Welsh builders upset Aberdeen locals with language gaffe
Builders - 05/09/2006 11:53:26
A Welsh builders firm found itself in hot water after erecting a Welsh and English bilingual warning sign – on a Scottish construction site.
Construction giant David McLean left locals in shock when it committed the gaffe and floods of complaints were received by both Aberdeen council and the builders.
The sign was erected as part of the company's redevelopment of a service station in the Bridge of Don and was intended to apologies for any inconvenience caused but ended up creating more of a stir.
Local resident Sandy Aitken said: "For a multi-language sign, they could have used Doric or even Gaelic.
"While Big Brother's Glyn would be quite happy to see the expansion of Welsh throughout the UK, in the north east of Scotland it would be far more appropriate if the sign was in Doric rather than Welsh."
A spokesman for David McLean apologised for the gaffe, claiming that the sign was part of an on-going local language initiative by the builders firm.
The spokesman said: "However, we understand that the locals may have preferred to see it in Gaelic and will put up a new sign as soon as possible."
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