Welsh

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A language of United Kingdom

ISO 639-3
cym
Alternate Names
Cymraeg
Population

508,000 in United Kingdom (1991 census), decreasing. 32,700 monolinguals (1971 census). Population total all countries: 536,890.

Location

North, west, and south Wales. Also in Argentina, Canada, United States.

Language Maps
Language Status

2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Wales.

Classification
Indo-European, Celtic, Insular, Brythonic
Dialects

Northern Welsh, Patagonian Welsh, Southern Welsh.

Typology

VSO

Language Use

19% of the Welsh population speak it; 33% understand it (1998). 44,600 between 5 and 9 years old, 47,100 between 10 and 14 years old (1991). Positive attitudes. 542,000 bilinguals.

Language Development
Welsh as the medium for education is increasing. 525 primary and secondary schools provide Welsh as the medium of education to over 82,000 children (1999). Compulsory in most Welsh schools. The Royal National Eisteddfod meets annually. Magazines. New media. Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1588–2004.
Writing
Latin script.

Also spoken in:

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