Margaret Bowen and her daughter Sioned are now both members of the University’s Translation Unit, bringing with them experience, enthusiasm, and a passion for the Welsh language to their work every day.
For Margaret, one of the main draws of translating for a living is the variety and challenge that comes with the work. She says:
“I love researching the correct terms and analysing the meaning of words in different fields. Every day is different.”
Sioned, on the other hand, enjoys the challenge of simultaneous interpretation. She says:
“Personally, I love undertaking simultaneous interpretation, interpreting in a variety of contexts is really exciting and challenging, and often, the simpler words are the ones that trip me up! Words like diwylliant (‘culture’), amserlen (‘timetable’/ ‘schedule’) or place names! Translators have to be experts in many areas so the variety of texts and research you have to do keeps the job extremely interesting.”
Although this is the first time both have worked together professionally, the experience of working together isn’t entirely new to them. They have worked together for years on different community ventures such as the Llanfihangel-ar-Arth and Parish’s Eisteddfod, and the Parc y Glyn Playing Field Committee, as well as on the family farm, developing a natural working relationship over time.
Both are used to sharing a small office at home where they can help each other with awkward terms or syntaxes. Despite this, working within the same team at the University was a new experience as every conversation is now relevant to them both. Sioned added:
“One thing that was strange when I was in the office on the campus and in team meetings, was, whether it’s professional to call mam mam?”
Neither though they would ever work together professionally. Sioned says:
“Mam used to be a teacher and so I never expected our careers to be the same! Mam’s grasp of the Welsh language is excellent and so she was a huge support to me when I started translating after I left university. “
Margaret came into the translation field having worked as a primary teacher, where she translated work every day for her pupils. She realised then that she really enjoyed the work and decided to change career. In the meantime, Sioned studied Professional Welsh at university and, although she wasn’t sure in the beginning whether translation was for her, her interest gradually developed, especially in simultaneous interpretation.
Margaret added:
“I’m always in awe when I see Sioned doing simultaneous interpreting, I would be too nervous to give it a go! She enjoys it so much and I admire her enthusiasm for the craft.”
Although their interests within the field are a little different, they learn a great deal from each other. Both have worked for different translation companies in the past and so they bring different experiences and methods to their current work.
Margaret says:
“It’s lovely to have the company of someone that understands the demands of the job, we get on really well and hardly ever get on each other’s nerves! We have plenty of time apart, usually, we go into the office on different days and Sioned’s simultaneous interpretation duties mean that her work is very different some days to mine.”
Margaret says that what drew her to UWTSD was her previous positive experience with the university.
“I had the impression that the University is a homely and friendly place, so when I saw a vacancy for a translator, I decided to put in an application and I’m very happy working at the Translation Unit.”
According to Sioned, she heard many positive things about the team before she joined.
“Mam always mentioned how lovely the translation team are and that everyone is very friendly and easy to work with. The wider Welsh Language Services team have also been very welcoming and there’s a sense of being part of a team. I was invited to sing in the Coleg Cymraeg Branch Choir for the St David’s Day celebrations at the end of my very first week – this confirmed for me that Trinity is a wonderful place to work!”
In their opinion, one of the biggest strengths of the Translation Unit is the staff’s experience and expertise.
“Everyone is so willing to help and it’s really a pleasure to work here,” they said.
Although some people are surprised to hear that a mother and daughter are working together, both Margaret and Sioned say that their experience of working together for years, whether on the farm or in community activities, has paved the way perfectly.
Although their work lives are busy, they also maintain a healthy balance between work and their personal lives. Sioned is an active member of the Llanllwni Young Farmers’ club and takes part in creative competitions and activities, while they both enjoy starting their day with a run in Llandysul before turning to translation.
For both, working together is not only a chance to share a career, but is also a way of strengthening their relationship. Sioned says:
“I have always looked up to my Mam, she has a very tight grasp of the Welsh language and is exceptionally professional in her work. I have 3 brothers and so our relationship has always been close and she’s more like a friend that a Mam most of the time!”
And for Margaret, the answer is simple:
“I like spending time with Sioned, she’s good company, and she’s always conscientious in her work. We both need peace and quiet to translate and we’re completely happy to be in the same room without talking for hours. Then, we’ll have a break over a cuppa and put the world to rights!”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07449 998476