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Theme 2:

Increasing the use of Welsh

Target: The percentage of the population that

speak Welsh daily, and can speak more than
just a few words of Welsh, to increase from

10 per cent (in 2013–15) to 20 per cent by 2050.

Moving towards the position where we have a million speakers is one
aspect of our vision for a thriving Welsh language. However, a thriving
Welsh language is a language that is used. We want the use of Welsh
to be a routine part of everyday life, so that speakers at all levels feel
confident in its use in formal and informal situations, and that products
and services are offered proactively in Welsh.

Our objective is to see all learners leaving school with the capacity to use Welsh both socially and in
the workplace. In order for the benefits of the investment in education to be realised, opportunities are
required to practise and use the language regularly. The Welsh Language Use Survey 2013–15 (Welsh
Government and Welsh Language Commissioner 2015) shows that there is a clear link between fluency
and frequency of Welsh language use – 84 per cent of fluent Welsh speakers speak Welsh daily.
People need opportunities to use Welsh in a variety of situations which reflect the diversity of their
lifestyles. These include opportunities within the family, in the workplace, in local activities, or in
wider interest networks and communities which can span continents. Opportunities and services in
Welsh must be offered proactively, so that the individual does not have to request the Welsh language.
Ultimately the vision is for people to use it at every opportunity, with opportunities available everywhere.

This will require targeting support in a way which acknowledges different needs by different people.
For example new speakers, or parents/carers without Welsh language skills who send their children
to Welsh-medium schools, have different needs from fluent, confident speakers. Whether Welsh has
been part of someone’s upbringing, acquired at school or in adulthood, the Welsh language is for
everyone, and our interventions will aim to give everyone the opportunity to use the language.

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