LETTERSFrom Gwyn Davies, Newport:
SO, the IW has hit the national headlines again! (CP, 26-06-09)
That a shopkeeper should object to customers talking to each other — a private conversation — in their own first language is a denial of equality, human rights and downright rudeness.
As a Welsh speaker, who has lived more than 50 years on the Island, I, too, would have reacted strongly in such a situation. I am lucky to be bilingual, I can enjoy the beauty of English and Welsh but you really touch a nerve if my first language — Welsh, often referred to as the language of heaven — is insulted.
All is not bad on the Island. For many years, a small group of Welsh speakers met regularly in pubs around the Island. We were met with courtesy, never hostility. Sometimes there were sceptical looks because people did not recognise the language but then showed interest when we told them we were speaking Welsh.
For many years I gave Welsh classes. While many who came were of Welsh origin hoping to brush up their speaking, there were others — straightforward Islanders — who wanted to learn a beautiful language.
To end on a lighter note — I think that Grange Gifts in Shanklin should be put on the itinerary of Welsh tours coming to the Island — in particular for Welsh speakers. That way, Sue Pratley, the shop owner, might learn some tolerance while listening to a beautiful language.
From Brian Davies, Verwood, Dorset:
Poor image: I assume that if the shop owner was visiting a shop in France, she would be insulted if the French shop owner ordered her to leave because she was speaking in English with her husband/ friend — or would she converse in French to a fellow English person while in the shop? What if she was on holiday in Turkey, I doubt if she knows Turkish.
If these women from Wales were from Pakistan, for instance, then we would have a national outcry and possibly also police intervention.
Surely people can speak in their own language to each other?
Sue Pratley does not present a good image of the IW.
From Jonathan Miles, Warley, West Midlands:
Disgusted: Unless you can show me that material facts as reported are untrue I can only conclude the IW is tolerating racist activity. What’s more, would this have happened if they had been speaking French or Polish or Urdu? I don’t think so.
Many of my own relatives on my fathers side are Welsh. I will not be visiting the IW again until action is taken, despite the fact that many of my mother’s relatives come from your part of the country. It’s hard to imagine worst publicity for the IW in this credit crunched time but if that is what you want, please wallow in your own depression as I, and many others, vote with our feet.
I am disgusted.
From Paul Duxbury, Seattle, Washington
Speak up: Speaking on behalf of my Welsh grandmother, I sincerely hope all Welsh speakers, as well as foreign visitors, will now make a beeline for Grange Gifts and speak volubly in their native tongues.
From Mike Weston, Glyngaer:
Empathy: I am Wenglish, a caulkhead by choice. These two women should be disgusted with themselves, they are aware that little Welsh is spoken on Vectis and I empathise with the shop owner who, in the course of a season, will hear every language group going.