Ac nid teithio i gynhadledd arferol ydyn ni heddi. Arloesi, ie, arfer da, wrth gwrs, gweld hen ffrindiau a chydweithwyr a gwneud ffrindiau newydd efallai. Ond diolch yw thema’r dydd hefyd—diolch i un unigolyn am gyfraniad sylweddol. Colin, mae ehangder eich gwaith ymchwil a’ch cyhoeddiadau chi’n rhyfeddol: daearyddiaeth, crefydd, democratiaeth—a pholisi iaith wrth reswm. Rydych chi wedi dylanwadu ar gymunedau ieithyddol ledled y byd; wedi bod yn barod i’n helpu ni yn y Llywodraeth—ac i’n herio ni’n adeiladol; buoch chi’n aelod gweithgar o Fwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg gynt. Rydych chi di dysgu, dylanwadu, mentora a meithrin cenedlaethau o fyfyrwyr. A dwi’n gwybod bod sawl un o’ch cyn-fyfyrwyr yma heddi. Braf gwybod bod cydweithwyr o Lywodraeth Cymru, Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Bwrdd hefyd yma heddiw i’ch anrhydeddu chi. Ar ran pawb sy’ma, diolch am eich cyfraniad chi a’ch arweiniad doeth chi.
And we’ve not travelling to any old normal conference today. Innovation, yes, good practice, of course, seeing old friends and colleagues and maybe making new ones. But gratitude’s also the theme of the day — thanking one person for a significant contribution. Colin, the breadth of your research and publications is remarkable: geography, religion, democracy — and obviously language policy. You’ve influenced linguistic communities around the world; you’ve been ready to help us in Government — and to challenge us constructively; you were an active member of the former Welsh Language Board. You’ve taught, influenced, mentored and nurtured generations of students. And I know several of your former students are here today. It’s also good to know that colleagues from the Welsh Government, Cardiff University and the Welsh Language Board are here today to honour you too.