PLANNING THE REGENERATION OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE CONSULTATION DISCUSSION POINT 7: TECHNOLOGY AND THE MEDIA

The latest discussion point of our consultation on Planning the Regeneration of the Welsh Language is the role of TECHNOLOGY AND THE MEDIA.

As before, we would be very grateful to receive your comments, suggestions and any practical experience you may have. You are welcome to use the questions and template below or send your comments in any other format that suits you.

Below is a summary of Dyfodol’s demands in relation to technology and the media. If you would like to read the full text of Planning the Regeneration of the Welsh Language, a copy is available on our website, dyfodol.net

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our discussion. We look forward to hearing from you – do get in touch:

[email protected]

or telephone 01248 811798

 DISCUSSION POINT 7: TECHNOLOGY AND THE MEDIA

 Dyfodol believes that:

It is plain to see this is where culture, the economy and social interaction are being transformed at an extraordinary rate. It is central to the project.

How to use technology and the media to strengthen the Welsh language and to serve Welsh speakers is too large a question to discuss in detail here. But the main players, S4C and the BBC, need to accept their responsibility not only to provide content, but also to promote the Welsh language in the digital world including the social media. An essential step, which Cymdeithas yr Iaith are campaigning for, is the establishment of a Welsh Ofcom. 

 DO YOU AGREE WITH US? HAVE YOU ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON HOW TECHNOLOGY AND THE MEDIA CAN SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE?

 

DYFODOL’S EISTEDDFOD

Thank you to everyone who made this such a memorable Eisteddfod for us: to those who contributed to our presentations and talks, those who provided entertainment or who simply came over for a chat and to discuss our work with us.

PRESENTATIONS

We delivered two presentations from the stage of Pabell y Cymdeithasau, including a timely and positive discussion on the contribution of local government to the strategy of Cymraeg 2050. We believe that it is both practical and necessary for the local authorities in the Welshest areas (Anglesey, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, as well as Gwynedd) to adopt Welsh as its internal administrative medium. Dyfrig Siencyn from Gwynedd and Peter Hughes-Griffiths from Carmarthenshire discussed the challenge and reality of achieving this, with Gwerfyl Pierce Jones chairing the meeting.

Cynog Dafis and Dr Kathryn Jones of Iaith Cyf. outlined the importance of Language Planning and robust, appropriate management structures if we are to formulate a comprehensive strategy which will produce the right circumstances and goodwill to allow growth for the language. This is the cornerstone of our approach, and we hope that this presentation will provide a basis for further discussion. It was good to note that this was being discussed within the context of positive developments, such as the Welsh Minister’s recent statement that language expertise will be called upon as the next steps are being planned for the regeneration of the language.

DISCUSSIONS

We welcomed a range of experts to share their thoughts and experiences with visitors to our stall. Gareth Pierce discussed education needs; Owen Evans, Chief Executive of S4C, outlined the future of the channel; and Simon Brooks and Wyn Thomas introduced the problems facing the Welsh language in the context of the planning system.

ENTERTAINMENT

Following all the discussion, it was pleasant to relax and enjoy the programme of mid-afternoon entertainment which we’d arranged again this year. Thank you to all the fantastic musicians who brought us such joy during the week!