Latest news with #Welsh-language
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies visits BBC Wales facility
Mr Davies, also the shadow cabinet secretary for culture, tourism, sport, and North Wales, visited the New Broadcasting House in Cardiff Central Square and was 'hugely impressed.' The facility, which BBC Wales moved into in 2020, is considered one of the most advanced broadcasting centres in Europe, owing to its Live IP Core infrastructure. Mr Davies said: "I was hugely impressed by the scale and sophistication of the facilities at BBC Wales and it's clear they're operating at the cutting edge of broadcasting." He also commended the support BBC Wales provides to S4C, which is crucial for Welsh-language broadcasting. Mr Davies said: "The passion and expertise of the staff are a powerful reminder of the creative talent we have here in Wales, and the BBC's world-class centre equips them to reach their full potential." Gareth Davies MS was impressed with the facility While at the centre, Mr Davies noted the return of most staff to office work and discussed the importance of in-person collaboration in the creative industries. The potential for increased television production in Wales was also a topic of conversation. Mr Davies said: "It was encouraging to hear about the rise in TV drama productions being made in Wales and I'll continue to champion efforts to grow this further, as it brings not only investment but real opportunities for our communities and the tourism sector." He also suggested the idea of enhanced coverage of the Wales Women's National Football Team, with the possibility of introducing studio-based broadcasting from stadiums during live matches. Mr Davies finished by saying: "My sincere thanks to the team at BBC Wales for such a warm welcome and a truly insightful visit."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Young people using 'limited' Welsh on social media
Young people's attitudes towards the Welsh language are "encouraging" but English is by far the main language used by teenagers on social media, a report has found. A large majority of Welsh children communicate mainly through English on social media even when speaking to other Welsh-speakers, according to the report set to be released at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Friday. The survey of around 1600 youngsters found "limited" use of Welsh by children outside of school, but added it was more likely to be spoken in activities such as sports. Responding to the report, Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones said it highlighted "significant challenges... [but] also identifies opportunities". Concerns some Welsh-language nurseries could close Teacher inspires Welsh learning in school with 23 languages Plan to halt Welsh decline in language's heartlands Cai Saunders attends English medium secondary school Treorchy Comprehensive in Rhondda Cynon Taf. He and his friends, who are studying Welsh, have a group chat where they practice before lessons and exams, the 16-year-old said, speaking from this year's Eisteddfod yr Urdd. "Sometimes we share things on Instagram or Facebook to show friends and family, but my friends who study A-level have set up a group chat so that we can talk in Welsh." Cerys, from Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, near Newport, speaks Welsh with her family. She said a lot of her friends went to English schools and used English outside of school because their family and parents "don't speak Welsh". "If there are more places where they are able to speak Welsh, I think more would speak Welsh," she said. Mathew Franklin from Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni on Anglesey said he usually mixed Welsh and English when talking with friends at school. He said he liked to speak Welsh, adding: "I don't get a lot of time to speak [Welsh] with my friends." Cari Lovelock from Anglesey said she thought it was "important" that the younger generation use the Welsh language when socialising. "We are the next generation who are going to promote the language and keep it alive so that we get things like the Eisteddfod and I think that is an important thing," she said. Hari ap Llwyd Dafydd from Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, in Caerphilly county, said he speaks English with his friends because that is the home language for many of them. Although he speaks Welsh at home, he said: "We don't see any entertainment in Welsh, they're all in English, so it's not easy to speak Welsh with friends." 1,600 children and young people - most of them between the ages of 11 and 16 - took part in the research for the report to the Welsh Language Commissioner. Among the main findings of the report was that the general use of Welsh by children and young people outside of school was "limited". But children are more likely to use the language in sporting activities, especially with coaches and leaders, it said. Attitudes towards the Welsh language were also generally "positive", especially among those who were fluent and had learnt the language at home. But the report found there was very little use of Welsh on social media, with the majority using English "because it is easier and reaches a wider audience". Around 80 percent of those who responded to the questionnaire said they use English every time or usually to communicate online, even with other Welsh speakers. But fluent speakers were more likely to communicate directly through the language, with half saying they usually text in Welsh, or use both languages equally. According to the Welsh Language Commissioner, the information gathered will help inform the commissioner's future work, as well as others. "Children and young people are vital to the future of the Welsh language. This wide-ranging research offers us an insight into the use of Welsh by young people," said Ms Gruffudd Jones. "There is no doubt that the report highlights significant challenges particularly in the field of social media but it also identifies opportunities, in the area of sport for example, and I will prioritise creating and strengthening strategic partnerships in order to further develop those opportunities." Myfanwy Jones, director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru, a national organisation that supports a network of 22 local Welsh language initiatives, said there was a need to expand the opportunities to use the Welsh language outside of school. "It is clear that there are a large number of respondents who do not use Welsh very often outside of school but are generally supportive of the Welsh language and wish to have more opportunities to use the language," she said. "As part of our remit, we are constantly looking for further opportunities to expand our community activities in order to offer opportunities for young people to use the Welsh language naturally. The report shows that this work is crucial and we will work with the commissioner and other partners to develop it further in the future." Most lessons in English to be phased out in Welsh county Welsh speakers use TikTok to teach the language Number of Welsh-speakers lowest in eight years
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor University: archive job cuts ‘assault on Welsh language'
The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of its bid to save more than £5m. A consultation was recently launched to reduce staff costs equal to around 78 full-time equivalent roles within the university. A spokesperson for the university recently said: 'The university has launched a consultation regarding proposed changes as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy.' On hearing that the university was proposing to cut 75% of the staff in the Archives and Special Collections department, 46 Cyngor Gwynedd councillors joined forces by signing a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, calling for a rethink. The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material. The VC had recently emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. He had said it followed a fall in international students and the upcoming changes to national insurance by the UK Government, which would add to staffing costs. MORE NEWS: The councillors' letter reads: 'We, the Gwynedd county councillors named below, are thoroughly dismayed at Bangor University's proposed cuts to the Archives and Special Collections service, a move that would result in a 75% reduction in the Archives' staff. 'The proposed cuts are an assault on Gwynedd's heritage, on a significant part of our nation's Welsh-language heritage and on an organic Welsh-speaking workplace that has served Gwynedd's local historians for decades. 'By virtue of its history and location, the University has a moral responsibility to respect and value the part of our local heritage entrusted to its care. 'Therefore, we call on you to reconsider, to realize the extent of your error, and to shield this important service from any impending cuts.' According to the university website the Archives and Special Service's aim is 'to ensure that our resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge'. It adds: 'We actively promote these collections as valuable research and learning tools and engage the wider community in our activities as well as the staff and students within the University.' Siân Gwenllian MS had recently raised urgent concerns in the Senedd over the significant job cuts proposed by the university. In a direct question to the Welsh Government, she had called for a statement on how the Government planned to secure long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, and what specific support could be offered to Bangor University in light of its current crisis. In response, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt had acknowledged the 'widespread pressures' facing higher education institutions across Wales, and highlighted the importance of workforce involvement and trade union engagement in the consultation process.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
University's plan to cut archive staff 'an assault on Gwynedd's heritage'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gwynedd councillors have slammed proposals to cut Bangor University staff from its archive and special collection service as an "assault" on Welsh heritage and language. The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of its bid to save more than £5m. A consultation was recently launched to reduce staff costs equal to around 78 full-time equivalent roles within the university. A spokesperson for the university recently said: "The university has launched a consultation regarding proposed changes as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy." Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday On hearing that the university was proposing to cut 75% of the staff in the Archives and Special Collections department, 46 Cyngor Gwynedd councillors joined forces by signing a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, calling for a rethink. The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material. The VC had recently emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. He had said it followed a fall in international students and the upcoming changes to national insurance by the UK Government, which would add to staffing costs. The councillors' letter reads: "We, the Gwynedd county councillors named below, are thoroughly dismayed at Bangor University's proposed cuts to the Archives and Special Collections service, a move that would result in a 75% reduction in the Archives' staff. "The proposed cuts are an assault on Gwynedd's heritage, on a significant part of our nation's Welsh-language heritage and on an organic Welsh-speaking workplace that has served Gwynedd's local historians for decades. "By virtue of its history and location, the University has a moral responsibility to respect and value the part of our local heritage entrusted to its care. "Therefore, we call on you to reconsider, to realize the extent of your error, and to shield this important service from any impending cuts." According to the university website the Archives and Special Service's aim is "to ensure that our resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge". It adds: "We actively promote these collections as valuable research and learning tools and engage the wider community in our activities as well as the staff and students within the University." Siân Gwenllian MS had recently raised urgent concerns in the Senedd over the significant job cuts proposed by the university. In a direct question to the Welsh Government, she had called for a statement on how the Government planned to secure long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, and what specific support could be offered to Bangor University in light of its current crisis. In response, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt had acknowledged the "widespread pressures" facing higher education institutions across Wales, and highlighted the importance of workforce involvement and trade union engagement in the consultation process. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
University's plan to cut archive staff 'an assault on Gwynedd's heritage'
Gwynedd councillors have slammed proposals to cut Bangor University staff from its archive and special collection service as an "assault" on Welsh heritage and language. The university, which has around 10,000 students, is looking to cut jobs across the board as part of its bid to save more than £5m. A consultation was recently launched to reduce staff costs equal to around 78 full-time equivalent roles within the university. A spokesperson for the university recently said: "The university has launched a consultation regarding proposed changes as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy." Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday On hearing that the university was proposing to cut 75% of the staff in the Archives and Special Collections department, 46 Cyngor Gwynedd councillors joined forces by signing a letter to the university's vice-chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, calling for a rethink. The Archives and Special Collections is responsible for the collection and long-term preservation of manuscripts, archival collections and a diverse range of rare books and printed material. The VC had recently emailed university staff warning of impending cuts within the university. He had said it followed a fall in international students and the upcoming changes to national insurance by the UK Government, which would add to staffing costs. The councillors' letter reads: "We, the Gwynedd county councillors named below, are thoroughly dismayed at Bangor University's proposed cuts to the Archives and Special Collections service, a move that would result in a 75% reduction in the Archives' staff. "The proposed cuts are an assault on Gwynedd's heritage, on a significant part of our nation's Welsh-language heritage and on an organic Welsh-speaking workplace that has served Gwynedd's local historians for decades. "By virtue of its history and location, the University has a moral responsibility to respect and value the part of our local heritage entrusted to its care. "Therefore, we call on you to reconsider, to realize the extent of your error, and to shield this important service from any impending cuts." According to the university website the Archives and Special Service's aim is "to ensure that our resources are accessible to all researchers, free of charge". It adds: "We actively promote these collections as valuable research and learning tools and engage the wider community in our activities as well as the staff and students within the University." Siân Gwenllian MS had recently raised urgent concerns in the Senedd over the significant job cuts proposed by the university. In a direct question to the Welsh Government, she had called for a statement on how the Government planned to secure long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, and what specific support could be offered to Bangor University in light of its current crisis. In response, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt had acknowledged the "widespread pressures" facing higher education institutions across Wales, and highlighted the importance of workforce involvement and trade union engagement in the consultation process.
