Celtic Language News - Welsh Language Revitalization & Appointment of new Welsh Language Commissioner

The website "Celtic Language News" reports that outgoing Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws shared her 40 years of experience in revitalizing the Welsh language, noting that legal protection of minority languages is just the beginning, and it won’t stop those languages from disappearing.

" One important factor that stopped the Welsh language from disappearing is the written text", added Huws. In 1588, Bible and hymns as well as poetry collections and literary works in Welsh language were published, which allowed people who don’t speak Welsh to learn the language and culture through written text.

Huws made her comments in an address to " The International Conference on Revitalization of the Hakka Language and Minority Languages", which was held at the Civil Service Development Institute in Taipei this month to discuss strategies for preserving endangered languages. 

Huws term will expire in 2019 with the appointment of the new Welsh Language Commissioner, Aled Roberts. Roberts is a former member of the Welsh National Assembly for Wales representing North Wales. Previously he was Councillor and Leader of the Wrexham County Borough Council.

Roberts' appointment comes at a heady time for the Welsh Tongue. Welsh as the medium for education is increasing with 2017 seeing all records broken in the number of students reporting for Welsh Medium education. Welsh as the medium of education covers 106,000 students at the primary and secondary levels. Secondary school enrollment having jumped 2.5% year to year in 2017. The Celtic tongue is a compulsory subject in most Welsh schools. 

In making the announcement of the appointment of Alred Roberts, First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones stated the following:

“It gives me great pleasure to announce my decision to offer the appointment of Welsh Language Commissioner to Aled Roberts. As a former lawyer, local government leader, school governor and of course, respected Assembly Member, he brings with him a range of skills and experience that make him ideal for the role.

“More recently, Aled has led the work of reviewing the system for planning Welsh medium education and worked closely with local authorities to improve their Welsh in Education Strategic Plans, a role he will relinquish in order to become the Commissioner.

“I would also like to thank Meri Huws for everything she achieved during her term as the Welsh Language Commissioner. Meri has undertaken the role with great conviction and has worked hard to extend the rights of Welsh speakers. She has laid a firm foundation upon which Aled can build.”

https://celticlanguagesnews.blogspot.com/2018/12/cymdeithas-yr-iaith-gym...

https://www.hakka.gov.tw/Content/Content?NodeID=463&PageID=40652&Languag...

https://gov.wales/newsroom/welshlanguage/2018/aled-roberts-to-be-appoint...