Language, Economy and Society

The Changing Fortunes of the Welsh Language in the Twentieth Century

John Aitchison and Harold Carter

pp ix171 246x189mm February 2000 paperback
ISBN 0-7083-1552-6

‘. . . clearly written.’ (Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie/Journal of Economic and Social Geography)

This is a thoroughly updated and extended version of A Geography of the Welsh Language 1961–1991 (see below).

In this new edition the authors present new sets of language data both for individuals and for households in Wales and examine the impact of migration on the language, the relationship between social class and ability to speak Welsh, and the bases for the reproduction and maintenance of the language within the context of the family. The final chapter considers the prospects for the language in the light of new political and institutional developments (including the National Assembly for Wales), recent planning issues (most notably housing) and developments in the critically important field of education.

This book is an essential reference source for those concerned with the changing status and vitality of the Welsh language and of other minority languages in Europe. It provides a framework and a factual context in which to set such issues as language planning and policy formulation at local and national levels.

How the critics responded to The Geography of the Welsh Language:

‘ . . . an important and comprehensive source of information on the Welsh language – yesterday, today and tomorrow.’ Books in Wales

‘ . . . highly readable and very informative . . .’ Y Drych

‘ . . . provides thought-provoking material to those interested in language survival and revival.’ Word

‘Aitchison and Carter's volume remains the single most important empirical discussion of the fortunes of Welsh.‘ Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development

John Aitchison is Gregynog Professor of Human Geography at the Institute of Earth Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Harold Carter is Emeritus Professor of Human Geography at University of Wales, Aberystwyth