Tesco Apologizes for Bilingual Signs in Cornwall
Tesco has issued an apology after putting up bilingual signs in Welsh in a branch in Helston, Cornwall, sparking mixed reactions. The supermarket's signage, located around 200 miles from South Wales, directed shoppers towards 'pysgod' (Welsh for fish) and 'tatws melys' (Welsh for sweet potato), instead of the local Cornish terms.
Despite the initial confusion, Cllr Loveday Jenkin, a prominent figure in the political party Mebyon Kernow, which advocates for greater self-governance for Cornwall, expressed her appreciation for the bilingual initiative. However, she suggested it would have been more impactful if the signs were in Cornish rather than Welsh.
Loveday, a native speaker of Kernewek (Cornish), acknowledged the linguistic similarities between Welsh and Cornish, noting that some words are shared between the two languages. She emphasized the importance of using the correct Celtic language to avoid confusion for non-native speakers.
The timing of this incident is significant. In January, Kernewek was officially recognized under Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, granting it enhanced protection and status. This recognition has sparked discussions about the preservation of the Cornish language and culture.
Perran Moon, the Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth, welcomed the new language status as a boost for Cornwall. He highlighted the importance of accessible Cornish language resources for those who wish to use it, drawing attention to the Tesco signage error.
Garry Tregidga, co-director of the University of Exeter's Institute for Cornish Studies, praised the supermarket's intention to use Cornish signs, despite the initial embarrassment. He encouraged the replacement of the incorrect signs and emphasized the growing recognition of the Cornish language among the community.
The UK government's acknowledgment of the Cornish language on par with Welsh and Gaelic presents an opportunity to unite cultural, economic, and political aspects of Cornish identity. This recognition has the potential to empower communities and foster a brighter future for the region.
Ffred Ffransis, a prominent Welsh language campaigner, supported the promotion of the Cornish language. He advocated for bilingual signage in everyday offers and customer notices, ensuring that Welsh remains a working language in major companies like Tesco.
Tesco has since removed the Welsh signs and committed to reinstalling them in Cornish as soon as possible, addressing the initial mistake and demonstrating a willingness to embrace the local language.
