Bobi Jones
Encyclopedia
Emeritus Professor Robert Maynard Jones (born 1929), generally known as Bobi Jones, is a Welsh
Christian
academic, one of the most prolific writers in the history of the Welsh language
. A versatile master of poetry, fictional prose and criticism, he is now in his seventies and still producing work of a high standard. He was born in Cardiff
in 1929, educated at the University of Wales, Cardiff
(now Cardiff University) and University College Dublin, Professor Jones held the chair in Welsh language at Aberystwyth
from 1980 until his retirement. (see also R. Geraint Gruffydd
)
. He attended a denominational chapel in Aberystwyth until a Welsh Evangelical
Church was established in the town. He therefore followed the trend of evangelicals of the time in leaving the old Christian denomination
s (see also Evangelical Movement of Wales
and Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones
). He found that evangelical churches best suited his reformed theology. He has a regular article in the Welsh-language magazine of the Evangelical Movement of Wales, 'Y Cylchgrawn Efengylaidd', discussing the rich Christian heritage of Welsh literature.
and is a strong supporter of the Welsh language
. He would argue that culture and the nation are ordained of God and that therefore sustaining their existence is a form of praise to God. His ideas on nationalism and on politics in general are best put forward in his book Crist a Chenedlaetholdeb (Christ and Nationalism) published in 1994.
His view on sustaining the Welsh language and how he contributed to the struggle is unique. Many Welsh scholars such as R Tudur Jones contributed to the struggle through their support of pressure groups such as Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg; while Jones has been a supporter of such campaigns, his major contribution to the promotion of the language is in the field of teaching Welsh to adults.
As a Welsh learner himself, he held that the key to the restoration of the Welsh language was winning over the non-Welsh speakers of Wales, as opposed to putting all energy into campaigning for the rights of existing Welsh speakers. He felt that in addition to protesting their rights from the government, Welsh speakers should act positively themselves. Jones's positive contribution was to engage in teaching Welsh to adults. He was the founder of CYD which stands for Cymdeithas y Dysgwyr
(Learners' Society). CYD is a society which arranges night classes for Welsh learners throughout Wales. He is their honorary President to this day. Despite being a republican
he taught Welsh to Prince Charles
when the latter attended the University of Wales, Aberystwyth
in the summer of 1969 leading up to his investiture as Prince of Wales
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
academic, one of the most prolific writers in the history of the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
. A versatile master of poetry, fictional prose and criticism, he is now in his seventies and still producing work of a high standard. He was born in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
in 1929, educated at the University of Wales, Cardiff
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
(now Cardiff University) and University College Dublin, Professor Jones held the chair in Welsh language at Aberystwyth
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth University is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.The university was founded in 1872 as...
from 1980 until his retirement. (see also R. Geraint Gruffydd
R. Geraint Gruffydd
Professor Emeritus R. Geraint Gruffydd , MA DPhil DLitt FLSW FBA is a scholar of Welsh language and literature. He is a graduate of Bangor University and Jesus College, Oxford He commenced his studies at Oxford in 1948...
)
The Author
"Bobi Jones is an author of great significance, not least for non-Welsh speakers. Himself having learnt Welsh, his work offers an insight, more so than the work of most authors whose first language is Welsh, into the significance of Welsh language and culture, particularly because of the strong intellectual or reflective element in his work. Deeply involved with the language and its culture, passionately committed to the best things in Welsh life, there is in his work - even at moments of high intensity - an element of detachment, an ability to step aside and see the wonder of Wales, its beauty and its tragedy, with an outsider's reflective, almost analytical gaze." - John EmyrThe Christian
Bobi Jones is a Christian leaning firmly on CalvinismCalvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
. He attended a denominational chapel in Aberystwyth until a Welsh Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Church was established in the town. He therefore followed the trend of evangelicals of the time in leaving the old Christian denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
s (see also Evangelical Movement of Wales
Evangelical Movement of Wales
The Evangelical Movement of Wales was born in the 1940s, it came to light as a counter move by reformed Christians to the liberal theology which was gaining influence in to the Protestant denominations of Wales during the 20th century....
and Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Martyn Lloyd-Jones
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh Protestant minister, preacher and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement in the 20th century. For almost 30 years, he was the minister of Westminster Chapel in London...
). He found that evangelical churches best suited his reformed theology. He has a regular article in the Welsh-language magazine of the Evangelical Movement of Wales, 'Y Cylchgrawn Efengylaidd', discussing the rich Christian heritage of Welsh literature.
The Welshman
Jones is a Welsh nationalistWelsh nationalism
Welsh nationalism emphasises the distinctiveness of Welsh language, culture, and history, and calls for more self-determination for Wales, which may include more Devolved powers for the Welsh Assembly or full independence from the United Kingdom.-Conquest:...
and is a strong supporter of the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
. He would argue that culture and the nation are ordained of God and that therefore sustaining their existence is a form of praise to God. His ideas on nationalism and on politics in general are best put forward in his book Crist a Chenedlaetholdeb (Christ and Nationalism) published in 1994.
His view on sustaining the Welsh language and how he contributed to the struggle is unique. Many Welsh scholars such as R Tudur Jones contributed to the struggle through their support of pressure groups such as Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg; while Jones has been a supporter of such campaigns, his major contribution to the promotion of the language is in the field of teaching Welsh to adults.
As a Welsh learner himself, he held that the key to the restoration of the Welsh language was winning over the non-Welsh speakers of Wales, as opposed to putting all energy into campaigning for the rights of existing Welsh speakers. He felt that in addition to protesting their rights from the government, Welsh speakers should act positively themselves. Jones's positive contribution was to engage in teaching Welsh to adults. He was the founder of CYD which stands for Cymdeithas y Dysgwyr
Cymdeithas y Dysgwyr
Cymdeithas y Dysgwyr, better known as CYD, is a movement that offers social opportunity to bring Welsh learners and speakers together so that Welsh learners can improve their oral skills in the language and get a deeper understanding of Welsh culture....
(Learners' Society). CYD is a society which arranges night classes for Welsh learners throughout Wales. He is their honorary President to this day. Despite being a republican
Republicanism
Republicanism is the ideology of governing a nation as a republic, where the head of state is appointed by means other than heredity, often elections. The exact meaning of republicanism varies depending on the cultural and historical context...
he taught Welsh to Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
when the latter attended the University of Wales, Aberystwyth
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth University is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.The university was founded in 1872 as...
in the summer of 1969 leading up to his investiture as Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
.
Works
- Y Gân Gyntaf (1957)
- Nid yw Dwr yn Plygu (1958)
- I'r Arch (1959)
- Bod yn Wraig (1960)
- Rhwng Taf a Thaf (1960)
- Y Tair Rhamant (1960)
- Lenyddiaeth Saesneg yn Addysg Cymru (1961)
- Emile (1963)
- Cyflwyno'r Gymraeg (1964)
- System in Child Language (1964)
- Tyred Allan (1965)
- Man Gwyn (1965)
- Cymraegi Oedolion (1965-1966)
- Y Dynna Ddaeth Adref (1966)
- Yr Wyl Ifori (1967)
- Ci Wrth y Drws (1968)
- Daw'r Pasg i Bawb (1969)
- Highlights in Welsh Literature (1969)
- Podwar Emynydd (1970)
- Allor Wydn (1971)
- Sioc o'r Gofod (1971)
- Traed Prydferth (1973)
- Tafod y Llenor (1974)
- Ysgrifennu Creadigal i Fyfyrwyr Prifysgol (1974)
- Cyfeiriadur i'r Athro Iaith (co-author) (3 vol. (1974-1979)
- Llenyddiaeth Cymru (1975)
- Gwlad Llun (1976)
- Ann GriffithsAnn GriffithsAnn Griffiths was a Welsh poet and writer of Methodist Christian hymns.-Biography:Ann was born in April 1776 near the village of Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa, six miles from the market town of Llanfyllin in Powys...
: y Cyfrinydd Sylweddol (1977) - Llên Cymru a Chrefydd (1977)
- Pwy Laddodd Miss Wales? (1977)
- "Selected poems" (1987)
- "Ysbryd y cwlwm" (1998)
- "Ynghylch tawelwch" (1998)
- "Tair rhamant Arthuraidd" (1998)
- "Rhy iach" (2004)
- "Y Fadarchen Hudol" (2005)
- "Meddwl y Gynghanedd" (2005)
Sources
- Jones, Bobi : 'Gweld gwerth' in magazine 'Taliesin' : 200?
- Jones, Bobi : 'Language regained'
- Emyr, John : 'Bobi Jones' : 75th volume in the 'Writers of Wales Series' published on behalf of the Welsh Arts Council