Editing Welsh language (section)

=== 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>