Welsh language policy in schools and society
Not only should the compulsory Welsh language lessons in schools be scrapped, but Welsh language road signs should also be abolished because they lead to confusion for drivers. Here is a perfect example; Usk is the English language place name and the Welsh language name for the same picturesque town is Brybuga. Make up your own mind which you would prefer to use.
When children are leaving school without a grasp of basic Maths and English language, the time spent teaching Welsh should be re-allocated to these subjects as a priority. Pupils should only be allowed to take Welsh language lessons when they are proficient in both Maths and English. It is a fact that 80 percent of people in Wales do NOT speak the Language, yet is is foist on us by the 20 per cent minority Welsh language mafia.
All official documents must be delivered in English and Welsh whether we want it or not, and this generates enough waste paper to destroy a small rain forest. Isn't it time for sanity to prevail and make the official language of Wales ENGLISH? I am not against those who wish to use the language doing so, but NOT for the majority to shoulder the burden.
For those who wonder, I live in Gwent, formally (before 1973 reorganisation) MONMOUTHSHIRE and I am proud to live in part of the country that for many years was neither considered to be in England or Wales. I fondly remember the signs as you crossed the border that read "WELCOME to Wales AND MONMOUTHSHIRE".
With the advent of the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, I wish to proclaim "FREEDOM FOR MONMOUTHSHIRE" (all of it; including the parts annexed to what is now Caerphilly County Borough area). I am sure we have our own home grown idiots in this area who would be less of an embarrassment than Rhodri Morgan.
By: Alan G
Comments from visitors
Alan : If considering it important to differentiate between a year and an @rsehole, or between a cone and a c**t, makes me a pedant, then I am a pedant.
In the same way capitalisation can make the difference between
"I helped my Uncle Jack off a horse."
and
"I helped my uncle jack off a horse."
Are you aware of the difference between : "Eats roots shoots and leaves", and "Eats, roots, shoots, and leaves"?
Here is a photo of me wearing my favourite t-shirt :
http://rlv.zcache.com/pedantic_tshirt-p235592175126383835z8nbn_400.jpg
In the same way capitalisation can make the difference between
"I helped my Uncle Jack off a horse."
and
"I helped my uncle jack off a horse."
Are you aware of the difference between : "Eats roots shoots and leaves", and "Eats, roots, shoots, and leaves"?
Here is a photo of me wearing my favourite t-shirt :
http://rlv.zcache.com/pedantic_tshirt-p235592175126383835z8nbn_400.jpg
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MikeP,
Please take up any mistakes in my recent post with BBC Languages online, as they were virtually "copy" and "paste(ed)" from that website before posting on here, because I know the pedants on this blog would have pulled me up on any mistakes.
I was not aware of the keystroke combinations on the keyboard for the accents as you have pointed out, but thanks for the info I will be sure to use it in future, I am always prepared to learn anything usefull.
Please take up any mistakes in my recent post with BBC Languages online, as they were virtually "copy" and "paste(ed)" from that website before posting on here, because I know the pedants on this blog would have pulled me up on any mistakes.
I was not aware of the keystroke combinations on the keyboard for the accents as you have pointed out, but thanks for the info I will be sure to use it in future, I am always prepared to learn anything usefull.
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I know that, Bassano, it was a joke - although what I said is true.
And for Alan, you don't have to have your computer set up for accents, it's a simple keystroke combination on any keyboard :
ñ : alt 164
ç : alt 135
etc.
And for Alan, you don't have to have your computer set up for accents, it's a simple keystroke combination on any keyboard :
ñ : alt 164
ç : alt 135
etc.
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MikeP
Alan G has already acknowledged the lack of accents in his post. I'm sure he would want to join with me in wishing even the people you mention in your first sentence a very Happy New Year.
Alan G has already acknowledged the lack of accents in his post. I'm sure he would want to join with me in wishing even the people you mention in your first sentence a very Happy New Year.
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"ANO-FELIZ"
Unfortunately that means Happy @rsehole. The correct version is Feliz Año.
The 'tilde' (wavy line above the n, which makes a letter of the Spanish alphabet called the 'eñe') is important, as you will see if you look in a Spanish dictionary for the words 'cono' and 'coño'.
Unfortunately that means Happy @rsehole. The correct version is Feliz Año.
The 'tilde' (wavy line above the n, which makes a letter of the Spanish alphabet called the 'eñe') is important, as you will see if you look in a Spanish dictionary for the words 'cono' and 'coño'.
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Buon Anno, Bonne Année, Guten Rutsch, Feliz Año Nuevo
and a very Happy New Year to everyone, too!
and a very Happy New Year to everyone, too!
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I couldn't agree with you more Bassano, the Welsh language issue is the most devisive issue in Wales, and the Welsh language Act has generated an astronomical waste of money and resources for the Principality.
Not only that, why we need that extra layer of overpaid and underachieving beuracracy in Cardiff bay??
Both the WAG, and that further drain on the public purse, the un-ellected Welsh Language Comissioner are responsible for not only a gross waste of public money, but some of the MOST devisive decisions in wales today. I still cannot understand how any right minded person cannot accept that the "Bi-lingual policy" is a drain on the resources of Wales - resources that could be put to far more beneficial use to ALL residents in Wales, regardless of the Language they prefer to use.
On the subject of Bi-lingualism, there are probably more people in Wales who speak Italian. Urdu, and Polish, etc than actually speak Welsh how many of them have burned down houses to get their own way over use of their language in public life??
On that Note I wish everyone "FELICE ANNO NUOVO!" "ANO-FELIZ" "SZCZESLIWEGO NOWEGO ROKU!" "HAPPY NEW YEAR"
ps
I appologise if the punctation and accent marks are absent on my New year wishes above, but I have not set up my computer to deal with them.
Not only that, why we need that extra layer of overpaid and underachieving beuracracy in Cardiff bay??
Both the WAG, and that further drain on the public purse, the un-ellected Welsh Language Comissioner are responsible for not only a gross waste of public money, but some of the MOST devisive decisions in wales today. I still cannot understand how any right minded person cannot accept that the "Bi-lingual policy" is a drain on the resources of Wales - resources that could be put to far more beneficial use to ALL residents in Wales, regardless of the Language they prefer to use.
On the subject of Bi-lingualism, there are probably more people in Wales who speak Italian. Urdu, and Polish, etc than actually speak Welsh how many of them have burned down houses to get their own way over use of their language in public life??
On that Note I wish everyone "FELICE ANNO NUOVO!" "ANO-FELIZ" "SZCZESLIWEGO NOWEGO ROKU!" "HAPPY NEW YEAR"
ps
I appologise if the punctation and accent marks are absent on my New year wishes above, but I have not set up my computer to deal with them.
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Quite right, AlanG. As someone comment to me recently, 'Now that we have a £90k per year Welsh Language Commissioner (plus a staff of around 50) to enforce the language on businesses, the Severn Bridge will need to be strengthened to take the increased traffic of people leaving the country)'. You were right to start this gripe. The language is the most divisive and unpleasant side of this wasteful unnecessary tier of government aptly named the WAG.
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Britpop,
regarding your point about using the Ambulance services, I think that you should check your facts - the majority of the funding for the Welsh Assembly comes from Central government at Westminster, and is disbursed via the gravy train in Cardiff Bay.
So far the Wales assembly Government (WAG - very appropriate, look up the word "wag" in the dictionary for yourself) has tried its hand at reorganising all public services in Wales and in every case it has failed miserably; with report after report showing failure in all areas INCLUDING the Ambulance services (in particular), as none of the public services in Wales meet specified standards.
In various inspections and reports from the UK inspector of Schools to UNICEF, the standard of education in Wales has fallen below those of " Third world" countries, yet The welsh Assembly remains obsessed with foisting the Welsh language on the populace at all costs regardless of the consequences. We have children of school leaving age not being able to Add, Subtract, Multiply, or divide in mathmatics, with a scant grasp of the English language ( which is used world wide) but that is of no matter to those who wish to dive headlong into Welsh language predominence in Wales.
I also return to my original point regarding the immoral waste generated by the Welsh language Act, and bi-lingualism in Wales. The fact remains that despite its "promotion" in wales, at HUGE expense, ONLY 20% of the populace speak Welsh: The figures say it all.
regarding your point about using the Ambulance services, I think that you should check your facts - the majority of the funding for the Welsh Assembly comes from Central government at Westminster, and is disbursed via the gravy train in Cardiff Bay.
So far the Wales assembly Government (WAG - very appropriate, look up the word "wag" in the dictionary for yourself) has tried its hand at reorganising all public services in Wales and in every case it has failed miserably; with report after report showing failure in all areas INCLUDING the Ambulance services (in particular), as none of the public services in Wales meet specified standards.
In various inspections and reports from the UK inspector of Schools to UNICEF, the standard of education in Wales has fallen below those of " Third world" countries, yet The welsh Assembly remains obsessed with foisting the Welsh language on the populace at all costs regardless of the consequences. We have children of school leaving age not being able to Add, Subtract, Multiply, or divide in mathmatics, with a scant grasp of the English language ( which is used world wide) but that is of no matter to those who wish to dive headlong into Welsh language predominence in Wales.
I also return to my original point regarding the immoral waste generated by the Welsh language Act, and bi-lingualism in Wales. The fact remains that despite its "promotion" in wales, at HUGE expense, ONLY 20% of the populace speak Welsh: The figures say it all.
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Kudos point there for the use of the word 'moribund'!
Well played - bet you confused the children with that one..
Well played - bet you confused the children with that one..
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This has to be one of the most tedious, irrelevant, moribund topics every posted on The Weekly Gripe. At the end of the day, do we really give a damn? Beyond the cost to us taxpayers?
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miserablemoaninggit - 12-Dec-11 21:12
23% voted YES PLEASE.
76% had NO OBJECTIONS.
Democracy! It isn't perfect, but......
76% had NO OBJECTIONS.
Democracy! It isn't perfect, but......
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FACT:
The turnout at the 1996 referendum was 50.1%. 50.3 of those voted for an Assembly.
In the 2011 Welsh referendum 65% of the Welsh people did not vote. Of the 35% who did, just under 23% voted yes. Hardly a resounding endorsement from the people of Wales!
The turnout at the 1996 referendum was 50.1%. 50.3 of those voted for an Assembly.
In the 2011 Welsh referendum 65% of the Welsh people did not vote. Of the 35% who did, just under 23% voted yes. Hardly a resounding endorsement from the people of Wales!
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Alan G,
Every citizen of Wales, yourself included, was invited to vote in the referendum on the proposed creation of a National Assembly for Wales. The choice was simple; vote in favour or vote against. The outcome was to be decided by a simply majority, the rules being set by the Electoral Commission. Circa 6,000 votes more in favour than against were made. You're suggesting that the bar for the 'pass mark' should have been raised. Perhaps so, but that would have required a legal requirement for all concerned to cast a vote, an unprecedented situation in the UK. As things stand, apathy and indifference are not illegal within the UKs democratic political system. The Yes votes carried the day, a situation that was repeated in a more emphatic manner at this year's primary powers referendum.
On what grounds precisely do you consider yourself to be a spokesperson for the roughly 80% of Wales' inhabitants that have little or no command of Welsh? What EVIDENCE do you have that all these people share YOUR points of view on the language? Opinion polls have consistently shown widespread support for the Welsh language and the language is now growing.
"If the language is to succeed, it will do so on its own merits, if not it does not deserve to survive."
Bullshit. Perhaps you'd like to bear that principle in mind if you ever need an ambulance funded by the Welsh Government to rush you to an NHS hospital to save your life.
Every citizen of Wales, yourself included, was invited to vote in the referendum on the proposed creation of a National Assembly for Wales. The choice was simple; vote in favour or vote against. The outcome was to be decided by a simply majority, the rules being set by the Electoral Commission. Circa 6,000 votes more in favour than against were made. You're suggesting that the bar for the 'pass mark' should have been raised. Perhaps so, but that would have required a legal requirement for all concerned to cast a vote, an unprecedented situation in the UK. As things stand, apathy and indifference are not illegal within the UKs democratic political system. The Yes votes carried the day, a situation that was repeated in a more emphatic manner at this year's primary powers referendum.
On what grounds precisely do you consider yourself to be a spokesperson for the roughly 80% of Wales' inhabitants that have little or no command of Welsh? What EVIDENCE do you have that all these people share YOUR points of view on the language? Opinion polls have consistently shown widespread support for the Welsh language and the language is now growing.
"If the language is to succeed, it will do so on its own merits, if not it does not deserve to survive."
Bullshit. Perhaps you'd like to bear that principle in mind if you ever need an ambulance funded by the Welsh Government to rush you to an NHS hospital to save your life.
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Wales is, quite frankly, becoming ridiculously expensive to maintain. In these times of cost-cutting, a lot of money could be saved if the policy of promoting a dying language was revoked. In my experience, Welsh is only used as a means of exclusion, often rudely done, when I have to - despite my best efforts not to - venture into Wales and find myself using a small town shop, or pub. Alan G is perfectly correct to emphasise the waste generated by the Welsh Language Act, the cost of which will be subsidised by the much abused English tax payers, together with their Welsh counterparts. Ultimately though, will any of this really matter? Unless the UK builds upon Cameron's wielding of the veto by getting out of the EU, then we will all be speaking German in the long run.
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miserablemoaninggit - 11-Dec-11 09:59
BritPop,
When did wales have a Democratically elected Government, I think that I missed that??? As I recall, the turnout for the original Vote on having a Welsh Assembly was somewhere in the region of 35% (I have no doubt that some pedant will correct me if I am wrong!) and that the final vote was decided by a very narrow margin by the electorate in Carmarthenshire at the last minute ( something I have always considered suspect). This means that almost two thirds of the population of Wales abstained from voting, which unfortunately, means that we are now being ruled by a vociferous minority who wish to turn the clock back 500 years, and who are trying to "rght the wrongs" they think have occured in what is now ancient history. This is the 21st century, and the world has moved on, except in their narrow minded minds!
I return to my original reason for posting this blog - the amount of WASTE generated by the Welsh language Act - when , by official records, only 20% of the population speak the Welsh language, why does the Majority 80% need to have everything in Welsh too? The majority of all Welsh language written material end up in the re-cycling bin (PURE WASTE), and this is translated thoughout Wales in all other areas of the Welsh economy.
By all means use the Welsh Language if you wish, but please don't foist it upon others who do not share your views, either directly, or indirectly by the compulsory teaching of the subject in schools.
If the language is to succeed, it will do so on its own merits, if not it does not deserve to survive.
When did wales have a Democratically elected Government, I think that I missed that??? As I recall, the turnout for the original Vote on having a Welsh Assembly was somewhere in the region of 35% (I have no doubt that some pedant will correct me if I am wrong!) and that the final vote was decided by a very narrow margin by the electorate in Carmarthenshire at the last minute ( something I have always considered suspect). This means that almost two thirds of the population of Wales abstained from voting, which unfortunately, means that we are now being ruled by a vociferous minority who wish to turn the clock back 500 years, and who are trying to "rght the wrongs" they think have occured in what is now ancient history. This is the 21st century, and the world has moved on, except in their narrow minded minds!
I return to my original reason for posting this blog - the amount of WASTE generated by the Welsh language Act - when , by official records, only 20% of the population speak the Welsh language, why does the Majority 80% need to have everything in Welsh too? The majority of all Welsh language written material end up in the re-cycling bin (PURE WASTE), and this is translated thoughout Wales in all other areas of the Welsh economy.
By all means use the Welsh Language if you wish, but please don't foist it upon others who do not share your views, either directly, or indirectly by the compulsory teaching of the subject in schools.
If the language is to succeed, it will do so on its own merits, if not it does not deserve to survive.
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Referendum John Evans?
You mean like the one we had when Wales was annexed into the Kingdom of England, when the original Welsh Legal system was abolished, when English was declared the sole official language of Wales?
When we went to war in the Falklands, in Iraq and in Afghanistan?
Where do you think you live, Switzerland?
Sorry for the venom!
You mean like the one we had when Wales was annexed into the Kingdom of England, when the original Welsh Legal system was abolished, when English was declared the sole official language of Wales?
When we went to war in the Falklands, in Iraq and in Afghanistan?
Where do you think you live, Switzerland?
Sorry for the venom!
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Bassano, it looks as if Britpop is indeed English .... You don't have to work that hard to fit in, you know, Britpop. We Welsh generally like to keep a welcome, as it were. We don't care what language you speak, or even whether you're from the Home Counties! ;-)
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I don't recall ever being asked to vote specifically on whether I agree or disagree with this insane policy of 'promoting' the Welsh language, and would welcome a referendum on this issue.
AlanG, just stand back and wait for the venom from BritPop!
AlanG, just stand back and wait for the venom from BritPop!
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Oh dear Alan G, you poor man - what a load of self-pitying crap!
Your facetious comments on the language and the devolved government demonstrate some deep rooted animosity (or is that psychosis?) towards the most obvious symbols/institutions of Welsh identity/nationhood.
Political correctness? Don't make me laugh!!! We used to have to live in a suffocating monolith of an Empire-state where it was expected that each and every one of us cow-tow to the Establishment's absurd ideas about class, accent and yes, language. Thankfully, most people today have the good sense to see beyond such conformist, stifling tripe.
As for your rant about the language being "forced" on people, when the fog has finally dispersed from your field of view just remember that all Welsh Language policies and laws have been passed by democratically elected Governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, the most recent with the overwhelming support of all 4 main political parties in Wales and by a MAJORITY of non-Welsh speaking members!
Put your toys back in the pram and try again.
Your facetious comments on the language and the devolved government demonstrate some deep rooted animosity (or is that psychosis?) towards the most obvious symbols/institutions of Welsh identity/nationhood.
Political correctness? Don't make me laugh!!! We used to have to live in a suffocating monolith of an Empire-state where it was expected that each and every one of us cow-tow to the Establishment's absurd ideas about class, accent and yes, language. Thankfully, most people today have the good sense to see beyond such conformist, stifling tripe.
As for your rant about the language being "forced" on people, when the fog has finally dispersed from your field of view just remember that all Welsh Language policies and laws have been passed by democratically elected Governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, the most recent with the overwhelming support of all 4 main political parties in Wales and by a MAJORITY of non-Welsh speaking members!
Put your toys back in the pram and try again.
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