Editing Welsh language (section)

==Status==
<!--This heading is linked to from [[Status of the Welsh language]], etc., so preserve it with {{Anchor}} if you change it.-->
{{Anchor|Current status|reason=Old section name, may be linked. "Current" is pretty useless here.}}

[[File:Estación Gaiman (2).JPG|thumbnail|Trilingual (Spanish, Welsh and English) sign in [[Gaiman, Chubut|Gaiman, Chubut Province]], Argentina]]
[[File:Wales.cardiff.slow.jpg|thumb|[[Road signs in Wales|Bilingual road markings]] near [[Cardiff Airport]]]]

=== Number of speakers ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Taken from the [[Census in the United Kingdom|Census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Archives |url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20150402173126/http://gov.wales/statistics-and-research/digest-welsh-historical-statistics/?lang=en#/statistics-and-research/digest-welsh-historical-statistics/?tab=previous&lang=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nomis |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/select/getdatasetbytheme.asp?opt=3&theme=&subgrp=}}</ref>
!Year
!Welsh population over the age of 3
! colspan="2" |Welsh speakers
|-
|1891
|1,685,614
|910,289
|54.0%
|-
|1901
|{{increase}} 1,864,696
|{{decrease}} 930,224
|{{decrease}} 49.9%
|-
|1911
|{{increase}} 2,279,056
|{{decrease}} 967,266
|{{decrease}} 42.4%
|-
|1921
|{{increase}} 2,492,995
|{{increase}} 922,092
|{{decrease}} 37.0%
|-
|1931
|{{decrease}} 2,472,378
|{{decrease}} 909,261
|{{decrease}} 36.8%
|-
|1951
|{{increase}} 2,472,429
|{{decrease}} 714,689
|{{decrease}} 28.9%
|-
|1961
|{{increase}} 2,518,711
|{{decrease}} 656,000
|{{decrease}} 26.0%
|-
|1971
|{{increase}} 2,609,610
|{{decrease}} 542,420
|{{decrease}} 20.8%
|-
|1981
|{{increase}} 2,645,094
|{{decrease}} 503,532
|{{decrease}} 19.0%
|-
|1991
|{{increase}} 2,685,947
|{{increase}} 508,344
|{{decrease}} 18.9%
|-
|2001
|{{increase}} 2,805,701
|{{increase}} 582,368
|{{increase}} 20.8%
|-
|2011
|{{increase}} 2,955,841
|{{decrease}} 562,016
|{{decrease}} 19.0%
|-
|2021
|{{increase}} 3,018,169
|{{decrease}} 538,298
|{{decrease}} 17.8%
|}

=== Legal status ===
Calls for the Welsh language to be granted official status grew with the establishment of the nationalist political party [[Plaid Cymru]] in 1925, the establishment of the [[Welsh Language Society]] in 1962 and the rise of [[Welsh nationalism]] in the later 20th century. Of the six living Celtic languages (including two revived), Welsh has the highest number of native speakers who use the language on a daily basis, and it is the Celtic language which is considered the least endangered by [[UNESCO]].

The [[Welsh Language Act 1993]] and the [[Government of Wales Act 1998]] provide that the Welsh and English languages be treated equally in the public sector, as far as is reasonable and practicable. Each public body is required to prepare for approval a Welsh Language Scheme, which indicates its commitment to the equality of treatment principle. This is sent out in draft form for public consultation for a three-month period, whereupon comments on it may be incorporated into a final version. It requires the final approval of the now defunct [[Welsh Language Board]] ({{lang|cy|Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg}}). Thereafter, the public body is charged with implementing and fulfilling its obligations under the Welsh Language Scheme. The list of other public bodies which have to prepare Schemes could be added to by initially the Secretary of State for Wales, from 1993 to 1997, by way of [[Statutory Instrument (UK)|statutory instrument]]. Subsequent to the forming of the [[National Assembly for Wales]] in 1997, the Government Minister responsible for the Welsh language can and has passed statutory instruments naming public bodies who have to prepare Schemes. Neither the 1993 Act nor secondary legislation made under it covers the private sector, although some organisations, notably banks and some railway companies, provide some of their information in Welsh.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/hsbc-in-wales/cymru/ |title=Croeso i HSBC yng Nghymru |trans-title=Welcome to HSBC in Wales |website=[[HSBC Bank (Europe)|HSBC Bank]] |language=cy |access-date=2018-09-10 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Homepage.aspx?langtype=1106 |title=Eich cysylltu â'r hyn sy'n bwysig |trans-title=Connecting you to what's important |language=cy |website=[[Arriva Trains Wales]] |access-date=2018-09-10 |df=dmy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111033246/https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Homepage.aspx?langtype=1106 |archive-date=11 November 2018 }}</ref>

On 7 December 2010, the Welsh Assembly unanimously approved a set of measures to develop the use of the Welsh language within Wales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.assembly.wales/NAfW%20Documents/welsh_language_measure_as_passed-e.pdf%20-%2014122010/welsh_language_measure_as_passed-e-English.pdf |title=Proposed Welsh Language (Wales) Measure &#91;As Passed&#93; |access-date=12 September 2016 |website=[[Welsh Assembly]] }}</ref><ref name="bbcnews2010">{{cite news |title='Historic' vote for language law |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11934239 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2010-12-07 |access-date=2018-09-10 |df=dmy-all |quote=A new law to promote the Welsh language has been unanimously passed by the Welsh Assembly. The measure makes Welsh an official language in Wales, and obliges public bodies and some private companies to provide services in it. A language commissioner will be appointed to enforce the measure and to protect the Welsh speakers' rights. Ministers hailed the vote as a "historic step forward for the Welsh language."}}</ref> On 9 February 2011 this measure, the [[Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011]], was passed and received Royal Assent, thus making the Welsh language an officially recognised language within Wales. The measure:
* confirmed the official status of the Welsh language
* created a new system of placing duties on bodies to provide services through the medium of Welsh
* created a Welsh Language Commissioner with strong enforcement powers to protect the rights of Welsh-speaking people to access services through the medium of Welsh
* established a Welsh Language Tribunal
* gave individuals and bodies the right to appeal decisions made in relation to the provision of services through the medium of Welsh
* created a Welsh Language Partnership Council to advise Government on its strategy in relation to the Welsh language
* allowed for an official investigation by the Welsh Language Commissioner of instances where there is an attempt to interfere with the freedom of Welsh-speaking people to use the language with one another<ref name="wales.gov.uk">{{cite web |url=http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/welshlanguage/2011/110211welshlang/?lang=en |title=Welsh Measure received Royal Assent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922140142/http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/welshlanguage/2011/110211welshlang/?lang=en |archive-date=22 September 2013 |publisher=[[Welsh Assembly Government]] |date=11 February 2011 }}</ref>

The measure required public bodies and some private companies to provide services in Welsh. The Welsh government's Minister for Heritage at the time, [[Alun Ffred Jones]], said, "The Welsh language is a source of great pride for the people of Wales, whether they speak it or not, and I am delighted that this measure has now become law. I am very proud to have steered legislation through the Assembly which confirms the official status of the Welsh language; which creates a strong advocate for Welsh speakers and will improve the quality and quantity of services available through the medium of Welsh. I believe that everyone who wants to access services in the Welsh language should be able to do so, and that is what this government has worked towards. This legislation is an important and historic step forward for the language, its speakers and for the nation."<ref name="wales.gov.uk"/> The measure was not welcomed warmly by all supporters: Bethan Williams, chairman of the Welsh Language Society, gave a mixed response to the move, saying, "Through this measure we have won official status for the language and that has been warmly welcomed. But there was a core principle missing in the law passed by the Assembly before Christmas. It doesn't give language rights to the people of Wales in every aspect of their lives. Despite that, an amendment to that effect was supported by 18 Assembly Members from three different parties, and that was a significant step forward."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/royal-assent-official-status-welsh-1852353| title=Royal Assent for official status of Welsh language |website=[[Wales Online]] |location=[[Cardiff]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |date=2011-02-12 |access-date=2018-09-10 |df=dmy-all |quote=Powers confirming the official status of Welsh received Royal Assent yesterday. The Welsh Language Measure will create the post of language commissioner and ensure services can be provided in Welsh.}}</ref>

On 5 October 2011, [[Meri Huws]], Chair of the [[Welsh Language Board]], was appointed the new Welsh Language Commissioner.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-15186747 |work=[[BBC News]]  |title=Language board chief Meri Huws is Welsh commissioner |date=2011-10-05 |access-date=2018-09-10 |df=dmy-all |quote=The chairwoman of the Welsh Language Board has been appointed the first Welsh language commissioner. Meri Huws will act as a champion for the Welsh language, says First Minister Carwyn Jones.}}</ref> She released a statement that she was "delighted" to have been appointed to the "hugely important role", adding, "I look forward to working with the [[Welsh Government]] and organisations in Wales in developing the new system of standards. I will look to build on the good work that has been done by the Welsh Language Board and others to strengthen the Welsh language and ensure that it continues to thrive." First Minister [[Carwyn Jones]] said that Huws would act as a champion for the Welsh language, though some had concerns over her appointment: [[Plaid Cymru]] spokeswoman Bethan Jenkins said, "I have concerns about the transition from Meri Huws's role from the Welsh Language Board to the language commissioner, and I will be asking the Welsh government how this will be successfully managed. We must be sure that there is no conflict of interest, and that the Welsh Language Commissioner can demonstrate how she will offer the required fresh approach to this new role." Huws started her role as the Welsh Language Commissioner on 1 April 2012.

[[Local government in Wales|Local councils]] and the [[Senedd]] use Welsh, issuing Welsh versions of their literature, to varying degrees.

[[File:A5-llwybrhanesyddol.JPG|thumb|left|A bilingual road sign on the [[A5 road (Great Britain)|A5]] near [[Menai Bridge]]]]
Road signs in Wales are in Welsh and English.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/livinginwales/sites/howdoisay/roadsigns/ |title=Living in Wales – Pronouncing road signs |publisher=[[BBC Wales]] |access-date=2020-02-11 }}</ref> Prior to 2016, the choice of which language to display first was the responsibility of the local council. Since then, as part of the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, all new signs have Welsh displayed first.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/n-a-4985/ |title='Welsh first' for new traffic signs |work=Road Safety GB |date=31 March 2016 |access-date=10 February 2022 }}</ref> There have been incidents of one of the languages being vandalised, which may be considered a [[hate crime]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/canton-welsh-sign-graffiti-news-21911145 |title='Idiots' who vandalised Welsh language street sign in Cardiff 'won't stop policy of bilingual names' |work=[[Wales Online]] |date=20 October 2021 |access-date=10 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/18883481.english-version-north-wales-place-names-road-signs-daubed-graffiti/ |title=English version of North Wales place names on road signs daubed with graffiti |work=The Leader |date=19 November 2020 |access-date=10 February 2022 }}</ref>

Since 2000, the teaching of Welsh has been compulsory in all schools in Wales up to age 16; this has had an effect in stabilising and reversing the decline in the language.<ref>{{cite web |title=Current school curriculum |url=https://beta.gov.wales/current-school-curriculum |website=Welsh Government |access-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225161900/https://beta.gov.wales/current-school-curriculum |archive-date=25 February 2019 }}</ref>

Text on UK coins tends to be in English and Latin.  However, a Welsh-language edge inscription was used on pound coins dated 1985, 1990 and 1995, which circulated in all parts of the UK prior to their 2017 withdrawal. The wording is {{langnf|cy|Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad|True am I to my country|links=no}}, and derives from the national anthem of Wales, "{{lang|cy|[[Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau]]}}".  Banknotes used in Wales are in English only, as these are issued by the [[Bank of England]] for both England and Wales.

Some shops employ bilingual signage. Welsh sometimes appears on product packaging or instructions.

The UK government has ratified the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] in respect of Welsh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/Commun/ListeDeclarations.asp?NT=148&CM=1&DF=&CL=ENG&VL=1 |title=List of declarations made with respect to treaty No. 148 |publisher=Conventions.coe.int |access-date=23 May 2010 |archive-date=18 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918164438/http://www.conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/ListeDeclarations.asp?NT=148&CM=1&DF=&CL=ENG&VL=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Welsh sign in Wrexham 1.png|thumb|Bilingual road sign near [[Wrexham Central railway station|Wrexham Central station]]]]
The language has greatly increased its prominence since the creation of the television channel [[S4C]] in November 1982, which until [[digital television transition|digital switchover]] in 2010 broadcast 70 per cent of Channel 4's programming along with a majority of Welsh language shows<ref>[https://www.s4c.co.uk/abouts4c/corporate/e_index.shtml Welsh language provision] at S4C Analogue</ref> during peak viewing hours. The all-Welsh-language digital station {{lang|cy|S4C Digidol|italic=no}} is available throughout Europe on satellite and online throughout the UK. Since the digital switchover was completed in South Wales on 31 March 2010, {{lang|cy|S4C Digidol|italic=no}} became the main broadcasting channel and fully in Welsh. The main evening television news provided by the [[BBC]] in Welsh is available for download.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/live/newyddion.ram BBC website] (Real Media).</ref> There is also a Welsh-language radio station, {{lang|cy|[[BBC Radio Cymru]]|italic=no}}, which was launched in 1977.<ref>{{cite book|last=Conboy|first=Martin|title=Journalism in Britain: A Historical Introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=efTqgnFP9hAC&q=BBC+Radio+Cymru+1977&pg=PA188|publisher=[[SAGE Publications]] |page=188|year=2010|isbn=978-1-4462-0972-1}}</ref>

The only Welsh-language national newspaper {{lang|cy|[[Y Cymro]]}} (''The Welshman'') was published weekly until 2017, and monthly thereafter, following a change in ownership. There is no daily newspaper in Welsh. A daily newspaper called {{lang|cy|[[Y Byd]]}} (''The World'') was scheduled to be launched on 3 March 2008, but was scrapped, owing to insufficient sales of subscriptions and the [[Welsh Government]] offering only one third of the £600,000 public funding it needed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7245774.stm |title=Daily Welsh newspaper abandoned |date=15 February 2008 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> There is a Welsh-language online news service which publishes news stories in Welsh called {{lang|cy|[[Golwg360]]}} ('360 [degree] view').

As of March 2021, there were 58 local Welsh language community newspapers, known as {{lang|cy|Papurau Bro}}, in circulation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rowe |first=Katrina |date=2021-03-23 |title=A website for all local Welsh language papers — The Papurau Bro |url=https://www.westwaleschronicle.co.uk/blog/2021/03/23/a-website-for-all-local-welsh-language-papers-the-papurau-bro/ |work=West Wales Chronicle |access-date=2021-10-18 |language=en-GB }}</ref>

===In education===
{{Main|Welsh medium education}}
[[File:Welshclass.jpg|thumb|Welsh language as the medium of instruction]]

The decade around 1840 was a period of great social upheaval in Wales, manifested in the [[Chartism|Chartist]] movement. In 1839, 20,000 people marched on [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], resulting in a riot when 20 people were killed by soldiers defending the Westgate Hotel, and the [[Rebecca Riots]] where [[Toll road|tollbooth]]s on [[Toll road|turnpikes]] were systematically destroyed.

This unrest brought the state of education in Wales to the attention of the British government since social reformers of the time considered education as a means of dealing with social ills. ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper was prominent among those who considered that the lack of education of the Welsh people was the root cause of most of the problems.

In July 1846, three commissioners, [[Ralph Lingen, 1st Baron Lingen|R.R.W. Lingen]], Jellynger C. Symons and H.R. Vaughan Johnson, were appointed to inquire into the state of education in Wales; the Commissioners were all [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]] and thus presumed unsympathetic to the [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|nonconformist]] majority in Wales. The Commissioners presented [[Reports of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the State of Education in Wales|their report]] to the Government on 1 July 1847 in three large blue-bound volumes. This report quickly became known in Wales as the {{lang|cy|Brad y Llyfrau Gleision}} (''Treason of the Blue Books'') since,<ref>{{cite news |title='Treacherous' Blue Books online |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/4555702.stm |work=[[BBC News]]  |date=2005-12-23 |access-date=2017-01-21 |df=dmy-all |quote=A 19th Century report that became controversial for condemning the Welsh language has been published online by the National Library of Wales. The government report about Welsh education in 1847 was dubbed the Treachery of the Blue Books ({{lang|cy|Brad y Llyfrau Gleision}}).}}</ref> apart from documenting the state of education in Wales, the Commissioners were also free with their comments disparaging the language, [[nonconformity in Wales|nonconformity]], and the morals of the Welsh people in general. An immediate effect of the report was that ordinary Welsh people began to believe that the only way to get on in the world was through the medium of English, and an inferiority complex developed about the Welsh language whose effects have not yet been completely eradicated. The historian Professor [[Kenneth O. Morgan]] referred to the significance of the report and its consequences as "the [[Massacre of Glencoe|Glencoe]] and the [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre|Amritsar]] of Welsh history".<ref>{{cite book |last=Davies |first=John |title=A History of Wales |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=19ThaoZRcqEC|year=1993 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |location=[[London]] |isbn=978-0-14-014581-6 |oclc= 925144917}}</ref>

In the later 19th century, the teaching of English in Welsh schools was generally supported by the Welsh public and parents who saw it as the language of economic advancement.<ref name="jones_social_15">{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Gareth Elwyn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qS54AAAAIAAJ&q=The%20Welsh%20Language%20and%20it%27s%20Social%20Domains |title=The Welsh Language and Its Social Domains |publisher=University of Wales Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0708316047 |editor-last=Jenkins |editor-first=Geraint H. |editor-link=Geraint H. Jenkins |pages=431–457 |chapter=15 The Welsh Language and the Blue Books of 1847}}</ref>{{rp|453,457}} Virtually all teaching in the schools of Wales was in English, even in areas where the pupils barely understood English. Some schools used the [[Welsh Not]], a piece of wood, often bearing the letters "WN", which was hung around the neck of any pupil caught speaking Welsh. The pupil could pass it on to any schoolmate heard speaking Welsh, with the pupil wearing it at the end of the day being punished. One of the most famous Welsh-born pioneers of higher education in Wales was [[Hugh Owen (educator)|Sir Hugh Owen]]. He made great progress in the cause of education, and more especially the [[Aberystwyth University|University College of Wales]] at [[Aberystwyth]], of which he was chief founder. He has been credited {{By whom|date=November 2009}} with the [[Welsh Intermediate Education Act 1889]] (52 & 53 Vict c 40), following which several new Welsh schools were built. The first was completed in 1894 and named {{lang|cy|[[Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen]]}}.

Towards the beginning of the 20th century this policy slowly began to change, partly owing to the efforts of [[Owen Morgan Edwards|O.M. Edwards]] when he became chief inspector of schools for Wales in 1907.
[[File:Bilingualism boosts grades at Treorchy Comprehensive.webm|thumb|A Welsh Government video of an English medium school in [[Wales]], where introducing the Welsh language has boosted the exam results]]

The {{lang|cy|[[Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth]]|italics=no}} ('Aberystwyth Welsh School') was founded in 1939 by [[Ifan ab Owen Edwards|Sir Ifan ap Owen Edwards]], the son of O.M. Edwards, as the first Welsh Primary School.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-29360528 |title=Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth celebrates 75th anniversary |date=2014-09-25 |work=[[BBC News]]  |access-date=2016-10-03 |df=dmy-all |quote=Former pupils and teachers of Wales' first Welsh-medium school will gather to celebrate its 75th anniversary. {{lang|cy|Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth|italics=no}} was opened in September 1939 by Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards, who feared children's spoken Welsh was being tarnished by the English language.}}</ref> The headteacher was [[Norah Isaac]]. {{lang|cy|Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth|italics=no}} is still a very successful school, and now there are Welsh-language primary schools all over the country. {{lang|cy|[[Ysgol Glan Clwyd]]|italics=no}} was established in [[Rhyl]] in 1956 as the first Welsh-medium secondary school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ysgolglanclwyd.co.uk/welcome |title=Welcome |website=[[Ysgol Glan Clwyd]] |access-date=2016-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005105133/http://www.ysgolglanclwyd.co.uk/welcome |archive-date=2016-10-05|df=dmy-all |quote=The school was established in 1956 and was the first Welsh-medium secondary school in Wales. It was originally located in Rhyl.}}</ref>

[[File:Defnyddiwch eich Cymraeg - Use your Welsh - geograph.org.uk - 488577.jpg|thumb|Sign promoting the learning of Welsh]]
Welsh is now widely used in education, with 101,345 children and young people in Wales receiving their education in Welsh medium schools in 2014/15, 65,460 in primary and 35,885 in secondary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Schools/schools-by-localauthorityregion-welshmediumtype |title=Schools by local authority, region and Welsh medium type |publisher=Stats Wales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923050052/https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Education-and-Skills/Schools-and-Teachers/Schools-Census/Pupil-Level-Annual-School-Census/Schools/schools-by-localauthorityregion-welshmediumtype |archive-date=23 September 2016 }}</ref> 26 per cent of all schools in Wales are defined as Welsh medium schools, with a further 7.3 per cent offering some Welsh-medium instruction to pupils.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/English/Commissioner/Pages/5-year%20Report.aspx |title=5-year Report |publisher=[[Welsh Language Commissioner]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923092846/http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru/English/Commissioner/Pages/5-year%20Report.aspx |archive-date=23 September 2016 }}</ref> 22 per cent of pupils are in schools in which Welsh is the primary language of instruction. Under the [[Curriculum for Wales (2022 to present)|National Curriculum]], it is compulsory that all students study Welsh up to the age of 16 as either a first or a second language.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/communications_index_ew/the_welsh_language.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718080132/http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/communications_index_ew/the_welsh_language.htm |archive-date=2012-07-18 |title=The Welsh language |website=[[Citizens Advice]] |access-date=2014-02-27 |df=dmy-all |quote=Welsh is a subject in the national curriculum and is compulsory at all state schools in Wales, for pupils up to the age of 16. In English-medium schools, it is taught as a second language, and in Welsh-medium schools, as the first language.}}</ref> Some students choose to continue with their studies through the medium of Welsh for the completion of their A-levels as well as during their college years. All [[local education authority|local education authorities]] in Wales have schools providing bilingual or Welsh-[[medium of instruction|medium]] education.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/cynnwys.php?langID=2&pID=217|title=Welsh medium or bilingual provision |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071004225315/http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/cynnwys.php?pID=217&langID=2 |archive-date=4 October 2007 |publisher=[[Welsh Language Board]] }}</ref> The remainder study Welsh as a second language in English-medium schools. Specialist teachers of Welsh called {{lang|cy|Athrawon Bro}} support the teaching of Welsh in the National Curriculum. Welsh is also taught in adult education classes. The Welsh Government has recently set up six centres of excellence in the teaching of Welsh for Adults, with centres in North Wales,<ref>learncymraeg.org</ref> Mid Wales, South West, Glamorgan, Gwent, and Cardiff.

The ability to speak Welsh or to have Welsh as a qualification is desirable for certain career choices in Wales, such as teaching or customer service.<ref>More information can be found at [http://www.welshforadults.org Welsh for Adults.org]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> All universities in Wales teach courses in the language, with many undergraduate and post-graduate degree programmes offered in the medium of Welsh, ranging from law, modern languages, social sciences, and also other sciences such as biological sciences. Aberystwyth, [[Cardiff]], Bangor, and Swansea have all had chairs in Welsh since their virtual establishment, and all their schools of Welsh are successful centres for the study of the Welsh language and its literature, offering a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in Welsh as well as post-graduate courses. At all Welsh universities and the [[Open University]], students have the right to submit assessed work and sit exams in Welsh even if the course was taught in English (usually the only exception is where the course requires demonstrating proficiency in another language). Following a commitment made in the [[One Wales]] coalition government between Labour and Plaid Cymru, the {{lang|cy|[[Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol]]|italic=no}} (Welsh Language National College) was established. The purpose of the federal structured college, spread out between all the universities of Wales, is to provide and also advance Welsh medium courses and Welsh medium scholarship and research in Welsh universities. There is also a Welsh-medium academic journal called {{lang|cy|Gwerddon}} ('Oasis'),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gwerddon.cymru |title=Gwerddon.Cymru |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref> which is a platform for academic research in Welsh and is published quarterly. There have been calls for more teaching of Welsh in English-medium schools.

===Use in professional engineering ===
When conducting applicants' professional reviews for [[Chartered Engineer]] status, the [[Institution of Engineering and Technology]] accepts applications in Welsh and will conduct face-to-face interviews in Welsh if requested to do so. One of the requirements for Chartered Engineer is also to be able to communicate effectively in English.

===In information technology===
{{further|List of Celtic-language media}}

Like many of the world's languages, the Welsh language has seen an increased use and presence on the internet, ranging from formal lists of terminology in a variety of fields<ref>The [http://www.e-gymraeg.org/bwrdd-yr-iaith/termau/default.aspx?lang=en Welsh National Database of Standardised Terminology] was [http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/cynnwys.php?pID=241&langID=2&nID=640 released in March 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925054244/http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/cynnwys.php?pID=241&langID=2&nID=640 |date=25 September 2006 }}</ref> to Welsh language interfaces for [[Microsoft Windows XP]] and up, [[Microsoft Office]], [[LibreOffice]], [[OpenOffice.org]], [[Mozilla Firefox]] and a variety of [[Linux distribution]]s, and on-line services to [[blog]]s kept in Welsh.<ref>Selections of Welsh-language blogs are listed on the sites  [https://hedyn.net/wici/Categori:Blog_Cymraeg Hedyn] and [http://blogiadur.com Blogiadur] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107031440/http://blogiadur.com/ |date=7 January 2009 }}</ref> Wikipedia has had a Welsh version since July 2003 and [[Facebook]] since 2009.

===Mobile phone technology===
In 2006 the [[Welsh Language Board]] launched a free software pack which enabled the use of [[SMS]] predictive text in Welsh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cellular-news.com/story/18781.php |title=Cellular News webpage |publisher=Cellular-news.com |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> At the [[National Eisteddfod of Wales]] 2009, a further announcement was made by the Welsh Language Board that the mobile phone company [[Samsung]] was to work with the network provider [[Orange (UK)|Orange]] to provide the first mobile phone in the Welsh language,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120309115121/http://www.byig-wlb.org.uk/cymraeg/newyddion/Pages/Lansio%27rff%C3%B4nsymudolCymraegcyntafybyd.aspx World's first Welsh language mobile phone launched] (publish date: 25 August 2009)</ref> with the interface and the T9 dictionary on the Samsung S5600 available in the Welsh language. The model, available with the Welsh language interface, has been available since 1 September 2009, with plans to introduce it on other networks.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8183247.stm |title=Mobile phone for Welsh-speakers |date=4 August 2009 |access-date=23 May 2010 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices, both the built-in [[Google Keyboard]] and user-created keyboards can be used.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://troi.org/en/literatim.html |title=LiterIM external keyboard for Android |publisher=Troi.org |access-date=27 February 2014 |archive-date=23 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223112635/http://troi.org/en/literatim.html }}</ref> [[iOS]] devices have fully supported the Welsh language since the release of iOS 8 in September 2014. Users can switch their device to Welsh to access apps that are available in Welsh. Date and time on iOS is also localised, as shown by the built-in Calendar application, as well as certain third-party apps that have been localised.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://applingua.com/free-welsh-localization-for-ios-developers/ |title=Free Welsh Localization for iOS Developers |publisher=Applingua |date=6 March 2015 |access-date=23 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521133222/https://applingua.com/free-welsh-localization-for-ios-developers/ |archive-date=21 May 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.appsinwelsh.com/ |title=Apps in Welsh Directory |publisher=Apps in Welsh |date=29 October 2015 |access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref>

===In warfare===
Secure communications are often difficult to achieve in wartime. Just as [[Navajo code talker]]s were used by the [[Military of the United States|United States military]] during [[World War II]], the {{notatypo|[[Royal Welch Fusiliers]],}}<!-- "Welch" is not a typo; see their article --> a Welsh regiment serving in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], used Welsh for emergency communications that needed to be secure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Heath |first=Tony |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/welsh-speak-up-for-their-ancient-tongue-1311562.html |title=Welsh speak up for their ancient tongue |work=[[The Independent]] |page=6 |date=26 August 1996 }}</ref>

===Use within the British parliament ===
In 2017, parliamentary rules were amended to allow the use of Welsh when the [[Welsh Grand Committee]] meets at [[British parliament|Westminster]]. The change did not alter the rules about debates within the House of Commons, where only English can be used.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welsh language to be allowed in MPs' Welsh Grand Committee |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-39043308 |website=[[BBC News Online]] |access-date=8 February 2018 |date=22 February 2017 }}</ref>

In February 2018, Welsh was first used when the Welsh Secretary, [[Alun Cairns]], delivered his welcoming speech at a sitting of the committee. He said, "I am proud to be using the language I grew up speaking, which is not only important to me, my family and the communities Welsh MPs represent, but is also an integral part of Welsh history and culture".<ref>{{cite web |title=MPs speak Welsh in parliamentary debate for first time |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-42967899 |website=[[BBC News Online]] |access-date=8 February 2018 |date=7 February 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=David |title=A historic first for Welsh at Westminster as language officially used for first time |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/historic-first-welsh-westminster-language-14258799 |work=[[Daily Post (North Wales)|Daily Post]] |date=7 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Williamson |first1=David |title=MPs use first ever bilingual debate in Westminster |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/historic-moment-welsh-spoken-houses-14258358 |work=[[Walesonline|WalesOnline]] |date=7 February 2018 }}</ref>

===Use at the European Union===
In November 2008, the Welsh language was used at a meeting of the European Union's [[Council of the European Union|Council of Ministers]] for the first time. The Heritage Minister [[Alun Ffred Jones]] addressed his audience in Welsh and his words were interpreted into the EU's 23 official languages. The official use of the language followed years of campaigning. Jones said "In the UK we have one of the world's major languages, English, as the mother tongue of many. But there is a diversity of languages within our islands. I am proud to be speaking to you in one of the oldest of these, Welsh, the language of Wales." He described the breakthrough as "more than [merely] symbolic" saying "Welsh might be one of the oldest languages to be used in the UK, but it remains one of the most vibrant. Our literature, our arts, our festivals, our great tradition of song all find expression through our language. And this is a powerful demonstration of how our culture, the very essence of who we are, is expressed through language."<ref>{{cite web |author=David Williamson |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/11/21/breakthrough-as-minister-uses-welsh-at-eu-council-91466-22307749/ |title=Breakthrough as minister uses Welsh at EU council |date=21 November 2008 |work=[[WalesOnline]] |access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref>

[[Jill Evans]] MEP used Welsh in a number of speeches in the European Parliament. In 2004, her using Welsh was the first use of the language in the European Parliament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welsh language debut in EU |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4020467.stm |work=[[BBC News Online]] |date=17 November 2004 |access-date=26 June 2022}}</ref> The last time Welsh was spoken in the European Parliament was during Evans' last speech shortly before [[Brexit]].<ref>[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2020-01-29-INT-1-098-0000_EN.html Speech transcript], European Parliament, 29 January 2020, accessed 26 June 2022]</ref>

===Use by the Voyager programme===
A greeting in Welsh is one of the [[Contents of the Voyager Golden Record#Greetings|55 languages]] included on the [[Voyager Golden Record]] chosen to be representative of Earth in NASA's [[Voyager program]]me launched in 1977.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/languages/languages.html |title=Greetings to the Universe in 55 Different Languages |access-date=10 May 2009 |publisher=[[NASA]]}}</ref> The greetings are unique to each language, with the Welsh greeting being {{lang|cy|Iechyd da i chwi yn awr ac yn oesoedd}}, which translates into English as "Good health to you now and forever".<!--Please do not edit the Welsh greeting or the translation. Both are correct.--><ref>{{cite web |url=http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/languages/welsh.html |title=Welsh greetings |access-date=10 May 2009 |publisher=[[NASA]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-message-hurtling-through-space-1826813 |title=The Welsh message hurtling through space 10 billion miles from its home |work=[[WalesOnline]] |date=10 June 2011 }}</ref>