Welsh language scheme for the national mapping agency

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Ordnance Survey: Welsh language scheme
Wednesday, 05 Jul 2006 14:58

Chance to comment on map maker's bilingual commitments Ordnance Survey
consults on Welsh Language Scheme Ordnance Survey today begins a formal
consultation on its Welsh Language Scheme. The national mapping agency -
known in Welsh as Arolwg Ordnans - launched its scheme in 2001, setting
out its commitment to use Welsh in its products and services in Wales.
Five years on, the scheme is due to be updated and the consultation will
give the people of Wales the chance to have their say. Comments are
invited by 18 August 2006.

Ordnance Survey will prepare a report based on the feedback while seeking
approval for a revised scheme from the Welsh Language Board, the body in
charge of putting the Welsh Language Act 1993 into practice. The Act
established the principle that English and Welsh should be treated on an
equal basis in the conduct of public business in Wales. "We wish to play
our part in a bilingual Wales," says Vanessa Lawrence, Ordnance Survey's
Director General and Chief Executive. "Ordnance Survey has always
recognised the need for effective consultation with those who make use of
our products and services, as this helps improve our knowledge of their
requirements. We believe that Welsh speakers should be able to receive a
full range of services in Welsh - but it is only by receiving feedback
that our scheme will be perfected."

Since adopting its original scheme Ordnance Survey has progressed its
policy of showing more and more bilingual place names and feature
descriptions on both large-scale and small-scale products. Small-scale OS
Landranger Maps and OS Explorer Maps for areas in Wales now have fully
bilingual covers, and digital products, such as the recently launched OS
MasterMap Address Layer 2, are enabled to provide Welsh place name
alternatives. The agency's Welsh Language Helpline - 08456 05 05 04 - is
specifically designed to deal with a range of telephone enquiries in
Welsh. Visitors to the Welsh language website
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/cymraeg can discover more about Ordnance Survey,
including how its geographic information benefits consumers, government
and business. The site includes online resources for journalists and
educational tools for children and teachers.

A copy of the draft scheme document and further information on the work of
Ordnance Survey can be found at www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. A Welsh version
of the document appears on the Welsh site www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/cymraeg
Copies of the draft scheme can also be ordered from John Pugh, Welsh
Assembly Relations Manager, Ordnance Survey, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON,
SO16 4GU.

http://www.politics.co.uk/press-releases/domestic-policy/wales/wales/ordnance-survey-welsh-language-scheme-$444042.htm