In 1962, Saunders Lewis prophesised that by the beginning of the Twenty First Century the Welsh language would cease to exist as a 'living language'. Over a decade into that century, and 50 years after his famous lecture 'Tynged yr Iaith' on the fate of the language, an S4C programme examines the situation today.
Through the eyes of the politician Adam Price, the S4C programme Tynged yr Iaith on Monday, 13 February, looks at the health of the language focusing on the Amman and Swansea Valleys. The areas are of significance since, according to the Welsh Language Board, the future of Welsh as a day to day language in these communities is under 'significant threat'.
"It is also an area of special significance for me because I am from the Amman Valley," says the former Plaid Cymru MP. "It's not considered by many to be a heartland of the Welsh language, and yet if we do not sustain the language in this area I do not see how there can be future for Welsh as a viable language.
"The results of the 2011 census will probably show an increase in the number of Welsh speakers. The Welsh Government and statutory bodies will argue that the battle has been won, that the Welsh language has turned a corner. But has it?"
Adam speaks to experts in the fields of language, education, culture and work as he seeks an explanation for why the language is declining and asks how it can be saved.
Education expert Heini Gruffudd will look at the success of Welsh-medium schools, but also draws attention to the complete failure in educating adults. Catherine Rees, Deputy Chief Executive of Enterprise and Business notes the importance of work and industry in maintaining a Welsh-speaking community. Language expert Cefin Campbell, a native of the Amman Valley, raises the controversial argument of migration. To set the cultural and historic context, Dr Tudur Hallam, an expert on Saunders Lewis, discusses the man and the significance of his words.
"One of the most important things about Saunders is the fact he was willing to stand against common consensus at the time. He was willing to take the unpopular position and that was a rare thing in Wales 1962, and in Wales today," says Adam, who see similarities between himself and Saunders Lewis in that respect.
"In my teens, I thought the language was a treasure that could be lost if we weren't willing to fight for it, and that was a minority view in the area at that time."
To conclude the programme, Adam lays the foundations for his own 'Tynged yr Iaith' lecture for the Twenty First Century, but emphasises a message from Saunders Lewis' lecture which still rings true today.
"Saunders' main message was that each of us holds the fate of the Welsh language in our hands. The Welsh language is alive or dead each time we choose to either use it or not. There is a responsibility on individuals but there is also a responsibility on the nation," Adam concludes.
There will be further discussion on the fate of the Welsh language in a special edition of Pawb a'i Farn, on Thursday, 16 February. Dewi Llwyd presents the discussion from Swansea's Brangwyn Hall, and among the panellists are Welsh-language campaigner Ffred Ffransis; Ron Jones, Executive Chairman of Tinopolis and Simon Brooks, a lecturer in the School of Welsh at Cardiff University.
