Michael Sheen, Cerys Matthews and Nigel Owens call for Welsh-only name for Senedd
A group of celebrities, including actor Michael Sheen and musician Cerys Matthews, have released an open letter calling on politicians to support a Welsh-only name for Parliament in a vote next week.
The announcement of the letter comes ahead of a campaign rally held tomorrow by campaigners (1pm, Saturday, November 9th) in favor of using the name ‘Senedd’ only.
Over 30 celebrities have signed the letter, including rugby referee Nigel Owens, DJ Huw Stephens, poet Gwyneth Lewis, National Poet of Wales Ifor ap Glyn, comedian Tudur Owen and musician Kizzy Crawford.
Last month a total of 43 AMs to 13 backed former First Minister Carwyn Jones’ changes to the Senedd and Elections Bill, which would change the name of the institution to both Senedd Cymru and Welsh Parliament.
A vote backing a Welsh-only name was defeated by 38 AMs, with 16 in support and one abstention.
The letter sent to all politicians in Parliament says:
“At one time in Wales’ history, there was a deliberate and specific effort though the law and by the authorities to erase the Welsh language from every part of public life – from our schools to our courts, from public administration to place names. There is now a broad consensus that Wales’ unique language is something to treasure and celebrate as an essential part of our future.
“The naming of our national legislature as the ‘Senedd’ is therefore significant as a statement of the Wales we want to see for generations to come. Giving this most important of national institutions a Welsh-only name sends an important message about the central and special status we wish to see for the language in the public life of the country. This is a chance to show that Welsh really does, as is so often said, belong to and include everyone, whatever their background.”
All the signatures
Michael Sheen, Actor; Gwyneth Lewis, Poet; Huw Stephens, Broadcaster; Gruffudd Owen, Children’s Poet Laureate for Wales 2019-21; Cian Ciaron, Musician; Rhys Mwyn, Musician and Broadcaster; Angharad Mair, Presenter; Ffion Dafis, Actor; Catrin Dafydd, Author; Tudur Owen, Comedian; Lleuwen Steffan, Musician; Aled Jones Williams, Playwright and author; Gwyneth Glyn, Musician; Ifor ap Glyn, National Poet of Wales; Kizzy Crawford, Musician; Dewi Pws Morris, Musician; Ani Saunders, Musician; Siw Hughes, Actress; Geraint Lovgreen, Musician; Bryn Fôn, Musician; Steve Eaves, Musician; Merched y Wawr; Baptist Union of Wales; Brian Jones, Vice Chair of CND Cymru; Dilwyn Roberts-Young, UCAC Secretary General; Lleucu Myrddin, President of Bangor’s Welsh Students’ Union; Jacob Morris, Cardiff University Welsh Language Officer; Tomos Ifan, President of UMCA; Sue Jones-Davies, Actress; Nigel Owens, Rugby Referee; Cerys Matthews, Musician and Broadcaster; Anthony Evans, Artist; Twm Morys, Musician.
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no need for anything but senedd, its not a Welsh name, its just a name, the only name for a unique institution. Hopefullt it will not be translatable because it is unique, but can have a subjext of Welsh parliament to explain to those who dont know what it is. I have been using senedd with people everywhere who speak no welsh and it feels just right, sub text needed on first use and never again.
Well it should be written Seneth then, for all other Roman alphabet readers who would invariably pronounce dd as d. (While on the topic of spelling and pronunciation, we should also return to the original ‘K’ instead of ‘C’ so people world over stop pronouncing Cymru as Simroo.) As for the Sais with their Gloster and Wuster (Gloucester and Worcester), they are beyond hope.
Dim diolch. It doesn’t matter if people outside Cymru mispronounce it. How many non-Irish people pronounce ‘Dail’ correctly? They’re still using the Gaelic name, with no subtitles. Senedd, neu Senedd Cymru, os gwelwch chi’n dda.
As a bi-lingual nation, it should, like everything else be in both. The fact this has turned into something more than it is, indicates another agenda from the labour party.
Labour are a “muddy the waters” party. Senedd for me!
How respectable it would be to all the welsh speakers who tirelessly try and teach this language to an adult population that didnt have the opportunity to be bilingual..such a gift to the future to our children -da iwan .for the 1st time in the last 3yrs of brexit ,I feel positive!!
That’s ‘Welsh’, not ‘welsh’. Respect?
Ah, Michael Sheen…..the King of Port Talbot. Soon to be the first President of a Free Wales!! Da iawn Michael!