Niall McCarsten's blog

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. 

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 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.  

Statements by Jason Kenney, the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, have created a political storm which in turn has provoked a rebuke from the Nova Scotia Assembly.  Several days ago Jason Kenney dismissed what he claimed were "heritage" languages like Scottish and in particular the public funding of these tongues, advocating instead an emphasis on the learning and adoption of English and French. As reported in Canada's The Chronicle Herald: "Nova Scotia in particular now has the Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig (Office of Gaelic Affairs) and the increasingly important Colaisde na Gàidhlig or Gaelic College at Baile Anna (St. Anne's), which links toScotland’s Sabhal Mòr Ostaig". In what must be regarded as a direct rebuke to Kenney, the following Motion was carried unanimously in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, which is the oldest Assembly in Canada dating from 1758: