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British-Irish Council – Annual Report – 2012
Indigenous, Minority and Lesser-used Languages (IML)
(Led by the Welsh Government)
The rich linguistic heritage of the Council’s Member Administrations is an important part of
the culture of these islands. In recognition of the desire to support indigenous, minority and
lesser-used languages (IMLs) the topic was added to the Council’s portfolio of work sectors at
the third Summit in June 2002 under the leadership of the Welsh Government.
The IMLs covered are Irish, Welsh, Gaelic, Scots, Ulster Scots, Manx, Jèrriais, Guernèsiais and
Cornish.
The work sector helps to identify and share best practice across the Member Administrations
and amongst IML communities. The work sector is particularly interested in the key areas of
language transmission, community strategies, young people’s use of IMLs, broadcasting, the
economic impact of IMLs, marketing IMLs, ICT and IMLs, the development of legislation to
protect and promote IMLs, and education through the medium of IMLs.
Annual seminars for policy makers and practitioners are held to help share good practice
amongst stakeholders in the IML sector. Each seminar focuses on a different area of the work
sector’s remit. A seminar held in November 2012 in Cardiff focused on promoting indigenous,
minority and lesser-used languages though early years education. The findings from this
seminar will form part of the agenda of the next Ministerial Meeting to be held in the second
half of 2014.