Cymraeg
welsh / cymraeg
Welsh is a Celtic language, closely related to Cornish and Breton. The Welsh we speak today is directly descended from the language of the sixth century. A page from the book of Aneurin, one of the earliest written manuscripts in WelshVery few examples of Early Welsh exist today, with the earliest dating back to the middle of the ninth century. Elements of Old Welsh are seen in the work of the Cynfeirdd, originally dating back to the sixth century, although all manuscripts are much later than this date. The most famous of these is Canu Aneirin (The Songs of Aneirin), written in Welsh, in an area of Britain now known as south Scotland and the north of England, where Welsh was spoken during this period.
At the start of the 20th century, the Welsh language was spoken by almost half the population of Wales. The 1911 Census recorded that nearly a million people regarded themselves as Welsh speakers. There are reports available on this website on every Census that has asked a question on the Welsh language.
Welsh Education Scheme
DRAFT proposals for a five-year plan to develop Welsh-medium education in image depicting School children Swansea are going out to consultation this week. The Welsh Education Scheme aims to provide a vision of the way in which primary and secondary Welsh-medium education will roll out between now and 2011. Swansea Council has drawn up draft proposals which have been approved by the Welsh Language Board for public consultation. Following that a final report on the shape of the scheme will go back to the board for a final decision. Cabinet Member for Education Mike Day said that it was important that people took the opportunity to comment.
The National Curriculum Document for Welsh can be downloaded by clicking on the PDF document icon here.
