Protecting a minority language is not racist. This is the claim of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, the
Welsh language lobbying group, in response to a row that has erupted as a rapper
says he will not be singing at this year’s National Eisteddfod due to its Welsh only
language policy.

“The UN has repeatedly identified the importance of protecting minority languages,
and placed a duty on governments to promote it,” says Dylan Bryn Roberts, Chief
Executive of Dyfodol i’r Iaith.

“Promoting a minority language culture is not a racial issue, especially one that has to
live in daily competition with one of the world’s most powerful languages.

“In the language is wisdom, traditional knowledge and expression of art and beauty
and it is essential to seek to preserve this wealth in an increasingly ambivalent
world.”

“The National Eisteddfod is the only institution in Wales that offers a week where
speakers, new and old, can immerse themselves in Welsh culture. This was not
achieved lightly, and it would be an extremely negative step to allow the Welsh rule to
be broken. It needs to be protected more now than ever from the constant calls to
become more Anglicised and be more inclusive.”

“Everyone is more than welcome to learn and enjoy the Welsh language, of whatever
race. Also individuals are free to rap in the two languages but the Eisteddfod is a
festival to celebrate the Welsh language not bilingualism.”