Advice for Organisations

Welsh: Wales’ proper language

Welsh is the proper language of Wales in the sense that it is the language which is totally unique to the country historically.

In the face of a number of economic, cultural and social factors, the number of Welsh speakers and the use of Welsh have declined over time, particularly as far as the percentage levels of Welsh speakers in specific geographical communities are concerned. Since the 1960s, however, protecting the future of the Welsh language has been the subject of avid campaigning and the importance and significance of the Welsh language has been established generally in the lives of the people of Wales. Listed below are a few significant developments in the recent history of the Welsh language:

- the growth and development of the demand for Welsh-medium education
- the establishment of Welsh as part of the core curriculum for every child in Wales
- the establishment of Sianel 4 Cymru (S4C) and Radio Cymru as a national broadcasting provision through the medium of Welsh
- the granting of official status for the Welsh language
- the establishment of a number of Welsh organisations and networks such as CYD, Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Merched y Wawr
- the growth of the Welsh press
- the growth of Welsh shops and centres
- the increase in the number of adults learning Welsh
- the Welsh Language Acts 1967 and 1993
- the establishment of Mentrau Iaith in communities
- the launch of the TWF project to promote the transmission of Welsh to children

Since the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales, bilingualism is acknowledged as a valued aspect of Welsh life and the official status of the Welsh language is emphasised. However, despite this official status, there is a distinct imbalance of power between the Welsh and English languages. Campaigns to protect the future of the Welsh language and Welsh communities are ongoing and specific strategies need to be implemented in every field to promote the Welsh language and to secure its future, particularly as a living community language.

To find out more about the history of campaigns to fight for rights for the Welsh language, please visit the website of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (Welsh Language Society): www.cymdeithas.com

For information about the history of the Welsh language, please visit the BBC Wales website www.bbc.co.uk/cymru or www.cymruarywe.org.uk and follow the links relating to bilingualism and the Welsh language.

2001 Census

Listed below are some facts relating to the situation of the Welsh language today, drawing on information gleaned about the Welsh language in the 2001 Census.

Question	Answer
How many people speak Welsh?	580,000 people said that they could speak Welsh to various degrees
What proportion of the population speaks Welsh? ?	1 in 5 of the population
Which age group has the largest proportion of Welsh speakers?	Young people
Do most Welsh speakers live in rural or urban areas?	Urban areas

The results of the 2001 Census in relation to the Welsh language can be viewed in more detail on the Welsh Language Board website : www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk

The public expects bilingualism

Research by Estyn Llaw shows that the public expects bodies and charities operating in Wales to be able to do so through the medium of Welsh as well as English.

Over 90% were of the opinion that voluntary organisations should operate bilingually in Wales
Estyn Llaw Survey, 2004

This confirms the findings of other research exercises:

83% of respondents in an opinion poll for the Welsh Language Board in 1996 said that they agreed that public bodies should be able to deal with people through the medium of Welsh or English on an equal basis.

There is no doubt that any voluntary organisation operating in Wales needs to develop specific strategies in respect of staffing, marketing, service provision and activities using Welsh as well as English if they wish to be effective in the eyes of the public.

It’s simple: bilingual provision for a bilingual public!

Language and Identity

There is a clear link between language and identity on an individual and community level.

“ Language is much more than a means of communication. Not only does it carry a view of the environment … but through its vocabulary and its structure, through the associations generated by its literature, through the symbol which it is and the symbols which it transmits, it creates a distinctive identity which is at once a derivative of tradition and an expression of the present.”

Aitchison & Carter, 1994

It is crucial that everyone working with the public in Wales realises the implications of the link between the Welsh language and the identity of individuals and communities. Bilingualism isn’t merely a case of being able to tick a box; it means showing respect and sensitivity towards people. In simple terms, therefore, if any organisation is eager to operate effectively in Wales, it needs to give the Welsh language a prominent place in all its activities.

When the Welsh language is ignored, there is a real danger of Welsh speakers becoming alienated and isolated. In some situations this can result in Welsh speakers receiving second-rate services or being excluded completely.

For organisations operating in health and social care, being able to get through to significant feelings and experiences is crucial. By realising the degree to which language and cultural identity are fundamental to the essence of an individual’s emotions and thoughts, it is understood that the most effective way of getting through to those feelings and experiences is by ensuring that Welsh speakers are offered services through the medium of Welsh.

Language Choice

In order to provide language choice for the public in an effective manner, it is important to follow these three principles:

If members of the public have to wait or kick up a fuss in order to obtain a service through the medium of Welsh, they will generally turn to English. The danger then is that Welsh speakers become invisible and alienated.

What can you do?

The Welsh Consumer Council emphasises the importance of providing a Welsh language choice and is working to promote the rights of Welsh speakers as Welsh consumers. They are currently preparing a paper on placing the rights of Welsh speakers within the context of European human rights. For further information, please visit their website: www.wales-consumer.org.uk

Benefits of Bilingualism

An organisation can reap several benefits from increasing bilingualism

Of course, a number of bodies have now realized that bilingualism offers a framework for improving quality for voluntary and community organisations and several examples of good practice are available. Your organisation can benefit from following the example of other organisations in every sector: education, working with children, the environment etc. Please contact us for details of examples of good practice in your organisation’s field of activity.

What does Estyn Llaw have to offer?

Estyn Llaw is a unique project for the voluntary and community sector in Wales. It literally offers a helping hand to organisations both large and small to support them in developing their use of the Welsh language.

We offer:

We have recently developed an information pack for the Scheme which includes specific resources which can help your organisation to increase its bilingualism. You can download our information leaflets from our publications section here.