LL-L 'Language politics' 2007.02.09 (03) [E]

Fri Feb 9 15:31:05 UTC 2007

L O W L A N D S - L - 09 February 2007 - Volume 03

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com
Subject: Resources

From the latest issue of the Eurolang journal"

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron

***

(1)

North Frisians protest against plan to dissolve their 'sprachenland'

Husum, Monday, 05 February 2007 by Onno P. Falkena

A group of North Frisians from all political parties have started a movement
with the aim to prevent the forced redivision of counties in the
northernmost German land of Schleswig-Holstein.

Inspired by their neighbours, the Low-Saxon speakers of Dithmarschen, the
North Frisians recently launched an on-line petition in order to prevent the
plan of the government in Kiel to reduce the number of counties
(Kreisgebietsreform). According to the government proposal the number of
Kreises (counties) could be reduced from 11 to 4 or 5 in the year 2010.
North Friesland on the westcoast of Schleswig-Holstein would then merge with
at least one of the counties on the eastcoast. There is no proposal yet for
the exact borders of the new counties. The government is expected to publish
a first draft proposal next month. The final decision should be made in
2009.

According to the North Frisians the plan would further weaken the small
North Frisian language and culture. In North Friesland 10,000 people out of
the total population of 150,000 speak one of the eight varieties of North
Frisian.

As well as Frisian and German,  Low-Saxon (Plattdeutsch), Danish and
Southjutlandic or Soderjysk are also spoken in the multilingual border
region. Tourism is important in North Friesland and in the past the area has
been promoted as 'Sprachenland-Northfriesland' (Language land-North
Friesland).

President Jörgen Jensen Hahn of the Friisk Foriining last week asked all
North Frisians to support the internet campaign to help save North
Friesland.  North Friesland is already one of the largest counties of the
republic. The existing borders fit very well with the historic identity of
its population. It is obvious that the preservation of North Frisian unity
would serve the interests of the North Frisians best.''

On a legal point, the eventual merging of North Friesland with neighbouring
counties may contravene the Charter for Regional and Minority Languages of
the Council of Europe, Article 7.1.b., where the geographical area of the
language must be respected. The Charter has been signed and ratified by the
German Republic.

According to the North Frisian proposal the counties may be dissolved only
if the population accepts. If the North Frisians succeed in collecting
enough signatures the Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein (Landtag) is obliged
to discuss the proposal not to change the borders of North Friesland against
the wishes of the population.

If the Landtag in Kiel does not accept the proposal of the North Frisians
and their neigbours from Dithmarschen, they intend to continue to collect
signatures in order to force the government to organise a referendum on the
issue. For this 100, 000 signatures are needed. (Eurolang 2007)

Websites:
www.wir-sind-nordfriesland.de The on-line petition of the Northfrisians
(German).
www.wir-sind-dithmarschen.de The on-line petition of Dithmarschen (German).
www.friiske.de website of the Friisk Foriining (Frisian, Danish, English,
German).

***

(2)

Welsh language education boom leads to school overcrowding

Penygroes, Cymru, Monday, 05 February 2007 by Huw Jones

The London weekly education newspaper "TES" has reported that there are not
enough schools for those parents who wish their children to be educated in
Welsh.

Like many other parts of Europe where state schools once punished children
for speaking a minority language in the past, Wales has seen a boom over the
past 30 years in Welsh language education.

But the pressure group Parents for Welsh Education (RHAG) has been quick to
blame a recent slowdown in growth on a lack of Welsh medium schools.

Overcrowding is seen as a particular problem at Welsh-language schools in
the capital Caerdydd (Cardiff), whilst the overall numbers of pupils is in
decline leading to empty places in English language schools.

Meanwhile in Casnewydd (Newport), another predominantly English speaking
town in the industrial heartland of south east Wales, the pressure group's
views are backed by a survey which shows 31 percent of parents would
probably send their children to a Welsh-medium school if there
was one less than 3km from their home.

National statistics show there were 52,867 pupils in 458 Welsh-medium
primaries in 2006. The proportion of primary pupils taught in classes where
Welsh is predominant has increased from 19.6 per cent in 2005 to 20.1 per
cent in 2006. At secondary level there has been a rise from 14.8 per cent to
15.2 per cent.

The Welsh National Assembly government wants 26 per cent of the population
to be Welsh-speaking by 2011. (Eurolang 2007)

TES Magazine (English)
http://www.tes.co.uk/2332754

Parents for Welsh Education (RHAG) Multilingual website:
www.rhag.net/

*Twf Addysg Gymraeg yn achosi ysgolion gor-lawn*

Mae papur Llundain y TES wedi cyhoeddi bod 'na ddim digon lefydd ysgol ar
gyfer rhieni sydd am eu plant cael addysg trwy'r Gymraeg.

Fel llawer o ardaloedd eraill Ewrop ble cosbwyd blant am siarad iaith
leiafrifol yn y gorffennol, bu dwf sylweddol yn addysg trwy'r Gymraeg yn
ystod y 30 mlynedd diwethaf.

Ond mae mudiad Rhieni Dros Addysg Cymraeg (RHAG) wedi bod yn gyflym i feio
arafiad diweddar yn y twf ar ddiffyg ysgolion.

Mae gor-lenwi'n broblem fawr yn ysgolion Cymraeg Caerdydd tra fod niferoedd
ar eu lawr yn gyffredinol gan arwain at lefydd gwag yn yr ysgolion Saesneg
eu hiaith. Tra yng Nghasnewydd mae safbwynt RHAG yn cael ei chefnogi gan
arolwg sy'n dangos bod 31% o rhieni yn debygol o ddewis ysgol Gymraeg i'w
plant petai 'na Ysgol Cymraeg o fewn 2 filltir i'w cartref.

Mae'r ystagegau cenedlaethol yn dangos bod 52,867 o ddisgyblion mewn 458 o
Ysgolion cyfrwng Cymraeg yn 2006. Mae canran o blant cynradd mewn
dosbarthiadau ble mae'r Gymraeg yn brif gyfrwng wedi cynyddu o 19.8% yn 2005
i 20.1 ym 2006. Mae lefel uwchradd wedi gweld cynydd o14.8% i 15.2%.

Mae Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru am weld 26% o blant yn siaradwyr Cymraeg
erbyn 2011. (Eurolang 2007)

TES Magazine (Saesneg)
http://www.tes.co.uk/2332754

Rhieni Dros Addysg Cymraeg: www.rhag.net/
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