Skip to main content

Language Strategy

  • About our Language Strategy

    English is the principal language of Belfast City Council. However, we recognise the diverse nature of Belfast and Northern Ireland, and have taken steps to meet the demand for services in other languages.

    This began with the development of our Language Policy in 2006, and then the launch of our Language Strategy in 2018. The strategy underpins future objectives and actions, while building on the legacy of our previous work.

    The Language Strategy commits the council to taking action on:

    • Irish
    • Ulster Scots
    • newcomer languages
    • Sign Languages
    • languages and communications for people with disabilities

    Our strategy examines the use of these languages in engagement with residents and in signage, branding, forms, social media and our website.

  • Language Strategy 2024 - 2026

    Intro to be provided

    • English strategy doc – to be linked
    • Irish strategy doc – to be linked
    • English rural needs analysis –  to be linked
    • Irish rural needs analysis – to be linked
    • English EQIA – to be linked
    • Irish EQIA – to be linked

    Information about your say or contacting consult@... 

  • Draft Action Plan 2023-2026

    We developed a draft Language Strategy Action Plan in 2023 to support the implementation of our Language Strategy.

    It identified immediate priorities and longer term goals across the five strands of the strategy.

    The consultation ran for 14 weeks and ended on 22 January 2024.

    UNLESS THIS INFORMATION CAN BE REMOVED

  • Language Strategy 2018 - 2023

    In 2018, we launched our language strategy. The strategy builds on earlier initiatives including the draft Linguistic Diversity Policy and Language Framework, together with extensive consultation.

     

  • Getting a copy of the language strategy

    If you would like a copy of the language strategy, a citizen's summary of the strategy or an Easy Read version, you can ask for our documents by emailing equality@belfastcity.gov.uk.

Read aloud icon Read aloud