Category Archives: Newyddion

Extending Welsh-Medium Education

Invitation to the next meeting of the Cross-Party Group on the Welsh Language

Extending Welsh-Medium Education

A discussion with Aled Roberts, Chair, Consulting Board on Strategic Plans on Welsh in Education

6.30 p.m. Wednesday, 10th October
Conference Room A, Tŷ Hywel, National Assembly for Wales

Cross Party Group on the Welsh Language
Sponsored by Dr Dai Lloyd AM
RSVP – Marcia.spooner@cynulliad.cymru

 

The S4C Review and Broadcasting in Minority Languages

The National Assembly Cross Party group on the Welsh Language

Please join us for the Group’s next meeting.

Hosted by Jeremy Miles AM

6pm Monday 26 June, 2017

Conference Room C, Tŷ Hywel

“The S4C Review and Broadcasting in Minority Languages”

Speakers:

Huw Jones, Chairman S4C Authority

Xabier Landabidea Urresti, La Universidad de Deusto University, The Basque Country

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Aberystwyth University

Please join us for what promises to be an interesting discussion and an opportunity to help shape the discussions of the group during the Fifth Assembly.

The proceedings of the Group will be in Welsh, with translation facilities available.

Implementing the Welsh Language Act

Today, March 30, Dathlu’r Gymraeg, an umbrella group of Welsh language organisations is pleased to see that the 2011 Welsh Language Act is being implemented. The Act states that the Welsh language should be treated no less favorably than the English language. The new standards that come into force today will put the onus on the Government and local authorities to provide services in Welsh.

Dathlu’r Gymraeg calls on the Government, the National Park Authorities and County Councils to act positively and to offer complete provision. The emphasis has shifted from the individual and the responsibility is now on the statutory bodies to provide the service.

The Standards in the Welsh Language Act set the requriements for the provision of services through the Welsh language including individual and public meetings and training. The bodies are expected to give wide publicity to the new provisions.

Penri Williams, Chairman of Dathlu’r Gymraeg stated “The implementation of the Welsh Language Act has taken a long time but now the work of developing the provision can begin. I would encourage people to ask for the new services which will be available and for the Welsh Language Commissioner to take action if there is any failur in the provision. It is high time that the Welsh language is given equal status with English and there is no reason why the new standards should not be implemented across Wales. We will be using the social media networks to report the changes brought about by the Language Act. ”

Provisions of the Welsh Language Act

1. Right to correspond and communicate with organizations in Welsh
2. Right to Welsh telephone service
3. Right to personal meetings in Welsh
4. Right to participate in public meetings in Welsh
5. The right to see and hear public information in Welsh
6. Right to online and interactive services in Welsh
7. Right to face to face services in Welsh
8. Right to education courses in Welsh, such as swimming lessons.

 

The Welsh Language Commissioner states

On 30 March this year the first set of Welsh language standards become operational. These standards state what organizations should do in Welsh.

The standards create new rights for people to use Welsh.

County councils, the Welsh Government and the National Parks are the first organizations to implement the standards. Over time they will be presented to institutions and other sectors, such as health, post-16 education, public transport, energy, postal services, social housing, telecommunications and much more.

Standards are based on the law; and there is a duty on organizations to comply with them. They should give you confidence that you can use Welsh when dealing with organizations who implement the standards. If you have not been able to receive a satisfactory service in Welsh, please contact me to complain.

To learn more about your rights please visit the ‘Rights to Use Welsh’ section of the website comisiynyddygymraeg.cymru and follow #hawliau on social networks. You are welcome to also contact us by telephone or in writing.

(Cymraeg) Hystings Y Gymraeg

2016 Hustings

THE WELSH LANGUAGE 2016 – 2021

 HUSTINGS

QUESTIONS TIME

ASSEMBLY ELECTION CANDIDATES

7.30pm MONDAY, 29 FEBRUARY 2016

YR HEN LYFRGELL, THE HAYES, CARDIFF

Chairman:        Owain Phillips

Alun Davies     – Labour

Suzy Davies     – Conservatives

Aled Roberts    – Liberal Democrats

Glyn Wise               – Plaid Cymru

The evening is organised by Dathlu’r Gymraeg.

Translation Service will be provided.

Questions are invited before hand

For further information contact

gwybodaeth@dathlu.cymru or 07912175403

www.dathlu.org

Government asked to reconsider cuts in the Welsh Language budget

Dathlu’r Gymraeg, an umbrella group of Welsh language organisations, is calling on the Government to reconsider the budget cuts planned for the Welsh Language. The draft budget shows a significant drop in funding for the work of the Government in promoting the Welsh language in the community and for the Welsh Language Commissioner. It is proposed to reduce the budget from £ 8.6m to £ 6.9m. This is a proposed cut of 19% to the budget for projects to promote the language. To reduce the effect of such a cut the Government is proposing to set aside £1.2m from other budgets but this will not be sufficient to maintain the current funding.

Dathlu’r Gymraeg stated that the draft budget cuts strengthens the case for adopting a long-term target for investment in Welsh. In its manifesto for the Assembly elections it asks the parties to plan to invest 1% of the Welsh budget in initiatives to promote the Welsh language, the same percentage as the Basque Country which saw steady growth in the number of Basque speakers over recent decades.

Penri Williams, Chairman of Dathlu’r Gymraeg, representing over twenty Welsh language organisations said:

“These cuts will underline the need for the Welsh Government to set out targets in the future for the percentage of the budget to be invested in the Welsh language. The target of 1% follows the international best practice and demonstrates a clear commitment to it. As a minority language, there is a need for security and stability over a fairly long period in order to plan and get results. We have seen precedents in other areas on a British level, such as international development, and how such a target can offer long-term stability. For example, it is difficult to see how the Welsh Language Commissioner could effectively act independently if the cuts continue.

“Of course, there is considerable concern regarding the ability of the government to fulfill their objectives in terms of the Welsh language, if such cuts occur. Indeed, it is difficult to see how the budget meets the Government’s commitment to ensure the growth of the Welsh language. “

Dathlu’r Gymraeg is calling on the First Minister, Carwyn Jones, to ensure that the current expenditure on the Welsh language is maintained and ways are considered to expand the provision in the future.

The Scarlets and Welsh Whisperer shout out Shwmae Sumae 2015!

Logo Scarlets
Thursday, October 15 will be the third time Wales will be celebrating Shwmae Sumae Day and once again a huge variety of activities are being held across the country to encourage everyone to greet each other in Welsh on that day and give Welsh a go.

The aim of the campaign is:
– to make Welsh more prominent and public,
– show that the language belongs to everyone in Wales, regardless of their proficiency
– and consequently encourage the use of Welsh every day and all year round.

The campaign has been very lucky to be supported by a variety of people and organizations. This year our champions are the Welsh singer and entertainer the Welsh Whisperer, Gareth Wyn Jones, farmer and broadcaster from Llanfairfechan, Canolfan Soar who have revitalised the economy and the Welsh language in Merthyr Tydfil and Angharad Williams who run a ladies’ fashion business in Lampeter and Machynlleth.

Gareth Wyn Jones said:Gareth WJ
“I’m really pleased to be part of the Sumae campaign which encourages everybody to use as much Welsh as the have. Don’t be shy give it a go! I do my best to use the language on social network and on the media. As a farmer the Welsh language is an essential part of the fabric of rural communities and the agricultural industry. It’s important to use it every day. If we don’t, who will?”

The Welsh Whisperer, Môn FM Disc jockey and a man who’s entertained the masses in pubs, halls and cowsheds across Wales, said:

Welsh Whisp“I am delighted to be part of a campaign to promote the language and open doors to Welsh learners and encourage others to learn our language. It’s great to be part of the same campaign with Wales’ most famous farmer (no, not Dai Llanilar, but) Gareth Wyn Jones from Llanfairfechan! Both of us have felt the mountain dew, wear a flat cap, and are passionate about the language, our communities and Welsh beer of course. ”

Business woman, Angharad Williams said:
“ I’m really proud to support the message of Shwmae Sumae Day and start every conversation in Welsh. Using Welsh in a local business like Lan Llofft & Duet is essential in an area like Lampeter and we want to extend a Welsh welcome to all our customers whatever their grasp of the language is. Using the Welsh language to promote the business on our social media outlets was common sense, and as a result we have received even more support as our customers value our commitment to the language and want to support a local Welsh business. “

Angharad

Scarlets RFC will also be supporting Shwmae Sumae 2015 by holding an evening of entertainment on the following Friday, October 16 before the Leinster game. With the co-operation of Menter Gwendraeth Elli and others and Y Lle – Llanelli’s new Welsh language centre an array of entertainment will be put on for the whole of the family from 5 – 7pm before kick off. So make sure you pop over.

The Pembrokeshire Shwmae crew have organized the second Shwmae Awards awards ceremony after the resounding success of last year’s event.

Dathlu’r Gymraeg have seen communities and organisations across Wales take ownership of the day themselves. Its success lies in the enthusiasm of dynamic individuals such as the pupils of Bishop Mcgrath School, Bridgend who take it upon themselves to organise the day’s activities. Shwmae Sumae does not recieve any public funding or sponsorship and has grown from the grass-roots rather than the top down and long may it last!