Language Revitalization

Policy and Planning in Wales

Edited by Colin Williams

‘Language Revitalization moves several steps beyond the political rhetoric in its imaginative and sensitive approaches towards the challenges of Welsh language policy and planning.’ (Regional & Federal Studies)

‘This is a seminal volume placing language where it belongs, in the centre of social, political, economic, and cultural life.’ Forum for Modern Language Studies

‘ . . . an excellent, state-of-the-art volume by top specialists . . . an excellent presentation of the current language issues in Wales, this collection of articles is useful reading for anyone interested in language planning issues in general, and it offers abundant fodder for revitalization programs in search of inspiration and practical ideas’. (Language in Society)

Language revitalization is a challenging issue within contemporary Wales and a fascinating topic for inter-disciplinary analysis worldwide. This volume of essays assesses the current state of language policy and planning in Wales. It traces the historical development of the Welsh language struggle before turning to an analysis of the data sources which inform current policy decisions.

The distinguished contributors then offer a range of critical perspectives on the operation of bilingual educational policies ranging from nursery education to adult education. Special attention is paid to community development efforts as well as to comparable language revitalization efforts in Ireland, the Basque country and Catalonia. The volume concludes with an assessment of current economic and political programmes which offer an unprecedented opportunity to incorporate the Welsh language within mainstream social thought and action.

The scope and richness of this collection will make it a key reference for anyone interested in the phenomenon of language revival and language planning, Welsh society and history, public policy on language in society and bilingualism.

Colin H. Williams is Research Professor in the Department of Welsh, Cardiff University and Adjunct Professor of Geography, University of Western Ontario. He is the editor of many books, including Language in Geographic Context (1988) and Linguistic Minorities, Society and Territory (1991).

Contents and Contributors

• Colin H. Williams, Introduction: Language Revitalization
• Hywel Jones and Colin H. Williams, The Statistical Basis for Welsh Language Planning
• The Welsh Language Board, Language Revitalization: the Role of the Welsh Language Board
• Colin Baker and Meirion Prys Jones, Welsh Language Education: A Strategy for Revitalization
• Glyn E. Jones and Colin H. Williams, The Development of Welsh-Medium Education in Cardiff
• Heni Gruffudd, Planning for the Use of Welsh by Young People
• Steve Morris, Adult Education, Language Revival and Language Planning
• Colin H. Williams, Community Empowerment Through Language Planning Intervention
• Cefin Cambell, The Development of Mentrau Iaith
• Jeremy Evas, Declining Density: A Danger for the Language
• Nicholas Gardner, Maite Puigdevall Serralvo and Colin H. Williams, Language Planning in West European Perspective: Ireland, the Basque Country and Catalonia
• Colin H. Williams, Conclusion