WHY?

One man, one language, one country - one challenge. Ifor ap Glyn explains what prompted him to start on a journey around Wales, doing Popeth yn Gymraeg (Everything in Welsh)...

"It's difficult to remember exactly where the idea for this campaign came from - back in London when I was growing up for all I know!"

 

Y Cymry Rhydd

llun o Robat GruffyddAbout Robat Gruffudd
Robat Gruffudd is an author and founder of Gwasg y Lolfa (Lolfa Press). He was brought up in Swansea and received his further education at the University of Wales Bangor. After graduating he founded this important printing press in Talybont.

His novel Llosgi won the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize in 1986 and Crac Cymraeg on the shortlist for the 1996 Book of the Year.

S4C: Were you the leader of the "Popeth yn Gymraeg" ("Everything in Welsh") campaign back in the 70s?
RG: Yes, Gwilym Tudur and I were - Gwilym is the owner of Siop y Pethe in Aberystwyth. We decided to hold an experiment lasting about three to six months of doing everything in Welsh. Our name for the purposes of the campaign was "Y Gymry Rhydd" (Free Welshmen).

S4C: Did you succeed in completing the six months?
RG: Oh hell yes - it was hard! Sometimes though, when necessary, we were translating every other sentence. Saying the sentence first in Welsh then repeating in English - especially in a business environment. That could be difficult. I remember going down to Newport Docks once, wanting to sell a type-setting machine, and speaking Welsh down there. We had to compromise on that occasion and repeat ourselves in English. We gave it up after about six months.

S4C: Why did you decide to campaign?
RG: Well, firstly, because we felt that we had a perfect right to live our lives entirely through the medium of Welsh, just like the English and French and so many other nationalities can. Secondly, it was a way to push the Welsh cause along. If more of us had done so, then it undoubtedly would have had an effect on the language policy we have today.

S4C: What in your opinion was the hardest aspect of the task?
RG: It was really difficult in a social setting – especially as I was brought up in Swansea. I remember a friend of mine, an English speaking Welshman from Swansea, coming up to pay me a visit. His name was Stan Addicot and he was the manager for the All Whites rugby team. I had to explain to him what I was doing. I'm not convinced he fully understood, he just looked at me rather peculiarly! But that was hard, I remember, especially as he had come all that way to see me and then me refusing to talk to him.

S4C: What kind of response did you get on the whole?
RG: Generally we were shown more respect than disrespect. I think the majority of people could appreciate how difficult a task it was. I still think that as a principle, the concept was a good one and one worth doing.