Communities First & Bilingualism: Meeting The Challenge

Transcription

1 Communities First & Bilingualism:

2 Bilingualism: 01 The Welsh Language & Communities First According to Iaith Pawb, a national action plan for a bilingual Wales published by the Welsh Assembly Government, the aim is to create "a truly bilingual nation, by which we mean a country where people can choose to live their lives through the medium of either Welsh or English and where the presence of the two languages is a visible and audible source of pride and strength to us all." But what is the relationship between Iaith Pawb and the Communities First programme? The truth of the matter is that the Communities First programme is crucial to the realization of Iaith Pawb s objectives, and the Welsh Assembly Government is determined to give proper attention to the Welsh language within the programme. According to the 2001 census, more than 580,000 people in Wales more than one fifth of the population (20.8%) are Welsh speakers, and more than 800,000 people more than one in four of the population (28.4%) have some Welsh language skills. The communities with the highest percentages of Welsh speakers tend to be in North West, Mid West and South West Wales. However, there are significant numbers of Welsh speakers in every part of Wales, although the percentages do not always reflect this. There are no electoral wards in Wales where Welsh speakers constitute less than 5% of the population, and the Welsh Assembly Government hopes to see Communities First partnerships responding to the aspirations and needs of Welsh speakers and non-welsh speakers within their communities. The Welsh Assembly Government s strategies in respect of the Welsh language and Communities First are longterm commitments that complement and support each other by encouraging and promoting community strategies and plans. The adoption of bilingualism by local Communities First partnerships will be an effective way of achieving the objectives of the Communities First programme. Language is much more than a communication tool. Language pertains also to matters such as identity, culture and social fabric. As a result, if you wish to reach Welsh speakers, involve them in Communities First activities and ensure their participation whilst aiming to achieve Communities First objectives, one of the best ways of doing so is through the medium of their preferred language. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

3 Bilingualism: 01 The value of using the Welsh language within Communities First Increasing the use of Welsh will be an effective way of achieving Communities First objectives. By operating bilingually, respecting equality of opportunity and ensuring social inclusion, partnerships and projects will be able to: Increase the confidence and self-esteem of Welsh speakers and Welsh-speaking communities Offer opportunities to develop social and vocational skills Contribute to the well-being and quality of life of community members Offer new economic opportunities Improve the quality of public services Promote participation and encourage active citizenship. The six cross-cutting themes of the Communities First programme Increasing the use of Welsh by developing bilingualism within Communities First partnerships and projects can have a direct impact on the six themes that lie at the very heart of the programme. Jobs and business The use of Welsh can benefit businesses in terms of cultural identity or in terms of attracting new customers and creating a new market. Raising the proficiency levels of community members in the Welsh language could benefit their employment prospects. Health and well-being A paucity of opportunities to use Welsh socially can affect the quality of life of older people. The ability to ensure provision for patients of all ages in their preferred language improves the quality of care and can affect their quality of life. Active community Welsh-language voluntary organisations can contribute substantially to the area s social life. The use of Welsh can lead to broader participation within the community. Crime and community safety Language can be a key factor in carrying out educational work with children and in communicating with young people. Language can be vitally important in addressing victims concerns. Education and training Welsh-medium lifelong learning courses can attract more students back into education. Parents may need support in raising their children bilingually. The environment There is very often a link between a community s environment and Welsh-language culture, e.g. place-names, local history and legends. Respecting the natural environment and facilitating Welsh-language opportunities are both key to developing sustainable communities. This series of information leaflets provides advice on specific matters concerning the development of bilingualism and increasing the use of Welsh within Communities First partnerships and projects. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

4 Bilingualism: An Introduction to Language Profiles 02 What is a language profile? Language profiles, both individually and as part of a broader community audit, can aid the assessment of a community s linguistic nature, i.e. the mapping of language patterns and tendencies within a specific geographical area. By gathering information on Welshlanguage provision and the use of Welsh locally, it becomes possible to reach Welsh-speaking individuals and Welsh-language networks, involve them in Communities First programmes, and benefit from their participation in Communities First projects while also strengthening the Welsh language on a community level. Why create a language profile? According to the 2001 census, there are no electoral divisions in Wales where Welsh speakers constitute less than 5% of the population. However, the needs of Welsh speakers are very often neglected and ignored because Welsh-language networks can sometimes be invisible. This in turn can lead to the misconception that there are no Welsh speakers within a specific area and no demand therefore for Welsh-language provision. A comprehensive language profile produces an accurate and complete picture of the situation in terms of language, and it provides invaluable assistance to those who make use of its findings when formulating community development plans. It is a means of ensuring that projects acknowledge, respect and provide for members of the two main language communities in Wales. How to create a language profile? The Mentrau Iaith (Language Initiatives) are valuable sources of advice. Many of them will have experience of creating language profiles, and each one will be able to offer advice on reaching Welsh-language organisations and networks locally. Census statistics will provide you with bare figures regarding the number of Welsh speakers in the area, but you will need to be more creative in your approach to gathering information about language skills and patterns of language use. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

5 Bilingualism: 02 You should consider the use of questionnaires, interviews with individuals and community/voluntary/commercial organisations, public meetings, focus groups, consulting educational institutions etc. The type of information you need will include: The number and percentage of Welsh speakers by ward and community council, including fluent speakers and those with varying Welsh language skills; Demographic details of Welsh speakers age, gender, social class, work etc; The number and nature of specific Welsh-medium and bilingual social and religious groups in the area; The broader social patterns of Welsh speakers e.g. societies, organisations, social centres with a high percentage of Welshspeaking members or participants; The pattern of Welsh-medium Early Years Education provision locally e.g. Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, local authority provision, development projects; The number of children attending Welsh-medium or bilingual schools; The number of Welsh for Adults classes and their student numbers; Local and national media scope, provision and use. Following completion of the language profile You should bear in mind that creating the language profile is merely the starting point. The findings will serve no purpose whatsoever if left to gather dust on an office shelf. The next step involves making use of the information to create a work programme that will: Increase the confidence of Welsh speakers and learners in using the Welsh language so that they are able to participate fully in the regeneration of their communities; Raise awareness of the Welsh language and the culture associated with the language within the community, with the aim of ensuring that the Welsh language is seen and heard increasingly in the area; Create more opportunities for Welsh speakers and learners to be able to use the Welsh language. Welsh speakers are more likely to participate in the Communities First work programme if the Welsh language is given its due place within it, because they will feel that the scheme respects and acknowledges their language, that it is inclusive and that it is relevant to them. They will feel a sense of ownership of the scheme. This leaflet is merely a summary of various aspects concerning language profiles. For full details of the process of creating a language profile, you should refer to Creating a Community Language Profile produced by Menter a Busnes and Cwmni Iaith for the Communities First Support Network. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

6 Bilingualism: 03 Developing a Bilingual Website www. One of the initial points of contact between members of the community and a Communities First partnership will very often be the website. Most people are aware of the importance of having an attractive, useful and user-friendly website, but have you ever considered having a website that will manage to achieve these aims using the two official languages of Wales? A summary is provided below of some of the basic principles and good practice that should be taken into account before embarking on such a project: Website address If your organisation has a bilingual title, why not have website addresses in both languages e.g. and with each address leading to a homepage in the corresponding language or leading to an entirely bilingual homepage that subsequently offers users a language choice? Flashpage or homepage If you are creating a bilingual homepage, or a flashpage that will lead to your homepage, you should aim to ensure that both languages are treated equally in terms of content and design. You should also aim to offer users a language choice that will lead them to a Welsh section or an English section on your website. If you are creating separate homepages in Welsh and English, you should again ensure that they are equal in terms of layout and content. You should also ensure that they offer a language choice that will direct the user to the corresponding homepage in the other language. Offering language choice Users should be provided with a language choice on every page by means of a button marked Cymraeg or English that will direct them to the corresponding page in that particular language. The language choice button should not direct the user back to the homepage. This would make life awkward and difficult for those wishing to see pages in both languages from time to time. The language choice button should be in a prominent and convenient location, at the top of each page maybe. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

7 Bilingualism: 03 Plain Welsh and English A website serves no purpose unless it is seen, read, understood and used. This applies to the translation as well as the original text. You should aim to ensure that plain Welsh and plain English are used on websites and you should aim to avoid clumsy and literal translations. Information leaflet 5 in this series, "Working with a Translator", provides advice and guidance on translating material into Welsh or English. Proof-reading When the text of a website has been translated, designed and typeset, it is important to proofread the material before uploading it on to the website or going live. This will ensure that the final version of the website is entirely accurate in both languages and will iron out any errors that may have occurred during the design process. Ideally, the individual responsible for translating the text would be best placed to proof-read the translation of the website. Please refer to information leaflet 5 in this series for further details. Accents Most computer fonts and typefaces are now able to deal with Welsh accents (e.g. the circumflex accent: â, ê, î, ô, w, ^ ^y). It is important to ensure that your website displays all accents correctly. This highlights yet again the importance of proofreading the material once your website has been typeset and designed. Specific software is available to assist you in this respect. Designers can obtain specialist advice from the Welsh Language Board. Updating material If changes need to be made or information needs to be added to your website, whether this involves updating material or adding news stories, you should aim to introduce the updates and upload the changes on to the website in both languages simultaneously to ensure equality in terms of content. Suitability for visuallyimpaired people The RNIB has produced guidelines on designing material suitable for visually-impaired people. Matters needing consideration may include the colours and font sizes to be used, page layout etc. You should refer to these guidelines and also ensure that any measures implemented in one language are implemented in the other as Welsh speakers and non-welsh speakers have visual impairments. Publications library You should state in which language/languages publications are available and provide details of the size, format and downloading time of each file. Document titles should not be translated into Welsh/English unless they are available in that particular language. If you wish to produce a truly bilingual website, you should always strive towards the core principle of equality in terms of content and design. Full details are available in the publications section of the Welsh Language Board s website. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

8 Bilingualism: Bilingual Design & Corporate Identity 04 When designing a piece of work, you should remember to take both languages into consideration from the outset. The individual responsible for producing the work and the designer responsible for typesetting the work should be aware of the fact that Welsh and English will be treated equally. You should take both languages into account when designing a logo and visual images or when choosing a strapline or a slogan for a campaign or a project. Translation It is essential to ensure that all translations are of a high standard and that all documents are proof-read. This will allow you to avoid unnecessary errors that can be embarrassing and expensive to rectify. Guidelines on "Working with a Translator" are provided in the fifth information leaflet in this series. Layout Bilingual material can be designed using a number of different layouts, and some are more appropriate for specific purposes than others: Parallel columns both languages are presented side by side on the same page Parallel pages both languages are presented side by side on different pages Block by block for every block of material in one language there will be a corresponding block of material in the other language on the same page Top and bottom the page is divided into two halves with one language in the top half and the other language in the bottom half Back to back one language is presented on one side of a sheet and the other language is presented on the reverse Tilt and turn the cover and the material can be seen in one language when the document is held in an upright position and can be seen in the other language when the document is flipped over Consecutive the complete versions appear one after the other. A full list of the advantages and disadvantages of the above layouts is available on the Welsh Language Board s website. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

9 Bilingualism: 04 Language separation The reader needs to be able to distinguish between both languages regardless of the chosen layout. This can be achieved by using different colours, shadings, fonts and typefaces. Further information regarding this subject is available in A guide to bilingual design which can be found in the publications section of the Welsh Language Board s website. Use and applications It is possible to apply these design principles and tips to all aspects of your everyday work e.g. internal and external signage, information on vehicles, stationery, business cards, short documents, leaflets, forms, lengthy publications, invoices, order forms, exhibition material, advertisements, packaging and so on. By planning bilingualism carefully, it is possible to produce attractive material that is easy to read in both languages, which will reinforce the bilingual and inclusive ethos of your partnership. You should bear in mind that producing and publishing materials in two languages does not double the cost. In fact, it would be considerably more expensive to publish monolingual material at the outset and publish the same material in another language at a later date. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

10 Bilingualism: Working with a Translator 05 Translating written material into Welsh and providing simultaneous translation facilities in meetings and conferences are important steps you can take to strengthen the bilingual image and the appeal of your organisation. It is important to know how to find a competent translator or translation agency who will be able to complete the work for you in a professional manner. Translation both written and simultaneous is a specialist skill. Therefore, you should bear in mind that individuals within your organisation who happen to be able to speak Welsh will not necessarily be able to undertake translation work, nor will they necessarily feel comfortable doing so. In fairness to these individuals, you should avoid asking them for help every time material needs to be translated. You should try to ensure that the translation schedule is incorporated within the broader administration schedule so that translation work does not become a last minute hitch. Mentrau Iaith In some areas, your local Menter Iaith (Language Initiative) will be able to translate short items such as posters, tickets, signs and leaflets. Some Mentrau Iaith also employ community translators who have special rates for voluntary sector organisations and who are able to provide both written and simultaneous translation services. Other Mentrau Iaith will be able to provide simultaneous translation equipment on loan and put you in touch with local translators. You should contact your local Menter Iaith for full details of the exact services on offer and the relevant fees. A list of the full contact details of every Menter Iaith in Wales can be found on LinkLine to Welsh The Welsh Language Board offers a translation and editing service over the phone for short pieces of work. The LinkLine to Welsh is available on should you need to translate up to 30 words or edit up to 75 words. The service is available between 9.00am and 5.00pm from Monday to Friday. This service also provides general advice on issues regarding bilingualism and is therefore a very useful resource. The service is free of charge except, of course, for the cost of the call. Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru (The Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters) Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru is a professional association which represents and accredits translators. The Association's website address is and it provides lists of its members according to geographical area. There are two levels of membership basic membership and full membership and they indicate the translator s experience level. Basic membership indicates that an individual is able to translate under supervision whilst full membership indicates that the translator is qualified to work independently without supervision. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

11 Bilingualism: 05 Other points to consider It is always worth nominating an individual to liaise between your organisation and the translator, to discuss rates and terms of payment and to agree a completion date for the work. The nominated individual could also act as a point of contact for the translator should any questions or queries arise regarding the content of the work during the translation process. Translators fees are usually based on a fixed rate per thousand words. When sending work to a translator via , you should always phone the translator to check that the work has arrived safely and that any attachments are intact and readable. is usually the most convenient and reliable method of sending and receiving written work. You should ensure that the translator understands the context of every piece of work and you should inform the translator of any Welsh terms used previously by your organisation for example, a campaign slogan or specialist vocabulary as this will ensure consistency. You should consult your translator about the software that he/she will be using in order to ensure that it is compatible with your own systems. Using the services of a translator to proof-read Welsh documents can save time and money in the long term. It is usually more convenient for the individual who was responsible for the original translation to read the proofs, but there may be an additional fee for doing so. When agreeing terms and conditions in advance with the translator, you should discuss what exactly is included in the price: translation work only or translation and proof-reading. If you are employing a simultaneous translator for a meeting or a conference, you should ensure that copies of written documents are forwarded to the translator beforehand e.g. minutes, reports, presentations, agendas or supplementary documents. You should ensure that your staff are aware of the need to allow sufficient time in the administration schedule for the translation of written material into Welsh. You should ensure that translation work does not become an issue that is addressed at the end of the process of producing a document. Welsh and English should be considered side by side throughout the production process. Ultimately, a translation of a document serves no purpose unless it is read and understood by Welsh speakers. Therefore, it is vitally important to ensure that the translation is of the best possible quality and standard. This can be achieved by using plain Welsh and by working with Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru and competent translators. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

12 Bilingualism: Organising Bilingual Events 06 If you are considering organising an event in the name of a local Communities First partnership, why not make an effort to ensure that the occasion gives equal consideration to both Welsh and English? Generating a bilingual tone is a means of acknowledging and reflecting the bilingual nature of Wales, and acknowledging the Welsh speakers in your area. It also demonstrates an inclusive approach involving members of the two main language communities. The nature of the occasion will influence the exact measures you are able to take to generate a bilingual tone. Social / Informal events Any social and informal activities should derive naturally from the wishes of the local community. If you are serious about reflecting the linguistic nature of the community, you should think of measures that could be taken to ensure that the Welsh language is seen and heard in your activities. Your local Menter Iaith will be able to give you advice and assistance in relation to many of the following elements: If a concert or a musical event is being organised, consider hiring Welsh as well as English bands. Organise activities that encourage a broader appreciation and understanding of the Welsh language and the culture associated with the language. Try to foster closer relationships with organisations, social groups and clubs that operate through the medium of Welsh locally. Organise a competition with the local school to design promotional material or a bilingual poster for one of your activities. Make sure that the messages on banners, and any additional promotional material such as balloons, are bilingual. Try to ensure that speeches and verbal announcements are delivered in both languages. Promoting the event You should promote the event bilingually to demonstrate from the outset that the event is relevant to Welsh speakers and non-welsh speakers alike. You should give consideration to both languages when discussing posters, programmes, entrance tickets, exhibition material, printed advertisements (using local papurau bro (Welsh community newspapers) and Welsh-language papers) and radio interviews (arranging for a Welsh speaker to use Welsh/bilingual radio stations to spread the word). Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

13 Bilingualism: 06 Formal events meetings and conferences If you intend to hold a formal meeting and want to make sure that the event is bilingual and inclusive, you could consider taking some additional measures. If you are arranging childcare, inquire about the children s language needs. Use both languages to welcome people to the meeting/ conference. Make sure that all materials are available in both languages (display boards, banners, stage signs, slogans, badges, welcome packs, agendas, reports, minutes, supplementary documents, PowerPoint presentations and so on). Ensure that the meeting is chaired through the medium of Welsh or bilingually wherever possible. Make sure that the chairperson supports and encourages the use of both languages. [Please refer to information leaflet 7, "Holding & Chairing Bilingual Meetings", for further details] Think of ways to facilitate bilingual workshops without the need for formal translation resources. Make sure that at least one of the main speakers delivers his/her speech through the medium of Welsh. Arrange the provision of simultaneous translation equipment and a translator if necessary. It is sometimes possible to assess translation needs in advance by asking people to indicate their preferred language on registration forms by including a simple question such as "Would you like to contribute to the meeting through the medium of Welsh?". [Please refer to information leaflet 5, "Working with a Translator", for guidance on how to find a translator and equipment] Send copies of all written documents to the translator a day or two in advance. You should bear in mind that your aim is to create an environment where people feel comfortable enough to be able to contribute in their preferred language. Normalizing the use of Welsh in formal meetings both visually and verbally helps to generate an inclusive environment, and strengthens and reinforces the bilingual ethos of your partnership. If the partnership is regarded as an organisation that operates through the medium of English, Welsh speakers who attend its meetings will feel that they are not encouraged to use the language. They may feel that they have to contribute through the medium of English for their comments to be taken seriously and for their contributions to have any credibility. On the other hand, they may decide to stop contributing completely in meetings or to stop attending the partnership s events. Hearing Welsh being spoken on the stage or being spoken by a chairperson highlights the status of the language within a meeting or a conference. Furthermore, using the Welsh language for a relatively powerful purpose makes it easier for others to use the language and gives the language a certain prominence and validity that it would not otherwise enjoy during a meeting. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

14 Bilingualism: Holding & Chairing Bilingual Meetings 07 After finalising the arrangements for a bilingual meeting and bringing everyone together in a committee room or a conference hall [see information leaflet 6, "Organising Bilingual Events"], you should bear in mind that this is simply the first step in the process of holding and chairing a bilingual meeting. It is essential to ensure that all those present feel that they are given encouragement and support to use their preferred language. There is no need to translate from English into Welsh because listening to other people s contributions involves a passive skill whereas actually making a contribution involves an active skill. Translating visual material and hiring simultaneous translation equipment and a translator are insufficient measures by themselves. You will need to take further steps to ensure that both Welsh and English are seen and heard in every aspect of the meeting. This is the way to raise participation levels and ensure that the comments and aspirations of Welsh speakers and non-welsh speakers within the community and the partnership are heard. The chairperson The chairperson has an enormous influence on the way a meeting is run, and it is the chairperson who will ultimately define and maintain the linguistic tone of a meeting and create its inclusive atmosphere. The chairperson is in fact the key to the occasion s success as a truly bilingual meeting regardless of whether the meeting is chaired through the medium of Welsh or English. The chairperson could consider implementing the following suggestions: Use both languages to welcome the delegates. Draw people s attention to the availability of translation equipment. Explain that this equipment allows non-welsh speakers to understand contributions made through the medium of Welsh. Explain how the equipment works by drawing attention to the volume control button and the channel number on the headphones. Highlight the importance of listening to contributions made through the medium of Welsh by explaining matters concerning equal rights i.e. refusing to wear headphones and deliberately refusing to listen to a translation of a contribution made in Welsh is tantamount to disregarding somebody s comments on the basis of his/her preferred language. In other words, an individual who displays such behaviour is discriminating against another individual on the basis of his/her language. Welcome the translator and test the equipment. Ensure that no one is experiencing any problems with the equipment. Remind everyone to return their headphones at the end of the meeting. Ask whether all those who will not be able to understand contributions made through the medium of Welsh have been given headphones. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

15 Bilingualism: 07 Emphasise that the organisation, as a bilingual body, is eager to ensure that Welsh speakers and learners feel confident enough to contribute to the meeting in their preferred language. Chair the meeting through the medium of Welsh wherever possible, or Explain as chairperson that he/she cannot speak Welsh but that he/she is eager to hear the language being spoken during the meeting. Make sure that at least one of the main speakers delivers his/her speech through the medium of Welsh. Use the table mat produced by Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru (The Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters) which lists good practice for chairpersons. Continue to regularly encourage individuals to use Welsh during the meeting. By following these guidelines, the chairperson will have taken significant steps towards facilitating access and expression in a meeting or a conference. Due to practical reasons or reasons relating to cost, it may not always be possible to provide a translation service in every workshop or discussion group forming part of a conference. In such cases, consideration could be given to other options that would facilitate contributions through the medium of Welsh. Occasionally, the chairperson of a particular session could attempt to translate and summarise contributions made through the medium of Welsh; workshops could be organised on the basis of language choice; or some sessions could be repeated using translation equipment if there is sufficient time. You should bear in mind that you do not need to arrange the provision of translation equipment every time. Paying a translator to sit through a meeting with nothing to do is a highly inefficient way of using a partnership s resources. If everyone speaks Welsh, or if no one intends to contribute through the medium of Welsh, paying for equipment and a translator is a waste of resources. It is possible to assess translation needs by including a simple question on the registration form such as "Would you like to contribute to the meeting through the medium of Welsh?". If the meeting is open to members of the community and if there is no need to register in advance, you should try to arrange the provision of simultaneous translation equipment. Undoubtedly, the best way to ensure that contributions from the floor are made through the medium of Welsh is to ensure that the language is used on the stage or by the chairperson. This normalizes the use of Welsh and makes it easier for contributors to use the language. It is not always possible to ensure that a meeting is chaired through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. However, as demonstrated by the above guidelines, a non-welsh speaking chairperson can take specific measures to increase participation levels through the medium of Welsh as well as English and to convey and reinforce the message that both languages are treated equally within the meeting and the partnership. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

16 Bilingualism: 08 Involving Welsh-language Networks Seeking to reach and involve various networks at a local level is crucial to the objectives of Communities First partnerships. Diversity can involve a vast number of different elements ranging from ethnic background to religion, ability/disability etc. For the purposes of this leaflet, we will be focusing on the language element and examining how to reach Welsh speakers and learners within Welsh-language networks and how to include them in the partnership s activities and benefit from their participation. Why? For the partnership, the advantages of involving Welshlanguage networks and ensuring the participation of Welsh speakers include the following: How? To ensure that the partnership and its activities appeal to networks of Welsh speakers, consider how you should send the correct signals to those networks: Visual signals Does the partnership have a bilingual name and image? Do you have bilingual promotional material? Is the partnership s website available in both Welsh and English? [Please refer also to information leaflets 3 and 4 in this series, "Developing a Bilingual Website" and "Bilingual Design & Corporate Identity"] The ability to be more inclusive and to be more representative of society The ability to respond more appropriately to the needs of the local community The ability to attract more volunteers and users The ability to benefit from ideas suggested by people from different backgrounds. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

17 Bilingualism: 08 Relevance Are you acknowledging the community s language needs and are you providing appropriate material? Are you able to deal with members of the community in both languages? Are you providing a language choice with any services on offer? Are you holding meetings bilingually? [Please refer also to information leaflets 2, 6 and 7 in this series, "An Introduction to Language Profiles", "Organising Bilingual Events", "Holding & Chairing Bilingual Meetings"] Proactive involvement Consider the possibility of networking with local Welshlanguage groups and giving (Welsh) presentations to them, e.g. Urdd Gobaith Cymru, chapels and churches, schools, choirs, Merched y Wawr, language centres etc. Take a display to Welshlanguage events. Use the Welsh-language press and media especially the papurau bro (Welsh community newspapers), Radio Cymru, local radio stations, Golwg, Y Cymro, S4C etc. Your local Menter Iaith (Language Initiative) could provide you with a great deal of assistance in this respect. Involving people Try to identify local individuals and organisations who could liaise between the partnership and local Welsh-language networks. Work with Welsh-speaking individuals and Welsh-language organisations that are already active within the partnership. Try to involve Welsh-language groups in any projects or events that are organised, giving consideration to both languages from the outset. Adapting Change the internal culture of the partnership to reflect your aspirations and your commitment to bilingualism. This may involve assessing your recruitment and appointment procedures, your capacity to operate bilingually on an internal as well as an external level, and your use of Welshlanguage information technology. [Please refer also to information leaflets 9 and 10 in this series, "The Welsh Language & Employment" and "The Welsh Language & Information Technology"] For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

18 Bilingualism: The Welsh Language & Employment 09 For any organisation to be able to successfully implement the requirements of bilingualism, it needs to have a sufficient number of Welsh speakers amongst its staff. It may sound like a statement of the obvious, but an organisation with some bilingual staff will find it easier to meet requirements relating to bilingualism than an organisation with no bilingual staff whatsoever. The following guidelines are equally relevant to both staff and volunteers within your partnership. Welsh as a skill Assuming that knowledge of Welsh is an additional skill, you will see that your staff display varying levels of proficiency in different aspects of the language. It is by no means a simple matter of being able or unable to speak Welsh; it concerns various skills within the language spectrum. You could try to match existing skills with requirements and duties in job descriptions e.g. a requirement to perform front-line duties, answer the phone, work with local Welsh-language groups and so on. Recruitment and appointment procedures When the time comes to fill certain vacancies, you could consider whether you would like to advertise for an individual who has the skill and the ability to communicate in both languages and whether that skill or ability should be desirable or essential. You will have identified the need to have knowledge of Welsh as a skill amongst many other skills on the basis of need so that the requirement cannot be misconstrued as racial discrimination. It is important to have objective, consistent and fair recruitment procedures that adhere to good practice. When advertising a post and appointing staff, you should ensure that any requirements reflect the skill requirements of the post concerned. Assessing the language needs of the organisation Consider the extent to which the holder of a particular post is expected to perform front-line duties. To what extent does the post-holder need to perform those duties bilingually? Is it necessary to be able to write and produce material in both languages? Are these skills desirable or essential in your opinion? Remember that the aim is to assess the post, not the current post-holder. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

19 Bilingualism: 09 At the same time, you should conduct an audit of the language skills of your staff and volunteers speaking skills, writing skills, ability and so on. Then compare the results that relate to posts with those that relate to skills already present within your organisation. If the exercise identifies any gaps in terms of bilingual provision, your organisation could consider the options that a training strategy would offer in order to close the gaps that prevent you from providing services through the medium of Welsh and English. Such options could include: Providing language awareness training; Improving the use of existing language skills within the current workforce and ensuring that those who have skills in both Welsh and English occupy the most suitable posts e.g. posts which involve regular contact with the public and members of the community; Offering language improvement courses for staff who may have lost confidence in their knowledge of Welsh, who are not accustomed to using Welsh in the workplace, or who have not made any use of Welsh since their schooldays; Offering Welsh courses to staff who are eager to learn a new skill from the beginning. Of course, it will be more difficult to implement some of the above recommendations in a relatively small organisation as one would expect the range of different skills to be more limited amongst a small number of staff and volunteers. Some members of staff may wish to improve their skills by means of language learning courses and language improvement courses, but you should also remember that some may not wish to do so. Their wishes must be respected, and no individual should be forced to attend a language course against his/her wishes. Similarly, Welsh speakers should not be moved to other posts within the organisation against their wishes in order to meet the requirements of bilingualism. You should bear in mind that any review should be carried out in an open and sensitive manner. Ensure that the staff are aware of what you are aiming to achieve by conducting such a review as this will allay any feelings of anxiety, suspicion or anger. No member of staff should feel threatened or disadvantaged as a result of any staffing reviews or policies. It is fundamentally a matter of equality, and it should always be possible to gain the support of your staff if a review is conducted in an appropriate manner. [With thanks to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action who provided much of this information.] For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk

20 Bilingualism: The Welsh Language & Information Technology 10 If your partnership is intent on making greater use of Welsh both internally and externally, there are several software packages that would allow members of staff who are Welsh learners or speakers to use the language on their computers. Existing software includes Welshlanguage interfaces for the most popular systems, language improvement packages and spellchecking packages. This leaflet provides a summary of existing products but has not necessarily been designed to provide an exhaustive list of all the Welsh-language Information Technology packages that are on the market. Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Windows XP Thanks to a collaborative effort by the Welsh Language Board and Microsoft, with specialist support provided by Draig, Cymen and Canolfan Bedwyr, it is now possible to have a Welshlanguage interface for Office 2003 and Windows XP. This will allow you to use the following applications in Welsh: Internet Explorer, Excel 2003, Word 2003, Outlook 2003, PowerPoint 2003 and Control Panel. You can download the software free of charge by visiting cymruwales cymruwales or by contacting the Welsh Language Board for a CD that contains the software. To Bach Draig Technology Ltd. has developed a package that makes it easier to type Welsh characters and accents on a keyboard. The To Bach utility can be downloaded free of charge from the Draig Technology website by visiting The website also includes details of more of the company s products. Google The search engine offers interfaces in a number of languages including Welsh. Go to the website, click on Preferences and choose the Welsh-language interface. Canolfan Bedwyr, The University of Wales Bangor Canolfan Bedwyr has developed a number of useful Information Technology resources. Samples of these resources can be downloaded free of charge for a specific trial period, and you can then buy copies of them in Welsh shops or by contacting the centre. www. Developing : Bilingualism CONTINUED

21 Bilingualism: 10 Cysgliad A comprehensive software package that includes: CySill 3 A Welsh spellchecker and grammar checker and a Welsh thesaurus. Cysgeir A comprehensive Welsh and English dictionary that also includes specialist terminology dictionaries: Y Termiadur Ysgol (ACCAC) Standardized terminology for the schools of Wales A Dictionary of Archaeological Terms in English and Welsh Social Work and Social Care Terms Environment Agency Wales Terms Terms for Health Promotion Child and Adolescent Mental Health Terms Dictionary of Finance Terms An English-Welsh Dictionary of Nursing and Midwifery Terms. Welsh-language Free Software OpenOffice.org (a series of programmes similar to Microsoft Office) that includes a Welsh spellchecker A Welsh version of the Mozilla navigator To Bach software that makes it easier to type Welsh characters and accents. Cysgliad is suitable for Windows 98 / NT / 2000 / ME / XP. Other Packages: Cymarfer (A version for the workplace and a version for colleges). Core and Advanced packages are available. These are interactive language improvement packages for Welsh speakers and learners writing Welsh at work or studying at colleges and universities. Full details of Canolfan Bedwyr s software packages can be obtained by visiting the following website: meddalwedd.php. By using Welsh and English software in your office, you are creating an inclusive environment that gives both languages respect and status in the workplace. The normalization of the use of Welsh in the field of Information Technology will ensure that members of your staff have the appropriate resources to enable them to work through the medium of both languages. For further information please contact Menter a Busnes on or llyr@menterabusnes.co.uk 365 Graphics