Author Archives: Meinir James

DYFODOL I’R IAITH SUPPORT WELSH GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH WELSH LANGUAGE COMMISSION

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Public Meeting Lampeter 17.11.17

Dyfodol i’r Iaith have welcomed the Welsh Government’s intention to establish a Welsh Language Commission to plan and implement public policies in support of the Language. A powerful independent body with wide responsibilities in the filed of Language Planning could set the stage for the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to revitalise the Welsh as a national language.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s chair said, “It was Dyfodol that launched the idea of establishing an independent body to promote Welsh in our manifesto, Creating a Future for the Welsh Language, published in 2015. We lobbied the political parties in the run-up to the 2016 election and submitted a special document, A Welsh Language Agency, to the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru (who had established a Compact with the Labour Government) in November 2016. We are delighted that the Welsh Government now intend to legislate to establish this new Commission.

“Although we disgaree with certain aspectsof the White Paper which the minister, Alun Davies, published at the Ynys Môn Eisteddfod, the Government have accepted the main thrust of our recommendations. It is vitally important that supporters of the language pull together to make a success of the new arrangements. As the Bill proceeds through the National Assembly we need to exert pressure so as to ensure that that the White Paper’s intentions are not watered down and that certain weaknesses be corrected.”

Cynog Dafis said, “The Government will have to show that Welsh speakers’ rights are not weakened because the existing Commissioner’s role is being included within the new Commission. But the establishment of the Commission is a golden opportunity to develop exciting progarmmes for the encouragement and promotion of Welsh within the family and the community as well as in the world of work and of course through radically expanding Welsh-medium education.

“However, good intentions are not enough. If the Government’s aim to create a million Welsh speakers by 2050 is to be taken seriously, substantial financial resources will have to be provided and well-qualified, committed people must be placed in the key posts.

” We are encouraged by the fact that the Welsh Government is acquainted with the situation in the Basque Country and Catalonia where comprehensive policies to revitalise their indigenous languages have been successfully implemented.”

These issues will be discussed further in a public meeting to be held in Lampeter at Brondeifi Chapel Vestry at 7pm this evening and a warm welcome to all.

Ben Lake MP, who chairs this evening’s Lampeter meeting, said, “I’m pleased to chair this meeting in my hometown and to hear about Dyfodol’s important work in influencing Welsh Government policies”.

DYFODOL I’R IAITH WELCOMES GOVERNMENT LANGUAGE PRIORITIES

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith has warmly welcomed elements of the Government’s budget announced today. The commitment to devote £5 million to the provision of The Welsh for Adults Centre and for providing for a Language Agency represents a significant step forward.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith has from the outset called for a stronger system for teaching Welsh to adults, with the aim of providing finance similar to the Basque Country, where three times as much is spent in this field.  Dyfodol i’r Iaith wants to see Welsh for adults playing an important role within the governments aim of ensuring a million Welsh-speakers by 2050.

Heini Gruffudd, Chair of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, ‘ This the kind of commitment that the Welsh language truly needs. The provision of Welsh language lessons for adults, particularly parents and parents-to-be, along with those who provide services, has always been high on our list of priorities. We have also called for a Language Agency  that will be free to put emphasis on promoting the language as a living and natural language in the community.’

DYFODOL I’R IAITH WELCOMES AMENDMENT TO THE PLANNING BILL

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith welcomes the amendment to the Planning Bill put forward by William Powell and supported by Llyr Huws Griffiths and the Minister, Carl Sargeant.

As a result of this amendment, planning authorities must, when relevant, pay attention to considerations relating to the use of the Welsh language in deciding upon planning applications. This is a great step forward, and should end the uncertainty that has led to Welsh language considerations not being given attention for fear that this would not be within the law.

Dyfodol’s representatives, Meirion Davies and Emyr Lewis have presented strong political and legal arguments for such an amendment to the Planning Committee, and reiterated these arguments in meetings with Carwyn Jones and the Welsh Government’s planning officers.

Dyfodol is delighted that politicians of all parties across Wales have supported this amendment. It is indicative of the wide support across Wales for the need to support Welsh as a living community language. The Minister and all the politicians are to be congratulated on their enlightened response to the lobbying.

It is worrying however that other recommendations made by the Committee have not been adopted; these would have built upon the foundation set by this amendment.

Dyfodol continues to call for a statutory body, at arms’ length from the Government, with responsibility for promoting the Welsh language and planning for its welfare.