Welsh After School: Exploring Language Decline Among Young Bilinguals in Wales

Cymraeg ar Ôl Ysgol:

Y Archwilio Dirywiad Iaith ymhlith Pobl Ifanc Ddwyieithog yng Nghymru

01. Background�01. Cefndir

03. Methodology�03. Methodoleg

02. Research Problem�02. Problem Ymchwil

04. Looking Forward�04. Edrych ymlaen

Hello!

Shwmae!

Background

01.

Cefndir

562,000(≈ 20%)

Oedran 3-5

Ages 3-5 Early Years

Blynyddoedd Cynnar

Ages 5-11 Primary

Oedran 5-11

Gynradd

Ages 11-16 Secondary

Oedran 11-16

Uwchradd

Ages 15-18

Further

Oedran 16-18

Bellach

Age 18+

Higher

Oedran 18+

Uwch

Welsh is compulsory

Mae’r Gymraeg yn orfodol

English-medium

Cyfrwng Saesneg

Welsh-medium

Cyfrwng Cymraeg

22.45%

77.55%

Research Problem

02.

Problem Ymchwil

“It is vital that Welsh speakers leaving school continue to use the language in their continuing education or training and into the world of work. The challenge is to maintain the Welsh language skills of our young people and turn speakers into long-term users of the language.”

​

(Welsh Language Commissioner, 2025; p. 9)�

?

Language Loss

Identity Change

Attitude Shift

Colled Iaith

Newid Hunaniaeth

Newid agwedd

Difyg Cyfle

Lack of Opportunity

RQ. What are the dynamics of Welsh language decline after compulsory education among young Welsh speakers aged 18 – 25?

RQ. Beth yw deinameg dirywiad yr iaith Gymraeg ar ôl addysg orfodol ymhlith siaradwyr ifanc Cymraeg rhwng 18 – 25 oed?

Methodology

03.

Methodoleg

Implicit Association Test

Bilingual Language Profile

Stimulated-Recall Interviews

• Quantifies participants’ bilingualism

• Yn mesur dwyieithrwydd cyfranogwyr

• Measures unconscious language attitudes via response times to word-image pairings

• Yn mesur agweddau ieithyddol anymwybodol drwy amseroedd ymateb i bariau gair - delwedd

• Provided qualitative insight.

• Rhoes mewnwelediad ansoddol

36 Welsh-English bilinguals, aged 18-25

Educated in English-medium schools in Wales

Group A (stopped learning Welsh at/before 18, n = 26)

36 o siaradwyr dwyieithog Cymraeg-Saesneg, rhwng 18-29 oed

Wedi’u haddysgu mewn ysgolion cyfrwng Saesneg yng Nghymru

Grŵp A (terfynu dysgu Cymraeg yn 18 oed neu’n iau, n = 26)

Group B (continued after 18, n = 10)

Grŵp B (parhau ar ôl 18, n = 10)

Results

04.

Canlyniadau

• All participants reported English dominance; none were Welsh-dominant or balanced.

• Roedd pob cyfranogwr yn dominantly Saesneg; nid oedd neb yn Gymraeg-dominant nac yn gytbwys.

The Bilingual Language Profile

• A significant difference between the groups.

• Gwahaniaeth sylweddol rhwng y grwpiau.

• Slight preference for English in IAT1; slight preference for Wales in IAT2.

• Dewis ysgafn tuag at Saesneg yn IAT1; dewis ysgafn tuag at Gymru yn IAT2.

The Implicit Association Test

• No significant differences between groups in implicit attitudes to languages or nations.

• Dim gwahaniaethau ystadegol rhwng y grwpiau o ran agweddau ymhlyg at ieithoedd nac at genhedloedd.

Structural

Strwythurol

• Adolygodd y cyfranogwyr eu perfformiad eu hunain

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Motivational

Cymhellol

Attitudinal

Agweddol

Socio-cultural

Cymdeithasol

“I did Welsh up to GCSE because I had to... but honestly, I just sort of forgot about Welsh after school.”

“Welsh as a language isn't necessary... it's like an add on...it's nice to have.”

“… the fact that I can’t speak Welsh doesn’t make me feel any less Welsh.”

“the crachach” “almost English” “aboveness” “arrogance”.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable speaking to a native speaker in Welsh... my Welsh is rubbish."

Looking Forward

05.

Edrych Ymlaen

Archwiliad Ansoddol

Qualitative Exploration

Newidynnau ac Offerynnau

Variables & Instruments

Archwiliad Ansoddol

Qualitative Exploration

01. Background�01. Cefndir

03. Methodology�03. Methodoleg

02. Research Problem�02. Problem Ymchwil

04. Looking Forward�05. Edrych ymlaen

Diolch

Do you have any questions?

Oes gennych chi unrhyw gwestiynau?

973256@swansea.ac.uk

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