ONE million Welsh speakers by 2050 is the target for the Welsh Government with plans set to be launched at the National Eisteddfod today.

The first minister and the minister for lifelong learning and Welsh language will unveil a consultation paper, which covers six areas of focus for the plans.

Despite being a bilingual nation, the most recent UK census in 2011 found that only 560,000 of the population admitted their ability to speak Welsh.

Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies, who is the minister for lifelong learning and Welsh language, said: “Reaching a million speakers is a deliberately ambitious target.

“There are challenges ahead, but we can undoubtedly face those in the knowledge that we are building from a position of strength.

“If we are to foster a bilingual nation, it is something that the whole nation needs to do together,” added Mr Davies.

The areas of focus outlined in the consultation document include making the language more commonplace, and the increased prevalence of passing the language on through families.

The Blaenau Gwent AM added that the proposals would cover Welsh language learning at all ages.

“This consultation process is an opportunity for everyone to have their say on the future of perhaps this country’s finest asset,” he said.

“I am confident it will enable us to take the language forward in a way that is both pro-active and proportionate.”

The consultation will be open until October, following its launch in Abergavenny where both Mr Davies and Carwyn Jones will speak on the issue.

“It is vital we support our most important resource, namely our people—those Welsh speakers across the country, whether fluent, lacking in confidence or learning,” said Mr Jones, labelling Wales a ‘proudly bilingual nation’.

“We need to continue to support people to use the language in increasingly practical, creative and fun ways. Our language influences music, stories, traditions and daily life.

“Vibrant Welsh speaking communities contribute to the diversity of the country, making Wales a place unlike any other to call home or indeed visit. However, government can’t do this alone, so I am eager for the whole of Wales to contribute to this discussion.”

The first minister added that Welsh speaking communities added a unique dimension to the fabric of Wales.

The consultation document can be found at gov.wales/consultations/welshlanguage/welsh-language-strategy-consultation/?lang=en.