Mike Hedges MS Welcomes News That Minister For Welsh Language Announce Launch Of Welsh Language Commission.

Mike Hedges MS welcomes news that Minister for Welsh Language announce launch of Welsh Language Commission.

Speaking from his Morriston office, Local Swansea East MS, Mike Hedges said… ‘As a relatively new Welsh speaker myself, I know how difficult it is to learn a new language and to gain the confidence to speak it. If the Welsh Government is to attain the one million Welsh Speakers by 2050, the Welsh Government will need to establish a lot of support mechanisms which flow from this type of commission.

Once the commission begins it work I would urge everyone to contribute to its work if the opportunity arises.’

Today, at the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod, I am launching the Commission for Welsh-speaking communities. I announced my intention to establish such a Commission earlier this year.

The Commission will help us develop future policies to sustain the language in those communities traditionally considered its heartlands. This isn’t about setting up a new body, it’s a group of experts in a range of fields who will give us a completely candid view about how the economy, policy decisions and demographics are affecting the Welsh language on the ground.

It is imperative that we strengthen the community base of our language in the light of socio-economic and societal changes, so that we maintain and increase the use of Cymraeg in these communities. This work is therefore central to our vision Cymraeg 2050–A Million Welsh speakers. For the Welsh language to thrive we need sustainable communities and good job opportunities in the areas where it is widely spoken.

Establishing this Commission also reflects our commitment to mainstreaming Cymraeg as a policy consideration across all areas of our work in the Welsh Government. Making sure Welsh is considered in the context of every team’s work, in every department across Government every time.

The Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities will publish its report within two years. The report will make policy recommendations and consider interventions that may be beneficial in terms of responding to the socio-economic, societal and educational contexts which affect Cymraeg as a community language. It may also make recommendations more directly in terms of language policy.

The Commission will also offer an analysis of the results of the 2021 census in our Welsh-speaking communities which will help us better understand the exact current situation of our language. This work will identify areas of linguistic sensitivity which may require particular policy interventions to support and strengthen Cymraeg as a community language.

After its submission of recommendations to the Welsh Government about Cymraeg as a community language in areas of linguistic sensitivity, the Commission will also consider its future as a community language in other areas of Wales.

The Commission will be chaired by Dr. Simon Brooks. Today, I am announcing the names of the entire Commission. The members will serve during the period in which the Commission considers Cymraeg as a community language in areas of linguistic sensitivity. The members are as follows:

• Talat Chaudhri
• Lowri Cunnington Wynn
• Cynog Dafis
• Meinir Ebbsworth
• Delyth Evans
• Dafydd Gruffydd
• Myfanwy Jones
• Shan Lloyd Williams
• Cris Tomos
• Rhys Tudur

As I have often said, Cymraeg belongs to us all—as does the responsibility for its future. We are going to have to be bold and not be afraid to tackle sometimes difficult issues together. I am sure that some of what the Commission will tell us may be pretty challenging – but crucially, that is what will help us come up with the most effective actions.