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Remembrance of Nonconformist and other chapels in The Rhondda

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Welsh Church Commission - Evidence of: Rev. William Thomas - 12th February, 1907 <<>>

6029. Can you tell me what proportion of the population in your parish are bi-lingualist? - In my parish, if I may say so respectfully, and I beg to say so regretfully at the same time, there is very little Welsh spoken at Cymmer and Porth-that is, what I consider Welsh. Welsh as spoken there is a very mixed type of language. It is a patois, practically.

6030. I have been there. - I hope you will be able to substantiate my statement.

6031. Certainly. I cannot speak any Welsh, but I did think that the English they spoke was rather odd; that was my general impression? - If I may say so, all the public functions there are carried on in English. I have attended several meetings lately, one meeting in connection with the institution of a mining school in connection with the Cardiff University, and the proceedings of that meeting were carried on entirely in English. I have been at the distribution of prizes in connection with our evening continuation classes, and the proceedings are entirely in English. I have been at several other public functions in the place, and I find they are all conducted in English. I am sorry to say so, but that is the case.

6107. (asked by Mr. S. T. Evans) You say, speaking as a Welshman, I presume, that, unfortunatley, you find that Welsh is not very much used there? - I mean to say that pure Welsh is seldom or never spoken there.

6108. But there is a great deal of Welsh spoken there? - Of a kind.

6109. The language of the hearth of a very large proportion of the population is Welsh; it does not matter whether it is classical Welsh or not? - Not for the children; the children of Welsh parents speak English.

6110. And no Welsh at all? - I hope you will not misunderstand me. I say so regregfully.

6111. I do not mind their speaking English at all; I am very glad they do. But do they not speak both? - Not to my knowledge. They may know a little about Welsh; a word here or there.

6112. But there is a very large proportion there, is there not, of people who worship in Welsh? - I maintain that a very large proportion of those who do worship seemingly in Welsh know very little about Welsh. I doubt if they are capable of understanding a Welsh sermon.

6113. Do you really mean that the people who go to a Welsh service-take the Porth Congregational Chapel-do not understand a sermon or a service in Welsh? - I mean to say that a very large proportion of those who attend places of worship are incapable of understanding a Welsh sermon.

6114. Do you mean from appreciating it from a theological point of view, or of understanding it in the language? - No; from the standpoint of language.

6115. I will tell you at once candidly that that is an astonishing statement to me. It may be right or it may be wrong. Take the Porth Chapel. Do you suggest that a single person goes to the Porth Congregational Chapel who does not understand Welsh and does not appreciate the service in Welsh? - Of course I could not certify, but it is my opinion.

6116. Is there any reason why they should attend services in a Welsh chapel, where the services are in a language which they cannot understand or appreciate?

[I forget the source of this right now but an monoglot English person was once asked why he attended the Welsh chapel when an English chapel was also available in the same town. His reply: 'The singing is better']