It's nice to hear people's opinions on the subject of the Welsh language. When I replied to Geraint I just wished to introduce some balance to the group as I felt that the original post gave the impression, to "outsiders", that ALL Welsh speakers in Wales are persecuted! I'm sure we all realize that the reality of the situation is somewhere in the middle of the two extreme opinions which we have seen expressed here. I myself have Welsh speaking and non-Welsh speaking friends. Quite a few of the non-Welsh speakers have chosen to send their children to Welsh speaking schools and therefore are playing their part in helping to keep the language very much alive. A few years ago I heard that there had been a big increase in Welsh language learners in the Gwent area following the Eisteddfod held there. Has anyone got any figures for this increase and have these numbers been maintained? I promise that from now on I'll try and write, at least partly, yng Nghymraeg. Jayne Bio Sci UMBC Baltimore