How has the Welsh language survived?

Summary

The Welsh language, native to Wales, has survived for over 2,000 years despite the annexation of Wales by England. Unlike other Celtic languages, Welsh continues to thrive, with around 900,000 speakers today. The language has overcome historical challenges such as the Laws of Wales Act, which suppressed Welsh in education and government. Revival efforts in the 20th century, such as Welsh language TV and radio, alongside government support, have strengthened Welsh. With a goal to reach 1 million speakers by 2050, the future of Welsh looks promising as it grows in rural areas and is used in schools, media, and daily life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Welsh is a Celtic language native to Wales and has survived for over 2,000 years.
• 😀 Despite being annexed by England over 700 years ago, Welsh remains the second most widely spoken language in the UK.
• 😀 Welsh has around 900,000 speakers, roughly 30% of the Welsh population, and is not considered endangered.
• 😀 Welsh is the oldest language in the UK, tracing its roots to the ancient Britons, the original Celtic inhabitants of Great Britain.
• 😀 Welsh is one of six living Celtic languages, alongside Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Cornish, Breton, and Manx.
• 😀 Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Cornish, and Manx have seen steep declines, with some even becoming extinct, while Welsh has survived and thrived.
• 😀 The decline of Welsh began in the 16th century with laws like the Laws of Wales Act of 1536 and the Education Act of 1870, which made English the sole language of education.
• 😀 The translation of the Bible into Welsh in 1588 by William Morgan helped maintain the relevance of Welsh in spiritual life.
• 😀 Despite challenges like famine and emigration, Welsh remained largely unaffected and continued to be spoken in rural areas.
• 😀 The Welsh Language Act of 1967, the launch of Welsh language radio and TV, and growing Welsh nationalism have contributed to the language's revival and growth.
• 😀 Welsh is a compulsory subject in schools from ages 5 to 16, and the Welsh Assembly has set a goal to reach 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050.

Q & A

What is the significance of Welsh in the UK today?

Welsh is the second most widely spoken language in the UK, with around 900,000 speakers, or about 30% of the Welsh population. It is the only Celtic language not considered endangered.

How has the Welsh language survived over the centuries?

Despite the annexation of Wales by England over 700 years ago, Welsh survived due to factors such as limited anglicization efforts, the translation of the Bible into Welsh, and ongoing efforts to revitalize the language in the 20th century.

What role did the Laws in Wales Act of 1536 play in the decline of Welsh?

The Laws in Wales Act of 1536 enforced the use of English in government and legal systems, leading to the suppression of Welsh in official contexts, which contributed to its decline.

What historical events led to the decline of other Celtic languages?

Famine, emigration, and English dominance in Ireland and Scotland, along with the lack of official support for languages like Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Breton, Cornish, and Manx, led to their decline.

Why is Welsh different from other Celtic languages like Irish and Scottish Gaelic?

Welsh has survived due to Wales' early annexation by England, which resulted in weaker anglicization efforts compared to Ireland and Scotland, where languages like Irish and Scottish Gaelic were largely displaced.

What steps were taken in the 20th century to support the Welsh language?

Key milestones include the Welsh Language Act of 1967, which allowed Welsh to be used in courts, the launch of Welsh language media (such as radio and TV), and Welsh being made a compulsory subject in schools.

How has the Bible's translation into Welsh contributed to the language's survival?

The translation of the Bible into Welsh in 1588 ensured the language's continued importance in religious and spiritual life, reinforcing its relevance among the Welsh-speaking population.

What impact did the 1870 Education Act have on the Welsh language?

The Education Act of 1870 made English the sole language of instruction in schools, effectively eradicating Welsh from the education system and contributing to its decline.

What is the goal for Welsh language speakers by 2050?

The Welsh government aims to reach 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050, with significant progress already made in increasing the number of speakers.

Why is the survival of Welsh considered a unique case among Celtic languages?

Unlike other Celtic languages that declined dramatically, Welsh has thrived due to a combination of historical factors, including limited anglicization efforts, strong cultural identity, and dedicated language revitalization initiatives.