Y CYMRY CYMRAEG: PEOPLE PLACE LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION – A CASE STUDY OF RURAL-DWELLING OLDER PEOPLE IN WALES

摘要

The proportion of Welsh speakers in Wales has declined from 50% in 1901 to 19% in 2011. This study investigates the ways in which language (linguistic identities and proficiencies, language ideologies) intersects with social exclusion from social relations and culture in different rural environments. Three types of rural areas were selected: (i) remote & affluent; (ii) less remote & deprived; (iii) accessible & deprived. 30 life history interviews and 3 focus groups were conducted with older people (≥60 years). The results show ‘how’ and ‘why’ social exclusion manifests itself. The decline of Welsh language had the greatest impact upon the oldest old (80+ years) who experienced greatest exclusion from social resources and culture. A correlation was found between language, socio-economic status and place: the remote and affluent area had the highest proportion of Welsh speakers yet some of the greatest levels of old-age social exclusion.