Today, Tuesday the 26th of May, Anglesey County Council along with Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru (Welsh Translators Society) and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David will hold a ‘Give Translation and Interpretation a Go’ session at the County Council’s stall at the Urdd Eisteddfod.
The aim of the session will be for children and young people to give simultaneous interpretation (the art of orally interpretating one language to another in real time) a go by using a VR headset, learn more about translation as a career and have fun with the Welsh language.
Arwel Wynn Owen, Anglesey County Council’s Translation Service Manager said, “This session is an opportunity for Welsh speaking children and young people to have fun while trying their hand at simultaneous interpretation. It will be an opportunity to ask about careers in translation and to raise awareness of the importance of the Welsh language.”
Lynwen Davies of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David notes, “It is nice to be able to collaborate with Anglesey County Council and Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru at the Urdd Eisteddfod this year in order to highlight the craft of simultaneous interpretation. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David offers a Post Graduate Certificate in Simultaneous Interpretation and is an unique programme in the sense that this is the only post graduate qualification of its kind in Wales. The Certificate receives support from Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru as well as the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (National Welsh College).
Teleri Haf, Chief Officer of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru stated, “Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru is proud to work with Anglesey County Council and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in arranging this special event. The Society celebrates its 50th birthday this year and we are keen to ensure the future of the art by introducing translation and simultaneous interpretation to young people.”
Manon Cadwaladr, the Chair of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru went on to say, “Very often, translation is seen as a lonely, tiresome and invisible job but an event like this is an opportunity to challenge this and to show how lively, energetic and sociable the profession can be.”
Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Portfolio Holder for Education and the Welsh language at Anglesey County Council said, “Increasing opportunities to learn and use the language is a strategic aim for us as a Council and its nice to see children and young people getting the opportunity to learn more about doing so during this fun filled event.”
The University will bring VR headsets to Anglesey County Council’s stall (located at N4 on the maes) on Tuesday afternoon from 2pm in order to give a taste of the experience of simultaneous interpretation so come over to see the technology in action.
This is mainly an event for Welsh speakers but non Welsh speakers and learners are more than welcome to attend to learn more about simultaneous interpretation, how this works in bilingual meetings and to enjoy the range of other activities available at the Anglesey County Council stall.
