Patagonian Welsh

Patagonian Welsh is the dialect of Welsh which is spoken in the region of the Argentine Patagonia in South America. The language is spoken principally in Y Wladfa with sporadic speakers throughout Argentina by Welsh Argentines.

Teachers are sent to teach the language and to train local tutors in the Welsh language and there is some sort of prestige of knowing the language, even among those who are not of Welsh descent. The Welsh education and projects are mainly funded by the Welsh Government, British Council, Cardiff University and the Welsh-Argentine Association. In 2005 there were 62 Welsh classes in the area and Welsh was taught as a subject in two primary schools and two colleges in the region of Gaiman. There is also a Welsh-language school called Ysgol yr Hendre situated in Trelew and a college located in Esquel.

Patagonian Welsh has developed to be a distinct dialect of Welsh, different from the several dialects used in Wales itself. Throughout the Chubut Valley toponyms are of Welsh origin.