Ron Davies learned Welsh, but many speakers hold back from the language

The programme, broadcast at 2000 GMT, marks the 40th anniversary of Plaid Cymru founder Saunders Lewis' radio lecture contemplating the future prospects for Welsh.

The survey, conducted by Beaufort research for BBC Wales, also finds resistance to Welsh as a compulsory subject in secondary schools.

Two thirds of non-Welsh speaking parents and a third of Welsh speakers are, in fact, opposed to the language education policy.

That could come as cold comfort to language campaigners including Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg - established as a consequence of Lewis' pessimistic warning over Welsh.

Incomer debate

And 60% of the 1,004 people interviewed believe monoglot English-speaking incomers to Welsh heartlands make an economic contribution to their communities.

In the wake of the survey, Welsh language campaigners are warning against complacency.

And Simon Brooks, founder of language activists group Cymuned, will make a statement in an associated programme, Tynged yr Iaith (Fate of the Language), which takes its name from Lewis' original speech.

Use of Welsh

Always spoken with children - 40% Never spoken with children - 31% Resistance to Welsh at school: Compulsory lessons good - 64% Migrants should learn Welsh - 52% Poll note *

Cymuned was set up last summer to lobby the Welsh Assembly for measures to safeguard disintegrating Welsh-language village life.

The group numbers disillusioned Plaid Cymru politicians as well as Welsh-language academics and professionals.

Aled Eirug, Head of BBC Wales News and Current Affairs, said: "Since the 1987 review, also commissioned by the BBC, this is the most comprehensive look at the use of and attitudes towards the Welsh language."

Survey data

The BBC Wales survey offers evidence contrary to modern perceptions the language has experienced a miniature renaissance in recent years.

Extrapolated against similar BBC Wales data from 1986, the survey does find use of the language more widespread across Wales - and more people believe the language is gaining strength.

But only 65% of survey interviewees believed it would be a living language in just 40 years time.

Presented by BBC News journalist Dewi Llwyd, Dyfodol yr Iaith will critically examine in-migration, the housing market, relocating public companies to areas beyond Cardiff and marketing the language.

Dyfodol yr Iaith - 2000 GMT, S4C and S4C2

* Beaufort Research conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,004 Welsh speakers across Wales between 1 and 25 November, 2001, and with 682 non-Welsh speakers between 23 and 30 November.