Acceso usuarios
Hywel M. Jones
This paper provides a review of the statistical evidence base pertaining to the future demographic prospects for the Welsh language. Census statistics show some encouraging features from the point of view of those concerned with reversing language shift but these are not entirely supported by statistics from other sources, education statistics in particular. The continuum of Welsh-speaking ability is identified as an important consideration for the interpretation of Census and other statistics, particularly those relating to family formation and intergenerational transmission. Those and other demographic factors indicate that Welsh is increasingly a second rather than a first language. A different aspect of linguistic vitality, that of usage, is examined by reference to the results of the 2004 Welsh Language Use Survey, and by means of a logistic regression analysis of that survey. The analysis demonstrates the relationships between background variables, such as family background and personal fluency, and daily usage of Welsh by an individual.
