The Welsh Language Commissioner (Welsh: Comisiynydd y Gymraeg) 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
edit- Meri Huws (2012–2019)[4]
- Aled Roberts (2019–2022)[5][6]
- Efa Gruffudd Jones (2023–present)[7]
Deputy commissioner
edit- Gwenith Price
The Commissioner's role
editThe 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
editReferences
edit- ^ "HM Government Public Appointments: Appointment of Welsh Language Commissioner". Cabinet Office. HM Government. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ "Aim of the Welsh Language Commissioner". Gwefan Comisiynydd y Gymraeg. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
- ^ "About the Member – Meri Huws". International Association of Language Commissioners. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Language board chief Meri Huws is Welsh commissioner". BBC News. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Aled Roberts to be appointed new Welsh Language Commissioner". Welsh Government. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Welsh Language Commissioner Aled Roberts dies". BBC News. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ "New Welsh Language Commissioner announced". GOV.WALES. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.