Language Strategy 2018-2023

Draft Action Plan 2023-2026

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

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

• Language Strategy: Draft Action Plan 2023-2026
• Straitéis Teanga – Dréachtphlean Gníomhaíochta 2023-2026
• Leid Strategy – Draft Ection Plen 2023-2026

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

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.

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.