Category Archives: Cymunedau

DYFODOL CONDEMNS THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON THE PEN Y FFRIDD DEVELOPMENT

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith have expressed their disappointment that the Welsh Government is about to approve the development of 336 new houses at Pen y Ffridd in Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor. This was announced in spite of local and county opposition to the plan, and the findings of an independent assessement, which concluded that the development would be to the detriment of the Welsh language in the Penrhosgarnedd area and beyond.

This case demonstrates that the Welsh langugage is not being given a high enough priority, and in Dyfodol’s opinion, it constitutes a further argument for the language to be given a stronger statutory role within planning matters.

THE WELSH LANGUAGE; BEYOND THE SCHOOL GATES

Reply

Thank you to everyone who came along to our public meeting at Arad Goch in Aberystwyth recently. We hope that you enjoyed the session, and that it provided food for thought.

Siôn Aled Owen gave a fascinating presentation on the theme of; The Welsh Language;Beyond the School Gates. This presentation was based upon his important research into the use of Welsh by pupils in Welsh medium education outside the classroom.

Although the children and young people’s attitude towards the language was overwhelmingly positive, Dr Owen said that urgent action needs to be taken to ensure that this goodwill becomes concrete reality. More has to be done in order to create opportunities to speak Welsh informally and to encourage confidence in its day to day usage. His research shows that enforcement is not the answer, but rather, that behavioural patterns need to be changed, while recognising the key roles played by the family (including the extended family) and the media.

We were pleased to hear that this research confirms one of Dyfodol’s key messages; that language policy has to concentrate on creating opportunities to use the language as a natural choice, and to promote confidence and pride in its everyday use. Siôn Aled Owen’s research shows that the foundation, in terms of goodwill is firmly in place, and that Government now has to build upon this.

MEETING THE WELSH MINISTER 31/01/17

Reply

We had an useful meeting with Alun Davies and his officials on Friday morning, January 31st. Here are the matters we discussed and some of  the responses received:

It was agreed that more attention should be given to the Welsh language in the context of the community.

Matters including in-migration, housing planning, education, teaching Welsh to adults, the language on the high street and within work were all given attention.

Welsh Language Agency

The Government have £2 million to spend this year, but there is no agreement for next year. A White Paper will be published for the new Bill / Welsh Language Measure and this will provide an opportunity to to establish a Welsh Language Agency.  Alun Davies favoured an arms’-length Agency.  If this years’ expenditure is successful, it is hoped that this will lead to a stable Agency, with the possibility of it growing into a wider-reaching body which can bridge the work of the different Government departments. An announcement on the Bill is expected before Christmas, following the consultation on the White Paper.

Our points on promoting the language were welcomed, and can be worked upon this year:

  • Promoting Welsh language education
  • Promoting the Welsh language with prospective parents
  • Expanding the development of Welsh Language Centres to include cafes / pubs in smaller towns and villages
  • Rewarding organisations across all sectors for their use of the language
  • An ongoing promotion campaign with shops, cafes and pubs, encouraging them to display signage that customers are welcome to use the Welsh language
  • A cost-effective translation service

Government officials said that the Welsh Government is currently working with the Language Commissioner and Mudiadau Iaith on a pilot scheme for promoting the language within small businesses.

TAN 20

There was an understanding of the need to consider the language in relation to individual housing developments even though they might already be part of Local Development Plans.

Government officials said that they hoped that ongoing work with Horizon (Wylfa) would yield a language impact assessment methodology, that could be used throughout Wales. Dyfodol have already been in touch with Lesley Griffiths, Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs regarding TAN 20, and we will be requesting an update, as soon as this work is completed.

Welsh Education

It was agreed that local authorities’ Schemes were vague, and that the Government need to review the majority of them, and then discuss their contents with the Councils. It was agreed that it was not useful to set a target to increase the number of 7 year-olds in Welsh education within 3 years, as these children will already be within the system.  The Minister was anxious to see stronger Schemes.

The Government Officials said that they expected an improvement in the Welsh language skills of pupils in English-medium schools following the introduction of the continuum . We are however doubtful that this will be significantly successful.