Don't destroy our culture

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Friday, November 02, 2012
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South Wales Evening Post

I CAN'T remember when a statement in the Evening Post has caused me more anger than G Levell's contention that, "Languages other than English are decisive and the cause of wars" (Have Your Say, October 31).

G Levell and all the other Welsh haters should note that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples defines genocide (in part) as: "Any action which has the aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples, or of their cultural values or ethnic identities." (Article 7(a))

Language is an intrinsic part of any culture.

To destroy the language is to destroy the culture.

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To seek to do so deliberately is cultural genocide.

If G Levell doesn't like the fact that Welsh people have the right under international law to speak their own language, perhaps he should consider moving to the USA, which he cites as a "template of this future" and where they have a general tendency to ignore international law.

Although with nearly 15 per cent of the US population speaking Spanish as their first language, that might not be such a good idea!

Keith M Ross

Brynmill, Swansea

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  • Profile image for Neathboy234

    by Neathboy234

    Sunday, November 04 2012, 11:45AM

    “By making such ill informed and to put it frankly somewhat deranged posts Levell is missing the point. Just over 5% of the worlds population speak English, slightly less than speak Spanish. Over the next 50 years the number of English speakers in the USA is expected to fall dramatically, to be replaced in large by Spanish. Already in over a dozen states 25% of the population speak little or no English, they have no need to as everyone around them speaks Spanish.

    Even here in the UK there are now 5 million non English speakers, perhaps someone should tell poor old Levell that his beloved English is actually on the decline. On second thoughts perhaps it's best not to tell him, i wouldn't want to be responsible for sending this man totally over the edge.”

  • Profile image for JiffysWonders

    by JiffysWonders

    Sunday, November 04 2012, 1:47AM

    “Oh, there are haters of the Welsh language sadly. I have met too many. On the matter of spending money on the Welsh language, my goodness there is some hysteria in some circles. Listening to some we could be led to believe that the spend is comparable to the combined GDP of China and the USA! We do not have accurate figures and much is debatable (do you classify a welsh medium school budget as language or education - is it any more than english medium spending?). Do not forget that Welsh speakers are taxpayers also and that it has survived many centuries and even open attempts to kill it off. Yma o hyd sings Dafydd Iwan, and it is because we fought for it, and supported it and continue to use it .... and thanks to it's existence I can call myself Welsh wether I speak it or not.”

  • Profile image for Neathboy234

    by Neathboy234

    Saturday, November 03 2012, 7:16PM

    “maxmin Are u totally obsessed with me, try getting some views of your own. you never know it might make u a little less boring. BTW if you think Mr Level's views are normal perhaps u need to visit a doctor as well”

  • Profile image for abertawejack

    by abertawejack

    Saturday, November 03 2012, 3:07PM

    “The Welsh language will always be a part of Wales but secondary to the English language, this is quite obvious due to the the fact, English is now the acclaimed World language. I don't really believe that there are Welsh or Welsh language haters as such here, other than the fact that Welsh can only survive with a majority of English only speakers contributing to it's costings. I find no evidence that the Welsh only language can solely support itself. England was once a threat to Wales, we have moved on since them days of old, time now to take stock and appreciate the fact that: English is here to stay whether one likes it or not.”

  • Profile image for maxmin

    by maxmin

    Saturday, November 03 2012, 11:46AM

    “Its very interesting that Neathboy CLM wants people who don't agree with him to be declared mentally unfit, and presumably rushed off to some camp for re-education!

    Straight out of Stalins handbook.”

  • Profile image for Einon

    by Einon

    Friday, November 02 2012, 11:13PM

    “Well said Keith Ross! Judging from his latest letter Gwilym Levell has lost the plot.”

  • Profile image for Neathboy234

    by Neathboy234

    Friday, November 02 2012, 7:59PM

    “I think someone working for the Evening Post needs to take a long hard look at themselves. It is obvious to anyone with half a brain that MR Levell is not a well man. To continue to print his letters is nothing short of an act of cruelty. I can only imagine someone is having a good laugh at his attempts to communicate with us all. Personally i don't find it funny one tiny bit, he needs help not ridicule.”

  • Profile image for swanseajock

    by swanseajock

    Friday, November 02 2012, 11:31AM

    “Right the bait has been set, stand-by for trhe bite. I can't wait. This is still the best gae on the website”

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