‘The Welsh speaking community has been so welcoming – there is something special about it’
In the fifth of our series of articles celebrating Shwmae Su’mae Day – a celebration of the Welsh language – Englishman Matt Spry, from Plymouth, tells Robert Harries how he came to learn the language – and end up teaching it to people in Africa
WHEN Matt Spry first came to Wales in the 1990s he couldn’t speak Welsh. Originally from Plymouth, he moved to Cardiff to study 20-odd years ago and then moved back to England, but he always knew, deep down, that he wanted to return to Wales.
In 2013 he did just that, and he fell in love with the Welsh language all over again, only this time he wanted to be a part of it.
He began learning the language in earnest in 2015 and earlier this year he was named Welsh Learner of the Year 2018.
“I remember exactly when I decided to make the commitment,” recalls Matt.
“I was in a meeting in Butetown in Cardiff and I was sat around a table with a bunch of first language-speakers from Ceredigion.
“I couldn’t concentrate on the meeting because I had this thought that ‘I really want to speak this’.”
From taught to teacher, his Welsh is so good now that he has even tutored refugees who have made Cardiff their home.
“Learning Welsh has a huge range of benefits. As well as being a beautiful language, it can help people new to the city become part of a vibrant and welcoming community.
“We’ve had refugees eager to embrace Welsh culture and put down firm roots in this great city.”
Matt lives in Adamsdown, in Cardiff. If you think it’s not a part of the country associated with having a vibrant Welsh-language scene, you’d be surprised, as indeed Matt was when he moved to the area five years ago.
“He hears more Welsh words spoken near his home than many would imagine, and says that Shwmae Su’mae Day can only help to bring those words even closer to the forefront of the community.
“The day is a great way of encouraging people to use Welsh every day – those fluent, experienced learners and brand-new learners.
“It’s a campaign that aims to give people the confidence to use more Welsh in their daily lives and to encourage others to take an interest in the language and to start learning.
“It’s really important to me, especially within the area in which I live. It’s not an area noted for its Welshspeakers, but there are many more speakers and learners here than I thought when I first moved to the area.
“It’s important for all of us that live in the area to normalise the Welsh language by ensuring that it is heard and spoken on the street, in cafes, shops and pubs – to show that it is a living language in the area.
“By doing so, I would hope that this encourages more people to use the language or to start learning.”
So what advice does the Welsh Learner of the Year have for anyone thinking of following his footsteps?
As an Englishman who has taught Welsh to Africans, he’s in a better position than most to offer his expertise.
“Give it a go,” he says. “You will enjoy it – it’s hard work but like with anything, if you put the hard work in, you get much more benefit back.
“I come from England and the Welsh-speaking community has been so welcoming – it’s amazing and there is something special about it.”