Bilingualism is democracy

Translation of Adam Price MP's column in Golwg yesterday:

Whatever you say about the spokesmen of CBI and the editors of the Western Mail on the eternal question of the Welsh language's proper place in the life of Wales, they've been consistent and in agreement across the ages.

When the original language quango -the Welsh Language Council (appointed by the last Labour Government)- published its final report on the future of the language, the editorial 'English Voice' attacked the recommendations under the title 'The Unreality of a Bilingual Wales'.

The then Welsh Secretary decided that the future of the Welsh language was a matter for the Assembly. The recommendations were laid to rest, along with devolution, on St David's Day the following year to the joy of the WM scribblers in Thomson House.

Now that we finally have an Assembly the future of the language is back in our hands. Democracy is my word for the process which over the years has compelled profit making companies to do things which are for the common good but which they would not have done otherwise - not employing children,killing their workers through lack of safety, poluting the environment, paying women less than men, and so on.

The plain truth is, in a capitalist system that is driven by the motive of making a profit, for better or for worse, an element of 'compulsion' is needed to ensure a civilised society.

Most of us do not doubt the need to regulate companies which employ, produce and market in order to make money. After all these companies depend on us as a society to to ensure a legal system and so on to protect their interests and accomplish their needs.

Society offers a license for the companies to operate, on the condition that the companies respect and contribute to supporting that society. This goes beyond paying taxes - it includes an adherence to obeying laws which crystalize the values of the indigenous society.

For the Western Mail and the CBI bilingualism is not of sufficient worth to be requisite for anyone in the private or voluntary sector. This is a pity, as the CBI has lost the opportunity once again to close the gap which has existed for a century and a half between the business culture in Wales and the Welsh and Welsh speaking culture.

The attitude of our national English paper is even more of a dissappointment. We can hardly see these people running the Welsh language news service now. That would be a real unreality.