Welsh language place names to be ‘safeguarded’ in Labour-Plaid deal
Welsh language place names will be “safeguarded” as part of a deal between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru.
The commitment is part of a wide-ranging cooperation agreement which has been unveiled today by the First Minister Mark Drakeford and the Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
The plan includes a number of measures to support and boost the Welsh language, such as expanding the workforce that can teach and work through the language, and investing to increase the proportion of Welsh-medium apprenticeships.
The agreement says: “Wales has a long and proud history and distinctive culture, built around our language, which thrives today.
“We will work to strengthen our language and culture, protecting it where needed, promoting it and helping make Welsh an everyday reality for all, as we work towards our shared goal of a million Welsh-speakers.”
It says that the parties will: “Ensure Welsh language place names in the built and natural environments are safeguarded and promoted.”
On Welsh language education, it says they will: “Introduce a Welsh Language Education Bill, which together with more immediate non-legislative work, will strengthen Welsh in Education Strategic Plans; set new ambitions and incentives to expand the proportion of the education workforce who can teach and work through the Welsh language.”
They have also agreed to “establish and implement a single continuum of Welsh language learning; enable existing schools to move into a higher Welsh language category and incentivise the increase of Welsh medium provision in all education settings.”
‘Coleg Cymraeg’
The parties have agreed to: “Invest in Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and the National Centre for Learning Welsh to increase the proportion of Welsh-medium apprenticeships and further education and provide free Welsh language learning for 16 to 25-year-olds.
On its culture strategy it says the parties will: “Develop a new culture strategy, reflecting Wales’ diversity, a thriving Welsh language, our arts, culture and heritage sectors and our duties under the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.
“We will ensure the financial sustainability of national cultural institutions as we implement the strategy and we will also develop the proposals for a national contemporary art gallery.”
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Why were they not protected before? I thought Welsh Labour supported Cymraeg already.
This should have been done years ago? Welsh placename’s are the oldest in Britain. They are a connection to our distant past on this island recorded long before writing existed.
And no child or adult should go through life not knowing the meaning of their own village, town & city they live in ,or be denied the ability to pronounce the very place born & bred.
Ydy hyn yn cynnwys enwas tai hefyd? Wedi cael llond bol ar yr holl enwau saesneg sydd yn cael eu rhoi ar ein bythynod traddodiadol – ‘cottage’ brook; hill ayyb. Cywilyddus
ydy sylwadau Cymraeg yn cael eu blocio ETO??
Excellent, but as the (English) saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating…
Plaid Cymru has conveniently forgotten that in the previous (then Assembly) session a bill to protect Walsh place names was presented – and half the Plaid group didn’t bother to turn up.
I’ve always been a big fan of Dr J – he says it how it is – and he is respected though not always agreed with – but his salient comment remains a must.
The likes of John need perhaps to reach out to each other to offer ongoing comment on real time progress and evidence based back up.
Da Iawn John 👍🏼