PLAID MP CALLS FOR GREATER RESPECT AND RESOURCES TO SECURE LANGUAGE'S FUTURE
21/02/2012
Plaid Cymru's Hywel Williams MP has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for the appreciation and preservation of languages to celebrate UNESCO International Mother Tongue Day.
The Motion calls for the maintenance of minority languages which are native to the UK and the provision of the necessary resources to ensure that they flourish in future.
Mr. Williams said:
"International Mother Tongue Day is celebrated globally and is an opportunity to emphasise the value of language for individuals and societies. This is especially true of languages which are not the main language of the state.
"The UK is peculiar in that it doesn't seem to recognise this value, and has no real celebration of this important UNESCO day.
"As a vibrant, living language, Welsh deserves a more visible and respect platform throughout the UK, and I would urge the government to ensure that the necessary resources are available to ensure that the language flourishes in future.
"We in Wales have a leadership role in this matter, and through tabling this EDM I hope to emphasise the importance of appreciating and preserving minority languages which form such an important part of these islands' history."