Dyfodol i’r Iaith has warmly welcomed elements of the Government’s budget announced today. The commitment to devote £5 million to the provision of The Welsh for Adults Centre and for providing for a Language Agency represents a significant step forward.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith has from the outset called for a stronger system for teaching Welsh to adults, with the aim of providing finance similar to the Basque Country, where three times as much is spent in this field.  Dyfodol i’r Iaith wants to see Welsh for adults playing an important role within the governments aim of ensuring a million Welsh-speakers by 2050.

Heini Gruffudd, Chair of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, ‘ This the kind of commitment that the Welsh language truly needs. The provision of Welsh language lessons for adults, particularly parents and parents-to-be, along with those who provide services, has always been high on our list of priorities. We have also called for a Language Agency  that will be free to put emphasis on promoting the language as a living and natural language in the community.’

Following the announcement of the Assembly election results last Friday morning, Dyfodol i’r Iaith has written to the Welsh Language Commissioner to ask for more clarity regarding the expectations in relation to the Welsh language.

As the results came in, it became clear that there was significant variation in the emphasis given to the Welsh language and in the standard of the Welsh that was heard. Although it is always commendable to hear learners use the language, some announcers seemed to have great difficulty with the language; on other occasions, the results were announced in full through the medium of English, leaving the Welsh as an afterthought, with media commentators speaking over it.

It is of key importance that the Welsh language is heard and respected on public occasions such as this, and Dyfodol have asked the Commissioner for clarification regarding which language standards are relevant in relation to announcing election results. The organisation has also requested that the Commissioner draw up clear guidelines, in order to avoid any future inconsistencies.