Gwyn Thomas On Nationalism

The great Welsh writer and broadcaster Gwyn Thomas was interviewed by Vincent Kane for the Kane on Friday programme in the mid 1970's. In this extract Gwyn explains his controversial views on the Welsh language and on the drive towards Welsh independence. In a debate that still echoes loudly today, Gwyn argues passionately as a proud and loyal citizen of Wales that nationalism is a dangerous animal that wll rob the international stage of an immensely talented and gifted nation.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Gwyn Thomas
• Vincent Kane
• Welsh
• Nationalism
• Independence
• Language
• Wales

[GwynThomasWales]

I'm sorry but your facts are just wrong. S4C is one of the most heavily susidised channels on earth. It received over 94 million of funding in 2007 from the uk gov and a leaked report in March 2010 showed that in one month 196 of its 890 programmes were watched by zero viewers. What a gigantic waste of Welsh talent and what a squandered opportunity. It is watched by just 2.7% of people in Wales. If you want to debate with statistics get your facts straight.

[nwdls]

@GwynThomasWales I'm sure the viewing figures for BBC Wales, ITV Wales would also stand up to your keen scrutiny...

The 'zero' viewers argument has been thoroughly debated by the Welsh Affairs Select committe, and finally discredited. The fact of the matter is that S4C and BBC Wales are the definition of public service broadcasting: they fill a gap that would never be filled if left to the market. Welsh broadcasting in both languages is essential for democracy and the representation of Wales.

[GwynThomasWales]

@nwdls I agree with you that S4C and BBC Wales fill a gap that would never be filled if left to the market. This fact alone speaks volumes about the importance of the language in Wales today. Whether we like it or not, Welsh language broadcasting cannot survive without huge Government grants (£94m in 2007) because it does not generate enough advertising revenue to make it profitable. I'm all for people learning and speaking Welsh but is this really the best use of tax payers money?

[chrisjoneschrisjones]

this guy is very simplistic and polarisng ,you can speak two languages or three or four ,theres no reason why one language has to be at the detriment of another.he was of his time=with a slight strange inferiority complex

[GwynThomasWales]

I think GT would be the first to agree that bilingualism is a great thing if it enables you to communicate with more people more easily. GT was a passionate Welshman who loved his country and her people. Since the entire population of Wales also speaks English, his "simplistic" argument is that it would be better for Wales if we expressed our national identity, culture and genius to the whole world instead of keeping it to ourselves. Not a PC view today but a profound one nonetheless.

[chrisjoneschrisjones]

@GwynThomasWales i dont really get your point ,or his,we allready express our national identity, culture and genius to the whole world,the fact we have two languages makes it double the impact. , we keep our culture to ourselves and sell it to the world at the same time.there is no issue or argument ! this is a non issue {p.s =just to be anal,around 4% of wales dont speak english;mostly kids and the elderly..}

[GwynThomasWales]

I respect your opinion, but I don't believe this is a non issue. Wales spends millions of pounds each year preserving the Welsh language (S4C, bilingual forms, road signs etc). If 4% of the Welsh population really can't speak the national language of the UK, and the recognised first language of the international community then we should all hang our heads in shame. If 96% of us can communicate perfectly well without Welsh, could the millions spent on Welsh be put to better use elsewhere?

[arian1945]

Ok I hope my answer is understandable to you. You say that you have lived in Wales all your life and you can communicate with everyone by just speaking English. What a typical answer from someone who`s trying to justify his arrogance and ignrance to not learn. All your life you`ve lived in Cymru and you didnt even bother (this is the impression I`m getting).

[ColonelClegMcLeg]

Being able to speak Welsh does not "isolate" you from the English-speaking world, and I can speak from personal experience that it is most certainly not detrimental to be able to communicate in more than one language, even if that second language may not enable you to communicate with many people with whom you wouldn't have been able to have a conversation with before. There are many good reasons for learning Welsh, and many good reasons to promote it.

[Bluemax1945]

Gwyn Thomas GUSHES that he's an internationalist.

But to be an internationalist you have to be first a nation and Wales is a subservient nation to England and will always be subservient and inferior unless the Welsh people have some self respect like every other nation in the world and vote for independence.

[grandslam1998]

@Apemanwithcalculator Wales was anexed becacause the Welsh kept raiding the Marches. Also the English crown did not want France and Spain to get a foot hold in Wales Plus it was the start of empire building by the English who needed extra gold.

[Apemanwithcalculator]

@grandslam1998 wales was all but conquered by 1282...1536 act of union was just a way of the landed gentry in Wales to make more money...as a socialist you should be aware of this.....to this day over 50% of Wales still owned by large landowners of norman ancestry.............sounds like insanity to you valley folk but near me we have all big posh estates

[grandslam1998]

@Taiginator Wales was annexed by England in the 15 hundreds. Wales is a part of of the UK of GB and NI. We are a country within a country.

[DocMagister]

Actually Lyndon666 I beg to disagree. Wales' finest exports are her wit, intelligence, courage, passion and perseverence. These are all qualities that define Gwyn Thomas and make him such a noble ambassador for our great and noble country.

[lyndon666]

Just another Uncle Thom(as). Wales has had three great exports: lamb, coal and traitors.

[Deandwl]

Speaking the two languages of Wales enriches one's experience of the country. GT was part of a generation that became arrogant through its linguistic experience, seeing the decline of Welsh in Darwinian terms as it perceived society developing in the linear model favoured by Marxists & socialists. But culture doesn't proceed in a linear fashion, e.g. the increasing demand now for Welsh medium education. With hindsight GT's attack on nationalist defensiveness now itself appears somewhat 'ironic'.

[grandslam1998]

GT was first and foremost "A Valley Boy" It made and shaped him. The main language was English and he embraced it with great talent. The Dragon has two tongues and each has its part to play in making Wales a vibrant forward looking country. Welsh v English! It's not a competition!