Models of Social and Linguistic Cohesion Through Cultural and Leisure Activities

Steve Morris, Welsh Language Lecturer at the Department of Adult Continuing Education, University of Wales Swansea, Wales

Using an urban city context in Wales as its backdrop, the paper will initially look at the three main strands of the Welsh-speaking community there, namely (i) those who were born and raised speaking Welsh, (ii) those who have acquired the language through Welsh medium primary and secondary education and (iii) adults who have learnt the language. Under this model, social and linguistic cohesion refers not only to those who have moved into the region but also to those born and bred there who fall, in particular, into group (iii) above.

Ways in which these groups use the language in different domains –for example, sports, cultural and leisure activities– will be discussed and set in the wider context of Reversing Language Shift (RLS) efforts within such communities in Wales. The potential for increasing social and specifically, linguistic cohesion through these activities and strategies as well as the importance of planning them through negotiations with the community will be stressed. The work of the Mentrau Iaith (language initiatives) will be highlighted in this context.

It is then intended to widen the discussion by considering a different model, namely where similar activities are offered in other parts of Wales where the language is more widely spoken and whether these activities can promote social and linguistic cohesion amongst those who have moved into these areas from other linguistic communities.

Finally, returning to the urban context, discussion of recent research will show that often ‘new' speakers do have an ‘emotional' bond with the language and culture associated with it, this being particularly true of adult learners of Welsh (the main focus in this paper). However, this in turn raises the question of how cultural and leisure activities can be developed and promoted to create and enhance a feeling of community cohesion amongst a disparate and fragmented urban Welsh speaking society. Social and linguistic cohesion –in this context– is being promoted between members of the same national group as well as those who have come to the area to live. The presenter will argue that it is necessary to acknowledge two models within the Welsh context (i) creating cohesion within a predominantly Welsh speaking community and (ii) using the potential for cohesion through these activities to work towards creating and strengthening the idea of a Welsh speaking community within an urban, mainly English speaking community.