Welsh language debate: is mixing with English a threat?
A campaign group has warned that the Welsh language and identity are being threatened by the use of English. Especially because of the amount of English media that Welsh speakers consume. The group believes it is important to stop this “language shift” and preserve the Welsh language.
However, a sociolinguist has argued that it is natural for languages to adapt and change. They claim the only way to achieve Wales’ goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050 is to get new people to learn it. The expert also said that the feeling that its speaking particularities could discourage new speakers from feeling confident.
Another expert said that the Welsh language belongs to “everyone in Wales” and that there is no one right way to speak Welsh. He also said that for a language to thrive, it must have a wide range of speakers. They may sometimes use English words.
S4C, the only Welsh-language channel in Wales, has said that it will continue to include English language content in its output. The channel said it is important to ensure that the whole of Wales is seen and heard on S4C. It tries to help communities and encourage people to learn and speak Welsh.
The debate over the Welsh language is complex and there are strong arguments on both sides.
On the one hand, it is true that the use of English is a threat to the Welsh language. Welsh speakers are constantly exposed to English media, both through television and the internet. This can lead to a shift away from using Welsh in everyday life.
In addition, English is the dominant language in Wales, both in terms of the number of speakers and the status of the language. This can make it difficult for Welsh speakers to find opportunities to use their language in the workplace and in public life.
On the other hand, it is also true that languages are constantly changing and adapting. It is unrealistic to expect that Welsh will remain the same as it is today in 50 or 100 years’ time.
If Welsh is to survive, it needs to be able to adapt to the needs of its speakers. This may involve adopting new words and phrases from English or changing the way that Welsh is spoken.
It is also important to remember that the Welsh language belongs to everyone in Wales, whether or not they are fluent speakers. Those with Welsh heritage should be proud and support the efforts to preserve the Welsh language for future generations.
Source: BBC News
