Blogs

Language tensions spilled on to the Cricket pitch over the lack of respect for the Wesh language during a Cricket game.  As reported in the Western Telegraph, two players for Crymych walked off the field to protest remarks about the Welsh language made by members of visiting Lamphey: "Statements on the Crymych club Twitter page later that evening suggested that the players had walked off following criticism from the opposition over the batsmen's use of the Welsh language on the pitch."

The following was posted to the Offical Web Page of the Oireachtas (Irish National Parliament) on June 13, 2013: "The Joint Committe on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement this morning engaged with a wide range of advocates on the work in developing the Irish Langauge in Northern Ireland."

The article continued: "Committee Members, and indeed each of the witnesses, are at one on the necessity for an Irish Language Act (by the Northern Ireland Assembly) which was promised in the (2006) Saint Andrews Agreement."

Alarm bells are sounding this week over the impact that Property Developement schemes are having on Welsh speaking areas.  Citing the impact of large new housing estates on the stability of the Welsh tongue in traditional Welsh speaking areas, Carmarthen Plaid Cymru Councillor Alun Lenny has expressed concern.  As reported in the popular news site "WalesOnline", Lenny has called on the Welsh government to create an agency to assess the impact of large property schemes on previously stable language areas. 

Dr. Wilson McLeod, Senior Lecturer in Celtic and Head of the Celtic & Scottish Studies Department at the University of Edinburgh, has challenged the Scottish Government's decision not to make available a bilingual ballot for the September 2014 referendum on Scottish Independence in English and  in Gaelic.

Sean O'Foghlu, Secretary General of the Department of Education, has cited in an address to the COGG the need to improve strategies for teachers in primary schools in Irish speaking areas (Gaeltacht) to ensure children maintain and improve proficiency in the Irish tongue.  The Secretary stated that current research suggests that upon entering primary school that children's Irish langugae skills actually begin to deteriorate. 

The Welsh Government have launched a new programme to encourage the development of Welsh language software applications.  This initiative is providing grants to promote the use of the language in business. The intent of this programmee is to support the use of Welsh in the rapidly expanding area of digital online services.

The Scottish Parliament reflecting its commitment to give Scots Gaelic parity with English has called for visitors to Parliament, Members of the Scottish Parliament and Parliamentary Staff to learn and use Gaelic. 

The Task and Finish Group on Welsh Language and Economic Development, established by the Welsh Economy, Science & Transport Ministry, have been assigned the objective of exploring the relationship between Welsh language usage and economic development. The group has invited interested parties in the business community to submit recommendations for developing strategies for jointly promoting the Welsh language in tandem with economic growth.  

Truro City Council is to investigate a proposal submitted by Councillor Conan Jenkin.  The proposal now before the Council is to install Cornish language signage advertising local amenities.

The Scottish Parliament launched its second Gaelic Language Plan at a reception on May 15, 2013.

The Gaelic Development Minister for the Scottish Government, Dr. Alasdair MacCaluim, was quoted by the Governments website urging that Gaelic enjoy equal status with English: "I am pleased to introduce our latest Gaelic Language Plan as it demonstrates the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body's ongoing commitment to Gaelic, and to the principle that Gaelic should be given equal respect with English, as set out in the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act."