TY - JOUR

T1 - Rhetoric and reality: critical review of language policy and legislation governing official minority language use in health and social care in Wales

AU - Prys, Cynog

AU - Hodges, Rhian

AU - Roberts, Gwerfyl

N1 - https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/minling/ open access journal

PY - 2021/8/13

Y1 - 2021/8/13

N2 - A concerted attempt is being made by the Welsh Government to revitalize the Welsh language in Wales through language legislation and policy initiatives. This paper explores the political rhetoric and practical reality of these recent legislative developments, as they pertain to the health care sector. It offers a qualitative analysis of written evidence provided by key stakeholders during the consultation process on the new legally-binding requirements of Welsh Language Standards for health care providers in Wales. We argue that these meso-level service providers are critical linchpins within the health care system and that it is at the meso level that full tensions between the macro rhetoric and micro reality occur. This contribution highlights shortcomings and barriers to Welsh language service provision in health care in Wales and recommends the adoption of wide-ranging, holistic approaches to language planning that meet the language needs of patients outlined by the Welsh Government.

AB - A concerted attempt is being made by the Welsh Government to revitalize the Welsh language in Wales through language legislation and policy initiatives. This paper explores the political rhetoric and practical reality of these recent legislative developments, as they pertain to the health care sector. It offers a qualitative analysis of written evidence provided by key stakeholders during the consultation process on the new legally-binding requirements of Welsh Language Standards for health care providers in Wales. We argue that these meso-level service providers are critical linchpins within the health care system and that it is at the meso level that full tensions between the macro rhetoric and micro reality occur. This contribution highlights shortcomings and barriers to Welsh language service provision in health care in Wales and recommends the adoption of wide-ranging, holistic approaches to language planning that meet the language needs of patients outlined by the Welsh Government.

KW - health and social care

KW - language planning

KW - minority language

KW - Welsh

KW - Wales

U2 - 10.7202/1078478ar

DO - 10.7202/1078478ar

M3 - Article

SP - 87

EP - 110

JO - Linguistic Minorities & Society Journal/Revue Minorités linguistiques et société

JF - Linguistic Minorities & Society Journal/Revue Minorités linguistiques et société

SN - 1927-8632

IS - 15-16

ER -