly spoken but small numbers flit into Welsh as it is the natural language between the group at that time. There is no deliberate exclusion by speaking Welsh.
Our dogs have been bilingual. Basic commands are English ( common sense as they are then usable by everyone) but “chats” are in Welsh. The barks don’t seem to be bilingual though. Sound English to me!
Last edited by sospan; 15/06/20 08:47 AM.
