Shwmae Sumae Day (

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

: ''Diwrnod Shwmae Sumae'') is a day marked each year in

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

to celebrate and promote the

Welsh language Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic language family, Celtic language of the Brittonic languages, Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony in Chubut P ...

. ''Shwmae'' and ''Sumae'' are informal greetings used in the

south South is one of the cardinal directions or Points of the compass, compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both east and west. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Pro ...

and the

north North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating Direction (geometry), direction or geography. Etymology T ...

respectively to start a conversation. The day is celebrated on 15 October each year in order to promote community use of the language and encourage non-Welsh speakers to consider learning the language.

Development

The day was held for the first time in 2013, and has been held every year since. Shwmae Sumae Day events are organised at grassroots level by individuals, organisations and schools, and co-ordinated by civic Welsh language umbrella group Dathlu'r Gymraeg. The day is promoted through 'champions' appointed each year, many of whom have learned Welsh as adults themselves. Schools and other educational institutions play an active role in the day creating videos and promoting the day on social media.

Philosophy

The aim of Shwmae Day is to encourage non-Welsh speakers to start every conversation in Welsh, using ''Shwmae'', ''Sumae'', or a local variation. It is also seen as a way of increasing awareness about the language among non-Welsh speakers, encouraging new people to start learning the language. A recurring theme is that the Welsh language belongs to all Welsh citizens and that everyone can contribute to its future vitality.

References

{{Welsh language October observances Welsh language