Is there really a linguistic Apartheid in Wales?

"There is no denying that most people in Wales – Welsh or English speaking – support the Welsh language. Opinion polls and survey results continually show a figure greater than 70% who support bilingualism and the promotion of Welsh. This is a very positive figure and it shows that there exists goodwill towards the language. But a language needs more than goodwill alone to survive, and we are somewhere in a transition phase where the language is regarded as normal and receives fair play, and where Welsh was once discouraged and there existed some pretty vocal voices opposing anything Welsh.

But the thing that in some senses consolidates the future of Welsh is seeing the pride that exists among those that don’t speak Welsh towards their national language. They often state that they feel ashamed, or not “fully Welsh” (not my opinion) that they cannot speak Welsh. It’s these people whom sing the anthem with fire in their bellies, even though many of them do not understand the true meaning of the words. The spirit that is shown towards the Welsh language – the pride in being different – is something that unites all of us from every part of Wales. So how can it be argued that Wales is divided over language."

http://waleshome.org/2011/07/is-there-really-a-linguistic-apartheid-in-wales/