‘Disgraceful’: Senedd clash over Welsh language response to English question
Stephen Price
A recording of Plaid’s culture minister responding to an English language question in Welsh has divided opinion online – with campaigners decrying the ‘disgraceful anti-Welsh attitude’ and hypocrisy of monolingual Members of the Senedd.
Yesterday’s exchange between Tory MS, Janet Finch-Saunders and Plaid’s Heledd Fychan has racked up tens of thousands of views on social media, after a question about Welsh NHS waiting lists was asked by the Tory MS in English, which the Plaid MS answered in Welsh.
While Fychan responded in Welsh, Bangor, Conwy and Môn MS Janet Finch-Saunders interrupted, stating. “I did ask the question in English.”
Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Fychan responded: “Yes, and we have two languages here, so I will use the Welsh language to reply to your question. Thank you. Is the interpretation working for the Member now?”
According to campaigners Cymdeithas yr Iaith, there was no fault with the Welsh language translation system and video evidence shows that the translation is completely without fault.
They believe that Finch-Saunders was expecting to receive an answer in English, and therefore had not put on her headphones. She was rushing to put them on, and Heledd Fychan then had to start her answer again. This, they say, is a factor that demonstrates people’s reluctance to use the Welsh language in a meeting.
Notably, no such fuss has been made when an MS responds in English to translated questions which were originally put forward in Welsh.
Welsh and English are the official, equal languages of the Senedd, which provides full simultaneous translation services for all plenary sessions and committee meetings.
Both languages are treated on a basis of equality in all proceedings, records, and publications, and live translation headsets and digital audio feeds are available on-site and online to provide real-time simultaneous translation between Welsh and English.
The situation has divided commenters down the middle, with many praising the Plaid MS for rightfully speaking in one of Wales’ official languages.
Others, however, felt that the response should have been given in English – unaware of the hypocrisy of such calls, when non-Welsh speakers are freely able to respond in English at any time if a question is put to them in Welsh.
One online commenter on the ‘Senedd Waste’ Facebook page wrote: “Sorry, but if the question was asked in English, it’s ignorant not to respond in the same language.”
To which a response adds: “So when one is asked in Welsh, does that same rule apply? Or do Welsh speakers alone have to switch languages? That’s not how equality works.”
Another commenter wrote: “Fair enough. Wales is a bilingual country and politicians should be able to speak in whatever language they feel most comfortable in.
“I find it much easier to speak in Welsh for example as I’m a first language Welsh speaker. Maybe Heledd finds it easier speaking in Welsh and is able to get her point across better?”
Another commenter added: “We have two official languages in Wales. The speaker can chose either. You simply have to get over the simple fact that we vsn choose. Personaly I am more articulate in Welsh its my mother’s tongue. Its as simple as that.
“I think in Welsh and often translate into English if I wish. We have to learn to be adaptable even if we are monolingual but it’s a personal choice just as monoligualism is a personal choice.”
One said simply: “Da iawn Heledd! The interpreting service is there for those who can’t or won’t speak Welsh.”
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In response to the growing debate, a post shared by Welsh language campaigners, Cymdeithas yr Iaith, on their Instagram account translated into English reads: “Janet Finch-Saunders displayed a disgraceful anti-Welsh attitude in the Chamber yesterday, as she tried to get the Presiding Officer, Heledd Fychan, to answer her question in English.
“Thanks to Heledd Fychan for standing her ground and continuing to answer through the medium of Welsh.
“In a country where we don’t have many language rights, one of the few places where the right to use Welsh is established is the Senedd Chamber. And yet, Janet Finch-Saunders insists on undermining that right.
“She needs to apologise to Heledd Fychan, and to the rest of us who wish to live our lives in Welsh.
“Now is the time to turn the tide in favour of the Welsh language in the Senedd’s administration. It is essential to ensure that the Senedd, including the Members themselves, are brought under the Welsh Language Standards, so that a robust legal framework is in place.
“We also call on all Members of the Senedd to make greater use of the Welsh language in their work. We want more Welsh in the Chamber!”
The article was amended after initial reports that translation services weren’t working were proven to be false.
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Iesu ar feic! Only in Cymru would an elected representative face criticism for using their own language in their own legislature! Gwarthus! We need to reinforce & reinstate the bilingualism of our nation!
…or have a century of business conducted monolingually, but this time yn y Gymraeg. That would give those Saeson a taste of the cr#p they fed us for many centuries.
Obviously the solution is to bring back the Welsh Not. That was sarcasm by the way. If you don’t like hearing the Welsh language being spoken, don’t be an MS in the first place.
It really is annoying when watching Senedd debates and questions on TV when a question and answer is made in Welsh a voiceover in English kicks in oblitering the Welsh language. Wrong!!!
Why do we have members of the senedd who dont speak Cymraeg anyway?
It shows what a total lack of respect they have for Cymru and what an arrogant attitude they have to the senedd.
There’s translation available, deal with it Janet. I’m happy to take on any gammon who disagrees online.
To be fair the “JFS Sale is now on” hasn’t got much grasp of either language, so I doubt if she’d understand the response in English, Welsh or Māori
Make a qualification in Cymraeg condition of employment in the Senedd.
The simple work place Welsh would suffice, but it would show respect and integrity from the candidate.
To think this isn’t in place already is actually rather worrying, but then labour do dispise Wales.
She’s a tory though, not Labour.
Labour have had responsibility in government to boost the Welsh language though.
And they haven’t. We should expect native language hate from Tories, that’s their normal outlook.
Should the Senedd not represent all of Wales?
How can it represent all of Cymru if the Senedd only operates on English?
The answer if you,re struggling.
IT CAN,T
You’re completely missing the point. Discussions in the Senedd are bilingual. What part of that doesn’t represent all of Wales? I’d imagine you represent England do you?
I’m not sure it’s quite fair. Both English and Welsh are official languages and I think it is fair when a question is asked in a given language, it is answered in that same language. To show respect to the originator. Perhaps the speaker could give priority to Welsh Language questions instead? Unless of course this couldn’t be done, for example lets say the minister was from Gwynedd and didn’t know English or wasn’t confident enough in their skills to answer sufficiently. In which case a polite heads up would have been called for. Bilingualism goes both ways and English… Read more »
“I think it is fair when a question is asked in a given language, it is answered in that same language.”
I don’t think you’re thinking through what you’re suggesting. In the previous Senedd, government ministers like Lesley Griffiths, Rebecca Evans and Ken Skates were asked many questions in Welsh. Not once did they answer in Welsh.
What Janet Finch Saunders wants to do is to force people to speak English against their will. Nobody is forcing her to speak Welsh against her will.
Were they bilingual and able to respond in Welsh? If they were able to speak in Welsh then they should have responded in Welsh. I don’t think Lesley Griffiths nor Ken Skates can speak Welsh. Which is unsurprising given that the Welsh Language Commissioner reports that fewer than 18% of people in Wales speak Welsh.
Reading some of these posts a person could be mistaken for thinking that the English language was threatened in Cymru by Welsh being chosen to be used in the Senedd.
I can,t believe that anyone not wearing a tinfoil hat genuinely believes that.
So what we,re left with is for whatever reason, excuse, twisted logic, insecurity, resentment, etc. Etc
Some people can only stomach Cymraeg in the anthem , male voice choirs and if it,s used solely to discuss trivial matters such as the price of swedes behind closed doors.
No. Bilingualism only works one way in Wales. Welsh speakers have to learn English and become bilingual. But English speakers do not have to speak Welsh and can be monoglots. If an English question should be answered in English, then a Welsh question should be answered in Welsh.
Hen bryd i Sioned Llinos ddysgu Cymraeg. Ac mae’r Blaid yn llawer rhy llywaeth efo giwed yma.
How long has she been a Senedd member now? She should know about the right of members to ask or answer in their chosen language. She also knows translation services are available and probably suspects Heledd Fychan’s preference is to speak in Welsh, seeing as she’s made no secret of being a Welsh speaker. The cynic in me would suggest that Finch-Saunders manufactured this little drama to cause a stir.
More faux outrage from the Welsh Conservatives. Tory MS Janet Finch-Saunders and her colleagues are deliberately stoking online anti-Welsh-language sentiment to score political points, which is absolutely despicable. Wales is a bilingual nation, and Cymraeg is Heledd Fychan’s first language. She has every right to speak her native tongue without fear or intimidation, whether on the Senedd floor or in daily life. Lest we forget, translation services are provided. It is not Fychan’s fault that Finch-Saunders was a bit slow off the mark. Note: As far as I’m aware, no prior notice is required by Senedd Members in the chamber… Read more »
Less than 20% of the people of Wales now speak Welsh thanks to the relentless attempts by the English Establishment (some legal) to destroy it over many centuries
The Welsh language is badly in need of promoting if it is to survive and I urge all MSs who speak the language to do so exclusively in the Senedd in all circumstances. With English speakers in the world numbering in the billions, the imperial language is hardly in need of promoting.
And it’s only right that England and it’s government try to repair what they’ve damaged.
Janet Finch Saunders clearly just doesn’t like Welsh. She has an English translation service at her disposal that’s among the best in Europe to enable her to understand every single word beig spoken, if she can just be bothered to keep on her headset.
Most business in the Senedd, unsurprisingly is conducted in English.
Unsurprisingly indeed, given 500+ years of efforts to eradicate the language, the power balance between the two languages, and the fuss made to this day when someone dares to speak some Welsh to a monoglot’s face.
Curiously Janet Finch-Saunders can be clearly heard to end her question saying “Diolch” – even harder therefore to understand her objection and any false outrage that follows.
Translation service available. Use it!
I hadn’t really thought of this until Janet brought it up. But now I think about it, Senedd sessions should be entirely in Welsh. Why not? It’s time for cymraeg to take it’s place back. Diolch, Janet
I was so glad we voted for devolution but I was always concerned that we had neither the political intellect nor ability to make it work, that we would not improve Wales for its people and that it would all descend into being little more than a glorified parish council. 27 years on and, sadly, nothing has been achieved and, yup, it’s like watching a parish council. It’s fantastic fun, but in a masochistic sort of way.