Why Bikers die on Welsh Roads - TV tonight

Originally Posted by Baph

For the majority of signs, I'd disagree. Since the majority are dual language, and my Welsh definately isn't up to scratch, I've got the habit of only reading the bottom half (except the "Qwe Ar A Pont" signs, they bring a smile to my face).

The caveat here being Ceri JC's example of place names. That can be confusing.

but you (and I) are used to having to do that, visitors aren't...

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Baph

Quite commonly you see this on the road:

ARAF
SLOW

Maybe tourists think that only "Araf's" need to go slow

I agree this could well be a common mistake.


What you say just above doesn't take account of the tourists that don't have time to get used to the differences from the rest of the UK.
Also going to Wales is not like going abroad where you expect a different language like France & even French is a lot easier to understand than Welsh.
(Edit beaten by Sarah)

Originally Posted by sarah

i'm not trying to suggest that signs should only be in one language in wales .

I AM

whats the point having it in welsh? everyone can read english, NOT everyone can read welsh

although, i dont think it makes much differance to the accidents, just a waste of time & money

IMO

[Luckypants]

Well on a personal level, I have to agree that safety signs should be in only English to provide a national (GB) standard. I accept that speeding up to a corner, I might not see SLOW written in the road if I was trying to understand what ARAF meant. This is a safety issue and should overide the need to keep the language alive. (God, what am I saying? )

OTH, I should have seen the red triangle with a bend warning, possibly the chevron boards, change in white lines (short dashes to long dashes to solid....) be looking ahead and see the bend's vanishing point not moving, etc and slowed down and put the bike in appropriate gear......... Shouldn't I? The ARAF on the road is not the only warning of impending danger.

But would also argue that all place names should be in thier correct form (i.e. Welsh) and these 'colonnial' names given to places by the English overlords be consigned to history.

Originally Posted by Luckypants

But would also argue that all place names should be in thier correct form (i.e. Welsh) and these 'colonnial' names given to places by the English overlords be consigned to history.

i don't really mind which language the place names are in but it would be so much simpler if they were only in one language, i don't really get why place names need to exist in more than one language.

Originally Posted by Baph

Quite commonly you see this on the road:

ARAF
SLOW

Maybe tourists think that only "Araf's" need to go slow

What, this guy?

http://forums.sv650.org/member.php?u=1404

What's wrong with dual language signs anyway? I can read 'Give Way' and ignore the meaningless squiggle below.

[rictus01]

Just for info, sky channel 972.

Cheers Mark.

Virgin ch 864

[embee]

Originally Posted by Razor

If it's 10:30 in Wales what time is that in the civilised world?

When it's 10.30 in the civilised world, it's still 1964 in Wales.

I think the Act states that signage etc. if written in English must be produced in Welsh, but not vice versa. Neither does it say which language is first.