PhD Studentship: Law: Legislation as a Tool in Language Revitalisation: Evidence from Wales 1997-2027

It is almost thirty years since the advent of devolution in the United Kingdom. In Wales, that period has seen the evolution of the national democracy from the modest initial settlement to the current Senedd with increasing law-making powers and expanding membership. 

One of the matters which constantly has engaged this evolving Welsh legislature is the Welsh language. From the beginning, the founding constitution in the Government of Wales Act 1998 had envisaged the Welsh Assembly as an institution which gave due regard to the bilingual character of the nation (s.47). Subsequent developments in the development of the institution served to reinforce its bilingual values. The Government of Wales Act 2006, s. 35, states that the Senedd must implement the principle that Welsh and English are treated equally as far as is practicable. The National Assembly for Wales (Official Languages) Act 2012 declared that Welsh and English are the official languages of the Senedd and must be treated equally. Furthermore, the Government of Wales Act 2006, s. 156, stated that Welsh and English versions of the legislation have equal status. 

With the acquisition of primary law-making powers, the Senedd passed further laws on the Welsh language. Shortly before and after the gaining of primary law-making powers in 2011, there has been a great deal of legislative development with a direct, or indirect bearing on the Welsh language. 

The most comprehensive and ambitious to date has been Mesur y Gymraeg (Cymru) 2011 with its 157 sections and 12 annexes. Its key principles are that 'there is an official status for the Welsh language in Wales'. Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, s. 1(1), and that Welsh should not be treated less favourably than English: s. 3. This legislation establishes the Office of the Welsh Language Commissioner and also creates the Welsh Language Tribunal. More significantly in terms of practical implementation, it creates the language standards mechanism which imposes duties on organisations to provide services and operate through the medium of the Welsh Language (s. 26-32). 

The Welsh language is also a subject which appears as an integrated and pervasive element in other spheres of statutory activity. 

The Planning (Wales) Act 2015 aa. 11, 31, stated that the Welsh language must be considered in the planning process when a planning application is submitted. In addition, the Welsh language is a consideration when deciding on a planning application and when considering the sustainability of development plans.

The Welsh language also figures prominently in education laws passed by the Senedd. The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022. Section 6 states that the Commission must promote the carrying out of research and innovation activities through the medium of Welsh. Section 9 imposes a duty to promote tertiary education through the medium of Welsh and take all reasonable steps to ensure that there is sufficient Welsh tertiary education provided through the medium of Welsh to meet demand.

Funding Comment: Covers full tuition, £20,780 stipend (2025/26), plus up to £500 yearly for research costs.

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