The Census in plain Welsh

The influence of Canolfan Bedwyr, Bangor University will be felt in every home in Wales over the next few weeks as the 2011 Census forms are completed.

The influence of Canolfan Bedwyr, Bangor University will be felt in every home in Wales over the next few weeks as the 2011 Census forms are completed. Eleri Jones from the centre's Uned Cymraeg Clir (Plain Welsh Unit) has played a central role in the work of ensuring that the Welsh version is one which Welsh speakers can understand and use without difficulty. 

Following criticisms in the past that the Welsh version was difficult and stiff, officials at the Office of Statistics have striven to ensure that the 2011 questionnaire will not read as a translation. For the first time in the census’ history, the 2011 Welsh questionnaire has been developed simultaneously with the English version, with the support of a team of specialists, including the leader of Uned Cymraeg Clir Canolfan Bedwyr.

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to be a member of the Support Group which helped officials from the Office of Statistics to create a Welsh version of the 2011 Census questionnaires. My role was to try and ensure that the language used in the questionnaires was as clear, straightforward and natural as possible so that native Welsh speakers and learners of all ages and ability could set about completing the Welsh questionnaire," said Eleri Jones.  

Said Wyn Thomas, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Bangor University, “As well as its work supporting and developing the use of Welsh internally at the University, we are very glad of the way in which Canolfan Bedwyr shares its expertise externally for the benefit of the language and its speakers.”   

Said Dr Llion Jones, Director of Canolfan Bedwyr: “With the new Welsh Assembly Government strategy for the Welsh language placing its main emphasis on increasing use of the language, the work undertaken by the Cymraeg Clir Unit is growing in significance and importance. We are looking forward to assisting more bodies and institutions to create clear and intelligible public documents.” 

For more information about Uned Cymraeg Clir, contact Eleri Jones on 01248 383242 or e-mail eleri.jones@bangor.ac.uk.

For more information about the work of Canolfan Bedwyr, contact Dr Llion Jones on 01248 388054 or e-mail llion.jones@bangor.ac.uk.

Note for editors:

Uned Cymraeg Clir is a part of Canolfan Bedwyr, the Bangor University centre which provides services relating to the Welsh language. 

Publication date: 11 March 2011