Welsh Language and Economic Development Task and Finish Group Call for Evidence – Responses January 2014 Page 1. Dyfodol i’r Iaith 1 2. Cymdeithas yr Iaith 8 3. Gwyn Jones 15 4. Christopher David 16 5. Eiry Thomas 17 6. Y Ganollfan Cynllunio Iaith 20 7. Medi Jones 23 8. David Ludlow 24 9. Clive James 26 10. Federation of Small Businesses Wales 27 11. Tinoplois 29 12. Welsh Music Foundation 34 13. Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru 37 14. Gwyn Roberts 39 15. RWE 41 16. Name witheld 44 17. Biopower UK 47 18. Dalen Newydd 49 19. John Walker 52 20. David Wyn Williams 55 21. ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants) 59 22. Language Technologies Unit, Bangor Uni 62 23. UCAC 65 24. Business in Focus 66 25. S4C 68 26. Huw Marshall 76 27. Comisynydd y Gymraeg 77 28. Mentrau Iaith 83 29. CBI 87 30. Menter a Busnes 93 31. Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch 103 32. Ceir Cymru 106 COMMENTS FOR THE WELSH LANGUAGE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK AND FINISH GROUP Dr Heini Gruffudd -DYFODOL I’R IAITH The Welsh Language and Economic Development Dyfodol i’r Iaith (A Future for the Language) is a non-party organisation that acts in the best interests of the Welsh language. The organisation aims to influence, by constitutional means, the substance and content of public policies and legislation in order to promote the growth and prosperity of the Welsh language in every policy area. It acts in the best interests of Wales and its people, gaining support and respect for the language and ensuring that the Welsh language is an active issue on the political agenda. Dyfodol i’r Iaith welcomes the opportunity to submit comments to the Welsh Language and Economic Development Task and Finish Group. SUMMARY Question 1 How could the use of the Welsh language and bilingualism support business growth and economic development? i. The ‘micro’ and ‘macro’ connection: individual businesses will not succeed in this context unless there are national policies in place ii. Highlighting businesses that provide services through the medium of Welsh: the need to raise the profile of businesses that provide services through the medium of Welsh iii. A free translation service: to facilitate the use of Welsh iv. Prominent signs on doors and windows of businesses and shops: to attract Welsh-speaking customers Question 2 How could economic development support increased use of the Welsh language? i. A need for Government leadership: to make using Welsh the norm ii. Tendering and procurement processes that support local businesses: to support strong community foundations iii. Rural economic structure: crucial if businesses are to succeed 1 iv. Planning housing developments wisely: so that the local economy contributes towards language sustainability v. Developing a Welsh language labour market: linking jobs and language, and developing a comprehensive programme of language training vi. Urban growth: choosing specific places to develop the language in order to create attractive Welsh towns. vii. Job creation: by relocating; by providing financial packages and favourable planning Question 3 How could the public sector support increased use of the Welsh language through its local economic impact? i. Moving out of Cardiff: relocating and devolving organisations ii. The education service: a key devolved contribution, and the need to expand Welsh language provision iii. Administration in Welsh: the need for local authorities to develop this aspect iv. Driving natural growth: planning isn’t the answer to everything. The need to support an image that promotes an attractive perception of Welsh towns Historical context One likely reason why the Welsh language has been more successful than the other Celtic languages is that it has been a strong community language in areas that have seen considerable economic and industrial development, in particular the coalfields and steelworks of the South and North-east, and the slate-mining areas of Gwynedd. When people descended on these areas from every corner of the British Isles and the rest of Europe to find work, many of them were integrated into the local community, and became Welsh speakers. This is one reason why so many people who speak Welsh as a first language have typical English, Irish, Scottish and Italian surnames, to name but a few. This broad range of origins is a feature to be celebrated, and is a way of counteracting the claims of some people who feel alienated towards the language and feel that it is a narrow, closed and parochial phenomenon. The success and growth of the language was attributed in part to the fact that Welsh was the natural language of the workplace. This is reflected, for example, in the provision of Section 171 of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954 (which is still in force), that states: Where the natural language of communication of the persons employed at a mine . or of a substantial number of those persons is Welsh, then, in considering the qualification of candidates for appointments required, by or by virtue 2 of this Act, to be made in the case of that mine . ., regard shall be had to the possession of a knowledge of the language. Without geographical areas where Welsh is a strong community language, there is grave doubt whether the language can survive as a viable language. The existence and survival of such areas depend in turn on their economic prosperity. Investment needs to be prioritised for these areas, along with policies and measures targeted towards maintaining the language, such as developing Welsh-speaking workplaces, and enabling people who have moved into these areas to work to acquire language skills. Question 1 How could the use of the Welsh language and bilingualism support business growth and economic development? i. The ‘micro’ and ‘macro’ connection The questions that were asked combine some micro level (involving the conduct of individual businesses) and some macro level (involving wider economic policy). Very little can be achieved at individual company level without having the wider policies in place. It is good to see companies using Welsh at work, but for this to be truly effective, they need to operate in an environment which allows the use of Welsh between businesses, and also between businesses and the government. ii. Highlighting businesses that provide services through the medium of Welsh On a local and personal level, a company that provides services through the medium of Welsh can be attractive. This promotes a network of Welsh communities. For this to succeed, it would be worth highlighting companies that can provide oral or written services through the medium of Welsh. This can be an appropriate target for the Welsh Language Commissioner and also for the language enterprises (Mentrau Iaith), so that information is easily available for customers and businesses about the Welsh language in business. Contacts and trade between Welsh businesses could be promoted by creating a ‘Business to business’ website in Welsh. iii. A free translation service To facilitate the use of Welsh in businesses, it would be good if the Welsh Government or the Welsh Language Commissioner could provide a free translation service for signs and documents. iv. Prominent signs on the doors and windows of businesses and shops All too often, customers are unaware that a business or a shop can provide services through the medium of Welsh. Although signs are available from the Welsh Language Commissioner, there hasn’t been a targeted campaign for their distribution. Also, their purpose is unclear from a distance. These signs should be as 3 prominent as hygiene signs in restaurant windows, and workers should wear clear Welsh badges. This is likely to increase support among Welsh-speakers and add to the value of the Welsh language within the business. Question 2 How could economic development support increased use of the Welsh language? viii. A need for Government leadership Generally, unless a business is located in a relatively Welsh-speaking area, or serves a Welsh audience (e.g. a publishing company), it is unlikely to use Welsh for strictly financial reasons. The Government needs to create an ethos in favour of Welsh by adopting policies in favour of Welsh across areas such as planning, media, education and the economy. Businesses would then be willing to be more Welsh in their ways, and would see that this doesn’t conflict with their self-interest. As a result, using Welsh would develop as the norm, and would not be used as a less desirable exercise. ix. Tendering and procurement processes that support local businesses Broad Welsh Government economic policies (e.g. involving grants, tendering) need to consider the interests of the language. There are many examples of local companies failing to attract business because the authorities claim that their hands are tied due to tendering guidelines received from the Government. Recently, this has involved milk for Carmarthenshire schools, and some time ago, grass-cutting services for Anglesey schools. There is a need to create tendering conditions that overcome the need to attract large companies from further afield. x. Rural economic structure Carter and Aitchison note that there are specific difficulties to be faced whilst developing the economy in areas which are relatively Welsh-speaking. They argue that closing shops, schools, courts, leisure centres, swimming pools and medical services in rural areas weaken the economic viability of rural areas, leading to out- migration amongst the young and people who are economically active, and this in turn makes it difficult for small and medium sized businesses to flourish. (‘Economics rather than rights critical for language survival’, accessed from http://www.clickonwales.org/2013/05/economics-rather-than-rightscritical-for- language-survival/) xi. Planning housing developments wisely Planning for housing must be considered alongside economic planning, because of the economic contribution that arises as a result of building homes, and also because such plans can be a danger to language sustainability if they are 4 disproportionate.