07 August 2014
S4C will be launching a new service with the aim of helping more people to gain confidence in their Welsh-language skills.
The new service Dal Ati (Go For it) – which starts 28 September on S4C – will broadcast two hours of interesting programmes every Sunday in simple Welsh.
The new service will have its official launch at the Maes D pavilion at the National Eisteddfod on Thursday, 7 August at 1.00pm.
The new morning show is the fruit of detailed research, which showed a need for S4C to introduce programmes that will give Welsh learners, and those who aren’t comfortable using Welsh, more confidence in their language skills.
Dal Ati, is a two-hour service that will offer a number of new programmes and series, including Bore Da (Good Morning) and Milltir² (Square Mile). These programmes will feature specially edited archive programmes, which cover a variety of topics and stories presented in easy Welsh.
S4C will also be launching a new campaign with the slogan, “Your Welsh is good enough! Just Dal Ati (Go For It)”.
As well as the programmes, Dal Ati will soon be launching a new app, website and digital service that will support the on-screen content.
Sioned Wyn Roberts, S4C Content Commissioner said:
“In the process of creating this new strategy we asked the audience, both learners and people who want to improve their Welsh, what they wanted to see on the channel. One thing that was evident from the research was that some Welsh speakers are worried about their grasp of the language. By suggesting “Your Welsh is good enough! Just Dal Ati (Go For It)”, we are encouraging learners to give Welsh a go, to talk more, and increase their confidence to speak Welsh. But it also challenges confident Welsh speakers to support and help others to cross that bridge so that they can become confident Welsh speakers.”
Last year S4C decided to carry out a detailed research into Welsh learners’ needs. Across Wales many learners and those who aren’t confident in Welsh were asked what they wanted to see on S4C. The research was led by Welsh-language specialist and advisor, Cefin Campbell.
Cefin Campbell says: “This service on Sunday morning is an exciting development which will be a massive boost for the experienced learner, and Welsh speakers who aren’t confident, as they strive to improve their language skills. As they become more familiar with the programme content, hopefully they will have more confidence to watch programmes on S4C during prime time.”
One of the new programmes in the Dal Ati service will be Bore Da, a magazine show presented by S4C presenters Elin Llwyd and Alun Williams. The programme is produced by Llanelli-based production company Tinopolis, and will include a variety of topics including cooking, travelling, history, culture and music.
Also amongst the programmes will be Milltir² (Square Mile) where viewers will be able to watch Nia Parry on her travels around Wales. Fflic, part of Boom Picture Cymru, and based in Cardiff, will produce the series for S4C. Programmes about The Learner of the Year competition will be broadcast in the first two weeks on Dal Ati.
