>* native speaker >=* near native speaker's competence >D learner >DD beginner > >But the last word to the listowner! >I think it would be really helpful to use this system! On GAELIC-L, [F] is used for Foghlaimeoir, it seems to me that [D] and [DD] makes good sense. I wouldn't personally like to ask "native speakers" to identify themselves, it seems rather artificial. (This is difficult for some learners to appreciate, but many "native speakers" of minority languages feel uncomfortable about identifying themselves as objects of linguistic scrutiny. Those who teach or work for the language particularly often don't feel this way, but some other speakers do.) A note on WELSH-L language policy: With regard to the recent discussion as to "Anglophobia" on this list, may I respectfully request that it stop. I am a native speaker of English and have a deep love for my language. This list permits the use of English; there are other language-specific lists, such as SWAHILI-L@MACC.WISC.EDU and CAUSERIE@UQUEBEC.CA, which do not. Nevertheless, the internet is filled with lists in which English is the medium of discussion, and WELSH-L and GAELIC-L are two of the lists which exist to support languages _other_ than English. Occasionally (not only just recently), a high volume of discussion in English starts up; I endeavoured, as I have before, to encourage that such discussion continue in Welsh. (Diolch i bawb yr oedd wedi ysgrifennu yn Gymraeg wedi hwn.) WELSH-L is unmoderated, which means that our readers have only themselves to censor before posting a message to 300 other subscribers. If you are learning Welsh, try to write some. If you "want to learn Welsh someday", go and buy a copy of Teach Yourself Welsh and sit down and start doing some! This book is excellent, cheap, easily available, and a good start. If you aren't interested in seriously applying yourself to learning and using the Welsh language, and respecting the rather simple rules we have here, perhaps a list such as CELTIC-L@IRLEARN.UCD.IE would serve your needs better. If you wish to argue with me, or with Briony, WELSH-L's other co-owner, regarding this, please do so by writing directly to us about your concerns, and do not send it directly to WELSH-L. _Discussion_in_English_of_this_thread_stops_here._ Failure to comply with this will get you unsubscribed. My address is everson@irlearn.ucd.ie and Briony's is briony@cstr.ed.ac.uk. Rydw i'n gobeithio yr ydy pawb i chi'n hapus gan y polisi syml hwn. Dydw i ddim yn eisiau chwarae sirydd yma, a rydw i'n credu nac ydy llawer o bobl gan Saesneg yn unig yn deall, beth ydy problem yr ieithiau bach gan erdych ar Saesneg. Spi am eus ivez hag a zo an tra-man+ fin ar istor breman+. Michael Everson [D] Co-owner, WELSH-L@IRLEARN.UCD.IE