Irrational fear of the Welsh language

I WOULD like to take issue with Malcolm Davies’ letter in the Echo of November 16 (“Rugby and the Welsh language”).

About half of it was a criticism of the WRU’s deal with Amazon, with which many would agree. However, he then, with a magnificent leap of illogic, conflates his objection to the Welsh-language post-match discussion programme with a claim that Welsh-speakers will ensure that there will be no jobs for monoglot Anglophones after independence. What evidence has he to support this opinion or, indeed, for his statement that “we” have taken the decision to go down the path of independence?

Mr Davies’ patent fear of Welshspeaking culture and politicallyactive groups ignores the fact that only one member of the Gorsedd has ever been executed for treason by order of the government at Westminster – hardly a mass uprising by a Celtic elite.

This individual was a notable scholar, missionary, poet, educator and patriot. He became a member of the Gorsedd in 1899 and was executed for his part in the Easter Rising in 1916. His name was Patrick Pearse (Padrig mac Piarais), part Irish, part Cornish, and with connections to Irish people in Cardiff.

If Mr Davies can tell us of anyone in Wales whose career and death parallel those of Pearse, then his prediction of self-determination for the people of Wales may well come true. Or, of course, the fragmentation of the “Union” will occur in any case through the natural postcolonial process of entropy.

Does the Republic of Ireland marginalise workers who do not speak Gaelic? Of course not.

Does the Republic of Ireland engage with other countries and languages through its membership of the EU? Of course it does.

Did even the UK-ruled six counties of the north vote to isolate themselves from Europe? Of course they didn’t, but still have to deal with the consequences of being still ruled by ideologies in power at Westminster.

Independence? Bring it on!

D Thomas

Abertawe