At Conwy’s National Eisteddfod, Rhagoriaith, University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Centre for Welsh Language Services, will launch a national platform, Cyfieithu ar y Pryd Cymru, with the Minister for the Welsh language, Eluned Morgan AM.
cyfieithuarypryd.cymru, a development funded by the Welsh Government, is the first training resource of its kind in Wales that will provide support to individuals who wish to learn and practice the art of simultaneous interpretation.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David offers the only accredited Higher Education qualification in Wales for simultaneous interpretation. This is the only approved simultaneous interpretation provision that is supported and promoted by Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru.
Dr. Lowri Lloyd, Rhagoriaith Director at University of Wales Trinity Saint David said, “Simultaneous interpretation is a specialist skill, and professional training and wide ranging practice opportunities are key. The platform we have created, as a starting point, promotes the art of simultaneous interpretation. It also contributes positively to further professionalising the subject area. It facilitates access to materials and interpretation instructions from experienced practitioners to ensure that future interpreters are nurtured and developed to the expected professional standards.”
In line with the Welsh Government’s vision of creating a million Welsh speakers by 2050, the platform aims to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language, ensuring a cohort of capable and qualified interpreters. Minister for the Welsh language, Eluned Morgan AM said, “The Welsh Government is eager to see the translation profession evolving, in order to ensure there are enough professional translators and linguists with modern skills. That is why we were so willing to provide funding to the tune of £60,000 over two years to University of Wales Trinity Saint David, to develop the new simultaneous translation platform. The new website is an important development and a significant part of the picture in relation to developing the translation profession. Translation is essential in the context of the Welsh language, and this is especially true of simultaneous translation, which enables people to use Welsh naturally whilst speaking publicly, or when using public services. The simultaneous translation platform is part of the wider work being done to modernise Welsh language linguistic infrastructure, in order to ensure that this area moves forward strategically for the benefit of Welsh speakers of all abilities, wherever they may be.”
The Cyfieithu ar y Pryd Cymru platform includes film clips, instructions and a bank of terminology. It includes a section for individuals studying the Certificate for Simultaneous Interpretation at the University, as well as a section that is open to anyone who wishes to try their hand at the craft. Dr Lowri Lloyd added, “We are confident that this platform is a significant development for the Welsh language. It expands the skills of interpreters in response to the increasing use of the Welsh and has the potential to be emulated in some of Europe’s other minority language countries ”.
The Welsh Simultaneous Interpretation platform will be officially launched by the Welsh Minister at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s stand at the National Eisteddfod in Conwy on Tuesday, 6 August 2019 at 11:00am.