Post by Blackbird on May 22, 2006 11:01:19 GMT -1
Big Brother's warning over Welsh
Big Brother has given one of the TV reality programme's two Welsh-speaking housemates a telling-off for talking in his native language.
Glyn Wise, 18, a part-time lifeguard from Blaenau Ffestiniog, is among 14 housemates in the Channel 4 show.
He was told by the voice of Big Brother that using Welsh with ex-Miss Wales Imogen Thomas, of Llanelli, was speaking "in code".
But a Big Brother spokeswoman denied there was a ban on speaking Welsh.
Glyn was called to the diary room, where contestants regularly go to speak to Big Brother, to pick up some batteries.
Are we moving towards a state where 'big brother' is watching over us and deciding what language we can and cannot speak?
Welsh Language Society spokesman
But the authoritarian voice took the opportunity to tell him off for speaking Welsh.
"But Welsh is British," countered sixth-form student Glyn.
Big Brother replied: "It's not English, and could be considered to be talking in code."
However, the programme denied there was a Welsh ban in the house.
A Big Brother spokeswoman said: "Housemates are free to talk in any established language of their choosing.
"However, any discussion that is deemed to be against Big Brother rules may be punishable. Big Brother is multi-lingual and always listening."
She added that any Welsh spoken on the programme would be translated via subtitling.
A spokesman for the Welsh Language Society said: "Are we moving towards a state where 'big brother' is watching over us and deciding what language we can and cannot speak?"
The campaign group said it had complained to Channel 4, Ofcom and S4C - the Welsh fourth channel which also shows the programme.
"We are especially disappointed that S4C has chosen to broadcast this show, given that the whole point of S4C is to broadcast and promote the Welsh," said the spokesman.
Glyn had said in his profile for the programme that he feels strongly all Welsh people should speak the language.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4997698.stm
I've never watched any of this programme, and am not about to start now... but thought this was interesting...