BRO: A Comprehensive Sociolinguistic Survey of Contemporary Welsh-speaking Communities

Prosiect BRO is an in-depth study of the societal use of Welsh focussing in its initial phase on the areas where the density of speakers is at its highest. 

BRO was established with the support of Cymraeg 2050 Welsh Government.

BRO is lead by Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Dr Richard Glyn Roberts, Catrin Llwyd (University of Wales Trinity Saint David), Professor Conchúr Ó Giollagáin (University of the Highlands and Islands and Professor David Willis (Jesus College, Oxford University).

BRO works closely with the Mentrau Iaith and other Welsh and international experts. 

It applies a multi-modal methodology developed in the context of research into the sociology of Irish (Ó Giollagáin et al 2007) and Scottish Gaelic (Ó Giollagáin et al 2020), which has been adapted to the specificities of context of Welsh, which in global terms is a medium-sized, minoritized language.

The methodology includes an in-depth analysis of the following: statistical data; policy interventions; intergenerational language transmission; language practices of young people; language use in public spaces and in workplaces; door-to-door community surveys in different areas that are representative of the kind of communities where the percentage of Welsh-speakers is at its highest. To date, the field work has been undertaken in Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Ceredigion, Sir Gaerfyrddin and Castell-Nedd Port Talbot.

In reporting on its findings and conclusions, it is intended that the analyses of Prosiect BRO will contribute to the formulation of more effective policy interventions to protect and increase community use of the Welsh language. In addition, these will be placed in the international context of the sustainability of linguistic diversity and could also benefit other language communities.