Welsh and Basque

This article published by Welsh OnLine tells us about how the Basque initiatives to rescue and strengthen Euskara (the Basque language) are an inspiration to other peoples defending their own languages, in this case, Welsh.

Here you have it:

Spanish example holds the key to the future of Welsh

Nov 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

Wales must learn lessons from the Basque country when it comes to ensuring the survival of Welsh, argues Catrin Dafydd of language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg

THERE is no doubt that the next few months will have a far-reaching effect on the future of the Welsh language. Of course, there is no use discussing the Welsh language as a stand-alone figure in the corner of the pub. When we talk about languages, we talk about people and communities.

The One Wales Assembly Government is about to publish a draft Legislative Competency Order (LCO) that will show us possible legislative scenarios Welsh could face over the coming years.

And while legislation alone cannot change the situation, it can help ensure the future of a minority language in a globalised world.

A delegation from Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg recently visited the Basque country to see what people there are doing to keep their language alive.

Of all minority languages, the Basque language – or Euskara – has most in common with Welsh. There are about 600,000 Euskara-speakers in a country with a population of about three million.

From the moment you land in Bilbao, you notice a stark linguistic contrast to our own situation, with visual examples of stronger language legislation – bilingual signs are the norm and the co-operative supermarket chain Eroski provides own-brand packaging with instructions in up to five languages.

You are quickly made aware of the fact that in Euskadi – the autonomous community of the Basque country – citizens have a legal right to use the language in the public and (more recently) private and voluntary sectors. Because of this, companies such as EMUN have been set up to assist all kinds of private companies as they develop effective responses to language rights.

Companies are awarded certificates to show customers that staff are able to provide services in Euskara.

Moreover, the Observatory of Linguistic Rights provides a free phone service allowing people to log complaints when these rights are infringed. The complaints are then catalogued and presented to the government.

Lawyers working on behalf of Euskara Kultur Eskargoa are also responsible for representing Basque-speakers in courts of law. A system of defending peoples’ linguistic rights is an alien concept for us in Wales – currently we can only use Welsh in the courts under fairly limited circumstances.

Kontseilua is an umbrella group of 45 societies and institutions which campaign on linguistic matters. Most of these groups are indirectly funded by public money, yet they are happy to challenge and criticise government policy where necessary in order to promote the normalisation of the Basque language.

The government acts as a champion, not only passing legislation, but also taking responsibility to ensure it is implemented. There is a dialogue between institutions and government, in a country where the fact that independent bodies are ready to offer a critique of the linguistic legislative system is welcomed.

Back in Wales, we seem to be lagging behind other European nations in terms of language legislation. It is high time we redressed the balance between voluntary efforts to promote Welsh and the need for statutory guidance. The length and breadth of the LCO will show us just what the One Wales Government has in store. Will it create the necessary legislative conditions for Welsh language to thrive or will its growth be stunted once more?

The people of Wales should scrutinise the LCO for three things: that the Order allows Welsh to be recognised as an official language; that a commissioner is established to defend linguistic rights; and, most importantly, that it grants specific rights for anyone who chooses to use Welsh on a daily basis at work, at home, at school, at the shops or wherever.

Legislation isn’t a quick fix but positive changes can result. All eyes are on the One Wales Government as it unveils its vision for the Welsh language. Of course, we all have a role to play in ensuring Welsh is used in our communities. But for now, we should examine the exact details of the One Wales Government’s vision for a truly bilingual Wales.

Catrin Dafydd heads Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s campaign for a new Welsh Language Act

Now, it seems like the Western mail correspondent misses the whole point of the article by entitling his/her article "Spanish example".... is like if I would write an article about the defense of Welsh culture to go on and title it "English culture". This tells you just how deep the disinformation campaign set in place by Madrid against the Basques runs.

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