GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT; DYFODOL’S RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME FOR THE WELSH LANGUAGE

Dyfodol i’r Iaith has welcomed the Welsh Government’s Programme for the Welsh language. The organization believes that this Programme, along with the proposed new Commission will build upon experience, by continuing to regulate the language, while putting more emphasis than has been seen in the past on its promotion.

Heini Gruffudd, the organization’s Chair, said:

“There is much to welcome here. Dyfodol i’r Iaith have been pressing from the start for a better balance between regulation and the positive promotion of the Welsh language, and we believe that we need to invest in structures and policies that can achieve this. We need to work towards increasing language skills and creating opportunities to use the language in everyday life; in the home, the workplace and the community. We must expand our horizons, and this Programme, which acknowledges the importance of education, and which is based on the principles of language planning, is a significant step in the right direction.”

He warned however that the success of the Programme, and of the Commission needs to be backed up by investment and commitment:

“The Programme is an ambitious one in terms of language growth – and we welcome that, of course – but it must be given sufficient resources if it is to succeed.”

 

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