Simultaneous translation

We can provide simultaneous translation in all situations, including small or large events. These could be online, in person, or a mix of both. For example:   

Bilingual Cardiff leads on policy issues and the promotion of the Welsh language at Cardiff Council. Our vision is to make Cardiff a truly bilingual city.

We have 28 years’ experience in providing the highest quality written and simultaneous translation.

Our simultaneous translation team is led by our Head Simultaneous Translator and is made up of experienced and qualified individuals. All team members have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Simultaneous Translation, and 2 team members have gained Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru’s simultaneous translation accreditation.

Bilingual Cardiff is an accredited organisation with Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru (The Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters).

 

Meet the simultaneous translation team

Using simultaneous translation can be a powerful step towards becoming a bilingual organisation.  With us, your event and attendees will be in safe hands.  

If you have Welsh speakers in your team, group, or meeting, simultaneous translation can empower people to contribute their language, which can make attendees feel valued. This also shows your support of their skills and identity and celebrates bilingualism. 

Cymraeg 2050: creating a place for the Welsh language

The Welsh Government has set the bold goal of not only reaching 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050 but also doubling the opportunities to use the language. We can help you contribute to this goal by creating the opportunity for Welsh speakers to use their language at your meetings and events. 

Chairing in Welsh

A chair can be a powerful role model by using a little Welsh, chairing fully in Welsh, or simply reminding attendees of the option to use Welsh at the meeting frequently. 

Inviting speakers to present in Welsh

You can be a great advocate for the language by encouraging other people, whether you speak Welsh yourself or not. If someone who speaks Welsh presents in front of an audience, why not encourage them to do so in Welsh with simultaneous translation? Our translation team will work closely with you to prepare and make sure the experience of listening to the translation is an enjoyable experience for all attendees. 

Simultaneous translation on Teams

Scheduling translation on a Teams meeting is easy and cost-effective. This is a great way to bring people together in a bilingual context and we will be with you every step of the way to help you put the right settings in place. 

Technical support

Between headphones, presentations, correct channels, Wi-Fi, wavelength conflict, live streaming, different microphones and more, can you really add simultaneous translation into the mix? 

Yes! We pride ourselves on creating a place for the Welsh language, whatever your needs, and we have the expertise and experience to take care of the technical side. This lets you focus on organising a great event. 

Trust and confidentiality

Confidentiality is a priority for us, and our systems make sure that we follow data protection legislation. We will work with you to design the best process for your meeting or situation that respects the rights, confidentiality, and dignity of your attendees. 

Attendees may be relying on us in highly sensitive or confidential situations, and we will not let them down. 

Our goal is for a person to be able to express themselves in their preferred language confidently. We will provide a translator with experience in the matters at hand, as well as the appropriate training for the specific situation. 

The Welsh Language Standards set specific requirements on organisations. This includes the provision of simultaneous translation.

Examples of standards that typically apply to public bodies and relate to simultaneous translation include are:

• Standards 21, 22A, 25, 28, 29 – the requirement to offer the option to engage in the medium of Welsh in any meeting, case conference, and to facilitate this with simultaneous translation where necessary.
• Standard 84, 87, 108 – the requirement to offer the option to engage in the medium of Welsh in internal proceedings between staff including complaints, disciplinary, and recruitment procedures.

Active offer

The active offer makes sure that service users know they can use Welsh from the start. This means that public bodies will make sure they proactively find out if the language preference of the service user is Welsh. This may be in conversations with the individual or their family, and by including a question in forms. For example:

If you are unsure about your capacity to deliver that service in Welsh, simultaneous translation can be an effective solution in many cases.

Bilingual Cardiff, Bilingual Council

Cardiff Council’s policy outlines several commitments on the use of Welsh internally, such as:

• To develop the formal and social use of Welsh amongst our workforce through regular learning and social opportunities, and greater participation in a variety of formal and informal language networks and events.
• To increase the opportunities for staff to develop their Welsh language skills, increase their confidence, and to improve the bilingual services we provide
• To promote and project a bilingual workplace ethos externally with a view to attracting more bilingual staff.

Treating Welsh no less favourably

The Welsh Language Measure 2011 sets out the principle that public bodies in Wales must treat Welsh no less favourably than English. This means thinking about service user experience and how parity can be achieved for those who would prefer to access that service in Welsh.

The right to speak in Welsh

Part 1 of The Welsh Language Measure 2011 gives all individuals in Wales the right to speak Welsh. Part 6 gives the Welsh Language Commissioner the power to investigate and potentially fine any organisation that is alleged to have interfered with this right.

Bilingual Cardiff is experienced in advising officers and organisations on their legal duties. We can make sure the simultaneous translation service we provide is one that meets the legal requirements and supports service users to exercise their right to use Welsh comfortably.

Mwy Na Geiriau – More Than Words

Mwy Na Geiriau is a Welsh Government led 5-year plan to improve the experiences of service users in Wales in health and social care where their first or preferred language is Welsh.

Mwy Na Geiriau highlights the impact that care being delivered in the patient’s first or preferred language can have on outcomes and overall experience. Receiving care in the right language can often be a need.

A key concept in Mwy Na Geiriau is the active offer.  This means public bodies will make sure they proactively find out if the language preference of the service user is Welsh. There is more information about active offer on this page.

Accreditation, professionalism, data protection and DBS

All of our translators are fully trained and accredited to make sure they have the appropriate skills to undertake a range of work. This includes situations involving technical language or sensitive issues.

We make sure our practices are those that respect data protection laws in all cases. By being accredited, our translators commit to Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru’s Code of Professional Behaviour.

All our translators have had a DBS check.

Here are some important things to note before getting in touch. 

Free testing

We will not charge for any meetings to discuss your translation needs or for short meetings to test translation setups.  

We are also happy to visit a site before an event to carry out a test of the translation. We will not charge for this unless the venue is outside of Cardiff, or we need to be there for more than 30 minutes. 

Equipment

We use state-of-the-art equipment developed by Sennheiser. This high-quality, durable, equipment provides clear sound. It is also designed to be simple to use. 

To use the equipment, there is no need to click buttons. Our devices automatically switch on when worn and switch off when taken off. This helps to save power.  

Our equipment has had a lot of positive feedback from users.

Hygiene

It is important that customers feel safe with us. We fully disinfect all the equipment before each use.  

Health and safety

Our equipment, which is of professional quality and by a trusted brand, is completely safe to use and there are no wires to snag over them. We will work closely with you to respond appropriately to all health and safety issues. 

Additional needs

We also have devices that link with hearing aids. If there are people using a hearing aid at your event, we can provide a solution for this. 

Whatever the need, we will work with you to make sure we provide a timely translation solution. 

Insurance

We have comprehensive indemnity insurance.