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The Guardian World1 min read
People assume I can't speak Welsh because I'm not white
TL;DR
A black presenter highlights frustration over assumptions about her Welsh language skills due to her skin color. Seren Jones notes that some Welsh speakers switch to English upon seeing her, a bias not faced by her white friends.
Key points
- Seren Jones faces doubts about her Welsh skills due to her race
- Some Welsh speakers switch to English when seeing her
- Increase in Welsh speakers from diverse ethnic backgrounds
- Mali Ann Rees advocates for inclusivity in the Welsh language
- Unconscious bias affects language interactions in Wales
Mentioned in this story
Seren JonesMali Ann ReesWalesCardiffLondon
A black presenter and journalist says it is frustrating that her ability to speak Welsh is doubted because of the colour of her skin.
Seren Jones, from Cardiff, said she did not experience "the same assumption as [her] white friends", with some Welsh speakers switching to English when they see her.
Now living in London, Seren said: "I doubt I'm the only person of colour in Wales that's had that experience."
The 2021 census showed an increase in the number of Welsh speakers in Wales from Asian, black or other ethnic backgrounds.
Actress Mali Ann Rees said inclusivity was key to encouraging more people to speak Welsh, with "no excuse" for unconscious bias.
"I've got quite a neutral accent because I've lived in London for almost a decade and I've moved countries throughout my life," said Seren.
"Also I'm not a white person, and I think a lot of people in London and in England, when they think of someone Welsh speaking Welsh, they think of someone who's more white."
The 2021 census showed 18.4% of white people in Wales (around 533,000) spoke Welsh - a decrease from 19.5% in 2011.
Of those identifying as Asian or Asian British, the figure rose from 6.3% to 6.4%), and for those who were from a black, black British, Caribbean or African background, it rose from 5.6% to 6.1%.
Welsh speakers among people from other ethnic groups increased from 5.5% to 5.9%.
Seren has fronted a number of podcasts and documentaries, including Yn Fyw yn y Dwr on S4C.
Brought up in a Welsh-speaking household, she said non-Welsh people were often shocked that she could speak the language because of her accent as well as her background.
But she said the same assumption was also made by people closer to home.
"I think it is the fact that I'm a person of colour and that I'm a black woman and that I look like I'm a black woman," she said.
"To the people in Wales who don't know me for my work or maybe haven't seen me on TV, they wouldn't speak Welsh with me first, they'd speak English," Seren said.
One experience that stood out for Seren was when she was working in north Wales.
She said: "I was staying in a hotel and the woman in reception was speaking Welsh to everyone, but when she saw me she said, 'good morning, how was your night?'
Q&A
Why do some people doubt Seren Jones's ability to speak Welsh?
Some individuals doubt her Welsh language skills because of her skin color, leading to assumptions that differ from those made about her white friends.
What did the 2021 census reveal about Welsh speakers from diverse backgrounds?
The 2021 census showed an increase in the number of Welsh speakers from Asian, black, or other ethnic backgrounds in Wales.
What is the impact of unconscious bias on language use in Wales?
Unconscious bias can lead to individuals switching to English when speaking to people of color, which affects inclusivity and language use.
Who is Mali Ann Rees and what is her stance on inclusivity in the Welsh language?
Mali Ann Rees is an actress who emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in encouraging more people to speak Welsh and calls out unconscious bias.
