What is Cymdeithas yr Iaith?

...and other Frequently Asked Questions.

So, what is Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg?

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) is a pressure group campaigning for the future of the Welsh language. Established in 1962, we believe in non-violent direct action, and in the course of our campaigns over a thousand people have appeared before the courts for their part in these campaigns, many serving prison sentences. These campaigns have resulted in many gains for the language, including two Welsh language acts, bilingual road signs, and the establishing of S4C, the Welsh language television channel. We are a voluntary movement entirely dependent on the support of our members and supporters to run our campaigns.

How many people speak Welsh?

According to the census of 2001, 20.8% of the people of Wales speak Welsh.

Are the numbers rising?

Although the latest figures show the first increase for decades in the number of Welsh speakers throughout Wales, mostly due to the popularity of Welsh-medium education and the numbers of adults learning the language, they do not show the full story. There has actually been a sharp decline in the number of Welsh-speakers in the language’s heartlands, and the language is dying as a community language in many parts of Wales.

Only a frighteningly low 3% of the children of Wales are being brought up in homes where both parents are Welsh-speaking.

No figures are available for the numbers of speakers outside Wales, although these are thought to be substantial. Welsh is also on the increase in the former Welsh settlement of Patagonia, Argentina, where the language is still spoken in some communities.

What are Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg's campaigns at the moment?

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg are campaigning for the language in many fields: education, media and culture, planning, local authorities. At present we are calling for a new Welsh Language Act which covers the many fields ignored by previous legislation passed in 1993: e.g. the private sector.

Is Welsh an official language in Wales?

No. The Welsh Language Act of 1993 declared that Welsh should be treated on the basis of equality with English. However this falls short of what is needed and we are calling for Welsh and English to be declared official languages in Wales. The lack of official status means that the Welsh language misses out on many crucial European grants.

Is Welsh used widely?

Welsh is used in every imaginable field: education at all levels, businesses, local authorities, media, publishing, health and the voluntary sector. Both Welsh and English are spoken in the National Assembly: however we are pressing for more politicians to use Welsh in the chamber.

I'd like to know more...

For more information about our campaigns, membership or donations, please contact our head office: .

For general information about the Welsh language, please ring Link Line To Welsh: 0845 607 6070.

Although Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg are glad to help with most inquires, you will appreciate that with a staff of two we cannot provide a translation service or general information about the language for research students, unless of course their studies are about Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg or Welsh language campaigning, in which case we would be glad to help.

Dr Dylan Phillips has written an excellent book on the history of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg: Trwy ddulliau chwyldro...? Hanes Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg 1962-1992 (Llandysul, 1998); unfortunately there is no similar publication available in English.

For press inquiries ring (01970) 624501.

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