‘Y Daith’ is a poem by Aneirin Karadog which looks at the Welsh language, identity and culture, while also featuring a love story.
The main character is Angharad. She lives with her Welsh-speaking parents in Pontypridd, a town where it always seems to be raining.
Dim ond goddef Pontypridd mae Angharad yn ei wneud,
gan freuddwydio am adael rhyw ddydd.
She longs to escape from the town, and from the Welsh language she hears her parents speak at home. She thinks the language is spoken only by the older generation.
Ych. Ma’ mam yn gwrando ar Radio Cymru eto.
…Iaith hen bobol.
Then, she hears that the Eisteddfod is coming to Pontypridd. It’s a surprise to Angharad.
Pam Ponty?
…Meddylia Angharad.
When the large crowds of people come to Pontypridd for the Eisteddfod, they arrive like:
‘diferion glaw yn plymio i Afon Taf…’
Then, her friend Gemma invites Angharad to ‘Maes B’, and Angharad’s really not keen. They’re going to see a headline act which Angharad thinks will sound like the boring music her Mum listens to on the radio. But when she gets there, it’s brilliant:
daw Dom a Lloyd
i’r llwyfan a’ u lleisiau’n llawn
cyffro gan rapio rhythmau
nad yw Angharad wedi eu clywed
yn Gymraeg o’r blaen.
Angharad begins to feel connected to the culture at the Eisteddfod and starts to reconsider her identity.
Then:
Wrth y bar, dyma’r ferch â’r llygaid
llawn sêr yn troi ati mewn acen ryfedd.
The girl’s name is Sophie, and she offers to buy Angharad a drink.
“Tisho diod? Be’ gymi di? Sophie dw i”
Despite her nervousness, Angharad accepts.
She’s shocked to find that Sophie thinks Pontypridd is amazing.
“Ponty’n ameising? Ody e?!”
Arweinia’r sgwrs at y gusan orau erioed…
After the Eisteddfod, Angharad’s cultural awakening, and the kiss, Pontypridd seems different to her.
She thinks of the names of the places all around her… Comin Coedpenmaen … Graigwen … Trallwng … Cilfynydd … and she realises they are all in the Welsh language. It’s as if she’s noticing that for the first time.
Angharad’s new understanding of her part in the culture brings a complete change in the way she sees her town.
“Ma Ponty mor lysh!”
She listens to Welsh language music now, messages Gemma in Welsh on social media, and thinks about Sophie.
Some of the main themes in the poem are yr iaith Gymraeg and hunaniaeth.
You could discuss these by mentioning the details, events, characters or descriptions from the cerdd that link to the theme.
For example, when discussing “yr iaith Gymraeg”, think about how Angharad feels about it at the start of the poem and how she changes by the end. Then compare with your own thoughts about yr iaith Gymraeg and how it’s used by you, your family, or friends.
Now, think about how you’d answer these questions on the themes of “yr iaith Gymraeg” and “hunaniaeth”:
- Wyt ti’n meddwl ei bod hi’n bwysig siarad Cymraeg os wyt ti’n byw yng Nghymru?
- Sut wyt ti’n teimlo am ble rwyt ti’n byw, a sut mae hynny wedi dylanwadu ar y person wyt ti heddiw?
Description
Unit 4: Learn about the main events, characters and themes featured in the poem, ‘Y Daith’, by Aneirin Karadog.
Find out more about GCSE Core Cymraeg (TGAU Cymraeg Craidd)
Now playing video 4 of 4
- 2 of 4
- 3 of 4
