The Welsh Language Commissioner () is a
Welsh Government
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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, with the aim of promoting and facilitating the use of the
Welsh language
Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic language of the Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony in Chubut Province, Argentina). Historically, it has ...
. 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 a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Examples of notable websites are Google Search, Google, Facebook, Amaz ...
, there are two principles that underpin the work of the Commissioner, namely:
* Welsh should not be treated less favourably than the
English language 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.
Commissioners
*
Meri Huws (2012–2019)
*
Aled Roberts (2019–2022)
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Deputy commissioner
* Gwenith Price (acting)
The Commissioner's role
The Commissioner may do anything he or she considers 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 his or her work also include legal issues, preparing and publishing reports, research, educational activities and written recommendations to Ministers of the
Government of Wales. The Commissioner can also give advice to people.
See also
*
National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012
References
External links
Official website of the Welsh Language CommissionerWelsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011
as enacted
Welsh language
Politics of Wales
2012 establishments in Wales
Language policy in the United Kingdom
Ombudsman posts
Language Commissioner