Language campaigners have welcomed an open letter from over a dozen lawyers calling for a stronger Welsh language law today (Thursday, 18 March).In their letter the distinguished solicitors and barristers say: "We believe there needs to be a clear and unambiguous statement in law that the Welsh language is an official language in Wales in order to realise the government's objective. To date, no such statement has been made.."The lawyers also state: "The Measure, as drafted, allows for standards to be imposed on bodies in relation to their provision of Welsh language services. However, despite planned sanctions for breaches, imposing standards in this way does not establish linguistic rights for individuals."In our view, the Measure only partly meets the objectives outlined in the One Wales agreement. We fear the Measure will be less effective than it could be in terms of having a positive impact on the linguistic climate in Wales."Reacting to the letter, Menna Machreth, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society), commented:"We welcome the fact that so many eminent solicitors and barristers have come forward to call for a stronger language measure. There is by now widespread consensus amongst linguistic experts and legal experts alike that the measure doesn't deliver the government's promises."It is extremely significant that experts in the field of law are calling into question the lack of a clear and unambiguous statement in the measure that the Welsh language has official status in Wales. It's also clear from their statement that the law wouldn't establish rights for people to see, hear and use the language."This public letter comes at a very important stage, and is indicative of the fact that the Welsh government could do much more to strengthen this measure for the sake of everyone in Wales. This letter will put a lot of pressure on them to reconsider their hollow claims that they are delivering their promises. It remains to be seen whether the Labour-Plaid Cymru administration have the political will to strengthen it."Cyfreithwyr yn galw am Fesur Iaith cryfach, Golwg360, 18/03/10Legal figures warn plans fail to guarantee language rights, Western Mail, 18/03/10Lawyers seek to expose flaws in new Welsh language laws, Daily Post, 18/03/10Press here to read the letter in full (PDF)