Category Archives: Cynllunio Ieithyddol

THE FUTURE OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE IN ITS HEARTLANDS; IS ‘ARFOR’ THE ANSWER?

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With successive Census returns revealing the decline of the Welsh language within its heartlands, out and in-migration changing the demographics of rural areas, and the insecurity of Brexit facing us, what is the future of the Welsh language within the traditional Welsh-speaking areas of north and west Wales? This is the question to be addressed at Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Public Meeting at Galeri in Caernarfon next Saturday morning at 11 o’clock.

Very often, complex questions call for radical answers, and one answer that had been suggested already is ‘Arfor’, a new regional Authority for the north and west (Anglesey, Gwynedd, Ceredigion, and Carmarthen). This Authority would represent counties which face the same challenges regarding the Welsh language, the economy and culture; and could work strategically for the good of the region and the Welsh language.

With government restructuring again on the agenda, it is timely for us to welcome Adam Price AM to join us and discuss his vision for the Arfor scheme.

Is Arfor the solution? Come along to Galeri next Saturday to hear more, discuss and come to your own conclusion. A very warm welcome awaits you.

 

ABERYSTWYTH PUBLIC MEETING 24/04/18 – DYFODOL’S MESSAGE

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith looks forward to seeing the Welsh Government establish an independent body to promote the Welsh language. This body will prioritise language schemes based upon the acknowledged principles of language planning. This was Cynog Dafis’s message to a meeting held in Aberystwyth at the end of April.

Although steps have been taken over the past five years in terms of individual rights, it is important to ensure that the use of the Welsh language is promoted within the home, community and the workplace. This is not an area for legislation; but rather, positive government action at grass-roots level.

We need to consider how the counties of west Wales can work together to implement policies for the benefit of the language. This focus would include economic growth and the planning of housing, in addition to increasing the use of Welsh as an administrative language within local government and other bodies.

Although progress has been made in raising the status of the Welsh language over the years, there remains a pressing need to strengthen the language in the home, community and within education. These three areas form the cornerstones for ensuring growth in the number of speakers, and in the use of the language for the future.