Sorry what i am going to say might be a bit pc ,apologies to anyone who speaks welsh (Debs i assume)...... This is so darn typipal of the powers that be to waste money on stupid signs which are a waste of tax payers money , how many people speak welsh ? i know they teach it in schools and that it is a EEC thing to try to keep languages alive , but do we really need signs in other languages other than english ,english is the majoritie language in this country . I assume when people take there driving test in wales it is done in english?so why all the signs in welsh , its not cheap to put these signs up (heard a figure like 10k per mile or some ridicules amount of money which all comes out of taxs).
There are two National (statutory) languages in the U.K: English and Welsh!
Languages such as Punjabi, Urdu, Cantonese, Tamill etc.; although 'recognised' practically, by local govt./councils and health/benefits organisations etc. they are not
official national languages of this great Nation.
I believe that there are [size=9]circa[/size] 480,000 native Welsh-speaking people using their own language, not to be awkward, but because it it their mother-tongue; in fact many (rather skillfully) also learn English too!.....I returned their 'favour' and learned Welsh so I may enjoy living here with it`s culture, rich social history and literary and musical heritage. (I also speak a few other 'tongues' for the same reason; of wanting to fully-participate in the countries in which I have been fortunate to live).
It is a fact, that the history of the Welsh language is littered with attempts to stamp out the language (by Politicians and Monarchs)....but, like the people, the language endures.
Please remember that Welsh people are British: just like you and I.....many just happen to be bi-lingual.
BTW: Driving tests, road signs, elecricity-bills, council-tax demands and even the chip shop menu`s are all available in Welsh and English here....not just because it`s required by 'British Law', but so that
mono-glots (Welsh
or English speakers only) can live their daily lives without language being an issue.
I know it`s a humorous analogy; but just how-well would you manage driving around in Russia; trying to navigate with all the road signs in the Cyrillic alphabet?.....Welsh-only mono-glots would face a similar situation would it not be for the bi-lingual roadsigns you so-deride.
