At a meeting of some of Cardiff’s leading business people at the Bank of England’s offices in the Bay, the Bank’s Agent for Wales, Sue Camper, had a clear message for business people in Wales. Ms Camper, who is a member of the Welsh Language Board and has herself learnt Welsh, said:
“I truly believe that the rising status of the Welsh language has played a significant part in the vibrancy that we feel all around us in Wales these days. Cardiff is increasingly feeling like a very cosmopolitan, European capital, and I don’t think we should underestimate the role that the visible bilingualism all over the city plays in creating that impression. The language has an important role in the Welsh economy”.
During the meeting, Rhodri Williams, Chairman of the Welsh Language Board, launched one of the Board’s most recent publications, A Guide to Bilingual Design, which offers advice on how to plan and design bilingually in Welsh and English. The new document includes examples of excellent design and offers ideas on how to use both languages in an original and attractive way – and cost-effectively.
A Guide to Bilingual Design |
Thanking Barclays for sponsoring the publication, and presenting the first copy to the bank’s Regional Manager for South Wales, Merfyn Owen, Rhodri Williams noted:
“The Welsh language is an important marketing tool for companies and businesses wishing to expand beyond Wales. Another language can make a huge difference to the profile and success of your company – the language has been a USP for a number of companies – where would Tŷ Nant, Halen Môn and Brecon Carreg be without the language? By using the language, these brands now enjoy an elevated status in niche markets, and sell well outside Wales for a high price.”
Rhodri Williams went on to underline Sue Camper’s message:
“All of us in the world of business in Wales have a responsibility to make more use of Welsh – the language is relevant and important to all of us – every one of us. It is an integral part of our culture and heritage, something which generates interest in our country – and in what we have to offer.”
The Board believes that everyone has a role to play promoting the use of Welsh. Rhodri Williams added:
“It is vitally important that we all realise that the language is not just relevant to the Welsh Language Board, the Assembly’s Culture Committee, west Wales and Welsh speakers. It belongs to every single one of us here in Wales, and its future depends on co-operation. Those of us who can speak it have a responsibility to use it in our everyday lives. Those of us who manage private companies also need to provide opportunities for our customers to use it, encourage our staff to develop their linguistic skills, and make a corporate commitment to developing our organisational use of the language”.