Sunday, February 24, 2008

Prince William learning Welsh

Some of you may have heard the rumours that Tywysog Gwilym was intending to learn Welsh for his official role (Prince William of Wales) This would be a very welcome move. There is a sense that Welsh speakers are more conservative than English speakers, more linked in to the History of our Island, certainly Loyalty, as seen by service in the forces, is 50% higher in Wales. One could be forgiven for believing that all Welsh speakers are raving antimonarchists after the Queen was refused entry to the opening ceremony for the National Library of Wales because of a few student protesters. The issue there however was one of Language not of pro or anti Royal. Of course the provision for Welsh Medium education within the University of Wales is so poor that William may find it hard to get a course anyway. He could always have a word with the Chancellor (his father).

A quick look at the royal.gov.uk website will show you some of the Queen and Charles' pages are available in Welsh (not all) but none of Williams or other members of the Family. This begs the question of why such key resources are not available in Welsh - can we really expect Welsh children doing royalty research projects to provide their own translations. The attitudes have changed and the absence of Welsh, whilst probably an oversight, can be read as a slight.

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