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Archive news from across the online press (including BBC News) on language, accents and dialects.

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April 2005
Schools 'teaching 30 languages'
The number of pupils taking GCSEs in languages such as Chinese, Arabic and Turkish has doubled in the past decade.
(BBC News, 21st June 2005)
 
Cash boost for Cornish language
Support for the Cornish language has received a boost with the announcement of £80,000 of government funding.
(BBC News, 14th June 2005)
 
Protesters suspend school action
Welsh language campaigners will suspend protests over plans to close up to 30 small schools in Carmarthenshire.
(BBC News, 14th June 2005)
 
Irish language recognised by EU
The Irish language has been officially recognised as a working language by the European Union.
(BBC News, 13th June 2005)
 
Ancient language available on web
Literature written on stone tablets from ancient Iraq has been made available on the internet.
(BBC News, 13th June 2005)
 
Neds make it into the dictionary
Neds, Scotland's tracksuit-wearing youths who are often blamed for anti-social behaviour, have achieved a degree of respectability.
(BBC News, 9th June 2005)
 
'Asbo' and 'chav' make dictionary
The latest edition of the Collins English Dictionary has been published, including 1,500 new words reflecting recent changes in language and culture.
(BBC News, 9th June 2005)
 
Step forward for marina expansion
Plans to expand Pwllheli marina by 300 berths have been agreed to in principle by Gwynedd Council's executive board. Pressure group Cymuned, worried about an impact on the Welsh language, called the board decision "unbelievable and irresponsible".
(BBC News, 8th June 2005)
 
Some of my best phrases are Jewish
Learning Yiddish is suddenly cool, says Linton Chiswick. Madonna and Christina Aguilera have the T-shirt. All a beginner needs is the Yid-o-Matic Realplayer...
(Times Online, 25th June 2005)
 
Language demo at marina expansion
Police were called to a demonstration blocking the entrance to Pwllheli marina in north Wales on Saturday.
(BBC News, 25th June 2005)
 
How important is your mother tongue?
A Ghanaian woman living in the UK has produced a series of videos to teach the children of African immigrants their home language, because many of these children grow up speaking only English.
(BBC News, 24th June 2005)
 
Bilingual primary school to open
The first bilingual state school in England has been approved - with lessons in French and English.
(BBC News, 22nd June 2005)
 
On your marks
According to the laws of language we need them, but are apostrophes really necessary? Not according to those fighting the punctuation purists.
(BBC News, 21st June 2005)
 
Learn Euro referendum speak
Say what you will about the European Constitution but at least this ratification process is a useful, albeit limited, education in the native tongues of our continental cousins.
(BBC News, 2nd June 2005)
 


Latin makes Vatican City comeback
In the new Vatican of Pope Benedict XVI, Latin is in and Polish, the language of John Paul II, is out.
(BBC News, 22nd April 2005)
 
Ukraine divided over language row
The future status of the Russian language in Ukraine is the cause of public and political debate. The BBC's Helen Fawkes speaks to Russian-speakers who fear discrimination and Ukrainians who are proud of their mother tongue.
(BBC News, 22nd April 2005)
 
MSPs rule against Gaelic equality
MSPs have ruled out giving Gaelic equal status with English under Scottish law.
(BBC News, 21st April 2005)
 
Let's talk Gaelic, before it's too late
The language will not survive without a government-backed television channel of the kind that has benefited Welsh and Irish.
(Guardian Unlimited, 20th April 2005)
 
Marina expansion threat to Welsh language
A draft report on how expanding the Pwllheli marina might affect the Welsh language has questioned previous claims about benefits for the area.
(BBC News, 20th April 2005)
 
School where they speak 58 languages
A London comprehensive has children from 50 countries, making it possibly Europe's most cosmopolitan school.
(Evening Standard, 20th April 2005)
 
Norfolk dialect celebration
Norfolk dialect will take centre stage in an annual festival at Cromer - in a year when it has already taken several bows in the limelight.
(Eastern Daily Press, 20th April 2005)
 
Save our dialect, say Bounty islanders
A remote Australian island, settled by the descendants of the Bounty mutineers, is fighting to preserve its curious mix of 18th-century English and Polynesian.
(Daily Telegraph, 19th April 2005)
 
Novice surfers taught with signs
Surfing and sign language may not seem like the most obvious combination. But one South West surfing coach is pioneering the teaching of the popular water sport to deaf people.
(BBC News, 29th April 2005)
 
Why our distinctive voice is what makes us who we are
Well they did it. As of last week, Scotland's Gaels now have legislation enshrining the status of the Gaelic language, and a statutory board which will promote its use, pull together all sources of funding and require every public body based in Scotland to examine what services they offer in the language.
(The Herald, 25th April 2005)
 
Funding lift for writer's museum
A museum to commemorate one of the 20th century's best-known Welsh language authors have been boosted by a £75,907 grant.
(BBC News, 25th April 2005)
 
Fear over poor UK language skills
UK businesses will be "severely hampered" because language skills are falling behind those in other countries, a report warns.
(BBC News, 14th April 2005)
 
news archive

August 2005
Icelanders speak up for languages
East End Cockney accent 'fading'
Muslims 'want surmons in English'
More...

September 2005
Manx Gaelic revival 'impressive'
UK 'loves languages after all'
Tingo, nakkele and other wonders
More...

January 2006
Web to preserve Romani heritage
Mind your PMQs? It's eff this and eff that
The C word
More...

August 2006
Armageddon isn't upon us
Tongue-tied
Why are fewer students choosing to study foreign languages at GCSE?
More...

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