We see it as a service, a way of helping people out, and it is good to mix with other cultures at the group sessions'. In recent years Welsh, Gaelic and Irish have become increasingly visible on public notices, road signs and street names. Examples such as the Gaelic street sign illustrated here are important for psychological and symbolic reasons, sending as they do clear messages about the relevance and legitimacy of lesser used languages. The use of official signs has also had an important impact on the private sector. Sense of Place scheme offers financial support for private bilingual signs and particularly favours 'cluster schemes' where all the businesses in a particular neighbourhood apply for funding on in order to make a stronger visual impact.
Bilingual signs contribute to 'a sense of place', a clear selling point for visitors.
Public and village signs in Gaelic are used only in the Western Isles, while bilingual signs are to be found in parts of the Highland Council, and Argyll and Bute Council areas. Bilingual signs are also now being used by some government offices in the Gaelic-speaking areas. Bilingual signs are also a common sight in many British schools. If everyone is to understand their entitlements, public information needs to be translated into many different languages, as suggested by the montage of leaflets and brochures illustrated here. Their translators regularly deal with signage, council documents, standard letters to parents, letters from the housing department, and publicity materials for social services.