"A staff member at Carmarthen's Focus Store yesterday 08/01/08 stated that the Welsh language is a foreign language and that he was offended when somebody asked him if he spoke Welsh. Cymdeithas yr Iaith believe that these ignorant comments highlight the lack of training offered by large companies to staff members on Wales and the Welsh language.

Hedd Gwynfor, Cymdeithas' deputy Chair said:"This ill-informed staff member clearly had no idea of the importance of the Welsh language to the people of Carmarthenshire. When he was asked a question in Welsh, he made the incredible statement that Welsh was a foreign language, in Carmarthen!""His comments are in themselves evidence that there is a need for a comprehensive new Welsh Language Act that would include training for staff members so that such attitudes would not occur. In this case this person had moved into Wales to the area with the highest number of Welsh speakers. He obviously had no inkling about the rich history and culture of the area into which he had moved, and yet was expected to deal with local people on a day to day basis."