Webbing is the next phase of my project. According to Annette Lamb, the webbing process includes locating, searching for and connecting information. I am doing Welsh literature. I first identified Welsh literature and film I had already heard about. I only know of one book so far, "How Green was my Valley," by Richard Llewellyn. I had heard about when I was a little girl and remembered it when I became obsessed with Wales. I immediately went to the library and checked it out. No surprise the book was readily available.
At work, I work at a library, we discuss the books we are reading. When I told people about my latest book, not one person had heard of it. I found this disturbing because the book was made into a movie in 1939 or 1940. It was such a good movie, it won Best Picture, beating about Citizen Kane. Yes, you heard right, Citizen Kane, AFI's best movie of all time.
The book is about a young boy named Huw (pronounce Hugh) Morgan. His father and brothers are all coal miners. However, young Huw is bright and is sent to a government school. The Welsh language is forbidden, only English is to be spoken. Huw learns this the hard way and receives several beatings. At one point in the novel, Huw, witnesses another student being punished for speaking her own language of Welsh. The little girl beaten and bruised, is thrown out to the school yard with a heavy sign hanging around her neck cutting through her flesh. The sign reads, "I will not speak Welsh."
Another interesting scenes in the novel takes place between Huw and his teacher. Huw's teacher is Welsh, but covers his Welsh accent and degrades the Welsh tongue and people. Never a moment goes by without him reminding Huw that he despises the Welsh. Huw asks him why does he hate himself so much. The teacher replies he had the unfortunate accident of being born in Wales. He is English through and through. Huw doesn't understand his disgust.
I will continue my search for more Welsh literature and provide updates!
Lamb, Annete http://virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/ws.htm
Llewellyn, Richard (1940) How Green was my Valley, New York : Macmillan Co.
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You know, I would love to hear the Welsh language spoken, and see how it sounds versus how it is spelled/written. You know the actor who plays Mr. Fantastic in the Fantastic Four? Ioan Gruffud. This is a Welsh name, and it is pronounced "Yo-in Griffith." He is a Welsh actor, and I've always marveled at the difference between the sound of his name and the spelling.
For my own project, which investigates the history of the Miami Indians in my area, I actually was able to find a site where they had audio files of common phrases in the Algonquin language (the language of the Miamis). Hearing how the language sounds allowed me to better personally connect with the topic. I'd love to hear how Welsh sounds as well.
Annette
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