Note: This article was written a few years ago now, and while my circumstances have changed (i.e. the birth of my son), I believe the reasons for starting to learn Welsh remain just as relevant today.
When I first became fascinated by language learning, I have to admit that Welsh wasn’t my first choice. As a starry-eyed seventeen-year-old in Canada, obsessed with Japanese pop music, my mind was entirely set on immersing myself in the Japanese language, traveling to Japan, and perhaps even moving there for good one day. At the time, Welsh wasn’t anywhere near my radar.
Another seventeen years later, my life has taken a completely different path. After spending two years in Japan (and realising it wasn’t for me) and six years in Italy, I chose to settle in Wales—a country my younger self had simply thought of as “the place my family goes for summer holidays.” As of this February, I will have been learning Welsh for four years, and I couldn’t be happier!
So, why did I start learning Welsh in the first place? I don’t have Welsh ancestry—except for a distant great-great-grandmother. I don’t have children secretly whispering Welsh jokes behind my back. My job doesn’t require me to speak it. In fact, I could probably get by just fine without it, especially since I live in one of the most anglicised towns in Gwynedd.
And yet, I felt drawn to the language for reasons that weren’t immediately obvious—even to me at first. As you’ll see below, there were plenty of unexpected motivations that led me down this path!
Meeting new people
Learning Welsh has given me the opportunity to meet so many interesting people from all walks of life.
I attend weekly language courses with other learners, take part in a local walking club whose members are more than happy to speak to me in Welsh, organise conversation sessions at our local cinema, and participate in online forums and Facebook groups about the language. I even went on a week-long Bootcamp with the Say Something in Welsh crew in June. And you know what the best thing is? Many of the people I’ve met through these activities have gone on to become some of my best friends.
Had I not started learning the language, my social circle certainly wouldn’t be as rich as it is today!
Respect for the country I call home
In modern-day Wales, most fluent Welsh speakers are also fluent in English. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the effort to learn the language if you decide to move here. Learning Welsh isn’t just a sign of respect for the people and culture of Wales—it’s also deeply appreciated by the local community. I’ve lost count of how many times someone has said to me, “Diolch am ddysgu ein iaith” (“Thank you for learning our language”) since I started my journey!
Keeping the brain healthy
If there’s one thing that will keep me learning Welsh well into my golden years, it’s the incredible benefits for my brain. Research shows that bilingualism strengthens connections between different areas of the brain, helping to delay the onset of dementia by up to five years!
Got to keep those synapses firing, right? 😊
Keeping the language alive
I recently had a conversation with a Welsh tutor who shared a perspective that took me by surprise. She believes that the future of Welsh doesn’t rest solely in the hands of the younger generation, but rather with learners—those who are passionate enough about the language to champion and sustain it, even in the face of uncertainty.
After giving it some thought, I have to say I agree with her. While minority languages rely on native speakers, they also need passionate advocates—musicians, poets, writers, actors, presenters, and, of course, enthusiastic learners—to keep them thriving.
If learning Welsh and encouraging others to do the same can contribute to its survival, then count me in!
The “secret” language
Picture this: my husband and I are strolling through Lyon-Part-Dieu station in France, casually chatting in a mix of English and French, when we spot a pushy street salesman weaving through the crowd, heading straight for us.
Instead of dodging him, we instinctively switch to—yep, you guessed it—Welsh the moment he enters earshot. He pauses. He stares. And then, just like that, he pivots and targets another unfortunate couple, leaving us to continue our journey undisturbed.
I know, I know—this wasn’t exactly a reason I started learning Welsh, but it’s definitely a perk I’ve discovered along the way. And I’d say that’s worth mentioning!
Making him proud
I mentioned earlier that I don’t have any Welsh family connections, but that’s not entirely true. My grandfather’s cousin was born in Mid-Wales to an English mother, Daisy, and a Welsh father, Evan, who is buried on a hill not far from where I live. Although he wasn’t a direct blood relative and passed away long before I was born, I still consider him family.
Whenever I drive past his grave, I cannot help but wonder what Evan would think of me learning his language. Would he be proud? Would he be cheering me on? I’d like to think so.
Admittedly my love affair with Welsh wasn’t instantaneous but it has grown exponentially over the years thanks to all the wonderful experiences I’ve accumulated through studying and using it in my day to day life. Today I couldn’t really imagine my life without it!
How about you? What spurred you to start learning Welsh? I’d be very curious to hear your story!
Update: Nearly six years after writing this article, I have an even stronger reason to keep up with my Welsh studies—my four-year-old son, whose Welsh is improving so quickly that he’s starting to outpace me!
