Minority Languages in Britain

Everybody knows that English is offiial language in Britain. However, there are some minority languages there; for example, Gaelic, Manx, Cornish, Scots, and Welsh. Now, I'm going to simply describe what these are.

Gaelic

This language have 2 different languages: Irish Gaelic and Scotish Gaelic. Irish Gaelic is spoken in Ireland, and is known as Irish. Scotish Gaelic is, of course, spoken in Scotland, especially in Highlands. In 18th century, this was banned because England started to popularize English. Due to this campaign, Scotish Gaelic speakers decreased year after year. Although, about 60,000 people still speak this.

Manx

Manx is spoken in the Isle of Man. This had been disappeared for 30 years because the last native speaker, Ned Maddrell, died in 1974, however, some people has revived again and now the speakers are slowly increasing.

Cornish

Cornish is spoken in Cornwall. Many people could speak this in 16th century, however, the then government had the people speak English. Due to this, the number of the people who could speak Cornish decreased. Then, the last speaker, Dolly Pentreath, died in 1777 so Cornish disappeared once. Yet, the government started to preserve this recently.

Scots

This is spoken in Scotland and Ulster in Ireland. This is called "Lowland Scots" to distinguish from Scotland Gaelic. The number of the speaker is about 1.5 million, and it is the largest number in the minor languages in Britain.

Welsh

Welsh is the most promoted and preserved minor language in recent Britain. In 2001, it is said that about 20% of Welsh people can speak this. The reason why Welsh became minor language is the campaign of speaking English. When England qnnexed Wales in 1536, English became official language and the campaign "Welsh Not" had started. To speak Welsh was strictly prohibited, therefore the number of the speakers decreased. However, people who want to conserve Welsh started to speak it again in 20th century. And thanks to the Welsh education systems and the growth of the population, the number of Welsh speaker is increasing.

Promoting Welsh

I could find two ways of promoting Welsh in progress: teaching in school and TV programs. However, I think it is a little bit insufficient. What can be done more to save Welsh? First, all newspapers delivered in Wales sholuld be written in Welsh. And, all signs should be rewritten in this. And the government should declear 'Welsh is the official language in Wales' when most of Welsh people can speak this. I think these are good ways to save and promote Welsh.