A new law to promote the Welsh language has been unanimously passed by the Welsh Assembly. The measure makes Welsh an official language in Wales, and ministers hailed the vote as a “historic step forward for the Welsh language”.

A language commissioner will be appointed to enforce the measure as soon as 2011 and to protect the Welsh speakers’ rights.

But what does the official language status imply? First of all, it obliges public bodies and some private companies to provide services in it.

The legislation also establishes a Welsh Language Tribunal and gives individuals and bodies the right to appeal decisions through the medium of Welsh.

Finally, it creates a Welsh Language Partnership Council to advise government on its strategy on the Welsh language.

First Minister Carwyn Jones commented on the vote in these words : “although legislation alone is not enough, this measure provides us with some of the tools we need to ensure that the Welsh language can continue to prosper into the 21st Century, alongside the English language”.

Today Welsh is the Celtic language that stands the best chance of surviving the 21st century as a language of communication. While it has declined significantly in the 20th century due to the pressure of English, it has managed to reverse the trend and to grow from 500,000 speakers 20 years ago to more than 600,000 today. This positive development was made possible through an educational system in Welsh, and also the efforts of activists and influential figures in promoting a strong presence of the language in public life and the media (radio and television).

Read more from the BBC :

Historic Vote in Welsh Assembly

New Welsh legislation

A law that give Welsh status equal to English

What is an official language?