Tesco Apologizes for Bilingual Signs in Cornwall
Tesco has issued an apology after a branch in Helston, Cornwall, displayed bilingual signs in Welsh, instead of the local Cornish language. The supermarket's signage directed customers towards 'pysgod' for fish and 'tatws melys' for sweet potato, both Welsh terms, which caused confusion among shoppers and sparked discussions about language preservation.
Cllr Loveday Jenkin, a prominent figure in the political party Mebyon Kernow, which advocates for greater self-governance for Cornwall, expressed her mixed feelings about the bilingual signs. While she appreciated the effort, she suggested that using the Cornish language would have been more exciting and culturally relevant.
Loveday, a fluent speaker of Kernewek (Cornish), noted the similarities between Cornish and Welsh, such as the word for fish, 'pysk' in Cornish, and 'pysgod' in Welsh. She emphasized the importance of using the correct Celtic language to avoid confusion among non-native speakers.
Despite the initial mistake, Loveday hopes it won't deter Tesco from supporting the Cornish language. She mentioned that other supermarkets and shops have already embraced Cornish signage, and there's a growing recognition of the language in road signs and public buildings.
The timing of the error is significant. In January, Kernewek was officially recognized under Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, granting it greater protection and status. This recognition has sparked optimism among Cornish speakers and advocates.
Perran Moon, the Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth, welcomed the language's new status as a boost for Cornwall. He highlighted the importance of accessible Cornish language resources for those who want to use it, drawing attention to the Tesco incident as a reminder of the need for accurate bilingual signage.
Garry Tregidga, co-director of the University of Exeter's Institute for Cornish Studies, acknowledged the embarrassment for Tesco but praised the intention to use Cornish. He suggested that replacement signs in the correct language should be installed and emphasized the positive impact of the mistake's visibility, indicating a growing appreciation for the Cornish language.
Tregidga also pointed out the UK government's recognition of the Cornish language on par with Welsh and Gaelic, presenting an opportunity to unite cultural, economic, and political aspects of Cornish identity. He believes this can contribute to a brighter future for the region.
The Welsh language campaigners, like Fred Ffransis, have also supported the promotion of the Cornish language. Ffransis advocated for major companies like Tesco to use Welsh in their daily operations, ensuring that all signs, not just major signage, are bilingual to showcase Welsh as a functional language.
Tesco has since removed the Welsh signs and promised to reinstall them in Cornish as soon as possible, addressing the initial mistake and demonstrating a commitment to language preservation and cultural sensitivity.
