Blogs

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."

President of Ireland, Michael Higgins, has addressed the “International Conference on Language Rights” held in Dublin May 23-25, 2013.  The conference is sponsored by the “Office of An Coimisineir” established by the Irish Government under the provisions of the “Official Languages Act of 2003” which aims to increase the use of the Irish language by government employees.  The Conference is also sponsored by Cardiff University.

To all our Breton friends, Happy St Yves' Day on 19th May. St Yves Day is widely celebrated in Brittany and around the Breton world. Our best wishes to everyone in Brittany and around the world who are celebrating Saint Yves Day.

Saint Yves was born on 17th October 1253 at Kermartin in Brittany. He graduated in civil law and became a lawyer and judge who was famous for defending the poor without taking payment. Saint Yves was ordained in 1284 and when he retired from law in 1287 became a preacher. The feast day marks the date of his death on 19th May 1303 at Louannec, Brittany.