Welsh Want Welsh

From the BBC:

"Welsh language plan for services unveiled by commissioner Meri Huws"

Welsh speakers would be able to access fully bilingual public services if new plans outlined for the language are given the go-ahead. The Welsh language commissioner has launched a consultation into standards which public sector bodies and some companies would have to follow. It means a Welsh speaker could expect to receive correspondence and phone calls in Welsh, along with accessing Welsh-speaking doctors and carers. Firms not complying would be fined. A Welsh Language Measure, which came into force last year, set a duty on public organisations to treat the Welsh language no less favourably than English.

Welsh services to be provided:

• Correspondence - a Welsh speaker could expect to receive letters and bills from councils, along with water, gas, electricity and mobile phone companies in Welsh.
• Telephone calls, helplines and call centres - if ringing an organisation, a person will be entitled to speak to someone through the medium of Welsh.
• Care for individuals (medical and / or non-medical) - a Welsh speaker would have the right to request to be seen by a Welsh-speaking doctor. Similarly, in care homes, a person would be able to have a Welsh-speaking carer.
• Meeting in a legal environment - court cases, tribunals and inquiries would be heard through the medium of Welsh.
• Public meetings and private meetings - these too would need to provide Welsh speakers or translation services.
• Youth activities - council-run leisure centres and youth clubs would be obliged to offer services in Welsh.
• Educational meetings - Welsh would be used in classes, lectures, tutorials, discussion groups, workshops, training sessions and awareness raising sessions.

It is understood that it would be at least 2013 before any enforcement of the standards would come into effect.

^ It seems only fair that people in Wales who speak Welsh should be allowed to use the language to get services. Welsh and English have the same standard in Wales and both languages should be used for all public services. It's not like in Quebec where French is officially more important than English. Unlike the Quebecois, the  Welsh see the need to keep English as it is the only international language as well as protect their traditional language (Welsh.) ^

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18103982