Yearly Archives: 2017

Meeting with the Welsh Language Minister: Dyfodol stresses the need for robust structures as part of the Welsh Language Bill to promote and defend the language

Reply

As part of the consultation on the Welsh Language White Paper, representatives from Dyfodol recently met with Alun Davies, the Welsh Language Minister and his civil servants.

The meeting was very positive, and provided Dyfodol with another opportunity to stress the importance of establishing robust structures to promote the Welsh language across all experiences and sectors, with the specific aim of increasing its use in informal day-to-day situations. This principle of promotion remains our priority, but at the same time time, we also wish to see the enforcement of the language being strengthened, simplified, and expanded to new areas. Striking this balance, along with efficient planning and adequate funding, is essential to the success of the Government’s Welsh Language Strategy.

The Minister and civil servants’ comments were heartening, but we must remember that this is a process, and that we must continue to lobby for structures that are strong and independent enough, and which utilise the necessary expertise to ensure an increase in the number of Welsh speakers and the opportunities to use the language.

There is a link below which will allow you to send a respnse to the White Paper consultation. We would urge you to make the most of this convenient opportunity  to respond (the closing date is 31/10/17), and to press for a foundation and a framework which will support the growth of the Welsh language over the coming years. You can send your response by email to: [email protected]

White Paper Consultation Letter

S4C REVIEW: DYFODOL CALLS FOR A STATEMENT TO PROMOTE THE WELSH LANGUAGE

Reply

In response to the S4C review, Dyfodol i’r Iaith has emphasised the channel’s rôle in work of promoting the Welsh language. The organisation has called for the adoption of a statement based on New Zeland’s Maori Television committment to contribute to the future success of the Maori language.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said: “Working on the basis of such a statement across all the channel’s output would  set a strong mission for the service in relation to the Welsh language, and would place all the channel’s work at the heart of  the effort to strengthen the language.”

The organisation stresses that funding is essential if the channel is to promote the Welsh language robustly. S4C must be granted the freedom to expand and innovate within a rapidly changing market, and thus attract new audiences in Wales and beyond.

In order to innovate and develop confidently, the channel has to be adequately and consistently funded. Editorial independence is of key importance, but care must be taken at the same time to ensure that any new structures and arrangements do not compromise its future financial security.

A VIRTUOUS CIRCLE NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE THE USE OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE: DYFODOL’S RESPONSE TO THE WELSH LANGUAGE BILL CONSULTATION

Reply

According to Heini Gruffudd, Chair of the lobbying organisation, Dyfodol i’r Iaith;

“We need to establish a virtuous circle of factors which will support the increasing use of the Welsh language in all aspects of everyday life.”

This is the challenge the organisation has set for the Welsh Governments as they work towards a Welsh Language Bill to support the aim of creating a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

Dyfodol has been pressing the need for a powerful arms’-length body to provide a lead on policy matters and be responsible for a strategic overview of promoting the language, and feel that there are some welcome developments within the current consultation document.

The organisation is at pains to point out however, that any new structures and plans must be funded adequately. All Government Departments (particularly Education) must accept their role in contributing to the success of the Welsh Language Strategy, in terms of budget and commitment.

Just as importantly, expertise in language planning needs to be developed within the Welsh Government and the new Commission, if effective and coordinated structures are to be established to drive forward the agenda.

While welcoming many of the latest recommendations, and particularly the extension of statutory powers to the private sector and the duties on language planning; nevertheless, Dyfodol warns:

 

  • That establishing one body (the ‘Commission’) to unite the work of regulating and promoting the language is not an ideal response. These two elements require different approaches, and if the intention is to press ahead with one body, then care must be taken to ensure that the regulatory work is in no way diluted.

 

  • To ensure a strong independent voice, we would argue that the Regulators, rather than the Government should have the power to set standards, publish guidelines, and codes of practice.

 

  • The Commission will need to take on a strong coordinator role; to advise the Government and ensure that various projects work together in synergy.

 

  • Raising awareness of the value of the Welsh language is key to ensuring the success of the work, and academic research is needed into how best to share this message with the various sectors and the public.

 

  • We welcome the intention to revise the Welsh language standards, but in the meantime, care should be taken that this change in no way undermines the functioning of present arrangements.

 

  • We would favour a more flexible complaints process, which would allow a fast-track approach or a thorough investigation, where appropriate. We also feel that that the fine o £5,000 for failure to comply is far too low.

 

  • We warmly welcome the proposed language planning duties, and believe that such duties are essential if we are to ensure a cultural shift. More detail is needed regarding their legal power over the coming months. We would also press for an additional duty to ensure an environment that favours the Welsh language; this would ensure an obvious visual and community presence for the language,