After being fluent in the language as a child, today Ellie finds herself painfully searching for words on Google translate

If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would one day start forgetting how to speak Welsh, I would have been incredulous. Growing up, the Welsh language was such a central part of my life and identity that forgetting it would have seemed as likely as my arm spontaneously falling off. And yet here I am, 10 years later, shamefully putting Welsh words into Google translate to make sure I’ve got them right.

Memory is a mysterious thing; we’ve all had the feeling of estrangement from places and things we once felt an almost psychic connection with. But there is a peculiar panic that comes with forgetting a language you spoke fluently as a child. My heart skips a beat every time I realise another Welsh word has disappeared from my vocabulary. It’s like trying to grasp a solid object that has started to disintegrate in front of you. You’re always a step behind; never quite fast enough to reach out and stop it from crumbling. More.

See: The Guardian

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