Praise for US agony aunt as ‘my hubby babbles in Welsh’ is met with ‘dim problem!’
AUS agony aunt has written a brilliant response to a woman who complained about her husband always speaking Welsh when on the phone.
The woman, who calls herself “Not from Wales”, penned a request for advice to journalist and author Amy Dickinson, whose Asking Amy column has been a long-standing feature of the Chicago Tribune newspaper
Her plea for help, published on Thursday, involved asking what to do about the fact her husband of 12 years always reverts to his native tongue during phone calls home to family and friends.
It read: “When we visit his relatives and friends in Wales, everyone is kind enough to speak English while I am in the room (Welsh is their native language).
“But when we are in the States, my husband speaks to his family and friends frequently on the phone – always in Welsh.
“I find this rude,” she added. “And when I mentioned it, he said he was not talking about me and that therefore it shouldn’t bother me.
“I often hear my name mentioned in his conversations and although I am sure it is not malicious, I am still uncomfortable as he babbles on in his native language.
“Is it too much to ask that he speak English while I am present and in my own house? What is the etiquette for these types of situations?”
It was Amy’s response, however, which won praise from other Welshspeakers online, displaying a deft grasp of the challenges facing the language usually lost on those living on the other side of the Atlantic.
“If your husband was a Spanish speaker, he would have many opportunities to speak his native language in many different contexts, outside the home,” she wrote. “Welsh, however – ‘dim cymaint’ (not so much)!
“Welsh is one of the oldest spoken languages in Europe, and, outside.of Wales, it is extremely rare to hear it.
“Furthermore, the language was in danger of dying out altogether until concentrated national efforts in Wales have resulted in something of a revival.
“Your husband is not being deliberately rude. I think he is trying to communicate with his landsmen using expressions that are unique to a very small population. He is seeking a sort of verbal ‘cwtch’ (a comforting hug).”
She then suggested the letter-writer acquaint herself with the many Welsh-language study packages and apps available in order to join in.
“It would serve multiple purposes for you to become conversant, and I hope you will. (I just finished my first lesson – so ‘lechyd da’!)” she said, signing off.
Twitter users were left impressed with the reply.
“That’s a pretty fantastic answer to be fair,” wrote Tegid Roberts, while Mari Roberts added, “What a thoughtful and well researched response. Diolch Amy.”
“@askingamy needs to come to Wales and work for the Senedd!” replied another. “Awesome response to why the Welsh language is so important.”