Humans of Cymru is a blog which aims to celebrate stories of everyday Welsh people. The stories we aim to cover are inspirational in nature and hopefully provide the reader with not just inspiration but warmth as well. You can find Humans of Cymru on Facebook, where we share similar stories.

Simon has been trying to learn Cymraeg all his life. But at each point—he was challenged. 

“I am Dyslexic and although I was taught Cymraeg throughout primary school, I was taken out of language lessons and put into remedial English instead. Because of this I only left school with a smattering of Cymraeg.

I went and did a teaching degree in Wrecsam as a mature student and I was lucky enough to have an awesome Cymraeg tutor. Although I struggled I did manage to gain some additional understanding of the language.”

Simon soon realised the importance of preserving Cymraeg  by relating it to the culture he is surrounded with and every day life that he witnesses.  

“I am now over on NZ and I’m trying to stay in touch with Cymraeg through Duolingo, which is okay. I do see many parallels between the preservation of Cymraeg and the struggles the Maori are having with Te Rao.“

I feel that indigenous languages are so important to keep alive. I am also trying to teach my two little girls what little I know, and hopefully they pick some of it up.“

We love this story submitted by: Simon Cartwright. Have a story to share? Submit today via email: sallygeorge@welshhistories

Sally George

Sally is a proud wife of a Welshman, editor & writer of Welsh Histories. She’s all about stories—that shout ‘anything Welsh.’ Drop her an email if you have an advice, insight, experience, or a story to share.