Welsh ‘booms’ back from extinction list, endangered language report says
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A growing interest in the Welsh language and culture could mean Cymraeg is no longer classed as being “vulnerable to extinction,” according to a new report. Preply’s Endangered Language Report says an increase in the number of people wanting to learn Welsh could help the Welsh Government realise its ambition of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Welsh is integral to the country’s heritage and national identity but a decline in the number of Welsh speakers had put it at risk of extinction in recent years. It is one of Britain’s oldest languages but historical events such as the Act of Uniformity in 1549 (where all acts of worship were to be conducted in English), have impacted its growth dramatically.
The infamous ‘Welsh Not’ signs of the 1800s which were designed to punish school children for speaking Welsh are just one example of numerous attempts to extinguish the language throughout history. Despite this, Welsh remains widely spoken in homes, schools, and workplaces across the country and interest in the language is on the rise.
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The 2011 census recorded an estimated 562,000 Welsh speakers in Wales, but Preply says increasing interest in the language indicates “there is hope of revitalisation” on the horizon. Latest figures showed the number of people searching “learn Welsh courses” has increased by 267% since November 2021, and searches for “learn Welsh dysgu Cymraeg” is up a massive 600%.
Preply experts said: “These stats indicate that the language boom is not over yet, and uptake will continue on its upwards trajectory.” Adding, “While Welsh remains vulnerable, there’s reason to think fluency can continue to improve in the coming years.”
In 1901, around 50% of people living in Wales spoke Welsh, but by 1971 this had decreased significantly to 20.7%. However, data shows the percentage of Welsh speakers has remained relatively stable (at around 20%) for the last 50 years.
The report says education schemes and particularly those directed at school-age children have been very successful in stabilising Welsh language erosion. Today, 30% of children aged 3–15 can speak Welsh – compared to just 10% of adults aged 55–64, according to latest figures.
Amy Pritchett, Student Success Manager at Preply said: “We really want to raise awareness of the Welsh language to help strengthen the cause and preserve its cultural history and importance. It is a vehicle for history and communities which becomes more and more fragile as its reach lessens.
“Welsh people deserve to see that their own culture and language is just as important as English. Thus far, Wales has done an incredible job at reigniting the Welsh language, and hopefully, with enough support, the government hit their 2050 target.”
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