The Welsh language is an important reason why Wales is a unique part of the United Kingdom. After reading about the origins of the Welsh language and how it’s used today, describe two steps being taken to preserve the language and ensure its future.
What have you learned about the Welsh language?
Welsh men's choruses and towns with unpronounceable long names.
To describe two steps being taken to preserve the Welsh language and ensure its future, we need to look into the efforts made by both the Welsh government and local communities. Here are two steps being taken:
1. Government Support: The Welsh Government has implemented various policies and initiatives to preserve the Welsh language. One important step is the Welsh Language Measure of 2011, which gives the Welsh language official status in Wales, alongside English. This means that public bodies in Wales, including government departments and local authorities, have a legal duty to treat Welsh and English equally when providing services. This not only ensures the use of Welsh in official capacities but also provides a foundation for promoting bilingualism.
Additionally, the Welsh Government also invests in educational initiatives. Welsh is taught in schools across Wales, and there are efforts to increase Welsh medium education availability. Bilingual signage is encouraged, and there are financial incentives for businesses to use Welsh, creating a supportive environment for the language's use.
2. Community Engagement: Local communities play a crucial role in preserving the Welsh language. One step taken by communities is the establishment of Welsh language centers, such as the "Menter Iaith" (Language Initiative) projects, which operate throughout Wales. These centers provide resources, support, and activities that promote the use of Welsh within the community. They organize events, workshops, and opportunities for learning and socializing in Welsh. By creating a vibrant Welsh-speaking community, these centers help to nurture and encourage the use of the language.
Furthermore, community-led projects like "Cymraeg 2050" aim to create a million Welsh speakers by 2050. This initiative fosters grassroots support, encouraging individuals to use Welsh in their daily lives and supporting those who want to learn or improve their Welsh language skills. Such community engagement initiatives actively involve people in preserving and promoting the Welsh language.
These steps, both at the government and community level, demonstrate the concerted efforts being made to preserve the Welsh language and ensure its future as a unique part of the United Kingdom.