Cardiff resident Elinor Staniforth once dreaded Welsh lessons. After completing her GCSEs, the language faded into the background. But a move to Oxford University sparked a reassessment of her identity and a renewed connection to her Welsh heritage. “I suddenly became very aware of being Welsh,” Staniforth, now 28, explained. “There were so few of us. When people asked if I spoke Welsh, I had to admit I didn’t. It felt like something was missing.” That feeling propelled her to begin learning Cymraeg during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she’s now a passionate advocate for the language, even becoming a finalist for the Cymraeg Learner of the Year prize at the 2024 National Eisteddfod and teaching the language herself.
Staniforth’s experience isn’t unique. Across Wales, and increasingly beyond, a surge of interest in the Welsh language is underway, particularly among adults. New figures from Y Canolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol – the National Centre for Learning Welsh – show a 12% increase in adult learners over the past year, bringing the total number of students to over 20,000 for the first time. This renewed enthusiasm comes at a critical juncture, as the Welsh language faces ongoing challenges to its long-term viability.
A Language at a Crossroads
The latest five-year report from the Welsh Language Commissioner revealed a complex picture. While the number of Welsh speakers has remained relatively stable for decades, it hasn’t kept pace with Wales’ population growth, making the language increasingly vulnerable. The commissioner, Efa Gruffudd Jones, has emphasized the require for “bold and transformative” intervention to reach the Welsh government’s ambitious goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050, as reported by The Guardian. The current number of regular Welsh speakers is estimated to be around 500,000, according to official statistics from the Office for National Statistics.
Though, the rising numbers at Dysgu Cymraeg offer a glimmer of hope. Chief Executive Dona Lewis expressed her satisfaction with the growth, stating, “We are really pleased with the numbers; the statistics show consistent growth since we were established. There’s huge demand and we have a big contribution to make to the language in the future.” The program has seen a 61% increase in enrollment since it began tracking data in the 2017-18 academic year.
Beyond the Classroom: A Cultural Reawakening
The appeal of learning Welsh extends beyond simply acquiring a new skill. For many, it’s about connecting with their heritage and a vibrant cultural scene. Scott Gutteridge, a 29-year-old actor originally from Llanelli now based in London, experienced this firsthand. He rediscovered Cymraeg while working on a bilingual production of Romeo and Juliet. “It’s a fantastic time to start learning Welsh because Notice so many resources available,” Gutteridge said. “It seems like a fire that’s burning again, there’s a lot more young learners. And there’s a lot of inspiring Welsh arts out there, I think people really connect with the poetry of the language.”
Gutteridge described a residential course at Nant Gwrtheyrn, the Welsh language heritage centre on the Llŷn Peninsula, as “magical.” The immersive experience, he explained, fostered a deep appreciation for the language and its cultural context.
A Diverse Cohort of Learners
The new wave of Welsh learners is remarkably diverse. While many are Welsh individuals reconnecting with their roots, a growing number are from outside Wales. Staniforth notes that her classes now include learners from England, Scotland, and even further afield – including individuals from Eastern Europe, Japan, Singapore, and the United States and Australia studying online. Nearly 40% of those taking courses through Dysgu Cymraeg are doing so through their workplaces, with particularly strong uptake in the National Health Service (NHS) and the police force.
Perhaps most encouraging is the significant increase in younger learners. The number of students aged 16 to 24 has risen by 56% in the past year. The percentage of learners identifying as belonging to “diverse ethnicities” has doubled, from 1% to 5%.
Bridging the Gap: School vs. Adult Learning
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain. Staniforth points to a “big divide between school and adult learning.” She observes that a considerably larger proportion of children attend English-medium schools, and feels there isn’t enough emphasis on Welsh language education within those settings. “If you learn a language you have to *want* to do it,” she emphasizes. “Asking an 11-year-old to do it when they have no interest in it will be challenging.”
The key, according to Staniforth and others, is to make learning Welsh enjoyable and to foster a sense of community. “Learning Welsh has to be enjoyable, because finding and creating a community, that’s what keeps the language alive.”
The Welsh Language Commissioner’s office is currently reviewing strategies to address the challenges outlined in the five-year report, with a focus on increasing the visibility and accessibility of Welsh language learning opportunities. Further details on these initiatives are expected to be released in the autumn of 2024.
The resurgence of interest in Welsh is a testament to the enduring power of language as a cultural touchstone. As more individuals embrace Cymraeg, the future of this ancient language appears brighter than it has in decades.
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