Petition wording:
We call on the National Assembly for Wales to develop a plain
English/Cymraeg Clir policy for all their communications, and
separately call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the
Welsh Government to develop such a policy so that the language used
is clear and understandable at all times.
Double speak, unnecessary lawyer speak and the use of acronyms and
unintelligible jargon, both in written form and verbally in the
Senedd chamber, discourages politics in Wales from being as
inclusive and accessible as it should be. A plain language policy
would help to encourage more interest and participation in the
politics of Wales by all. The policy should also apply to legal
documents/bills/acts as long as they remain legally sound. As a
good example of clear understandable communication, Canolfan
Bedwyr’s Cymraeg clir template could be used as the Welsh
language equivalent to the plain English template, so that the use
of Welsh, whether in original reports or as translated material, is
relevant, modern and understandable, and not merely a literal
unintelligible slavish dictionary translation of the English
version. There is a duty on the Assembly and Government of Wales to
make sure all governing decisions affecting Wales are understood by
all, whatever language is used.
Petition raised by: Sovereign Wales
Date petition first considered by Committee: 14 May 2013
Number of signatures: 11