Language is not just a way we communicate; it is part of our cultural identity and having the right to choose the language we want, as a user of personal social services, is essential to our fundamental rights. One country that has taken steps to preserve its national language is Wales, through government legislation and successfully incorporating the language into all public sectors. As for the discussion, there is extensive research explaining why it is important to be able to have the freedom to use a language of choice and how much it can influence people. Social workers work alongside the council and government to try to ensure the best outcomes for the people of Wales. Both social workers and their employees have an important role in enabling the people they interact with to choose their language, as they have specific roles and responsibilities to support professional and ethical practice. The Welsh language has been kept alive with critical changes such as the rise of a strong community movement in the 1970s, the passing of essential laws such as the Welsh Language Acts of 1967 and 1993, and the creation of a Welsh television channel ( Crystal, 2000, 129). Both English and Welsh are spoken in Wales and statistics show that 20.8% of the population aged 3 years and over spoke Welsh in 2001, showing an increase on 1991 when the proportion was 18.7%. (Jones, 2012, 13). These statistics are encouraging for the continuation of the Welsh language in the years to come. The Welsh Language Act (1993) states that English and Welsh should be treated on the basis of equality. It also states that all public sector providers must prepare a Welsh language program and a Welsh Language Committee is established to regulate the...... half of the document...... lsh Language Act 1993. Cardiff: Government LegislationGovernment Legislation (2011), Welsh Language Measurement. Cardiff: Government LegislationMadoc-Jones, Iolo (2004), Language sensitivity, indigenous peoples and the mental health system in Wales, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 13:216-224Johnson, M, Haluk, S, Williams, C (2002). Social work and minorities: European perspectives. London: RoutledgeJones, Hywel (2012), A statistical overview of the Welsh language. Cardiff: Welsh Language BoardWei, Li (2008), The Bilingualism Reader. London: RoutledgeWelsh Government (2013), Strategic framework for Welsh language services in health, social care and social care, More than just words. Cardiff: Welsh GovernmentWilliams, Sioned & Slater, Kate (2013), Welsh Language Strategy: Health and Social Care and Care Council. Cardiff: Nursing Council for Wales