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This information applies to England and Wales
About the Welsh language
The 2001 Census shows that around 80,000 people can speak Welsh. In Wales, over a third of children between 3 and 15 years old.can speak the language.
The Act puts a duty on public organisations, for example, local authorities, to treat Welsh and English on an equal basis when providing services to the public in Wales. For more details about this, visit the website of the Welsh Language Board at:
English:  www.byig-wlb.org.uk/English
Welsh: www.byig-wlb.org.uk/Cymraeg
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Education and the Welsh language
Welsh is a subject in the national curriculum and is compulsory at all schools in Wales for pupils up to the age of 16. It is taught either as a second language in English medium schools or as a first language in Welsh medium schools.
Adults who wish to learn Welsh can find information on courses, learning resources and qualifications on the Welsh for Adults website at: www.new.wales.gov.uk.
Information about raising children to speak both Welsh and English is available from the Twf project.
More information about Twf can be found on its website: www.twfcymru.com.
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The right to speak Welsh in court
The Welsh Language Act 1993 gives Welsh speakers an absolute right to speak Welsh in court in Wales. If you want to speak Welsh in a court, you should contact the clerk of the court beforehand to ensure that suitable arrangements are made.
Jury service in Wales
If you are summoned to serve on a jury at any Crown Court in Wales, you will receive bilingual documents which you have to complete and return. If your reply says that you want to use Welsh, future correspondence will be in Welsh. At the court, jurors are invited to watch a video which explains the responsibilities of jurors. The video is available in Welsh. You can also take the juror’s oath in Welsh. Translation facilities must be provided unless the whole case is to be heard in Welsh.
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Welsh Language Helplines
If you wish to contact an organisation using Welsh, you may find they have a special Welsh language helpline.
To see a full list of organisations which have a Welsh Language helpline, visit the Welsh Language Board’s website at:
www.byig-wlb.org.uk (English)
www.byig-wlb.org.uk (Welsh)
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Help with translation
The Link Line to Welsh is a service providing general information on Wales and the Welsh language. It is run on behalf of the Welsh Language Board by Mamiaith, part of Menter Môn in Llangefni.
The Link Line's services are free of charge. They will:
- translate up to 30 words
- edit up to 75 words
- translate menus of every kind
- provide information on all aspects of Wales and the Welsh language
- advise on place names in Wales.
You can contact the Link Line by:
Tel: 0845 607 6070 Monday – Friday 9.00am-5.00pm
Fax: 01248 725 735
Website: /www.llinellgyswllt.co.uk
Email: linkline@welsh-language-board.org.uk
Email: cyswllt@bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk
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Further help
For more information about the Welsh language, visit the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh language webpage at:
www.new.wales.gov.uk (English)
www.new.wales.gov.uk (Welsh)
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