‘One of the best ways to learn is to have a Welsh-speaking lover who cannot speak English. Otherwise read publications in Welsh, watch Welsh tv, listen to Welsh radio … Start your reading with children’s comics and children’s books. You need to be voracious. You must make yourself a sponge. Bit by bit it will come.’ (advice on Reddit)

We can’t offer you a Welsh speaking lover at Chapter One, (at least not one who’s for sale…) but we do have a wide range of new and second-hand books, in English about Wales, in Welsh for children and adults, and bilingual books for all ages.

When Your Children Speak Welsh, But You Don’t

A lovely customer here visits with Welsh speaking children who are in Welsh medium education, and has hit upon the great idea of the children teaching them, their parents, Welsh. She lets the children choose from new and second hand books, as to what will be on the ‘curriculum’.

A couple of times a week, they sit down with drinks ( and Welsh cakes or Bara Brith) and mam and dad get a Welsh lesson, involving reading, listening and singing a song or two. Though these sessions are just about half-an-hour, the family regularly sing ‘Oes gafr eto?’ on car journeys now. This sound worm translates into ‘Is there another goat there?’.

Mam’s thrilled at her own growing interest in Welsh and is going to sign up to Learn Welsh Pembrokeshire , the most vibrant of langugage communities across the county. The whole family are inspired by Wales football and maurauding around castle battlement opportunities at weekends and holidays.

St David’s Day, Dydd Gwyl Dewi

It’s St David’s Day tomorrow in Wales, and his most quoted saying is ‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd’ or ‘do the little things in life’. It’s associated with sharing kindness, joy and that greatest of Welsh qualities, enthusiasm. Our customer seems to be doing just that, and getting truly in the Welsh hwyl with her family.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus i chi!