A language campaigner sentenced to a month prison will warn of the 'death of Welsh as a community language' on his release from gaol today (Tuesday, 8th December).Osian Jones, from Dyffryn Nantlle, was imprisoned after painting slogans on highstreet stores in north Wales in protest against their lack of services in Welsh. Ahead of his release, the campaigner warned that 'the next decade could see the destruction of Welsh as a community language', and urged companies and the government simply to 'let the language live'.32 year-old Mr Jones, whose 28 day sentence is the longest handed down to a Welsh language activist since 1991, will be greeted by a crowd of supporters as he arrives at Bangor train station. Welsh Language Society members have marked the jailing with pickets and streets stalls all over Wales: five Aberystwyth university students went on a 24 hour hunger-strike as a show of support.

Warning the public about the future of the language, Osian Jones said:"I hope that my actions will mark the start of a new exciting period in the history of Cymdeithas. The future of Welsh hangs in the balance because too many politicians don't take it seriously. Despite the overwhelming support, the next decade could see Welsh destroyed as a community language because of the indifference and failures of politicians, multinational businesses, and the Welsh language establishment."Writing in a letter to supporters from prison campaigner Osian Jones said:"The situation in prison makes me realise that, in a sense, all prisoners here are political prisoners: social injustice lies behind every closed door in this place. I was lucky to have so much support while I was inside, I want to thank to everyone who wrote to me - I've received hundreds of cards."Menna Machreth Jones, Chair of Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, added:"It's time for us to remind people of our core message: as a society, all we want is for these big companies to let the Welsh language live. So many major retailers offer only a superficial service at best. It's not good enough, the Government needs to act to secure rights for people in Wales to use the language in their everyday lives."