More than 60 delegates gather at Theatr Felinfach to shape linguistic progress

CEREDIGION’S first-ever bilingual language conference, held at Theatr Felinfach on 30 June, brought together over 60 representatives from organisations across Wales to discuss the future of the Welsh language and celebrate ongoing success.

The event, sponsored by the ARFOR scheme and supported by the county’s Bilingual Futures Forum, marked a significant milestone in Ceredigion’s efforts to promote and safeguard its linguistic heritage.

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, opened the day by stating: “Ceredigion is one of the strongholds of the Welsh language and bilingual communities. Individuals and organisations from all sectors play a key role in promoting the status of the Welsh language and maintaining its use in all aspects of life. Through our Language Forum, we collaborate and implement ideas that support the development of the language across the county.”

Throughout the day, council officials and language professionals gave presentations on a range of topics, including the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, community initiatives by Menter Iaith Ceredigion (CERED), and projects run by Theatr Felinfach. The Council’s Welsh Work scheme, which offers Welsh language training in the workplace, was also highlighted.

Attendees heard updates on the ARFOR scheme’s impact in Ceredigion, followed by guest speakers including Jeremy Evas, Head of Welsh Government’s Project 2050; Dr Arwel Williams, ARFer Project Officer at Canolfan Bedwyr; and Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Director of the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies and Chair of the Welsh Communities Commission, who discussed the BRO Project.

The conference concluded with a panel Q&A chaired by Councillor Catrin MS Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Customer Services. Panelists included Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones, Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, and Llyr Roberts, Chief Executive of MENTERA, who responded to questions about the future of the language and its place in Welsh life.

The day ended on a musical note with a performance by the Ceredigion Music Service’s Harp Ensemble, celebrating Welsh identity through music and culture.

Carys Lloyd-Jones, Ceredigion’s Language Policy Officer, said: “This was a successful conference which received very positive feedback. It was an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the Welsh language in Ceredigion and to begin shaping future plans.”

A short video summary of the event is available at: https://youtube.com/shorts/x4GhJ4mWETI?feature=share

New Act aims to ensure all pupils become confident Welsh speakers

LANDMARK legislation designed to give every child in Wales the opportunity to become a confident Welsh speaker has officially become law today (Monday, July 7).

The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act received Royal Assent this afternoon, marking a major step forward in the Welsh Government’s ambition to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

The Act places a renewed emphasis on the role of the Welsh language in education, with the long-term goal of ensuring that all pupils attending maintained schools in Wales leave as independent Welsh language users.

Speaking at the Bill’s sealing ceremony, First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh language belongs to us all. This Act builds on the excellent work already happening across Wales. It gives children and young people a better chance to become Welsh speakers, bringing us closer to our aim of one million Welsh speakers in Wales.”

The legislation sets out a clear framework to strengthen Welsh-medium education and embed the language more deeply across all school settings.

• RESEARCH on how property, street, and business names are changing across Wales shows a clear shift towards using Welsh language place names.

The report commissioned by the Welsh Government collected a wide range of valuable evidence, including:

Local authorities received three times more applications for Welsh language street names than English language names between 2018-2023.
Most changes to property names do not involve a change in the language of the property name.
When they do change language, properties are at least three more likely to be renamed from English to Welsh than from Welsh to English.
In all regions of Wales, more house names are changed from English to Welsh than Welsh to English.
People report that Welsh house names give them “a sense of pride, place or nostalgia”.
Welsh Language Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “Place names help tell the story of who we are as a nation, and this new research helps us understand our linguistic landscape. I’m encouraged to see more people embracing Welsh property names, regardless of their background.”

The research focused primarily on property names, business names, and street names, with the need for further investigation into names for topographical features in the natural environment also highlighted.

As part of the Welsh Government’s wider work to promote and celebrate Cymraeg and our culture, it has established a network of Cultural Ambassadors to support the language in their communities. The Cultural Ambassadors will be able to draw upon the List of Historic Place Names of Wales, which includes over 700,000 names and is funded by the Welsh Government.

Mark Drakeford said: “I’m proud to launch the gold level of our cultural ambassadors course, where people can learn more about the language and our culture online. The course includes modules on a range of topics including place names. If you want to support the Welsh language in your area, or know somebody who would be an ideal ambassador, then go for it.”