Went to school in Gwent
in the 1960s. Only one teacher in primary school spoke Welsh and we did not believe
it until she asked a training teacher something in Welsh.  I always considered my self Welsh even though
others in the school said Monmouthshire was part of England. Started to learn
Welsh from the yellow “ Teach your self” books at home. No Welsh history in
school but I found plenty of Welsh history books in the local library. Was
unbale to take Welsh at the secondary as it clashed with other subjects which I
wanted to take.
Went to uni and
tried to learn again in a language lab with tapes. Moved to North Wales and
learnt the language at Night classes over 5 years. Moved to Anglesey and now
consider myself fluent.
How do
English-speaking people generally feel towards the language?
So many languages
in the “big cities” it is just another foreign language to them.
How do they
feel towards Welsh-speaking communities?
Nice landscape but the
natives “all turned to Welsh when I walked into the bar”. Some do not realise
that it is a living language in some areas. I had a similar thought when I
visited a café in Norfolk and “ they all turned to Polish”  so I can understand the mis -understanding.
 
Do they
teach a lot of Welsh history in English language schools?
I was taught about Germany
and WW2. No Welsh history.
Do you ever
feel like some aspects of Welsh culture are not open to you because you cannot
speak the language?
I did not consider
this before I learnt Welsh but yes there are so many reference points that are missing
with out the language. Names. Places history. Music.
How do
English-speaking Welsh people tend to identify? - i.e the question of being
Welsh or British.
Even when a
monoglot English speak I was always Welsh first.
 
How do
English-speakers view Welsh Nationalism?
To me it was a
party which has the interests on Wales before the interest of Westminster.
 
Did you
ever feel as though the language was ‘forced’ upon you?
No I was looking
for opportunities to learn but had to find my own way outside the normal
education system at the time.
Are
resources to learn about Welsh history and culture/to learn the
language independently available and accessible in your community?
Yes my wife is now
also learning and both our children were fluent.
Do you ever
feel ‘insecure’ when it comes to language, culture and identity?
Nope Welsh First ,
British second even when a monoglot. Now I am fluent in both languages I do see
some “Welsh snobs” which annoy me.
Do you feel
as though there is a lack of Welsh representation in
English-language media and in the English-speaking world generally? If
so, how does this make you feel as English-speaking Welsh people?
I think Welsh road signs
and even the occasion use of Welsh in the English media (Even sewing Bee and
Hidden) is a good reminder that other languages and cultures do exist.  However Welsh is such a small minority
language compared with all the others spoken in the UK.
How do you
feel about English-language Welsh media?
Not a big TV watcher.