[lg policy] Wales: Plaudit For Cardiff Airport Over Language policy

[Harold Schiffman]

Plaudit For Airport Over Language policy

The general secretary (GS) of the Celtic League has written to Cardiff
Airport to congratulate them on their new bilingual Welsh/English
language policy, which he says has “really made the airport stand out”
compared to previously.

At the 2010 AGM in Mannin/Isle of Man delegates unanimously agreed a
resolution relating to the use of the different Celtic languages in
airports in the Celtic countries. The resolution stated:

“This AGM

Notes the general lack of Celtic language signage in airports and
ferry terminals, other than occasional phrases for tourists, and calls
upon all Celtic countries to rectify this.” In his letter, the GS said
that he will be writing to other airports in the Celtic countries
pointing out the Welsh language policy being upheld in Cardiff Airport
in an attempt to share good practice. The full text of the GS letter
can be found below.

info@…
Patrick Duffy
Managing Director
Maes Awyr Caerdydd/Cardiff Airport

24/11/10

Dear Patrick Duffy

Welsh language policy

Early this year I was encouraged, when arriving at Maes Awyr
Caerdydd/Cardiff Airport, to see more of the Welsh language on signs
than I remember seeing previously. This approach has really made the
airport stand out and made me feel immediately at home.

In the past I have written several times pointing out the limited use
of the Welsh language at the airport, which for many visitors to Wales
is their first point of contact to the country. In this respect Maes
Awyr Caerdydd has a very important role to play in showing visitors
that Wales is proud of its cultural and linguistic heritage.

In fact due to the almost embarrassing tokenistic use of the Welsh
language at the airport, I have previously felt discouraged from
flying from the airport on occasion, when with colleagues and friends
from outside of Wales, such has been my strength of feeling over the
issue.

However our members have informed me that it is now the policy of the
airport to replace all of its signs with fully bilingual ones. In
carrying out an internet search I have been pleased to note that your
Welsh language policy is not only constricted to the immediate public
domain of the airport’s premises, but is also incorporated into the
daily life of the airport through its advertising and stationary and
that staff are encouraged to develop and use their Welsh language
skills in their work too.

Many thanks again for having the vision to adopt this far sighted
policy in relation to the Welsh language and I will be writing to
other airports in the Celtic countries to share this good working
practice.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
General Secretary
Celtic League”

For follow-up comment or clarification contact:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

M: 0044(0)7787318666 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting

gensec at celticleague.net

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

24/11/10

http://www.celticleague.net/news/plaudit-for-airport-over-language-policy/

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