Many businesses in Wales already use Welsh. Research* shows that most customers appreciate this, and that they think it is important that businesses in Wales use the Welsh language. The Investing in Welsh Mark makes it easy for businesses to show that they respect their customers in Wales, and helps businesses draw attention to the ways in which they support the Welsh language.
Why participate in the Investing in Welsh scheme?
If your business already uses Welsh, the Investing in Welsh scheme will help you to promote that.
If your business does not use Welsh at the moment, the Investing in Welsh scheme will help you make a start. It doesn’t mean that you have to do everything bilingually, and it doesn’t mean that you have to have bilingual staff. Your business can use the scheme as a first step, then build up its use of Welsh over time. Your staff and customers will be proud that your business is supporting the precious language and culture of Wales.
What other benefits are there to the scheme?
Virtually all of the 600,000 people who can speak Welsh will be pleased to see that your business is backing the Welsh language. But it is not their language alone. Independent research* shows that the overwhelming majority people in Wales are proud of the Welsh language, and that they think it is important that businesses use it. Although only 1 in 5 people in Wales speak Welsh, more than 4 in 5 support the language.
How will it help my business?
- Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers alike will be able to see that your business respects the language
- Your customers will associate Welsh language services and products which have bilingual packaging with higher quality, which is what independent research shows. Market leaders know this and in many sectors they are leading the way in expanding the use of Welsh
- Registering for the scheme will tell your customers – existing and new – that your business reaches the highest of standards
To see a list of all the businesses who have already registered on the Investing in Welsh scheme, go to List of Businesses.
For more information, browse through the links on the right.
Register for the Investing in Welsh scheme
For full details of the scheme, read the Investing in Welsh handbook.
If your business can commit to the scheme and the Ten Commitments, send an e-mail to business@byig-wlb.org.uk and we will contact you. Or phone 029 2087 8000 and we will be happy to discuss the scheme with you.
*Beaufort Research on behalf of the Welsh Language Board, November 2008.