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Last week it was announced that talks have begun to enable the use of the Welsh language, in a limited capacity, at an EU level in some meetings, but negotiations will stop short of making Welsh an official EU language.
The Welsh Assembly Government (Senedd) however, will have to foot the bill for any translations costs incurred, which has led a Labour Member of the European Parliament (MEP) criticising the plan. Eluned Morgan Labour MEP said the money spent by the Senedd on EU translation would be better spent on grass roots initiatives in Wales to promote the language, like creating nursery schools.
Morgan's comments however opened up a language row between the Plaid-Labour coalition government in Caerdydd/Cardiff. It has been argued that failure to promote Welsh at the EU level would rescind on the 'One Wales' coalition deal promise, to "drive forward our efforts to obtain agreement on the use of the Welsh language in specified areas of EU business."
Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans said:
"Giving Welsh an official status at EU level has more than symbolic value. Welsh speakers will be able to communicate with EU institutions in their own language. This is vitally important when it affects so many aspects of our lives."
The Plaid Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, also stated that:
"This is an issue that we've taken up with the Commission because without a doubt we believe that it should be a right for Welsh people to use either of our National languages in correspondence with the European parliament.
"Through the One Wales government Plaid is determined to strengthen the rights of Welsh speakers in all key areas, and communications with the European parliament is one of them. It would also be a great boost to the Welsh language to be actively used at such a high profile and constitutionally important level."
The Celtic League has written to the Secretary of State for Wales to question why, like the languages in the Spanish state, Welsh does not have the backing of the UK in giving the language official EU status.
"The Rt Hon Paul Murphy MP
Secretary of State for Wales
Dear Minister Paul Murphy MP
Official EU status for Welsh
Following the announcement last week that negotiations have begun for the Welsh language to be used, in a limited capacity, at an EU level, I am writing to enquire what the current position of the UK Government is with regard to Welsh becoming an official EU language.
As you will be aware, the Spanish government has given its support for the use of the Basque, Catalan and Galician languages in various spheres at an EU level, giving these languages semi official EU status. Speakers and users of these languages now enjoy EU level linguistic privileges, when communicating with/in EU institutions, that the Welsh language (and Scottish Gaelic and Cornish for that matter) do not. Is the UK Government now prepared to offer the same for Welsh and if not why? Would the UK Government be willing to seek out official EU status for Welsh at an EU level in the future and if so what would this depend on?
We look forward to receiving your answers to these questions.
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League
cc. Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language"
Related article on Celtic languages in the EU at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
06/06/08
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