The Welsh Language – Cymraeg
A brief history of the Welsh language
by Sian Harris
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 our West Coast Beano in 2000.
