In 1911, Cymraeg (Welsh) became a minority language in Cymru (Wales) for the first time. The 20th century saw the number of speakers fall precipitously, and the language appeared to be headed for terminal decline. But through the concerted efforts of activists, politicians and educators, and both non-violent and militant protest activity, Welsh speakers won key concessions from the British government that resulted in the language’s resurgence, and it is now growing again, heading towards a million speakers for the first time in a century.

Today, Welsh is seen as a model for many language revitalization movements, proof that organizing by a minority community can not only preserve a language, but make it stronger than before. 

James Griffiths is the author of Speak Not: Empire, Identity and the Politics of Language, a New Yorker book of year which documents the fights to preserve Welsh, Hawaiian and Cantonese, and their differing fates at the peripheries of three different imperial powers. Originally from Ynys Mon, Cymru and now based in Hong Kong, James is Asia Correspondent for The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, and author of The Great Firewall: How to build and control an alternative version of the internet.