Welsh Language Commissioner Explained

The Welsh Language Commissioner is a Welsh Government officer,^[1] 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.^[2] This entails raising awareness of the official status of the Welsh language in Wales and by imposing standards on organisations.^[3] This, in turn, will lead to the establishment of rights for Welsh speakers. According to the Commissioner's website, 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)^[4]
• Aled Roberts (2019–2022)^{[5] [6]}
• Efa Gruffudd Jones (2023–present)^[7]

Deputy commissioner

• Gwenith Price

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 Commissioner can also give advice to people.

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

1. Web site: 21 November 2018 . HM Government Public Appointments: Appointment of Welsh Language Commissioner . 2022-03-06 . Cabinet Office . HM Government.
2. Web site: Aim of the Welsh Language Commissioner. Gwefan Comisiynydd y Gymraeg. 18 May 2012. 9 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150709084316/http://www.comisiynyddygymraeg.org/English/Commissioner/Pages/Aim.aspx. dead.
3. Web site: About the Member – Meri Huws. 18 November 2016. International Association of Language Commissioners.
4. News: 5 October 2011. Language board chief Meri Huws is Welsh commissioner. 18 November 2016. BBC News.
5. Web site: Aled Roberts to be appointed new Welsh Language Commissioner. 29 January 2019. Welsh Government.
6. News: Welsh Language Commissioner Aled Roberts dies . BBC News . 2022-02-14 . 2022-07-20.
7. Web site: New Welsh Language Commissioner announced . 2023-01-18 . GOV.WALES . 20 October 2022 . en.

External links

• Official website of the Welsh Language Commissioner
• Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 as enacted