Monday, October 29, 2007

Freedom of Speech (is there no Welsh Translation?)

The interviewee asked for anonymity.
He also asked that the interview be conducted up a deserted country-lane.
He was frightened that if his opinion was heard and traced, he would lose his job.
"Right, I've pulled into a quiet country lane. Is it safe to talk about the language here?"

The interviewee in question was a Welsh-speaking public sector worker who was committing the ultimate thought-crime in present-day Wales; he was stating his belief that the Welsh language should no longer be promoted to the extent that it presently is.

At a time when fear is quite obviously preventing open debate on the matter, it's good to see the BBC (for once) trying to present all sides of the story(real player needed).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm an English speaking public servant in Wales and that BBC programme really was a joke. One disgruntled worker and having to go up some lonely road to speak ... what an absolute joke.

The Welsh language is still discriminated against in Wales ... the only grade in our local council that actually has the same % of Welsh speakers as the local population are the dustman ... every other grade and Welsh speakers are way under represented.

I believe that public servants should serve the public ... which in Wales means serving Welsh as well as English speakers ... the truth is that Welsh speakers are shunted to the back of the queue and end up using English in order to get the same service as their neighbours.

O'Neill said...

I'm an English speaking public servant in Wales and that BBC programme really was a joke. One disgruntled worker and having to go up some lonely road to speak ... what an absolute joke.

OK, then, if he had provided the same opinion giving his full name and position, would he have faced any consequences at his place of employment?