New Proposals for Welsh Language

The Welsh assembly, ever keen to keep a firm grasp on the Welsh language, has proposed new laws which would make it compulsory for certain sectors to produce all of their literature in the Welsh language and to be able to provide someone who can verbally communicate in this manner if necessary.

The law would require this compliance from firms in areas like energy suppliers and telecoms companies. In addition it would also create a post of a language commissioner. Any visitor to Wales will be fully aware that all road signs, for example, already cater for the English and Welsh languages. As at the same time the law would give the Welsh language official status, it is seen as a huge step forward for proponents of the Welsh speaking community.

Wales’ first minister Carwyn Jones has hailed the move “an important and historic step”, adding "The proposed measure provides us with some of the tools we need to ensure that the Welsh language can continue to prosper into the 21st Century alongside the English language.”

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said the measure "will answer the call for Welsh speakers to have the right to receive services in Welsh - and will establish a Welsh language commissioner to enforce these rights."

Some may wonder is it necessary to bother at all? After all, there are only a tiny number of people who can speak only Welsh. Although it can be important to remember that in these circumstances, and especially when a language is concerned, that is establishes and maintains a country’s national identity. Given the size of the country and compared to the rest of the United Kingdom it is perhaps not too surprising that they may wish to hold on to some form of patriotism.

It is this drive for patriotism that ultimately fuels the desire for some form of ‘equality’ in terms of the written and spoken word. However Menna Machreth, chair of the Welsh Language Society (Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg) was insistent that it was only one way of doing so “This measure doesn't affect much of the private sector. The assembly doesn't have the powers for shops to be included in this measure, which we've been calling for because they are a massive part of day to day lives, and if we want to see the Welsh language as a living language around us, I think the Welsh language should be mainstreamed and pulled into the private sector as well.”

Bold words, one indeed wonders if these proposals are potentially too small to achieve the desired goals, and whether they should be more wide ranging.