Yearly Archives: 2019

DYFODOL I’R IAITH CALLS FOR AN ESSENTIAL FOCUS ON LANGUAGE PLANNING

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith look forward to discussing with the Welsh Government any changes to the role of the Welsh Language Commissioner and the possibility of establishing an internal Language Agency within the Government.

Dyfodol wish to see, under whatever possible circumstances, priority being given to four essential elements of language planning:

* The home; increasing the number of Welsh-speaking homes from 7% to 10% within 5 years, with Welsh-medium childcare supporting this aim as part of the local community.
* The community; creating a programme to promote Welsh-speaking communities, including creating different models for Welsh language centres.
* Welsh in the workplace; establishing quotas for increasing the number of workers, starting with the Welsh language within local government.
* Education; ensuring a rapid growth in Welsh language education.

Dyfodol yr Iaith wish to see a preliminary sum of £5 million being devoted to developing policies and activities within these areas.

Dyfodol yr Iaith also calls for organisations which have already been influential, such as the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Welsh for Adults, to continue to work creatively and effectively.

With thanks to Castell Howell

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We are extremely grateful to Castell Howell Foods, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, for their donation of £250 towards our fundraising evening with ‘Tri Gog a Hwntw’ from Llanuwchllyn, held recently at the Quins Rugby Club Carmarthen.

The group from Llanuwchllyn provided an entertaining and fun-packed evening of song. Many thanks to the group for travelling all the way to Carmarthenshire and thanks also to all who supported the evening. It also provided an opportunity to raise funds and draw attention to our work. Many thanks to all.

Welsh will be at the mercy of the whims of Politicians and Civil Servants

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“A linguistic disaster” is how Dyfodol i’r Iaith describes the Government’s decision not to proceed with establishing a Commission for the Welsh language.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith has called for such a body to lead language planning in Wales, following the principles of language planning that have been accepted worldwide.

“The Government has wasted seven years by not promoting the language properly,” says Heini Gruffudd, Chair of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, “but they are now refusing to take the next necessary step to plan the future of the Welsh language according to recognized principles. ”

“Urgent plans are needed to strengthen the Welsh language in homes, and to strengthen Welsh-speaking communities, and to foster Welsh in the world of technology, but no-one takes responsibility for the whole picture.”

“The Government’s destructive ideas, such as making English compulsory in Welsh playgroups, prove how clueless the Government is regarding language planning.”

“We call on the Government to create an internal Welsh language planning body, if it is not willing to create an arm’s length body, to lead on basic linguistic issues. The need for language experts, rather than politicians,  to lead on this is obvious.”