P-04-483 A plain English /Cymraeg clir policy for all Welsh Assembly and Government communications – Supporting information from the petitioner to the clerking team, 05.05.2013

Thank you, Sian.

The following are general examples of writing/translation by the Government that I have picked out quickly and that are unacceptably unclear, in my opinion. This is not specifically about the words used, but about the lack of plain and clear speaking, which means that the information is not conveyed to the public as effectively as it could be. There are only three examples here, but I hope that the general point about the need for a policy on using plain language comes across:

1. The text below, with more available through the following link [English version also included for reference]: http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/education/inductionregulations/?lang=cy

"Ymgynghoriad ar ddiwygiadau i'r rheoliadau ymsefydlu yng Nghymru"

Yn y ddogfen ymgynghori hon nodir y cynigion ar gyfer y rheoliadau newydd i ymsefydlu athrawon newydd gymhwyso yng Nghymru.

Dechrau'r cyfnod ymgynghori: 03/04/2012

Diwedd y cyfnod ymgynghori: 29/05/2012

Mynegodd y Gweinidog Addysg a Sgiliau ei fod yn bwriadu adolygu ymsefydlu statudol yng Nghymru ym mis Chwefror 2011.  Diben yr adolygiad hwn yw datblygu ymagwedd gadarn o ansawdd uchel sy'n gyson ar raddfa genedlaethol tuag at ymsefydlu'r holl athrawon newydd gymhwyso ar draws Cymru, a rhoi mwy o hyblygrwydd er mwyn caniatáu i athrawon llanw gwblhau eu cyfnod ymsefydlu yng Nghymru." 

“Consultation on amendments to the induction regulations in Wales”

This consultation document sets out the proposals for the new induction regulations for newly qualified teachers in Wales.

Start of consultation: 03/04/2012

End of consultation: 29/05/2012

The Minister for Education and Skills set out his intention to review statutory induction in Wales in February 2011. The purpose of this review is to develop a robust, high quality and nationally consistent approach to induction for all newly qualified teachers across Wales, and to provide greater flexibility in order to allow supply teachers to complete their induction period in Wales.

2. The text below, taken from the following link [English version also included for reference]: http://wales.gov.uk/legislation/?lang=cy

"Mae’r ddeddfwriaeth a gyflwynir gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn ddarostyngedig i weithdrefnau gwahanol ac mae’n bosibl y bydd angen i Gynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru graffu arni a’i chymeradwyo."

“Different types of legislation put forward by the Welsh Government are subject to different procedures which may require scrutiny and approval by the National Assembly for Wales.”

3. The final example is an excerpt from the following English report on economic development:
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/det/report/110330erpframeworken.pdf


"Assessing Progress & Summative (evaluation)

As commitments are delivered,then focus will in time move from monitoring activities and implementation to measuring the benefits of what is being achieved i.e assessing how well the Assembly Government is intervening. Regular stakeholder surveys will be a key input, and improvements to the business environment a key consideration. Activities delivered against the five Economic Renewal priorities will be evaluated, and when appropriate,an overall summative evaluation will be undertaken to understand the cumulative impacts of intervention.

Tracking & Outcome Indicators

In Economic Renewal, a commitment was made to track the progress of the Welsh economy through a broad suite of indicators. A move away from an approach characterised by an excessive and sometimes unreflective focus on Gross Value Added was also suggested. The tracking and outcome indicators should not be regarded as identifying those areas upon which Government alone can seek to have direct, attributable or significant influence, but they are important to understanding the wider context within which the Assembly Government intervenes. Baselines will be established, and indicators disaggregated by geography and demography where possible and appropriate."


I hope that this will be of use in relation to the petition on a policy of using plain Welsh and English.

Regards,

Gruff