Welsh is a Celtic language, closely related to Cornish and Breton. The Welsh we speak today is directly descended from the language of the sixth century.

Until the mid-19th century, the majority of the Welsh population could speak Welsh - over 80%. Over the past centuries several factors have affected people's usage of the language - these are some of the most prominent factors:

• The 1536 and 1542 Acts of Union: The passing of the 1536 and 1542 Acts of Union made English the language of law and administration of Government. Although the Welsh language was not banned, it lost its status, and brought with it centuries of steady linguistic decline.
 
• Translation of the Bible in 1588 by Bishop William Morgan: This was a great boost to the language because it ensured that Welsh was the language of religion and worship, and kept the language alive within communities.
 
• 18-19 Century Industrial Revolution: This caused the biggest collapse in Welsh speakers because of the huge influx of people into the industrial areas. Number of Welsh speakers fell to 50% of the population.

This decline continued through the TwentiethCentury for several reasons:

• migration patterns from rural to urban areas in search of work
• inward migration of English speakers to rural areas
• increased availability of English-language news and entertainment media
• a general secularisation of society, leading to a decline in chapel attendance, on which so many traditional Welsh-medium activities were centered.

Present:

The 2001 Census shows that 20.8% of the population of Wales said that they could speak Welsh. Analysis, maps and briefing papers for the 2001 Census can be found in the publications library of this website. The next Census will take place in 2011 and it is likely that the results will be announced during 2013.