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A member of the Catalan government told Welsh Member's of Parliament this week that business had nothing to fear from the introduction of legislation in Wales that would strengthen the position of the Welsh language.
Bernat Joan i Mari, who is the Secretary for Language Policy in the Catalan Government, was speaking to Westminster's Welsh Affairs Select Committee, who are considering whether to give the Welsh Assembly the power to update the 1993 Welsh Language Act. A new language act for Wales is likely to extend into the private sector, which has given rise to the concerns of businesses in Wales that they could incur higher costs. Currently the 1993 act only covers the public sector.
However, using examples from Catalonia, Joan i Mari argued that although businesses in Catalonia were initially fearful too, now the feeling has changed so much that "no one avoids Catalonia because of the language". Joan i Mari added that despite wide ranging Catalan language powers, covering "all bodies, companies and establishments open to the public", there has been little business backlash. The Catalan language is spoken by approximately 68% of the population within Catalan territory.
The Welsh Affairs Select Committee is due to publish its report this summer and a vote is expected to take place on the recommendations in the House of Commons and House of Lords in the autumn.
Last month (March 2009), the Celtic League submitted its own report to the same Welsh Affairs Select Committee, but - due to Westminster rules - have not been permitted to publish its content. Next month (Saturday 16th May) Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg - The Welsh Language Society, is holding a rally on the issue under the title, `Our Right to a Comprehensive Language Measure: Transfer full powers for the Welsh Language to Wales' outside the Senedd, in Cardiff Bay at 2pm. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg are asking for supporters to to donate £20 to take out a full page advert in the Western Mail advertising the rally. All donors of £20 received before 30th April will get their name printed on the advert and shown to be a sponsor.
Links Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (voir le site)
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
23/04/09
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