On Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:24:03 +0100, robert williams <canton_cardiff_wales@yahoo.com> wrote: > According to the figures available from the last census,which is the > the 2001 census, the following figures of Welsh Speakers in Cardiff may > be of interest........... > Population over the age of 3 years = 294,208. > No knowledge of Welsh = 83.69%. > Speaks & Reads,but does not write Welsh = 0.71%. Hi Graham, I can't understand why 83.69% of people in Cardiff are said to have no knowledge of Welsh. Last year I visited the Heath Hospital in Cardiff, a number of times, and in the lifts there were recorded messages, both in Welsh and in English, about the doors closing and opening. Even if you had no knowledge of Welsh, after a few visits you'd know a bit! I noted, too, that, being a city, there were lots of bilingual road signs on the way to and from the Heath. Most of the 83.69% of Cardiffians mentioned must see road signs, at least, on a daily basis, so should have a smattering of the language. And what about the supermarkets? They have bilingual signs, too. The language must rub off on the inhabitants. Children and young people, too, would have knowledge of the language, as Welsh, as a first or second language, is one of the core subjects in the National Curriculum for schools in Wales. Josephine -- Josephine Jeremiah The Glamorganshire Canal www.ianandjo.dsl.pipex.com

Hello Josephine Having those modest prompts are just superficial. They can't even pronounce Pentwyn (Pentwin) due to the influx of people outside of the area. Unless welsh speakers use the language then it is lost, no matter what laws are passed. How many people do you hear speaking the language. My gran used to like to linger at a corner (too old for anybody to take notice a little old lady) to listen to who was speaking what. She was always surprised at how many people would be speaking Welsh. Unfortunately she would do this when visiting here son in Kent and visiting Canterbury and Dover. Gareth