The Welsh Language Commissioner () is a
Welsh Government
The Welsh Government ( ) is the Executive (government), executive arm of the Welsh devolution, devolved government of Wales. The government consists of Cabinet secretary, cabinet secretaries and Minister of State, ministers. It is led by the F ...
officer, overseeing an independent advisory body of the same name. The position was created following the passing of the ''Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011'', effective on 1 April 2012, replacing the
Welsh Language Board, with the aim of promoting and facilitating the use of the
Welsh language
Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic languages, Celtic language of the Brittonic languages, Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales by about 18% of the population, by some in England, and in (the Welsh c ...
. This entails raising awareness of the official status of the Welsh language in Wales and by imposing standards on organisations.
This, in turn, will lead to the establishment of rights for Welsh speakers.
According to the Commissioner's
website
A website (also written as a web site) is any web page whose content is identified by a common domain name and is published on at least one web server. Websites are typically dedicated to a particular topic or purpose, such as news, educatio ...
, there are two principles that underpin the work of the Commissioner, namely:
* Welsh should not be treated less favourably than the
English language
English is a West Germanic language that developed in early medieval England and has since become a English as a lingua franca, global lingua franca. The namesake of the language is the Angles (tribe), Angles, one of the Germanic peoples th ...
in Wales
* People should be able to live their lives in Wales through the medium of Welsh if they so wish.
The Commissioner's work is politically independent, and the position of a commissioner lasts seven years.
The Commissioner's role
The Commissioner may do anything they consider appropriate to:
* Promote the use of Welsh
* Facilitate the use of Welsh
* Work towards ensuring that Welsh is treated no less favourably than English.
This includes promoting opportunities to use Welsh and encourage best practice in the use of Welsh by people dealing with other persons, or providing services to other persons. Areas of their work also include legal issues, preparing and publishing reports, research, educational activities and written recommendations to Ministers of the
Government of Wales
The Welsh Government ( ) is the Executive (government), executive arm of the Welsh devolution, devolved government of Wales. The government consists of Cabinet secretary, cabinet secretaries and Minister of State, ministers. It is led by the F ...
. The Commissioner can also give advice to people.
Commissioners
*
Meri Huws (2012–2019)
*
Aled Roberts (2019–2022)
*
Efa Gruffudd Jones (2023–present)
Deputy commissioner
* Gwenith Price
See also
*
National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012
*
List of standardised Welsh place-names
*
Bòrd na Gàidhlig
*
The North/South Language Body
**
An Coimisinéir Teanga
**
Ulster-Scots Agency
References
External links
Welsh Language CommissionerWelsh Language TribunalWelsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011
as enacted
{{Languages in Wales
Welsh language
Politics of Wales
2012 establishments in Wales
Language policy in the United Kingdom
Ombudsman posts
Language Commissioner