Welsh Language Activists "Deeply Disappointed" at Government's "Farcical" New Vision for the Welsh Tongue

In an echo of the rising conflict between government and Celtic language activists across the Irish Sea in Dublin, the Welsh government’s response to issues raised in two separate independent reports on the future of the Welsh tongue has been attacked by the Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg) and the Party Of Wales (Plaid Cymru). 

Robin Farrar, Chair of the Welsh Language Society, characterised the government’s response to the findings of two separate commissions as a “complete farce”:  “They (the Welsh Government) continue to delay and refuse to make important changes.  They have chosen to ignore or reject any recommendations that would make a real difference …Carwyn Jones continues to delay and ignore the fundamental changes – needed – it’s high time he took the Welsh language seriously.”  Plaid Cymru Welsh Language spokesman Simon Thomas also attacked Jones saying he was deeply disappointed by the insignificant response by Jones to the issues raised in the reports.  Both men were quoted in a BBC article under the headline “Vision for the Welsh Language Later in Spring Says Jones – A New Vision…”.

The first report in question is an independent review conducted by the Language, Policy and Planning Research Unit at the Cardiff University School of Welsh.  This report focused on actions needed to improve the effectiveness of what are referred to as “Mentrau Iaith”, community based organisations that work to preserve and promote the Welsh language in a specific area.  According to the report there are 23 such organisations with varying degrees of operational effectiveness.  The report lays out specific recommendations on how to make these organisations, which are so important to the future health of the language, more effective.  It was Carwyn’s tepid response to these recommendations that has earned the wrath of the Welsh Language Society.

The second report was issued by the Welsh Language Task and Finish Group under the title “Increasing the Number of Communities Where Welsh is The Main Language” and calls for a number of specific actions to “Promote Welsh in the Heartlands”.  The issuance of this report triggered a debate earlier this year in the Welsh Assembly which showed a broad coalition of support for the Welsh tongue by Liberal Democratic, Party Of Wales (Plaid Cymru), and Conservative and Independent members. 

Carwyn Jones, a Labour Party member, has publicly stated his opposition to Scottish Independence.

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/dcells/publications/131204-communities-where-we...

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/welshlanguage/publications/review-of-mentrau-...

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-26733464

http://www.transceltic.com/blog/welsh-language-debate-national-assembly-...