The First Minister did not send a single email in Welsh over a period in September despite launching a campaign encouraging others to do it five times a day.
Information released to Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg shows over seven day period the First Minister, who’s responsible for promoting the use of the Welsh language, sent 126 work emails and not a single one was in Welsh. The answer to the freedom of information request states: “During the period between the 1st and 8th of September 2013, the First Minister responded [to emails] 126 times, in English every time.”
In a statement to Assembly Members in November this year about the findings of his consultation on the Welsh language, the “Cynhadledd Fawr” (Big Conference), established in response to the Census results, Carwyn Jones said: “Too often, we hear of people losing confidence to use the Welsh language after leaving school. The next challenge for us as a Government is to nurture the skills of Welsh speakers for the workplace...I am keen to see more opportunities for Welsh speakers to use the language every day…I am also keen for all of us to think about doing at least five things in Welsh every day … socially or professionally. For example, having five conversations in Welsh, learners to learn five new words, writing five emails in Welsh every day—or a combination of these—that is, creating opportunities to use the language in new situations.”
In a letter to campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg responding to their campaign to secure six policy changes, such as Welsh medium education for all, to strengthen the language, Carwyn Jones AM wrote: “As a Government we lead by examples, and have started a programme of work to increase the use of Welsh in our offices.”
Responding to the figures, Robin Farrar, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented: "It seems the First Minister isn’t taking part in his own campaign. That should be very embarrassing to him.
“As a group, we don’t criticise individuals for their lack of use of the language, given that people are influenced by so many outside factors. But, the First Minister has chosen to launch the “5 times a day” campaign himself. And that despite not a single response to his Big Conference, his consultation on the language, recommending such a campaign. Carwyn Jones has chosen to put his own use of Welsh under the microscope.
“This embarrassment highlights once again how weak Carwyn Jones’ response to the critical Census results. He puts the responsibility on the shoulders of individuals and young people, saying we need to discover why people choose not to speak the language. As if individuals are responsible for turning away from Welsh, although the vast majority of them haven’t had the change to live in and enjoy the language - whether that’s because of planning factors, a lack of Welsh language services or the education system. The truth is that wider factors, have a far bigger effect on the use of the language, and many of those are in Carwyn Jones and his government’s hands. That’s why we have challenged him to do six things for the language: such as introducing Welsh-medium education for all; establishing the right for children to get leisure services, like swimming lessons, in Welsh; and transform the planning system.
“Since we made this freedom of information request, the First Minister has stated he has asked his officials in the Government’s Welsh Language Unit to communicate with him in Welsh. We welcome that, although it’s a surprise that wasn’t happening already. But he should do far more than that - he should insist that all Government departments provide the information they share with him in Welsh: that would increase the use of Welsh directly and straight away.”