Page Type: languageWelsh | Ethnologue

CYM ISO 639-3

Welsh

Cymraeg Autonym

A language of United Kingdom

ISO 639
cym
Autonym
Cymraeg
Population
562,000 in United Kingdom (2011 census), decreasing. 32,700 monolinguals (1971 census). Total users in all countries: 573,050.
Location:
Widespread in Wales.
Language Status
2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Wales (1993, Welsh Language Act, C 38).
Classification
Indo-European, Celtic, Insular, Brythonic
Dialects
Northern Welsh, Southern Welsh.
Typology
VSO; inflected prepositions; noun head initial; gender (masculine/feminine); definite article; verb affixes mark person, number; tense; comparatives; 23 consonants, 12 vowels, 8 diphthongs; non-tonal; stress on penultimate syllable; initial consonant mutation (3 kinds).
Language Use
19% of the Welsh population speak it; 33% understand it (1998). Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use English [eng].
Language Development
Welsh as the medium for education is increasing. 525 primary and secondary schools provide Welsh as the medium of education to over 82,000 children (1999). Compulsory in most Welsh schools. The Royal National Eisteddfod meets annually. Periodicals. Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1588–2015.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Welsh
Writing
Latin script [Latn].

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Welsh
User Population
5,000 in Argentina (2017 N. Rees).
Location
Chubut province.
Dialects
Patagonian Welsh.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Welsh speakers in Argentina since around 1865.
View other languages of Argentina
Language Name
Welsh
User Population
1,040 in New Zealand (2013 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of New Zealand
Language Name
Welsh
User Population
2,240 in United States (2015 census).
Location
All states.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of United States

Map

Location: Widespread in Wales.