Over eighty leading figures in Welsh public life, including Archbishop Barry Morgan and acclaimed author Rachel Trezise, have called for changes to the Assembly government's language law today (Thursday, 4th November).In an open letter to Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones, a cross-section of Welsh society, including the Archdruid T. James Jones, broadcaster Beti George, Professor Prys Morgan, lawyers Emyr Lewis, Gwion Lewis and the poet Gillian Clarke speak of their concerns about the government plans.The letter calls on the government to ensure that the draft law includes a clear statement that Welsh has official status in Wales and creates rights for people to receive services.The letter says, "We note that you have proposed a clearer declaration about the status of Welsh. We welcome the intention behind the amendment. Nevertheless, the declaration has limited scope: the language will only be official in specific contexts. We are concerned that there could be harmful consequences for Welsh in broader contexts where it will be without official status." Author Catrin Dafydd welcomed the independent letter:"The fact that so many leading figures representing so many different fields have united to express concerns about the lack of an unambiguous statement on the status for Welsh in the law is very significant. Those who have signed the letter are speaking up on behalf of people up and down the country."I support the letter and thank those who have signed it for taking a stand. Welsh belongs to everyone who lives in Wales, whether they speak the language or not. Full official status for Welsh and rights for people to use it are needed in this law."

Llythyr gan 80 amlwg yn galw am 'statws swyddogol' - Golwg360 - 04/11/10Mesur Iaith: Llythyr agored at y Gweinidog Treftadaeth - BBC Cymru - 04/11/10Prominent figures sign letter on Welsh language status - BBC Wales - 04/11/10Public figures to call for Welsh to be declared an official language - Western Mail - 04/11/10The Letter:We write in the light of the amendments that you have proposed to the draft Welsh Language Measure.We welcome your willingness to listen to suggestions as to how to strengthen the Measure for the benefit of the language and its well-being. We offer the following comments in that spirit.We note that you have proposed a clearer declaration about the status of Welsh. We welcome the intention behind the amendment. Nevertheless, the declaration has limited scope: the language will only be official in specific contexts. We are concerned that there could be harmful consequences for Welsh in broader contexts where it will be without official status.Unconditional declarations of official status are common throughout the world. Their intention is often to strengthen the situation of indigenous languages which have been oppressed. It is not clear why this step cannot be taken for the benefit of Welsh in Wales, in accordance with the cross-party consensus in the Legislation Committee in July.Also, although the amendments speak of not treating Welsh less favourably than English, the wording does not give Welsh equal status nor equal validity with English.One of the draft measure's failings was the absence of rights for individuals. We commend you for promising to introduce a further amendment giving individuals a right to appeal against the Commissioner's decisions. We look forward to seeing a draft of this amendment published soon. We would also like to emphasise the importance of including a minimum guarantee of language standards, and a means of redress for people who have suffered damage or loss when standards have not been kept.Of course, the language will not be safeguarded through legislation alone. Nevertheless, you and the rest of the members of our National Assembly have a historical opportunity to put right the wrong done to the Welsh language over the centuries at the hands of the law. For that reason, we trust that you will consider the above points carefully, and make the most of your opportunity.Dr Meredydd Evans, The Reverend Guto Prys Ap Gwynfor, Archbishop Barry Morgan, Professor Prys Morgan, Archdruid T James Jones, Professor Richard Wyn Jones, Emyr Lewis, Gwion Lewis, Beti George, John Elfed Jones, The Reverend Meirion Evans, Gillian Clarke, Father Seamus Cunnane, Sion Eirian, Llio Rhydderch, Rachel Trezise, Iwan Bala, Mary Lloyd Jones, Gerallt Lloyd Owen, Gwyneth Lewis, John Ogwen, Iola Gregory, Professor Peredur Lynch, Professor John Rowlands, Idris Reynolds, Dr Simon Brooks, Maureen Rhys, Ned Thomas, Professor Geraint H. Jenkins, Manon Rhys, Nigel Jenkins, Dr Mererid Hopwood, Hywel Griffiths, Menna Elfyn, Dr Menna Baines, Catrin Dafydd, Angharad Dafis, Siwan Jones, Owain Young, Phyllis Kinney, Dr Angharad Price, Eurig Salisbury, Dafydd Huws, Dr Llion Jones, Professor Marged Haycock, Lleuwen Steffan, Dr Daniel Williams, Dr Dylan Foster Evans, Robin Llywelyn, Helen Williams-Ellis, Professor Deri Tomos, Ceri Wyn Jones, Geraint Lovgreen, Cian Ciaran, Gai Toms, Meilir Gwynedd, Professor Dafydd Johnston, Meirion MacIntyre Huws, Judith Humphreys, Professor Jane Aaron, Professor Gerwyn Williams, Bethan Gwanas, Angharad Tomos, Gareth Miles, Tudur Dylan, Elwyn Edwards, Dewi Prysor, Christine Mills, Professor Patrick McGuinness, Emyr Wyn, Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Aneirin Karadog, Myrddin ap Dafydd, Prydwen Elfed-Owens, Aneurin Jones, Twm Morys, Ryland Teifi, Nia Watcyn Powell, John Hefin, Sian Melangell Dafydd, Dr Jerry Hunter, Wiliam Owen Roberts, Betsan Llwyd, Jan Morris, Emyr Humphreys.