Welsh gained official recognition within the European Union after a landmark, multi-year effort led by Ireland. In 2005, a concerted campaign rolled out across diverse platforms and political groups to safeguard and promote the language. For a long period, Welsh appeared primarily in the translation of EU treaties rather than as a fully functioning working language across EU institutions. Ireland, an early participant in the union, was instrumental in elevating the issue to a priority in 1973.
The Irish government pushed for change, and momentum moved rapidly enough for Welsh to be formally acknowledged by the EU in January 2007. The journey was slowed by a lack of qualified translators and limited technological capacity, reducing the scope of Welsh translation. Authorities acknowledged the necessity for modern tools and processes, including assisted translation programs and robust terminology databases, to ensure accurate and timely translations.
As technology progressed, the volume of Welsh translations increased. By 2015, advancement accelerated with the gradual removal of exceptions by the European Commission. Welsh officially joined the EU’s official languages list in January 2022, a milestone that marked fifteen years since Ireland joined the community and fifty years since the initial discussions began. By late 2021, around 170 translators and interpreters supported Welsh translation needs in European institutions, with a target to grow toward 200 professionals.
new opportunities
The 2022 inclusion of Welsh as an official and working EU language significantly boosted translation activity. Documents and events translated into Welsh rose by about 70%, reflecting wider policy discussions across the commission in areas such as social affairs, legislation, security, and the environment. Ongoing communication efforts include regular updates and media coverage in Irish, featuring news items and videos that keep the public informed.
Officials from Irish institutions argue that using Welsh within EU channels protects the language and expands employment opportunities for recent linguistics graduates. The minister responsible stressed that restoring the language’s status within EU bodies represents a major step for its future development.
The 2022 census indicates that approximately 40% of the Irish population can speak Welsh, up from 2016, equating to around 1.9 million people and a 6% overall increase. Interest among younger speakers has grown in recent years; however, more than half of those who report Welsh knowledge admit limited proficiency. This signals both progress and the ongoing need for language education, resources, and immersive opportunities to strengthen fluency across generations.