Welsh and English: The Education System and National Identity in Wales

UDC 373.1

Authors

Y. A. VOLKOV,
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages and speech communication Moscow International University, Moscow, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Russian and Foreign Languages RUT(MIIT)
M. N. SAVELEVA,
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages and speech communication, Moscow International University, Moscow

Abstract

Purpose of work. The article examines the linguistic situation in modern Wales. One question is whether the Welsh language will strengthen its position in this region of Great Britain, in particular, in the field of education and science, in the public space, whether it creates the basis for building a new Welsh national identity or, on the contrary, contributes to even more disunity of the Welsh on the basis of language.
Materials and methods. The author analyzes several aspects and measures taken by the Welsh government in particular in the sphere of education that affect the status and functioning of the language in modern conditions in order to determine the degree of their influence on the linguistic situation in the region.
Results. The study showed that the measures taken by the government in the field of language policy do not have the desired results, since the task is not to support the speakers of the Welsh language in their desire to preserve their linguistic identity, but to impose the Welsh language on the English-speaking majority of Wales, which in turn causes discontent among the latter, as a result making it increasingly difficult for Welsh speakers to ask for support from their English-speaking fellow citizens.
Conclusion. Based on the facts provided, the author questions the likelihood of strengthening the position of Welsh language in the school system, in higher education and as the main, uniting element of Welsh identity, given that Wales is an integral part of the larger national entity of the United Kingdom, where English remains the dominant language.

Keywords

Welsh, English, Wales, England, national identity, Britain, education, official language.