Duolingo Welsh Course Creator Addresses Guardian Article on Language Learning Journey
The lead designer and writer of Duolingo's Welsh language course has responded to a recent Guardian article that explored the personal journey of learning Welsh. In a letter published in the Guardian's letters section, Richard Morse detailed the intentions behind the popular digital course and addressed some of the challenges highlighted in the original piece.
Supporting Welsh Learners Through Digital Platforms
Richard Morse expressed appreciation for Dan Fox's Guardian article titled "Where Duolingo falls down: how I learned to speak Welsh with my mother," which described Fox's emotional journey reconnecting with his mother's language. Morse clarified that the Duolingo course was never intended to serve as a standalone language learning solution but rather as a supplementary resource available on the world's largest language learning platform.
The course has attracted more than 700,000 regular learners who use it to support their Welsh language studies alongside more traditional methods like formal lessons and immersion techniques. Morse emphasized that the primary goal has always been to provide accessible resources that give learners confidence in their ability to acquire Welsh language skills.
The Complex Reality of Spoken Welsh Standards
One significant point of discussion in the exchange centered on the lack of universally accepted standards for spoken Welsh. Morse explained that the Welsh used in the Duolingo course follows the most recent spoken Welsh standard approved by the Welsh government for courses throughout Wales.
However, he acknowledged that Dan Fox's mother considered some aspects of this standard erroneous, highlighting the ongoing debate about what constitutes "correct" spoken Welsh. This absence of consensus represents one of the factors that continues to challenge efforts to revive and maintain the language across different regions of Wales.
Regional Variations and Personal Connections
The Guardian letters section also featured responses from other readers who shared their personal connections to the Welsh language. Sian O'Neill, originally from the Welsh-speaking village of Tumble in south Wales but now living in Oxfordshire, described how the article evoked powerful emotions and memories.
She highlighted regional variations in Welsh terminology, noting that "Nain and Taid" are used for grandparents in north Wales while "Mam-gu and Dad-cu" are preferred in south Wales. Another reader, Martin Pennington from Shropshire, pointed out a bilingual road sign in one of the article's photographs that misspelled the Welsh word for speed as "cyfymder" instead of the correct "cyflymder."
The Broader Context of Welsh Language Preservation
These exchanges occur against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to preserve and promote the Welsh language following centuries of struggle to maintain its vitality. The emotional responses to Fox's article demonstrate the deep personal connections many people maintain with the language, whether they currently reside in Wales or have moved elsewhere.
The discussion also reveals the complex interplay between standardized language instruction and regional linguistic variations that characterize many minority languages facing preservation challenges. As digital platforms like Duolingo make Welsh more accessible to global audiences, questions about standardization and authenticity continue to spark meaningful dialogue among learners, educators, and native speakers alike.
Morse concluded his response with the Welsh encouragement "Dal ati!" meaning "Keep it up!"—a sentiment that captures both the challenges and rewards of engaging with the Welsh language in the twenty-first century.
