Welsh, very much a
living language, is spoken by 20% of the population, concentrated
mainly in the west of Wales. The concern for its survival
ignites much passion and political activity. Its survival
is remarkable, given its culturally powerful neighbour.
Welsh developed from older Celtic languages in the 6th
century and 90% of the population spoke Welsh as recently
as 1850. There were two main reasons for its rapid decline,
firstly, the industrial revolution with its mass immigration
and secondly, the active and often forcible discouragement
of its use.
As far back as Henry VIII's Act of Union in 1536, which
fixed English sovereignty over Wales, the use of Welsh for
legal, administrative and business purposes was largely
prohibited. Right up until the early part of the 20th century,
Welsh was actively discouraged in education and government.
The population colluded; English was seen as a route to
well paid white collar jobs.
By the 1960s only 20% of the population spoke Welsh, its
demise seemed inevitable. Against all the odds it then stabilised.
Political campaigns for independence had been developing
and the survival of the language became a central focus.
Saunders Lewis' 1962 radio broadcast "Tynged
Yr Iaith" (The Fate of the Welsh Language) was
a rallying call and resulted in the formation of "Cymdeithas
Yr Iaith Cymraig" (The Welsh Language Society).
This started a direct action campaign based on low grade
civil disobedience eg. daubing monoglot English road signs
and "sit ins" in government buildings.
Eventually, in 1992, the Welsh Language Bill gave Welsh
equal status with English in all public bodies.
Today all Welsh school children study Welsh up to 16 years.
Welsh language comprehensive schools are multiplying. There
is a Welsh language TV channel and a thriving cultural scene,
including a vibrant youth culture. However, despite this
dramatic reversal in the language's fortunes, its future
remains in the balance. The next census is awaited by many
with bated breath.
©
Sian Harris, 2001. Sian came on a West Coast Beano in 2000. |
