The Welsh Language Before the Industrial Revolution

(Paperback)

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Description

The Welsh language is the oldest living European language. This volume surveys the social history of the language in modern times. Its political status is considered, together with the use of Welsh in the courts, and in religion, education and scholarship. The promotion of the status of Welsh is also discussed, to counteract the stigma attached to it by the "language clause" of 1536. This interdisciplinary study has been created to provide information about the history of the Welsh language, and to promote understanding of the symbolism of Welsh and the role which the language has played in encouraging and encapsulating a sense of nationality in Wales. This volume is the first of a projected series. It is also available in a Welsh language version.

Reviews

'This book...left me with a vivid sense of the vitality and resilience of the Welsh language, and of its central importance in forming the identity of the Welsh people...essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Wales.' Welsh History Review

Author Bio

Professor Geraint H. Jenkins is Professor Emeritus and Honorary Senior Fellow of CAWCS.