The Decline of Welsh Speakers in Rhosneigr, North Wales
Rhosneigr, a town located in the heartland of Welsh-speaking North Wales, has experienced a significant decrease in the number of native Welsh speakers in recent years. This decline is concerning, especially when compared to other towns on the island of Ynys Mon (Anglesey).
A Language in Jeopardy
According to Streetcheck.co.uk, only 27% of the population of Rhosneigr speaks Welsh, which is well below the 55.8% average for Ynys Mon. Even neighboring towns like Valley and Llanfaelog boast a higher percentage of Welsh speakers, around 50%. Surprisingly, even the port city of Holyhead, the largest town on Ynys Mon, has a significantly higher percentage of Welsh speakers.
Part of the issue contributing to the language’s decline is the high number of second properties or “holiday homes” in the area. During winter months, Rhosneigr residents complain that the town becomes like a ghost town, with entire properties vacant for months at a time.
A Housing Crisis
Cymdeithas yr Iaith (The Welsh Language Society) argues that the situation in Rhosneigr is indicative of the larger housing crisis in the area. They call on the Welsh government to introduce a new property law to address this problem. The decline in the proportion of Welsh speakers in Rhosneigr is alarming, and it is stemming from known and reversible causes.
A spokesperson from Cymdeithas yr Iaith said, “Rhosneigr and Ynys Môn are at the epicenter of the second home crisis, which is a symptom of the general failure of the housing market to provide adequate and affordable housing for local people. The Welsh Government can take action today by introducing a new Property Act, which would regulate the housing market and fulfill its social obligation.”
In addition to the housing situation, there have also been attempts to close many of Ynys Môn’s rural Welsh medium-level schools, posing a threat to the future of the language in the island’s rural communities. Cymdeithas yr Iaith fears that more attempts may be made in the coming years, which would be detrimental to the language’s survival. To combat these challenges, the Welsh government needs to increase the provision of Welsh medium education, introduce a new Property Act, and strengthen the rights of Welsh speakers as stated in the Welsh Language Act 2011.
The Future of the Welsh Language
The decline of Welsh speakers in Rhosneigr reflects a broader struggle for the survival of the Welsh language across Wales. It is crucial that immediate action is taken to protect and promote Welsh in order to preserve it for future generations.
Expanding Welsh medium education and ensuring the availability of affordable housing for local residents are two key steps in reversing the decline. By regulating the property market and enforcing social obligations, the Welsh government can create an environment where the language can thrive. Strengthening the rights of Welsh speakers will also contribute to the language’s sustainability.
Closing Thoughts
The situation in Rhosneigr serves as a wake-up call for the Welsh government and society as a whole. The decline in the number of Welsh speakers is not inevitable, but it requires a concerted effort to address the underlying issues.
Preserving the Welsh language is not just a matter of cultural heritage, but also an economic opportunity. Welsh is part of the country’s identity and a valuable asset that can be leveraged in various sectors. Investing in the language today will yield benefits for generations to come.
In conclusion, action must be taken to reverse the decline of Welsh speakers in Rhosneigr and throughout Wales. Through a combination of education, housing regulation, and support for Welsh speakers, the future of the language can be secured. It is up to the Welsh government and society to ensure that Welsh remains a vibrant and thriving language for years to come.
Summary:
Rhosneigr, a town in North Wales, has seen a significant drop in the number of native Welsh speakers. Only 27% of the town’s population speaks Welsh, compared to the Ynys Mon average of 55.8%. The decline is related to the high number of second properties or “holiday homes.” Cymdeithas yr Iaith, The Welsh Language Society, calls on the Welsh government to introduce a new Property Act to address the problem. Additionally, there have been attempts to close Welsh medium-level schools in Ynys Mon, threatening the future of the language in rural communities. To combat these challenges, the Welsh government needs to increase Welsh medium education and strengthen the rights of Welsh speakers. Preserving the Welsh language is essential for cultural and economic reasons.
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A town in North Wales, in a Welsh-speaking heartland, has seen a huge drop in the number of native speakers in recent years. He Ynys Mon (Anglesey) town of rhosneigr has the lowest percentage of Welsh speakers on the island – less than one in three can speak Welsh cymraeg.
According to Streetcheck.co.uk, the percentage of Welsh-speaking people in the village is only 27%, a figure well below the Ynys Mon average of 55.8%. The figure is also substantially lower than in neighboring towns in Valley and Llanfaelog, where around 50% speak the language.
Even the port city of holy head, the largest town on Ynys Mon, boasts a significantly higher percentage of Welsh speakers. Part of the problem related to the status of the language is the number of second properties or “holiday homes” in the town.
We revealed it last year. that Rhosneigr residents complained that the town had become “like a ghost town” during the winter months, with entire properties vacant for “months”.
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Cymdeithas yr Iaith (The Welsh Language Society) said live north wales that the situation is a symptom of the housing situation in the area. They called on the Welsh government to introduce a new property law to address the problem.
A Cymdeithas spokesperson said: “Cymdeithas yr Iaith is deeply alarmed by the decline in the proportion of Welsh speakers in Rhosneigr. However, the causes of this decline are known and reversible, and there is no room for complacency.
“Rhosneigr and Ynys Môn are at the epicenter of the second home crisis, a symptom of the general failure of the free housing market to meet its objective of providing adequate and affordable housing for local people. The Welsh Government could start alleviating this problem today by introducing a new Property Act as requested by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, which would properly regulate the housing market to meet its social obligation.”
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The Cymdeithas spokesperson continued: “In terms of education, over the last few decades there have been attempts by County Council to close many of Ynys Môn’s rural Welsh medium-level schools, which are vital to maintaining Welsh as a language. lives in the rural communities of the island Cymdeithas yr Iaith fears that new attempts may be made in the coming years, something that would be very detrimental to the future of the language in Ynys Môn: if the language prospers in Ynys Môn, the future of these schools cannot be in doubt.
“Of course, Ynys Môn is not unique and the Welsh language faces challenges across Wales. To address these, the Welsh government must act now to rapidly increase the provision of Welsh medium education, introduce a new Property Act to regulate the property market and strengthen the rights of Welsh speakers as set out in the Welsh Language Act 2011.”
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