In 2011 it was reported that only 19 percent of the residents in Wales could speak their original language: Welsh. This was a 2 percent _________ from the number reported in 2001. The Welsh government was concerned that their original language was becoming critically _________ . Data show that Welsh is spoken more in areas farther away from the Wales–England border. At worst, some feared the language could even be facing _________ .
To fight against the trend, the Welsh government established initiatives to _________ the language. Schools were encouraged to teach Welsh-language classes, and Welsh-language radio and television broadcasts were increased. In general, the Welsh language and culture were heavily _________ all over the country.
Now, thanks to these preservation efforts, the language is no longer _________ to competition from other languages. The Welsh government's policies have been considered a great _________ by many other governments who are also eager to breathe life into their own native languages.