Just Add Leeks

For Better Web Accessibility

[iamlost]

The Register has a story [theregister.co.uk] about the British Standards Institution new PAS 78: Guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites.

Yes, I know this is Foo and not Accessibility and Usability [webmasterworld.com].

The concluding sentence reads:

The document is available in various alternative formats: Braille, easy read, accessible PDF, large print, audio, DAISY and Welsh here.

Could someone please explain which disability group is best served Welsh?

[andrea99]

Monolingualism is a disability in a generic sense if not a politically correct one. mmmm... I'm thinking potato soup now.

edit: And now I find that Welsh Leek Soup has bacon but no potatoes. I'm still thinking potatoes...

[inbound]

Accessibility is not all about catering for disabiled users. Think of mobile devices as an example.

The whole issue of language is a thorny one though, why should a company be forced to translate into any given language when there are over 100 languages spoken/read in the UK?

[jsinger]

"there are over 100 languages spoken/read in the UK?"

Are you referring to foreign languages?
How many are native UK languages? Just curious. (An American asking)

[malachite]

How many are native UK languages? Just curious. (An American asking)

Let's see... English (and its umpteen local dialects and coloquialisms) - try having a conversation with someone from Ashington [a town in Northumberland) and see if you can understand them ;) then you'll know what I mean about dialects. A mate of 10 years comes from there, and I still can't understand what he's saying!

Welsh, Scots Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, Cornish, Manx. Can't think of any more off the top of my head.

[inbound]

Malachite sums up the 'native' languages well.

However, there are many languages that are recognised as important enough for councils to provide printed information in. These run to about a dozen 'seed' languages (which can be understood reasonably well by a few different nationalities apart from the target audience). Councils also use third party translation services to allow up to 300 languages/dialects to be used to communicate with them, this can be over the phone or even in person in certain areas.

Some parts of the UK are remarkably diverse in terms of ethicity, culture and language use.

I'd say a UK business should only be legislatively required to provide information in English, leaving it up to market forces to cater for other languages.

[iamlost]

It was the strange context that provoked my initial post.

Apparently no one else finds it amusing that Welsh is included with alternative formats to aid the blind or poor of sight?

Many Welsh celebrities have been known to become blind drunk...
But I blame those leeks...I close my eyes whenever I pass one in the produce market.

Ah well iamallalone so imuststillbelost.

[malachite]

I'd say a UK business should only be legislatively required to provide information in English, leaving it up to market forces to cater for other languages.

Except if you're in Wales - those leeks again ;) - where it is obligatory to provide every document in Welsh as well, although amusingly, most of the councillors read the English ones as they can't understand the Welsh version!

[briggidere]

do you think the braille comes in a welsh braille version too? :-)