Perago and the Welsh language

“If you speak to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” (Nelson Mandela)

When Perago contacted me, asking if I would work with them on their Welsh language provision, I was happy to help.  I had never worked as a language consultant before, but with 20 years’ experience working in Comms, I understood that speaking to your audience in a language that they understand is key.

Before venturing to the freelance world, I worked as the Senior Communications Officer with the Welsh Language Commissioner. I therefore understood the requirements of the Welsh Language Standards (to a degree!) and during my time working with the Commissioner, I tried to simplify the standards to straightforward rights that we could use to promote and communicate with the public.

With over 120 public organisations now operating under the Welsh Language Standards, using Welsh on social media, websites, road signs and so on is the norm for many.  Unfortunately, this is not the case in all sectors. But Perago is an example of a private company that want to do their best to include the language in their business.

All four Perago directors are Welsh, from the Swansea area, and they are all incredibly supportive of the language.  They want to ensure that Welsh is seen and heard, and that anyone working with them will feel comfortable speaking their native tongue.

This is not a tick box exercise for them, but a genuine love for a language that they were not fortunate enough to learn fluently at school.

We are now working on a new bilingual website, and most of the blogs will be published in both languages.  We will also be working towards having more Welsh on the social media channels and Welsh will also be included in all presentations and workshops.

I am proud to be working with a company that are so eager to make more use of the language and I look forward to supporting them further in future.

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Perago a’r iaith Gymraeg

“If you speak to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” (Nelson Mandela)

Pan gysylltodd Perago gyda mi yn holi os gallwn weithio gyda hwy ar eu darpariaeth Gymraeg, roeddwn yn hapus i helpu.  Doeddwn i erioed wedi gweithio fel ymgynghorydd iaith o’r blaen, ond gydag 20 mlynedd o brofiad yn y maes cyfathrebu, dw i’n gwybod gystal â neb pa mor allweddol ydy siarad gyda’ch cynulleidfa mewn iaith maen nhw yn ei deall.

Cyn mentro i’r byd llawrydd, roeddwn yn gweithio fel Uwch Swyddog Cyfathrebu gyda Chomisiynydd y Gymraeg. Mi ydw i, o ganlyniad, yn deall anghenion Safonau’r Gymraeg (i raddau!) ac yn ystod fy amser gyda’r Comisiynydd, mi geisiais symleiddio’r safonau i hawliau syml y gallem ddefnyddio i hyrwyddo a chyfathrebu gyda’r cyhoedd.

Gyda dros 120 o sefydliadau cyhoeddus bellach yn gweithredu Safonau Gymraeg, mae gweld y Gymraeg ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol, gwefannau, arwyddion ffordd ac ati yn arferol iawn. Ond yn anffodus, dyw hynny ddim yn wir ym mhob sector. Ond mae Perago yn enghraifft o gwmni preifat sydd eisiau gwneud eu gorau i gynnwys y Gymraeg yn eu busnes.

Mae pedwar cyfarwyddwr Perago yn Gymry, o ardal Abertawe, ac yn gefnogol iawn i’r Gymraeg. Maent eisiau sicrhau fod y Gymraeg yn cael ei gweld a’i chlywed, a bod unrhyw un sy’n gweithio gyda hwy yn teimlo’n gyfforddus yn siarad eu mamiaith.

Nid mater o fod eisiau rhoi tic yn y bocs ydy o, ond cariad at iaith nad oeddent yn ddigon ffodus o gael y cyfle i’w dysgu yn rhugl yn yr ysgol.

Rydym nawr yn gweithio ar wefan ddwyieithog, a bydd y mwyafrif o’r blogs yn cael eu rhannu yn y ddwy iaith. Byddwn hefyd yn gweithio ar gael mwy o Gymraeg ar eu cyfrifon cymdeithasol a bydd y Gymraeg yn cael ei chynnwys ym mhob cyflwyniad a gweithdy.

Rwyf yn falch o fod yn gweithio gyda chwmni sydd mor awyddus i ddefnyddio mwy ar yr iaith ac yn edrych ymlaen i’w cefnogi ymhellach yn y dyfodol.