Welsh Language Strategy 2023 to 2028: summary of the challenges

To enable us to find opportunities to increase the use of the Welsh language and the number of Welsh speakers, we also need to be able to recognize the challenges and obstacles that prevent that. We need to be able to identify the areas of the county, or the parts of life, where there is a reduction in people’s use of the language in their daily life, and understand which factors can affect an individual's personal use of the language. 

We know that the language continues to face historical challenges such as migration, young people moving out of rural areas to look for work, and the lack of transmission of the language from one generation to the next.  In time we will see what impact Covid 19 has had on rural communities and the fact that people are taking advantage of the ability to work remotely.

The impact of the pandemic and the fact that Denbighshire has lost a total of -2.1% of its Welsh speakers during the last 10 years (2021 census), means it is more important than ever to ensure that the language is a living and thriving language within our communities.

In order to encourage that use of the Welsh language, it is necessary to consider the impact of the challenges, and how we can tackle them in order to increase the opportunities for people across the county to use and practice the language on a daily basis.

• Geographical challenges: Variations in the number and percentage of speakers across the county, and the variety of jobs/services available in some rural areas, mean that different solutions and interventions are required to protect the Welsh language.
• Language transmission within the family; Families not passing on the language to their children leading to the loss of Welsh as a home language.
• Loss of speakers after the age of 16: No solid progression of use when leaving education and young people stop using the language when entering employment and in their social life as adults.
• The status of Welsh as a business language: Lack of clear use of the Welsh language by businesses
• Individuals’ confidence in their ability and skills: Lack of opportunities to use the language regularly when socializing and difficulties in using Welsh services can lead to a lack of confidence and reduced usage.