A new network to promote and develop the linguistic diversity of less widely used languages in Europe was launched last week in Brussels.

Among those who launched the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity on 11th June was the European Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban and a number of representatives from the Network's members, who include Alba/Scotland, Breizh/Brittany, Éire/Ireland and Cymru/Wales.

The Network is co-funded by the European Commission and comprises the language departments of EU member states and autonomous Governments. It is designed so that members can share best practice in language planning and development, and to provide a new powerful voice to advocate on linguistic issues.

Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, Irish Minister for the Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs, who was also at the launch, said:

"Our participation in this network, the official and working language status of Irish at EU level since 1 January 2007 and the impressive growth in the teaching of Irish at University level in Europe (27 European Universities are in receipt of Irish Government assistance for teaching Irish) is clear evidence of the high regard accorded to our national language and the cultural treasure it embodies in Europe."

Mr Meirion Prys Jones, Welsh Language Board CEO and NPLD Chairman, said:

"The NPLD project is an ambitious and exciting one, we will for the first time see language planning boards from across Europe from both member states and autonomous governments working together with universities, research centres and NGOs to build and secure meaningful linguistic diversity in Europe."

The General Secretary of the League has written to the Cornish Language Partnership in Kernow/Cornwall and the Manx Government in Mannin/Isle of Man to enquire if they would also consider becoming members of the NPLD. They are now the only two Celtic languages who are not represented in the Network. The full text of the letter sent to Manx Language Officer, Adrian Cain, both can be found below:

"Dear Adrian Cain

Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity

As you may be aware, on the 11th June 2008, the above mentioned Network was launched in Brussels. The Network is co-funded by the European Commission and comprises the language departments of EU member states and autonomous Governments and is designed so that members can share best practice in language planning and development, and to provide a new powerful voice to advocate on linguistic issues.

Members of the Network come from different countries that include Estonia, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Fryslan, Brittany, Sweden, Catalonia, Slovenia and Hungary. I am writing to you to ask if your department has considered also becoming a member of the Network and if not why?

The Celtic League believes that the experiences and work undertaken within the Manx language community would benefit the future work of other less widely used languages in the Network. Similarly we also feel that there are no doubt lessons to be learned by the Manx language community from other language planners in Europe, to further the good work that has been undertaken up to now in reversing language shift.

I am writing to both yourself and Jenifer Lowe of the Cornish Language Partnership in Cornwall, because the Cornish and Manx languages are now the only two remaining Celtic languages that are not represented within the Network. The Network would be a useful and unique opportunity for language planning boards from the different Celtic countries to come together, with other like minded people from across Europe, to work on promoting and advocating for linguistic diversity within Europe.

More information can be found on the NPLD website www.npld.eu, including contact addresses.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot"

More information on the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity can be obtained from the General Secretary of the League (via the email links on these pages).

(This report prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot)

Celtic League J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

19/06/08

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