THE Manx Heritage Foundation has urged all residents who can speak Manx to state it on their 2011 census form.

 
Many people around the Island have started to receive their census forms which should be filled in on Sunday, March 27.

 
The census asks everyone the same questions on the same day in order to take a snapshot of the population at one point in time.

Question number nine on this year's census asks people to indicate if they can speak, read or write in Manx.

 
Adrian Cain, the Manx language officer, said: "Don't be shy about ticking yes. The question doesn’t expect you to be able to talk about nuclear physics or read the bible in Manx to indicate your support – to know more than moghrey mie etc is enough to tick yes.

"Numbers are important so we need people to be positive and support the language. I'm also hoping that by ticking the yes boxes it can act as a spur to people to continue to learn and improve their knowledge of Manx."

Anyone who wishes to learn Manx can attend a language workshop on a Wednesday afternoon from 12pm to 1pm at The Ticket Hall restaurant in Douglas.