Rhagoriaith hosts information sharing session in Simultaneous Translation

This week, Rhagoriaith, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's Centre for Welsh Language Services, held an information sharing session in Simultaneous Translation.

The aim of this session was to discuss how the Simultaneous Translation service has had to change and adapt as a result of Covid 19. Quoting one translator's experience, “The diary went from being full of work to nothing, more or less overnight!” and very soon it was necessary to respond to that.  Dr Lowri Lloyd, Rhagoriaith Director at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said:

“With face-to-face meetings currently a thing of the past, it has been a challenge for the simultaneous translation service to move online to ensure linguistic equality for both the Welsh and English languages. Our translators in Wales have had to upskill and take advantage of the latest technology to enable this to happen and it is surprising how they have succeeded.”

The session, which was hosted by Rhagoriaith, and funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol's sponsorship, included contributions from freelance translators and local government translators to offer guidance to individuals who are unfamiliar with the field. The key aspects of the work were noted and the advantages and disadvantages were also highlighted. Technical, financial and contractual considerations were also considered but the main message is probably the way the change offers many benefits including:

• Home working, less travel, safer in the circumstances.
• It's better for the environment.
• No need to charge / disinfect and carry equipment.
• It is more cost effective for customers and meetings are better attended.

Lynwen Davies and Nerys Hurford, two of the session's contributors, believe that the service is unlikely to return to what it was before March 2020 and in fact provides the same satisfaction and sense of excitement as was simultaneous translation 'live' in a meeting room. Lynwen Davies added:

“There was an excellent discussion with translators from across Wales coming together to share their experiences. This last year has been very challenging and everyone has had to adapt to this new way of working.

I'm glad we were able to offer this opportunity because the work of a simultaneous translator can be lonely at times.”

Rhagoriaith will be offering training in the field of Simultaneous Translation over the coming weeks and anyone interested is welcome to contact rhagoriaith@pcydds.ac.uk 

Further Information

For more information please contact Arwel Lloyd, Principal PR and Communications Officer, on 07384 467076 / Arwel.Lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk