Post by dcclark on Aug 19, 2018 0:55:16 GMT
Shwmae. David dw i. Dw i’n byw yn America.
I recently travelled to Wales and spent a week there at the end of July
I had the opportunity to speak a few Welsh words while there. Speaking to someone was my greatest fear because I do not have anyone to speak to in Welsh. I do have a friend that I converse with over email and we send a sentence or two in Welsh to each other.
I wonder how others feel when speaking to someone for the first time.
When I came over I went to a Welsh chapel service on Sunday. Finding that I was a Welsh learner I was asked to read some sentences I had prepared to introduce myself. I was pretty nervous but the people were so encouraging. Afterwards I was told by a few that they understood every word. It was encouraging to me.
On Wednesday I was introduced to a shopkeeper in Pontypridd that spoke Welsh. This was the real moment. Listening to a question and having to answer. I did not understand his question. He started with “faint”. I knew that was how much of something but I didn’t understand. Someone helped me. He was asking how long we were there visiting. I said “un wythnos”. I asked about a pris of an item. He said dwy bunt. I gave him two pounds. Of course I said diolch and I said “braf cwrdd â chi” which he liked.
That was my first real time conversing. I was nervous and excited and afterwards felt so grateful to have had the opportunity.
My last time was on Thursday where I was able to tell the tour guide at the Senedd where I lived using Welsh.
I imagine if an American who has nothing but some Welsh DNA can speak to total strangers others who are learning there in Wales must be braver than I. I thought you might like to share your first time conversing in Welsh story.
Diolch am darllen.
David.
I recently travelled to Wales and spent a week there at the end of July
I had the opportunity to speak a few Welsh words while there. Speaking to someone was my greatest fear because I do not have anyone to speak to in Welsh. I do have a friend that I converse with over email and we send a sentence or two in Welsh to each other.
I wonder how others feel when speaking to someone for the first time.
When I came over I went to a Welsh chapel service on Sunday. Finding that I was a Welsh learner I was asked to read some sentences I had prepared to introduce myself. I was pretty nervous but the people were so encouraging. Afterwards I was told by a few that they understood every word. It was encouraging to me.
On Wednesday I was introduced to a shopkeeper in Pontypridd that spoke Welsh. This was the real moment. Listening to a question and having to answer. I did not understand his question. He started with “faint”. I knew that was how much of something but I didn’t understand. Someone helped me. He was asking how long we were there visiting. I said “un wythnos”. I asked about a pris of an item. He said dwy bunt. I gave him two pounds. Of course I said diolch and I said “braf cwrdd â chi” which he liked.
That was my first real time conversing. I was nervous and excited and afterwards felt so grateful to have had the opportunity.
My last time was on Thursday where I was able to tell the tour guide at the Senedd where I lived using Welsh.
I imagine if an American who has nothing but some Welsh DNA can speak to total strangers others who are learning there in Wales must be braver than I. I thought you might like to share your first time conversing in Welsh story.
Diolch am darllen.
David.
