The Mentrau Iaith have produced leaflets sharing some ‘vital’ Welsh words translated to Ukrainian. Heledd ap Gwynfor, Communications Coordinator with Mentrau Iaith Cymru says:
“These leaflets is a way to introduce some Welsh to those who have settled in Wales from the Ukraine. The list of Welsh words translated into Ukrainian also includes the Ukrainian phonetics so as to help Ukrainians to pronounce the Welsh words.”
The Mentrau Iaith have produced a number of leaflets in the past introducing Welsh words concentrating on various popular themes for example Christmas, the four seasons and also traditional Welsh festivals like St Dwynwen’s Day, but this is the first time to produce one in a third language. Heledd explains:
“These leaflets have been very popular and have been shared a number of times on our social platforms. Hopefully these will benefit a new community of people and to help make them feel a part of a new Welsh community whichever part of Wales they live.”
Tanya Davenport is originally from the Ukraine, and lives in Carmarthen with her husband and their children, she says:
“The welcome Ukrainians have had here in Wales is so appreciated, and I feel proud to be able to say that I belong to Welsh and Ukrainian, communities. Many Ukrainians come here traumatised having seen hate and sorrow, but these small gestures amount to a positive feeling.”
Tanya’s parents fled Poltava in east Ukraine and have since settled with the family in Carmarthen:
“They hear the [Welsh] language all around them, they see signs so they are curious – this leaflet showing how to say words in Welsh – including Ukrainian phonetic – is just wonderful and will make my parents feel even more part of this new and warm community.”
Llinos Davies is a Support Welsh teacher in Ceredigion and works with children from the Ukraine as they settle here offering stability whilst introducing them to education. Llinos says:
“I teach children from all ages to be able to communicate linguistically. It is so important for them to gain some Welsh so that they can empathise and feel even more a part of their new community. I love hearing them speak in Welsh, and they also enjoy hearing me trying to speak some Ukrainian. It’s important to show that we are all learning and that we all have a desire to learn more about each other.”
Llinos has shared a video on You Tube showing her teaching Welsh at the same time as learning Ukrainian with English thrown in for good measure also! She believes that these leaflets will enrich Ukrainian experiences of being in Wales even more:
“Everything helps. It is only a small gesture to be able to say a word or two in their language, and these leaflets are a useful reference for them to try say some Welsh words.”
The leaflets can be seen on the Mentrau Iaith social media or by asking your local Menter Iaith for a hard copy – for more info on who your local Menter Iaith is go to: https:// mentrauiaith.cymru/en/find-a-menterfind-a-menter/
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