In just under a fortnights time, I will be again representing Wales and the Welsh language at the international language fair of Expolangues in Paris, France (expolangues.fr 5th - 8th February 2014). Let me be clear from the outset: I am *the* exhibitor, *the* representative of both my nation and the Welsh language ... no one else from Wales features at this event. Expolangues is the largest annual language fair in Europe and features 180 exhibitors, representing 80 languages and over 30 countries. Over the 4-day period, around 21 000 people will visit this language extravaganza in Paris: half of whom are the general public interested in languages, the other half being professional linguists from all corners of the world. Once the visitors are there they can discuss and perhaps buy the latest dvds, soiftware, textbooks, materials etc available to learn the language of their choice; they can attend lectures on developments in the sociolinguistics of Arabic; find out about language-based holidays with native speaker families in France, Poland, Ireland and other places; discover the latest techniques on language learning and teaching in primary and secondary schools; attend book launches with text book writers; have a free 1 hour taster lesson given by a language professional. Now where do I fit in? You will recall I mentioned earlier that I am *the* Welsh exhibitor. What this means is that the ambassadorial duties in representing my whole nation of 3 million people, lie on my shoulders - and *solely* on my shoulders. For the whole four days of this important, international event, I alone am the only person from Wales who is present. Consequently, I am in the position of having to field all questions (both language orientated or otherwise) about my home nation to anyone who accosts me during the fair. Further, I give one of those free 1 hour taster lessons (Welsh through the medium of French) mentioned earlier. This year it will be between 3pm and 4 pm on Thursday 6 February 2014 and you are invited to attend. This year, 2014, will mark my 12th such appearance as the sole Wales and Welsh representative at Expolangues since 1998. (I have been a regular annual exhibitor, that word again - *not* visitor, since 2006.) I have around 15 attendees of my demo lesson every year - and they are nearly always new ones; often some who have no idea of my nation, my language nor the flag I wear on my back for the duration of the fair, but maybe be curious to know why gallois is not a dialect of English. Once convinced that neither my language is a bastardised form of English, nor that my compatriots are English, then the smiles of understanding from both these students and other visitors and exhibitors is a joy to behold. And yet ... you will note that it is as sole representative of my 3 million compatriots that I do all this. In my 12 appearances to date at this world famous fair; a fair indeed which showcases *all* languages on an equal footing, Les langues du monde, le monde des langues - an opportunity to be seixed upon by otherwise neglected and minoritised language communities - I have not received a single penny towards my costs from anyone - politician, organisation, company, language venture, individual - towards my costs. These can amount to €1 000 annually, as my presence at Expolangues demands an initial outlay of €350 for the hiring of the room for my 1 hour lesson in the first place. All other expenses for the 4 day stay in Paris will also have to come out of my own pocket. It is a case in point that indeed in seeking any sponsorship or even any active support from Welsh compatriots to actually come out with me - be it to support the lesson, to fly the flag or even just to take in the atmosphere of Expolangues and maybe learn something from it to take back to their own interests as linguists (be they language campaigners, teachers, students, civil servants obilged to promote the language under statute, translators, interpreters, editors, publishers ...) I have received nothing. Neither financial assistance nor moral support. I repeat - nothing. On the contrary, there is often a spirit of outright hostility, of deliberate misunderstanding and of an envy which shows its face in the dirty tricks (coupled with lies) that certain individuals have played on me, when I have attempted to demonstrate the worthiness of promoting our nation and its language in a wider arena. Other nationalities are bewildered by such an attitude - and rightly so. The Welsh Establishment however refuses to acknowledge my presence - or if it does, will play dirty - and considers Expolangues to be an irrelevance to the home nation, its culture and its language. It is with all these factors in mind that I composed my parable Of mice and ... ? which you can read below. You will then be in a better to judge both this sole linguist mouse ambassador and the nation he has been trying his best to represent in an international arena - unpaid, unloved and underappreciated - since 1998. Thank you to those of you who continue to give me their support.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 13:15:25 +0000
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