Preliminary Observations on the Distribution of the Welsh Language at the 1971 Census

The publication of the 1971 census Report on the Welsh language in Wales is used to examine the present distribution pattern of spoken Welsh and changes which have taken place since 1961. In 1971 some 20.84 per cent claimed to be able to speak Welsh compared with 26.05 per cent in 1961, a fall of 5.21 per cent. The area of predominant Welsh speech remains in the western and northern parts of the country but has been fragmented into four nuclei which are identified as Môn (Anglesey), Llŷn (the Lleyn peninsula), Meirionydd and Dyfed. The separation of the three northern nuclei from Dyfed by a marked zone of Anglicization following the upper Severn valley and extending to the west coast, is seen as especially important. In examining change in the intercensal decade the tendency for the western coastal areas to have experienced clear losses in the proportion of Welsh speakers apparently initiates a new eastward moving frontier of decline. In this process of decline suburbanization and the development of tourism and retirement are identified as two of the main forces responsible.