Twitter unsuspends Welsh academic after branding her Welsh language tweet ‘hateful conduct’

Twitter has unsuspended the account of a Welsh academic after branding her Welsh language tweet “hateful conduct”.

Dr. Sara Louise Wheeler, who is a guest research fellow at Wrexham Glyndwr University, had been told she had “violated” Twitter’s rules against hateful conduct after tweeting about Welsh grammar and had her account locked.

However, Twitter has now relented and unlocked her account, while advising her to “please review the Twitter rules and help us maintain a safe environment for everyone on Twitter”.

“I’m back!” Sara Louise Wheeler said. “Not sure about the advice there Twitter? Unless tweeting about Welsh grammar is a valid reason for suspension?”

“Diolch to everyone for your support, I’ll now be able read the tweets. Thanks especially to Nation.Cymru for running a story.”

I’m back! Not sure about the advice there Twitter? Unless tweeting about Welsh grammar is a valid reason for suspension?

Anyway, where were we? 😂

Diolch to everyone for your support, I’ll now be able read the tweets 😂

Thanks especially to @NationCymru for running a story ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Fdw8KBQ5AZ

— Dr Sara Louise Wheeler 👩🏻‍🦳🧠🦻🏻👗🧩 (@SerenSiwenna) November 16, 2021

No explanation for the suspension has been offered, as the original tweet didn’t seem to break any of Twitter’s own rules.

Sara Louise Wheeler had tweeted: “I want Welsh that that doesn’t need to be corrected. I’ve tried reading loads of Welsh grammar books over the last twenty years – but I just don’t learn that way.

“But as I said tonight I can remember the songs in performances. Aran Jones is going to try and harness this.”

Twitter however declared her tweet hateful conduct, saying: “You may not promote violence against, threaten or harass other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability or serious disease.”

Taking to Instagram after being suspended from Twitter, Sara Louise Wheeler expressed bemusement that she’s been banned for tweeting about Welsh grammar.

“Suspended in Twitter for tweeting in Welsh about my struggles to learn Welsh grammar,” she said.

“Careful my friends, better not talk about Welsh grammar in Welsh on Twitter it’s hateful conduct apparently.”