[lg policy] Plans to double number of Welsh speakers by 2050 unveiled

[Harold Schiffman]

 Plans to double number of Welsh speakers by 2050 unveiled
Ian Craig <http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/author/profile/75651.Ian_Craig/>
[image: The Welsh flag.]

The Welsh flag.
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AMBITIOUS plans to almost double the number of people able to speak Welsh
have been unveiled.

According to the 2011 census 562,000 people in Wales can speak Welsh, 19
per cent of the country’s total population.

But now the Welsh Government has revealed plans to increase this to one
million by 2050.

Although the one million target has been on the cards for some time, the
new strategy due to be announced today, Tuesday, sets out how the Welsh
Government plans to meet this goal.

Plans include increasing Welsh-language teaching across the board, from
nursery to post-16 education, reviewing legislation supporting the language
and leading by example by promoting use of the Welsh within the Welsh
Government workforce.

The Welsh Government has also said it will work to develop “favourable
conditions” for the language by supporting economic development across the
country, increasing the use of it online and developing a new programme to
increase understanding of bilingualism.

The strategy, dubbed Cymraeg 2050, also includes plans to double the number
of people who are able to use more than just a few words of Welsh from to
20 per cent.

Announcing the plan, first minister Carwyn Jones, said: “Welsh is one of
our treasures, and is part of what defines us as a nation, whether we speak
the language or not.
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“Reaching a million speakers is a deliberately ambitious target to so that
the Welsh language thrives for future generations.

“There are challenges ahead, but we can undoubtedly face those in the
knowledge that we are building from a position of strength.”

He added, for the strategy to succeed, the whole nation must “take
ownership” of the language.

“Politicians can’t impose that, but politicians can lead,” he said.

“By raising our expectations and adopting an ambitious vision, we have the
potential to change the future outlook for the language.”

Blaenau Gwent AM and Welsh language minister Alun Davies said: “I am
confident it will put us on the right path towards facilitating an increase
not only in the number of speakers but also in the use of the language
within our communities, workplaces and families.

“We know that language policy needs to be rooted in consensus and
democratic strength.

“Together, by renewing our energy, adapting to an ever changing landscape,
we can enable the Welsh language to grow, a living language for all that
unites us as a nation.”

To view the strategy, which will be formally unveiled at 11am today, visit
gov.wales

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/15400756.Plans_to_double_number_of_Welsh_speakers_by_2050_unveiled/


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