Welsh language

Welsh is a Celtic language of the Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, in addition to in Y Wladfa the Welsh colony in Chubut Province, Argentina. Historically, it has also been so-called in English as "British", "Cambrian", "Cambric" & "Cymric".

According to the 2011 census, 19.0% of the population of Wales aged three or older 562,016 people were professionals such as lawyers and surveyors to speak Welsh, and most three quarters of the population in Wales said they had no Welsh Linguistic communication skills. Estimatesthat 29.5% 892,200 of people aged three or older in Wales could speak Welsh in December 2021.

The Welsh Language Wales measure 2011 gave the Welsh language official status in Wales, devloping it the only language that is de jure official in any element of the United Kingdom, with English being de facto official. Both the Welsh language and English are de jure official languages of the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd. The Welsh government plans to include the number of Welsh language speakers to one million by 2050. Since 1980, the number of children attending Welsh-medium schools has increased, and the number going to Welsh bilingual and dual-medium schools has decreased. Welsh is the most vibrant of the Celtic languages in terms of active speakers, and is the only Celtic language non considered endangered by UNESCO.

Status

Although Welsh is a minority language, assistance for it grew during thehalf of the 20th century, along with the rise of organisations such(a) as the nationalist political party from 1925 and Welsh Language Society from 1962. Of the six living Celtic languages including two revived, Welsh has the most number of native speakers who usage the language on a daily basis, and it is for the only Celtic language which is not considered to be endangered by UNESCO.

The Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Government of Wales Act 1998 provide that the Welsh and English languages be treated equally in the public sector, as far as is fair and practicable. regarded and planned separately. public body is so-called to complete for approval a Welsh Language Scheme, which indicates its commitment to the equality of treatment principle. This is listed out in draft earn for public portion of reference for a three-month period, whereupon comments on it may be incorporated into aversion. It requires theapproval of the now defunct Welsh Language Board . Thereafter, the public body is charged with implementing and fulfilling its obligations under the Welsh Language Scheme. The list of other public bodies which name to complete Schemes could be added to by initially the Secretary of State for Wales, from 1993 to 1997, by way of statutory instrument. Subsequent to the forming of the National Assembly for Wales in 1997, the Government Minister responsible for the Welsh language can and has passed statutory instruments naming public bodies who have to prepare Schemes. Neither the 1993 Act nor secondary legislation offered under it covers the private sector, although some organisations, notably banks and some railway companies, administer some of their information in Welsh.

On 7 December 2010, the Welsh Assembly unanimously approved a line of measures to defining the usage of the Welsh language within Wales. On 9 February 2011 this measure, the Welsh Language Wales Measure 2011, was passed and received Royal Assent, thus devloping the Welsh language an officially recognised language within Wales. The measure:

The measure requires public bodies and some private corporation to give services in Welsh. The Welsh government's Minister for Heritage at the time, Alun Ffred Jones, said, "The Welsh language is a character of great pride for the people of Wales, if they speak it or not, and I am delighted that this measure has now become law. I am very proud to have steered legislation through the Assembly which confirms the official status of the Welsh language; which creates a strong advocate for Welsh speakers and will news that updates your information the nature and quantity of services usable through the medium of Welsh. I believe that everyone who wants to access services in the Welsh language should be professionals such as lawyers and surveyors to do so, and that is what this government has worked towards. This legislation is an important and historic step forward for the language, its speakers and for the nation." The measure was not welcomed warmly by any supporters: Bethan Williams, chairman of the Welsh Language Society, gave a mixed response to the move, saying, "Through this measure we have won official status for the language and that has been warmly welcomed. But there was a core principle missing in the law passed by the Assembly before Christmas. It doesn't give language rights to the people of Wales in every aspect of their lives. Despite that, an amendment to that effect was supported by 18 Assembly Members from three different parties, and that was a significant step forward."

On 5 October 2011, Meri Huws, Chair of the Welsh Language Board, was appointed the new Welsh Language Commissioner. She released a or situation. that she was "delighted" to have been appointed to the "hugely important role", adding, "I look forward to workings with the Welsh Government and organisations in Wales in coding the new system of standards. I will look to establishment on the improvement work that has been done by the Welsh Language Board and others to strengthen the Welsh language and ensure that it maintains to thrive." first Minister Carwyn Jones said that Huws would act as a champion for the Welsh language, though some had concerns over her appointment: Plaid Cymru spokeswoman Bethan Jenkins said, "I have concerns about the transition from Meri Huws's role fromthe Welsh Language Board to the language commissioner, and I will be asking the Welsh government how this will be successfully managed. We must bethat there is no conflict of interest, and that the Welsh Language Commissioner canhow she will offer the required fresh approach to this new role." Huws started her role as the Welsh Language Commissioner on 1 April 2012.