Welsh Language Act

Wales [1967]

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July 16, 2026

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The Welsh Language Act of 1967 was a significant piece of legislation in Wales, aimed at preserving and promoting the Welsh language. It was influenced by the Welsh Language Society, founded in 1962, which advocated for the language's survival amidst its decline.1

This act granted the Welsh language the same legal standing as English in Wales. It was a response to the historical trend of declining Welsh speakers, which had accelerated due to industrialization and immigration, leading to English outnumbering Welsh speakers for the first time in 1901. The act marked a step towards recognizing and supporting the linguistic heritage of Wales, a theme that continued with subsequent legislation, including another Welsh Language Act in 1993.231

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Plaid Cymru
History
…about the passage of the Welsh Language Act of 1967 and the establishment of the Welsh Development Agency in 1974. The party also influenced other important changes, including the creation of a Welsh television channel in 1982 and the passage of the Welsh Language Act of 1993. The Welsh Language…
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…about the passage of the Welsh Language Act of 1967 and the establishment of the Welsh Development Agency in 1974. The party also influenced other important changes, including the creation of a Welsh television channel in 1982 and the passage of the Welsh Language Act of 1993. The Welsh Language…
Read More