Find out how and why the Welsh language is important to Dewi's business, community and customers.
Dewi is a Managing Director at DEWIS Architecture, a company based in Llanfairpwll on Anglesey. His business provides a wide range of services related to building and construction.
DEWIS Architecture works with many many clients and operates in many sectors such as heritage, leisure, housing, education, commercial, industrial, and retail.
Our questions to Dewi
1.How does the Welsh language play a role in your business and services to customers?
Welsh is used naturally as the main language in the office. Welsh is used daily with many clients, local authorities, other bodies and building contractors.
2. How do you promote Welsh language in your business?
I think the Welsh language is promoted softly when people see it naturally and without being forced. It is the first language of our employees, and it is used as effortlessly as taking breath. We are bilingual and can swap from English to Welsh and back again without thought. We have never advertised for Welsh speakers specifically, but 12 out of 13 of us are first language Welsh speakers.
3. Can you share some specific examples of how using Welsh has positively impacted your relationship with the community and customers?
The use of Welsh has been invaluable in dealing with many clients over the years. This includes corresponding with housing tenants, landlords that are local authorities, housing associations or private. It has helped us with numerous public consultations when we have no difficulty talking with members of the public whether they talk Welsh or English. The the use of people’s first language provides a more comfortable setting for them to speak their mind.
4. How do you see the role of the Welsh language evolving in the workplace over the next few years?
Over the last 35 years or so I have not noticed spoken Welsh being more prominent in the workplace. Welsh has been spoken in most places I have worked, but written Welsh certainly has become more widely used. I never used to write any letters or emails in Welsh, but now a high percentage of emails are written in Welsh to clients, building contractors, and Local Authorities. The more it is used, the more natural it becomes and effortless.
5. How do you think the Cymraeg 2050 initiative will influence careers and opportunities in Wales?
With more people speaking Welsh, the language becomes a natural part of more people’s working lives. More Welsh speakers will not necessarily create more jobs, but it will provide people who can speak Welsh with an advantage in applying for jobs in Wales, as it would be in any country with its own language.