TY - JOUR
T1 - Use of the census of population to discern trends in the Welsh language
T2 - An aggregate analysis
AU - Higgs, Gary
AU - Williams, Colin
AU - Dorling, Danny
PY - 2004/6
Y1 - 2004/6
N2 - The aim of this paper is to present a preliminary analysis of unitary authority level data from the 2001 census of population on the spatial (and, where available, temporal) patterns in proportions of Welsh speakers in Wales. In so doing we draw attention to the advantages (and limitations) of the census as a source of information on the state of the Welsh language. Although a 2 per cent increase in the percentage of Welsh speakers between 1991 and 2001 has been welcomed, several commentators have drawn attention to the change in the nature of the question asked at the 2001 census which may account for some of this increase. In this paper, we assess what is, and is not, possible to discern from the census, draw attention to other potential sources of information on the language and make some preliminary recommendations for those agencies concerned with monitoring trends in the future, both with regard to the need for more detailed language use surveys and the nature of the question included in subsequent censuses that would permit a more useful comparison of spatial and temporal trends.
AB - The aim of this paper is to present a preliminary analysis of unitary authority level data from the 2001 census of population on the spatial (and, where available, temporal) patterns in proportions of Welsh speakers in Wales. In so doing we draw attention to the advantages (and limitations) of the census as a source of information on the state of the Welsh language. Although a 2 per cent increase in the percentage of Welsh speakers between 1991 and 2001 has been welcomed, several commentators have drawn attention to the change in the nature of the question asked at the 2001 census which may account for some of this increase. In this paper, we assess what is, and is not, possible to discern from the census, draw attention to other potential sources of information on the language and make some preliminary recommendations for those agencies concerned with monitoring trends in the future, both with regard to the need for more detailed language use surveys and the nature of the question included in subsequent censuses that would permit a more useful comparison of spatial and temporal trends.
KW - 2001 census
KW - Aggregate analysis
KW - Factors influencing trends
KW - Future of Welsh language monitoring
KW - Potential and limitations
KW - Spatial and temporal trends in the Welsh language
U2 - 10.1111/j.0004-0894.2004.00215.x
DO - 10.1111/j.0004-0894.2004.00215.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:3242659708
SN - 0004-0894
VL - 36
SP - 187
EP - 201
JO - Area
JF - Area
IS - 2
ER -