It is up to us to save this national treasure

I HOPE I am right in [thinking] that there are fewer letters in the Western Mail from people who do not have the Welsh language close to their hearts.

Recently a young lady from Scandinavia came to visit us and it appeared she could speak two or three of the Scandinavian languages, together with English, French and Welsh – and she did so with a broad, happy, self-satisfied smile.

It seems that is now the way of the outside world. In my village, Ty’ny-gongl, there are quite a number of people learning Welsh and their valiant and enjoyable efforts give us and them a great deal of pleasure.

A second language is a wonderful thing to have.

Some time ago I relinquished the few things which I had had an interest in and which had kept me busy. My son said I had to find a purpose. It was decided that I should write a book. Little by little, as I wrote, I again realised what a wonderful language Welsh is and what pleasure can be found in even as few as two languages, reading, writing, and enjoying a conversation in two languages.

The powers that be have ensured that the pleasure of learning two languages is well within the reach of us all. My family had Welsh as their first language for many centuries and it is up to the likes of me – and you all, please – to do our bit to save a precious national treasure. Wales would not be the same without Cymraeg. Dewi Jones Anglesey