
Bilingual Cardiff provides a range of simultaneous translation services online, in person and in hybrid situations.
Contact us today to organise your event bilingually.

What is simultaneous translation?
Simultaneous translation is a means to facilitate the use of Welsh in a bilingual situation.
People who want to speak Welsh can do so and everyone will be able to hear a translation if they don’t understand Welsh, by wearing headphones.
- With simultaneous translation, Welsh speakers are empowered to use Welsh.
- A professional translator will use quiet voice technique to translate everything that is said, at the same time, into a microphone.
- Non-Welsh speakers will receive a headset to hear a live translation of the Welsh contributions.
We can provide simultaneous translation in all situations, whether it’s a small or large event.
If you want to empower someone to use their Welsh and create an atmosphere of easy and natural bilingualism, this is the service to do so.

Meeting

Conference

Lecture

Hearing

Panel Chat

Interview

Event

Online

Hybrid
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 of experience providing the highest quality written and simultaneous translation.
Our simultaneous translation team is led by our Chief Translator at the time and is made up of experienced and qualified individuals. All team members have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Simultaneous Translation and two team members have gained Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru’s simultaneous translation accreditation.
Cardiff Bilingual is an accredited organisation with Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru.
Our simultaneous translation team

James Eul
Senior Simultaneous Translator
CCC Accreditation, Postgraduate Certificate in ST
Specialises in translation at appeals, hearings and legal matters
Technical lead

Bethan Thomas
Senior Simultaneous Translator
Postgraduate Certificate in ST
Specialises in translation in education
Advisory and customer service lead

Non Shafto-Humphries
Senior Simultaneous Translator
Postgraduate Certificate in ST
Specialises in event and community-based translation
Co-ordination and preparation lead
Simultaneous translation is a powerful step to becoming a bilingual organisation, and with us, your event and attendees will be in safe hands.
Cymraeg 2050: creating a place for the Welsh language
The Welsh Government has set the bold goal of not only reaching one 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 possibility for Welsh speakers to use their language at your meetings and events.
Do you have Welsh speakers in your team, or group, or meeting? Let’s make room for the language with simultaneous translation. People can be empowered to contribute their language, which can make attendees feel valued, whilst showing support of their skills and identity, and celebrating bilingualism.
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 at the time will work closely with you to prepare and ensure that the experience of listening to the translation is a pleasure, and 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 Cardiff Bilingual will be with you every step of the way to ensure an easy, effective, and enjoyable experience for your attendees and assist you in putting the right settings in place.
Technical support
Between headphones, presentations, correct channels, wifi, wavelength conflict, live streaming, different microphones and more, can you really add simultaneous translation into the mix?
Yes! Cardiff Council’s Simultaneous Translation Team prides itself 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, freeing you up to focus on organising a great event.
Trust and confidentiality
Attendees may be relying on us in highly sensitive or confidential situations, and we won’t let them down.
Our goal is for the individual to be able to express themselves in their preferred language confidently. We will provide an experienced translator in each case with experience in the matters at hand as well as the appropriate training for the situation in question.
Confidentiality is a priority for us, and our systems ensure that we in all cases adhere to data protection legislation. We work with the organiser to design the best process for your meeting or situation that respects the rights, confidentiality, and dignity of your attendees.
Welsh Language Measure
The Welsh Language Measure 2011 establishes the right of the people of Wales to speak Welsh and the principle that the Welsh language will not be treated less favourably than English, and the Welsh Language Standards impose specific duties on organisations including the provision of simultaneous translation.
Cardiff Bilingual is experienced in advising officers and organisations on their legal duties and we can ensure that the translation service we provide at the time is one that meets the legal requirements and supports service users to exercise their right to use Welsh comfortably.
Accreditation, professionalism and data protection
All of our translators are fully trained and accredited to ensure they have the appropriate skills to undertake a range of work including situations involving technical language or sensitive issues. This includes ensuring that 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.
Free testing
We will not charge any costs for any meeting to discuss your translation needs or for short meetings to test translation setups. We will also be happy to visit a site prior to an event to carry out a test of the translation and will not charge for this unless the venue is outside of Cardiff or our attendance is required for more than half an hour.
Equipment
The right equipment is important to enable attendees to access the translation seamlessly, and to be able to hear clearly.
We use state-of-the-art equipment developed by Sennheiser, which provides high and clear sound quality, which is simple to use, and very durable in design.
To use the tools, there is no need to click no buttons. The device automatically turns on when worn and turns itself off to conserve the battery.
We have been using the tools for years and have received extensive feedback to identify positive customer feedback.
Hygiene
It is important that customers feel safe with us and all equipment is fully disinfected 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, so if there are individuals using a hearing aid at your event, we can provide a solution for this.
Whatever the need, we will work with you to ensure a timely translation solution.
Insurance
We have comprehensive indemnity insurance.
Get in touch
Contact us today to discuss your meeting, event or needs by emailing simultaneoustranslation@cardiff.gov.uk