Welsh rugby star Josh Navidi has opened up about his emotional family history as he embarked on a special journey to learn Welsh. The former rugby player, who represented Wales 33 times and won two caps for the Lions in 2021, retired in 2022 and has since pursued various ventures. In the recent series of Iaith ar Daith on S4C, Navidi’s mission was to reconnect with the Welsh language that had played a significant role in his childhood and family life.
Paired with his friend and fellow rugby player, ‘Sheriff’ Ken Owens, Navidi shared his desire to pick up Welsh again, explaining that his mum is a Welsh speaker but he mostly responds in English. The show’s format involves celebrities teaming up with Welsh-speaking mentors to travel across Wales, taking part in language-learning challenges. Navidi’s journey began in Llanddona in Anglesey, close to his heart as it’s where his mother’s family originates.
During the episode, Navidi revisited significant places in his family history, including a car dealership in Bethel, a pub, Dinas Mawddwy, Llandrindod Wells, and Patreicia Morgan’s DJ set in Abergavenny. He also met with the Dragons Wheelchair Rugby Club in Pontypool and concluded with a tour of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Along the way, Navidi shared personal stories about his upbringing, including his Iranian father meeting his Welsh mother in Bangor.
Navidi expressed gratitude for Owens’ mentorship, acknowledging that his Welsh language skills had improved during the journey. With his parents expressing hope that he would continue speaking Welsh, Navidi promised his mum to converse in Welsh from then on. The heartfelt episode captured Navidi’s deep connection to Welsh heritage and his commitment to honouring his family’s linguistic legacy.
Viewers can catch the latest series of Iaith ar Daith on S4C every Sunday evening at 8pm, with English subtitles available for non-Welsh speakers. Navidi’s emotional journey showcases the power of language in preserving familial connections and personal identity, reminding us of the importance of cultural heritage in shaping individual journeys and experiences.