The Celtic World (Routledge Worlds)

• Language and Identity in Modern Wales -

kept the Welsh consciousness alive among the generations. Condemned by the
conservative, praised by the radical, it continues to agitate, infuriate and inspire and
no authority, whatever its level, is immune to its proddings.
Ever since Roman times Wales has been governed from afar. The Roman caer, the
Norman castell and the English castle have all, in turn, been the tangible presence of
a central power based outside Wales. The modern equivalent of this arm of central
government is Y Swyddfa Gymreig, the Welsh Office. Headed by the Secretary of
State, it is an extension of central government and its fortress is a formidable white
building in Cardiff's Cathays Park. It is a bureaucratic hive of civil servants among
whose many functions is its concern for the Welsh language. The Welsh Office is not
known for its initiatives concerning the language. In fact, were it not for the con-
science of enthusiasts, very little, if anything, would have been achieved. In order to
assist him in his deliberations the Secretary of State creates a plague of nominated
bodies known as quangos. One of these is Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh
Language Board (Figure 40.6)

BWRDD

YRIAIm

GYMRAEG

WELSH

LANGUAGE

BOARD

Figure 40.6 Bwrdd Yr Iaith logo.

Established by the then Secretary of State in 1988 the Board was asked 'to advise

on matters which called for legislative or administrative action, to assist and advise

on the use and promotion of Welsh, to consider complaints and to reconcile differ-

ences'. The Board, chairman and eight members, are supported by five specialist

working groups each chaired by a Board member. The Board and its working groups

are serviced by its own secretariat. The Board is of considerable importance if only

in its role as advisor on financial support for the numerous organizations through-

out Wales committed in some way or other to the language cause. The position and

status of the Board is, however, dependent on the political will not of Wales but of

central government whatever its colour.

Hopes ran high in 1993 with the prospect of a new Welsh Language Act which

would give Welsh official legal status. In the event the measure was subjected to all

manner of governmental ploys and suspect devices which would ensure that the new

act would fall short of even the Board's own recommendations. It certainly falls short

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