Welsh language policy

Alan, At the risk of suggesting I have nothing else to do, I must share my absolute disgust at my (Welsh) wife's dismay, at discovering, by chance, that the whole of North Wales health trust's, have been renamed as Betsi Cadwaladr. My spell checker has gone into overdrive at this one! This National health body apparently employs 18000 people with a 1.1 billion budget. Imagine the cost of this nationalistic hedonism, during a financial depression ! The only association in this name, is a rather good chain of pseudo Italian ice cream parlours ! I'll have two hip replacements and a strawberry ninety nine please ! I can feel a new sign painting campaign taking shape , before long. Any more volunteers ?

Alan, how about a common sense solution to all this. Those that want to communicate in Welsh , be allowed to do so, but stick to it. Don't start bleating in English every time something does not suit them. It is no good demanding a Welsh speaking shop assistant in Chester, Bristol or Shrewsbury ! They would not be able to partake in this discussion, for instance. If they demand that all national and international business's conduct transactions in Welsh, let them be charged for the costs involved. I'm pretty darned sure that they won't insist their open heart surgery or bypass is conducted in the medium of Welsh, will they ? If your unfortunate enough to fall in one of our many swollen rivers, and value your continued existence, my advice is to shout for help in English !

Confused, the problem is that the Welsh language lobbyists cannot or will not see the waste that the Welsh language Act has generated, and will inceasingly continue to do in the future. There was a report on TV that they are now pushing to have Jury's made up or people who speak Welsh to accomodate Welsh speakers. I am not sure what the outcome of that proposal was. If implemented, it is just more expense for the majority, who speak English in Wales, to pick up the bill for once again.
Each time I see the adverts on TV promoting the Welsh language, I cringe as I hear the sound of even more money being flushed away: money rhat could be used to benefit ALL residents in Wales.
W

The Welsh language board receives over thirteen million pounds annually, to promote this minority language ! Remember that when you're waiting to see a specialist or have an operation. This is on top of the £120 million for Welsh TV. Why not go the whole hog and provide chauffeur and valet for all Welsh speakers, and possibly breakfast in bed too ! Add the cost of WAG itself, it's new buildings etc., and one soon realises that it is totally unsustainable and out of control.

Mr Jones, it is impossible to have a mature discussion, it seems, on such a politically sensitive issue. The home rule sought by an incredibly small percentage, hinges on the belief that they can forcibly implement their language on us all. Why, in a recession, would persons of a sound mind, insist that taxpayer's money be thrown in vain attempts to further it's usage. The majority who are against this, are then told, if you do not like it, leave ! The sad fact is that anyone who disagrees, is seen as anti Welsh. Or is it just possible that you would like to see all anti language campaigners banned from the debate.

The True Wales website could be very misleading. For all you know the figures could be heavily exaggerated and one does not know the frequency of just one particular individual to the website. The webpages seem very home made as well, and the polls seem to stick to southern Wales - obviously not the area with the most Welsh language usage. I am not saying the website is incorrect, I am merely specualting.

On another note, I aim to report this discussion thread and some of its regular users to Weekly Gripe if I can. I am fully aware that is is a thread based for discussion and giving opinions, however certain individuals that contribute heavily to this thread have become subtley abusive and crass towards other contributors. It is NOT in anyone's interest for a person to contribute their view, only to have horribly sarcastic comments and weak abuse as an answer. On initially reading this thread I fully expected it to be a mature discussion. I was sadly disappointed.

Coming from Gwent, but before the days when Welsh was taught in my school, I think it's a good idea to keep the language alive. Get rid of the Welsh language and we're one step closer to being just another county of England. Which, to any patriotic Welsh person, is a bad thing!

It's great, isn't it? The organisation is led by the people for the people - just what we have been waiting for.

Thanks Bassano, I checked out True Wales site, and will offer my support. Interestingly, they have recorded over 27 million hits ! Possible that we are not the only like minded, concerned inhabitants of Wales !

Yes, Drysfa, I agree. AMs have to make a case for more powers and undoubtedly another backdated 8.3% pay increase for themselves. They've become accustomed to the publicly-funded ministerial cars, flights to far away places and all the other trappings of their position. Have you heard of True Wales?

The first minister was asked, this morning, what has the assembly actually done for Wales ? The answer was as follows; Prescription charges, bus passes, old persons minister, and a service called proact (I think), aimed at giving work experience. Which as an employer, I had never heard of. This is the sum total of his answer. Given the costs of administration , setting up costs and ongoing expenses, amounts to very little really, do you not agree ?

I agree with your last message totally Bassano, since the inpositon of the Welsh language Act, there have been so many Quangos set up to force us to speak it, I hate to think of the cost of them, both past and present. My great grandmother Was also a Welsh speaker too, but prefered communicating in English
Both the BBC and ITV in Wales push the Welsh Languge so much, that it gives a false impression to "outsiders" that everyone in Wales speaks Welsh, and nothing could be further from the truth.
IT states that "In Scotland English has taken over almost completely" the reason for that is so that they can do most of the commentating on TV, and the voiceovers on TV ads. :-)