After Alun Pugh AM congratulated himself on a success over the Welsh language in the proposed Rhuthun/Ruthin store, it might be worth his while taking a trip around Yr Wyddgrug/the Mold branch, to see the store's policy in action. He'd find it in a bit of a mess or, at best, confusing.
The entrance sign welcomes patrons in English only. As you leave, Tesco wishes you "Pob Hwyl" in large letters, while thanking you bilingually in smaller ones for shopping with them. Then they spoil it by stating underneath in English only that you can shop at home on line. Well, you can. But only in English. Outside, one of the trolley bays announced on one side "Trolleys" with a notice stating that a range was available. On the other, it said "Troliau" but with the same English only message underneath.
"Pharmacy" was bilingual, as were a number of other key signs. But "Toys" were just that, and all the large bits and pieces dangling over the checkouts made no mention of Welsh. These were for loans, announcing Tesco's check out policy, and so on.
Perhaps Rhuthun/Ruthin will be different.
But the real issue is not so much whether the signage is bilingual or whether the store is fully bilingual. Isn't it more the affect it might have on a culturally strong Welsh community, such as Rhuthun/rethinks? No one will know whether it has, until it's too late.
The entrance sign welcomes patrons in English only. As you leave, Tesco wishes you "Pob Hwyl" in large letters, while thanking you bilingually in smaller ones for shopping with them. Then they spoil it by stating underneath in English only that you can shop at home on line. Well, you can. But only in English. Outside, one of the trolley bays announced on one side "Trolleys" with a notice stating that a range was available. On the other, it said "Troliau" but with the same English only message underneath.
"Pharmacy" was bilingual, as were a number of other key signs. But "Toys" were just that, and all the large bits and pieces dangling over the checkouts made no mention of Welsh. These were for loans, announcing Tesco's check out policy, and so on.
Perhaps Rhuthun/Ruthin will be different.
But the real issue is not so much whether the signage is bilingual or whether the store is fully bilingual. Isn't it more the affect it might have on a culturally strong Welsh community, such as Rhuthun/rethinks? No one will know whether it has, until it's too late.
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Tesco