The Welsh language has no limits for author Lynda Pritchard Newcombe

A Welsh for adults tutor has written a book to help empower learners to use the language in their everyday lives during and once they have finished their courses.

 

According to Lynda Pritchard Newcombe (who teaches at the Welsh for Adults Centre Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan) thousands of people start to learn Welsh each year but for many, the biggest challenge is transferring classroom Welsh into the community.In her book ‘Think Without Limits: You Can Speak Welsh’, Lynda offers advice to learners on how to use the language socially, tips to first language speakers on how to help learners use more Welsh and suggestions for tutors about how to help students achieve fluency.

Lynda, who is originally from Merthyr Tydfil, but who now lives in Cardiff, said: “Thousands of people that start learning Welsh each year for a wide variety of reasons, such as work and family. But many drop out because for a large proportion the biggest challenge is going out from the classroom into the community and using the language in shops, schools, homes, churches and pubs.” Lynda is a former learner herself. She took up the language in the early 90s after feeling ashamed that she couldn’t speak Welsh fluently during a trip to New Zealand, despite a family and school background in Welsh. Since then, Lynda has achieved a PhD in sociolinguistics from the Welsh Department at Cardiff University and uses Welsh as much as she can in her everyday life.

On Monday March 8, the book will be officially launched at the Welsh Bookshop in Merthyr Tydfil at Neuadd Soar (Soar Hall) in Pontmorlais at 3.30pm.  

Lynda continued: “I hope that my book empowers learners to take what they have learned in their lessons and go forth into society and use their Welsh in everyday situations. Speaking Welsh outside of the classroom, without the support of your tutor and fellow learners, is incredibly daunting. I have first-hand experience in this!”

Lynda hopes that her book will encourage people that are concerned for the future of the Welsh language to consider the role of learners. The book contains anecdotes about other Welsh learners that have progressed to fluency, including a foreword from Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Education minister Leighton Andrews said: “Lynda is a sheer inspiration and a credit to the Welsh language, and I wish her every success with her book.”

‘Think Without Limits: You Can Speak Welsh’ is published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch and can be purchased from the publisher’s website www.gwales.comor from www.amazon.co.uk, WH Smiths, Waterstones and other Welsh bookshops. You can also purchase a copy by emailing Lynda at NewcombeL@cf.ac.uk

For more information about Lynda’s book launch phone 01685 373770 or email siopyganolfan@merthyrtudful.com 

To find out more about learning at the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Welsh for Adults Centre visit http://www.learnwelsh.co.uk/or call 029 2087 4710.