The Welsh Language Act 1993 established the principle that in the conduct of public business and administration of justice in Wales, the English and Welsh Language should be treated on a basis of equality, ‘so far as is both appropriate in the circumstances and reasonably practicable, to the principle that in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice in Wales the English and Welsh should be treated on a basis of equality.’
The Act had two main intentions:
- To make new provisions to promote and facilitate the language in Wales, in particular in the conduct of public business and the administration of justice, on a basis of equality
- To establish a Welsh Language Board
In 1993 it was noted by Earl Ferrers that, ‘The Government certainly intends that the implementation of this principle (the principle of equality) should result in far reaching changes to the Welsh language services that are available right across the public sector.’ Organisations should therefore always seek to adopt the best possible practice with regard to the use of Welsh.
The Act established the Welsh Language Board. The main function of the Welsh Language Board is to ‘promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh Language.’
The Act also made provisions for the preparation and approval of Welsh Language Schemes. A scheme is a document that outlines an organisation’s plans for developing its Welsh language provision in the following areas:
- Service planning and delivery
- Dealing with the Welsh speaking public
- The organisation’s public image
In summary the Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Welsh Language Board are about planning and careful management in the implementation and introduction of services in both Welsh and English.
For more information contact: Heledd Bebb