The Swansea area of South Wales has been primarily English speaking since at least the early 18th century. It was the first major industrial centre of Wales too. The further west and north you go, the greater the influence of the Welsh language - for many people it is still their first language and they have to think sometimes to express themselves in English. The Welsh version appears first on the road signs here. Even in Swansea there is a resurgence of interest in the language, with a choice of schools that teach all subjects through the medium of Welsh. Within the folk music world, you sometimes have to remind some people that the English language tradition of Wales is equally valid. I don't think the language here is too threatened. Although I don't speak Welsh myself, I do value it as part of the heritage of this country. Swansea council, on the other hand, I don't value too highly! Andrew
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