As a non Welsh speaker (I am trying to remidy that) and having never been to Wales (I am trying to remidy that too) I have been facinated by the "healthy discussions" that have been occuring on this board whether it be convincing the Welsh and the tories that multiple place names are or are not necessary to the dicussion a couple of months ago on Welsh independence. Having grown up in Texas and now living in Virginia I have always been surrounded by non-Engish place names (Spanish, French and German in Texas and Indian in Virginia) I am a believer that the name of a place should not change just because the "official" language of the inhabitants changes. If a place already has a name no matter if its Welsh, English or Saxon it is still the name of that place. Should the name of Glasgow be changed to the translation of its name "The Green Place"? Having said that, I will try to explain why someone who is non-Welsh would try to learn the language and culture. As far as I know I have no Welsh in my family background. I can claim some ancient Scottish ancestory through the Clan Boyd but most of my blood is Germanic. My interest in Wales lies solely in my interest in things Celtic particularly in the areas of music. To better understand a culture I beleive one needs to start with the language and what ideals a group holds dear. I also believe that children should be taught the culture and language of an area in which the parents choose to live. Bill Gallip Chesapeake, Virginia, USA wgallip@hercules.nswses.navy.mil