The Welsh Government is dropping plans for a Welsh Language Bill - which would have scrapped the job of Welsh language commissioner

The move has been welcomed by campaigners who claimed it would have weakened protection for the language. Welsh Language Minister Eluned Morgan said: "It is clear there is no appetite to change the whole system." The Welsh Government said its target of having a million Welsh speakers by 2050 was unaffected by the announcement. The commissioner promotes the Welsh language, protects the rights of people to use it, and polices...

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First TV chat show in Cornish language launched online

The first ever television chat show in the Cornish language has been launched. Two pilot episodes of 'Jaqi ha Jerry' have been made with money from FEAST - a programme funded by Arts Council England and Cornwall Council, and managed by Creative Kernow. The programme, hosted by Jerry Sethir and Jaqi Heard, is a half-hour show on the online Cornish language TV channel 'Pellwolok an Gernewegva...

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Children at Gaeltacht schools getting more immersed in Irish language

Gaeltacht schools have made significant steps forward in improving the quality of Irish language education. That’s the finding of an inspection report of 105 primary and 28 secondary schools taking part in the Gaeltacht School Recognition Scheme. The report said that junior and senior infants pupils are being immersed in Irish to provide listening and speaking opportunities to students of different ability levels in Irish from...

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Sophia Morrison Award: Manx Gaelic original short-story competition

A writing competition is being held to celebrate the 160th anniversary of a Manx author. Sophia Morrison was born in Peel on May 24, 1859. The Manx branch of the Celtic Congress is holding a Manx Gaelic original short-story competition for Aundyr Sophia Morrison, the Sophia Morrison Award. There is a cash prize of £100 for the winning...

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Multiple wins for Alffa and Gwilym at Gwobrau’r Selar 2019 Welsh language music awards

As Gwobrau’r Selar announced award winners, Getintothis’ Cath Holland observes triumphs for the country’s new blood making its voice heard. Organised by contemporary Welsh language music magazine Y Selar, the Gwobrau’r Selar annual awards are now in their seventh year and were held at Aberystwyth University for the fifth time. For 2019,...

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Magi Ann Kernewek, the Welsh Language Apps Inspiring the Next Generation of Cornish Speakers

An award winning series of apps to help families learn Welsh is now inspiring the next generation of Cornish speakers get off to a flying start. The National Lottery funded Magi Ann Welsh Language apps were launched in 2016 with the aim of helping young children and their families learn Welsh. The apps, which are the brainchild of Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam in north east Wales, is the inspiration behind a new Cornish...

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Anger as Welsh language nurseries told they will have to teach some English to children

Plans to make English compulsory at Welsh language nurseries have angered parents, teachers and language campaigners.  They say the proposals in the new curriculum threaten the future of the language and the Welsh government's own ambitions for one million Welsh speakers by 2050. Mudiad Meithrin, the voluntary movement specialising...

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Irish language street signs for West Belfast get green light

The streets in the west of the city will feature their Irish translation after the request was approved by Council officials on February 6. Séanna Walsh, a Sinn Fein councillor in the West Belfast , says there has been a “surge” of interest in the issue over recent months. He added: “There’s a lot of young people getting involved in the issue, some who’ve been exercised about the language since the ‘crocodile’ remark and...

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Brittany and Celtic Research Center celebrating 50th birthday

The Centre de recherche bretonne et celtique (CRBC, Brittany and Celtic Research Center) organizes a series of events (exhibitions, meetings, visits ...) throughout the year 2019 to celebrate its fiftieth year of existence. Housed in the Faculty of Humanities and Humanities of Brest, the CRBC was born in 1969, almost at the same time...

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English-medium education to put more emphasis on Welsh

Welsh will no longer be classed as a second language in English-medium schools, under new proposals. All pupils will follow the same curriculum for the language from 2022, but English-medium pupils will not necessarily be expected to meet the same standard as Welsh-medium students. Other reforms include introducing "international" languages in primaries.The Welsh Government said it was working to ensure teachers had the right...

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Gaelic support service to inspire Scots to speak the language

Young people will be able to access a range of support services provided in Gaelic as part of a new initiative. The project, launched by Young Scot, will offer advice online about topics including financial management, puberty and internet safety.  It aims to help inspire more young people in Scotland to speak the language. According to figures published by Scotland’s National Centre in Languages, the number of pupils...

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Young Scots, Support services to be provided in Gaelic for young people in Scotland

The initiative, launched by Young Scot, aims to encourage more young people across the country to use and engage with the language. Young people will be able to access a range of support services provided in Gaelic as part of a new initiative. The project, launched by Young Scot, will offer advice online about topics including...

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Wrexham pupils celebrate Welsh language music with international harpist

An international harpist was the star guest as a Wrexham school celebrated a day of Welsh music. The Wrexham Early Years Centre on Prince Charles Road, Caia Park, took part in Miwsig Cymru, a day which celebrates all forms of Welsh Language music. And the centre, which prepares infant children for school, welcomed world renowned...

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Kej-Mesk, a Breton language game for smartphone

Kristen Tonnelle, librarian of Loudéac, is passionate about computer science to the point that he decided, among other things, to create a game for smartphone ... in Breton. It is called Kej-Mesk (collage or pell mell) it is a first for the world of the Breton language. "It's the kind of addictive little game.  On the screen, a square...

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Use of Irish by Dublin Bus commended as Minister Kyne approves company’s new Language Scheme

Seán Kyne TD, Aire don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin, has approved the Irish Language Scheme for Dublin Bus and commended the organisation on its use of Irish across its services. Minister Kyne said: “Having approved the new language scheme for Dublin Bus, I want to commend and congratulate the organisation for its clear commitment to increasing the visibility and use of An Ghaeilge. “The use of an Ghaeilge...

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Successful Breton language evening in Plouzane

On Sunday, January 27th at the François Mitterrand Plouzane Cultural Center, several generations of Breton speakers, including those at the music school, students in bilingual classes in Plouzane and Plougonvelin, as well as high school students in Kerallan, captivated the audience with their creativity. They proposed many sketches in...

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8 February 2019 is Welsh Language Music Day

Welsh Language Music Day celebrates all forms of Welsh Language music. Whether you’re into indie, rock, punk, funk, folk, electronica, hip hop or anything else, there’s incredible music being made in the Welsh language for you to discover. Get involved There's so much going on to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day - here are some ways you can be a part of it: join the converstion using the hashtag #dyddmiwsigcymru follow...

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Report recommending more Irish language nurseries in Northern Ireland published after three year delay

A report into Irish language pre-school education in Northern Ireland has been published almost three years after it was completed. The research began in March 2015 and the finished report was delivered to the Department for Education (DE) in March 2016. It recommended that the department considers increasing the number of statutory Irish language nurseries. It also said there should be more curriculum and language support for...

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