The Welsh language has a rich history dating back centuries. It is one of the oldest languages in Europe, with records of its use dating back to the 6th century. The Welsh language is a Celtic language, and is closely related to Breton, Cornish and Irish.
Today, around 20% of the population of Wales speaks Welsh. This includes around 562,000 people who speak it as their first language, and a further 232,000 who speak it as a second language. The Welsh language is an official language of Wales, and is also recognised as a minority language in the UK.
The Welsh language has undergone a revival in recent years, with the number of Welsh speakers increasing. In 2001, the Welsh Language Act was passed, which gave the Welsh language equal status with English in Wales. This Act has helped to promote the use of Welsh, and has resulted in an increase in the number of people learning and using the language.