Press Releases

For decades the status of the Welsh language has sharply divided opinion in Wales but in Belgium it looks like a row over language is set to tear a nation in two.

And, as the Welsh Assembly works towards more powers over the language, Taro 9 (Tuesday 7 April 2009, BBC Wales on S4C) asks if bilingualism is always the best way forward.

Back in November controversial Milford Haven politician Eric Harries created a political storm by suggesting that the Welsh language should lose its official status in his local council. The veteran councillor believes that council resources were being stretched by the necessity, by law, to have all council documents translated into Welsh.

Speaking to Taro 9, Mr Harries said: "I think it is sensible to say, particularly when people have the linguistic facilities to understand English, that it is not appropriate to have blanket coverage of Welsh just for the sake of it."

One of Councillor Harries' most outspoken critics is Aran Jones, Chief Executive of the Cymuned pressure group.

Mr Jones said: "I thought that his idea of opting out was quite unexpected and, if I'm honest, dangerous."

Current affairs programme Taro 9 took Eric Harries and Aran Jones to Brussels to see if Wales could learn from the difficulties created by the language differences faced there.

Although Belgium, and its capital Brussels, are regarded the world over as a symbol of co-operation and European unity the country is currently facing its worst-ever constitutional crisis.

The country's two main languages are Dutch, which is primarily spoken in Flanders to the north of the country, and French, primarily spoken in Wallonia in the south. Caught in the middle of this linguistic minefield are the suburbs of Brussels, the supposedly bilingual capital, where French has begun to take hold in towns and villages where Dutch has traditionally been spoken.

But the strict language laws which have been put in place to protect the Dutch language in Flanders have led French speakers to accuse the Dutch majority of denying them of some of their basic human rights. Now Flemish politicians and pressure groups are calling for the country to split in two and as a result wipe Belgium clean off the map.

Are there lessons to be learnt for Wales?

Taro 9, 8.25pm, Tuesday 7 April 2009, BBC Wales on S4C

BBC Cymru Wales Communications