Where Duolingo falls down: how I learned to speak Welsh with my mother

Once violently defended from extinction, Welsh is still a part of daily life. By learning my family’s language, I hoped to join their conversation My maternal grandmother died 20 years ago. The funeral was held in a small Methodist chapel in the lush Conwy valley of north Wales. Her entire life – she had almost reached 100 – was spent in these hills. The drizzle that morning had slicked the trees and turned the slate of the chapel black. Our family, gathered under umbrellas, entered in order ...

By Dan Fox