A Transport for Wales employee originally from Washington DC has described how an enthusiasm for Welsh-language music prompted him to study Welsh and achieve fluency.
Ed Reid, who serves as Bus Network Planning Manager at the organisation, possesses Welsh family connections and first encountered Welsh musical culture well before relocating to Wales itself.
During his time residing in Ohio, he purchased his initial Welsh-language cassette recording, establishing a connection with Wales that would later define a significant portion of his life.
Reid, who was born in the American capital, subsequently moved to the United Kingdom where he undertook diverse employment across Britain and within Wales.
After settling in Wrexham alongside his spouse, who hails from Bangor, he commenced Welsh language study through the Popeth Cymraeg programme based in Denbigh.
Over subsequent years, he continued advancing his linguistic abilities and successfully finished the Meistroli Welsh scheme by passing both examinations and practical evaluations.
He has now spoken Welsh fluently for a decade.
Reid subsequently joined Transport for Wales in his current position overseeing bus network planning, a role involving the development of bus routes and the broader transportation network throughout Wales.
His responsibilities have also created additional chances to employ his Welsh language skills within a professional environment.
According to Reid, he initiated Welsh language study following his relocation to Wales in 1999.
Prior to beginning formal language acquisition, he started listening to Welsh-language recordings, which played a significant role in his educational path.
As a fluent speaker, one of the aspects he values most about his position is the daily opportunity to use Welsh.
He employs the language more frequently at this organisation than at any previous workplace.
He encourages others to speak Welsh whenever possible and to immerse themselves in the language whenever the chance arises.
Even the simple utterance of a greeting or expression can prove meaningful.
He strives to incorporate Welsh into the conclusion of every conversation.
Reid’s enthusiasm for Welsh culture extends beyond his professional duties.
He maintains active membership in the Washington DC Welsh Society, an organisation uniting Welsh speakers and learners worldwide who share ties to Wales and the American capital.
Having frequently discussed his appreciation for Welsh music and radio, Reid particularly welcomed the arrival of the National Eisteddfod in his adopted hometown of Wrexham the previous year, providing convenient access to the language, performances and general atmosphere of the event.
Additionally, Reid produces and presents his own radio programme featuring Welsh-language music, through which he shares his passion with audiences in the United States and Canada.
Lowri Joyce, TfW’s Head of Welsh Language, commented that Reid’s journey illustrates how the Welsh language can unite individuals from across the globe.
From initial exposure to Welsh music through to achieving fluency and using the language daily in his Transport for Wales role, his experience demonstrates that Welsh belongs to everyone.
As an organisation committed to bilingualism, TfW aims to generate circumstances where colleagues and customers can utilise Welsh regardless of whether they are proficient speakers, learners or simply commencing their engagement with the language.
Shwmae Su’mae Day represents an valuable occasion to celebrate the language and motivate additional individuals to participate.
Reid’s narrative is being highlighted as part of Shwmae Su’mae Day, observed annually on 15 October.
The event seeks to promote the understanding that the Welsh language is accessible to all.
Chloe Paine, a primary school teacher and tutor associated with FindTutors, offers five recommendations for acquiring Welsh language skills.
She suggests that commencing with straightforward daily phrases rather than attempting to absorb extensive vocabulary proves more effective for beginners.
Establishing a practice of speaking Welsh, even briefly each day, yields substantial results over time.
She also proposes that consistent exposure through radio programmes, podcasts and television assists learners in becoming accustomed to varied accents and natural speech patterns, while regular conversation builds confidence.
Recommended resources include language applications for daily vocabulary work, Welsh-language television services and radio broadcasts for listening practice, structured Welsh courses and social media accounts sharing vocabulary guidance and cultural knowledge.
Music represents another valuable learning tool, with Welsh-language songs helping familiarity with pronunciation, sentence structures and everyday terms in an enjoyable manner.
Paine emphasises that learners should not delay speaking until feeling fully prepared, as using the language from the outset, including when errors occur, accelerates progress considerably.
She notes that the primary obstacle facing beginners typically relates to confidence rather than linguistic complexity, and that Welsh speakers generally demonstrate support and appreciation for learner efforts.
Locating conversational groups, frequently termed sgwrs gatherings, provides informal environments for practising speech, while libraries and community organisations often host similar sessions.
Regarding linguistic features, Paine acknowledges that initial encounters with mutations, where word-initial letters transform according to grammatical context, may appear daunting yet become intuitive through sustained exposure.
Regional variations also exist throughout Wales, paralleling how English dialects differ across Britain, with distinct vocabulary and pronunciation prevalent in northern and southern areas.
One expression she finds particularly motivating translates approximately as encouragement to persist, serving as an apt reminder for those progressing on their language learning path.