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Audit Wales Podcast
Listen to our Chief Officer discuss the challenges artificial intelligence poses for the Welsh language, with Siôn Owen of Audit Wales and Osian Llywelyn, Director of Regulation and Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner.
'Cynnig ar Gyfieithu'
On Tuesday, 26 May, a translation session was held at the Anglesey Urdd Eisteddfod, where children had the opportunity to experience interpreting using VR headsets. It was a pleasure to collaborate with the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Rhagoriaeth in organising this event.
The Urdd Eisteddfod Translation Competition
Huge congratulations to Mared Osian Griffiths from Anglesey for winning the 19 – 25 translation competition at this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod. Congratulations also to Non Davies, who won second prize, and to Cai Phillips, who came third. All three will receive free training from Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru. Many thanks to Huw Tegid Roberts for judging.
Thomas Cherry-Gunning wins the Wil Petherbridge Memorial Award
Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2025 Wil Petherbridge Memorial Award is Thomas Cherry-Gunning. The award is presented to the most promising candidate in the Basic Membership examination for translation into Welsh. The winner was selected by the Association’s examiners following the Spring and Autumn 2025 examinations.
The Wil Petherbridge Memorial Award was established by the Association in 2007 in memory of its former secretary and a pioneer in the field of translation in Wales. The award reflects the Association’s appreciation of all Wil’s work, particularly his role in establishing the examination system.
Thomas was brought up in Mynwent y Crynwyr, next to the village of Nelson in the South Wales Valleys. He now lives in Rhymney with his wife, Elen, and their cat, Arwenna. He studied Drama at the University of Exeter between 2017 and 2020, and began translating in the Civil Service over four years ago. He is also an enthusiastic member of the CwmNi drama company in Caerphilly.
Thomas said: “I’m someone – like many others in this community, perhaps – who has always enjoyed browsing through grammar books. I enjoy the challenge and the fun of bridging two languages and two cultures. I’ve really enjoyed discovering and developing my craft as a translator, and it was wonderful to pass the Association’s exam last year – and to win the Wil Petherbridge Memorial Award on top of that! Many thanks once again to the Association for this honour.”
Thomas will soon begin a new role at the Food Standards Agency and hopes to have more time to write and translate creatively. Best wishes, Thomas!
Appointment of Chief Officer
Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru is pleased to announce that Teleri Haf Hughes has been appointed as the association's new Chief Officer.
Teleri is from Amlwch, and after graduating from Aberystwyth University with a first-class honours degree in Welsh, she returned to teach at her old school, Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch. Teleri currently works as the Children and Young People's Editor with Gwasg Y Lolfa.
Announcing her appointment, Chair of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru, Manon Cadwaladr, said: "I'm really looking forward to working with Teleri. She has a clear vision regarding the direction of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru and her enthusiasm and energy will surely take the association to the next level. I am also pleased that Teleri is able to work with Gwyn Williams, our current Chief Officer to ensure a smooth transition period. I would also like to thank the Welsh Government who are part-funding the position of Chief Officer."
Teleri said: "I am very much looking forward to the challenge of serving the members of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru and building on the foundations that have been established over the last 50 years”.
Teleri will take up her post in September.
New Report Highlights Vital Role of Welsh Translation Sector in Wales
A newly published report by research company Arad offers a comprehensive insight into the size, value, and diversity of the Welsh translation sector in Wales. With financial support from the Welsh Government, the research was conducted through a combination of online surveys, interviews, and desk research. This is the first time such research has been carried out in Wales, and the findings provide a solid foundation for Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru to develop long-term, robust, and ambitious strategies.
You can read the full Welsh report here. Feel free to contact swyddfa@cyfieithwyr.cymru if you would like to discuss the report further.
Research into the translating and interpreting profession
- How many translators/interpreters are there in Wales?
- Where do they live and for who do they work?
- What is the contribution of Welsh to English and English to Welsh translation to the Welsh economy?
To answer these questions and more, Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru, with the financial support of the Welsh Government, has commissioned research company Arad to investigate the profession.
BUT in order to undertake the research, it’s necessary to find all the translators and interpreters in Wales.
There are 400 translators and interpreters who are members of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru, but we know that there are many more people who translate. Some translate at work – although it may not be part of their job description. A number of people volunteer to translate in the community in societies and chapels across Wales. Some translate text, some interpret at meetings and at religious services.
We need to hear from all of these to get the full picture.
Manon Cadwaladr, Chair of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru, said: "Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru has been in existence since 1976, but has never undertaken this kind of research into the profession before. So that we as an association, educators and employers to be able to plan for the future, we need to know the shape and structure of the profession. I would encourage everyone who translates, be that full-time, part-time or on a voluntary basis, to complete the questionnaire so that we can properly understand the contribution of translation and interpretation to the Welsh economy.
So if you're a translator or interpreter, or know someone who is, please direct them to www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/arolwg-cyfieithwyr/ so they can have their say.
It's also important to hear from translation companies – so there's a special questionnaire for them www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/arolwg-cyfieithwyr_cwmniau/
And for public sector organisations, local government translation units, health boards, university and so forth www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/arolwg-cyfieithwyr_sefydliadau/
All answers will be anonymous, and no individual details will be shared with Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru or its Board members. To see Arad’s privacy notice follow this link arad.cymru/s/Hysbysiad-preifatrwydd-Arad-Privacy-notice-1.pdf
If you have any questions about this research, please contact swyddfa@cyfieithwyr.cymru
Appointment of Chief Officer
Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru is pleased to announce that Teleri Haf Hughes has been appointed as the association's new Chief Officer.
Teleri is from Amlwch, and after graduating from Aberystwyth University with a first-class honours degree in Welsh, she returned to teach at her old school, Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch. Teleri currently works as the Children and Young People's Editor with Gwasg Y Lolfa.
Announcing her appointment, Chair of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru, Manon Cadwaladr, said: "I'm really looking forward to working with Teleri. She has a clear vision regarding the direction of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru and her enthusiasm and energy will surely take the association to the next level. I am also pleased that Teleri is able to work with Gwyn Williams, our current Chief Officer to ensure a smooth transition period. I would also like to thank the Welsh Government who are part-funding the position of Chief Officer."
Teleri said: "I am very much looking forward to the challenge of serving the members of Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru and building on the foundations that have been established over the last 50 years”.
Teleri will take up her post in September.
Enillwyr gwobrau Wil Petherbridge a Berwyn
Mae Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru yn falch o gyhoeddi mae enillwyr gwobrau’r Gymdeithas am y gwaith cyfieithu orau yn arholiadau’r Gymdeithas yn 2024 yw Sarah Boyd a Rhys Ifor.
Sarah Boyd sydd yn ennill Gwobr Berwyn am ei gwaith cyfieithu o’r Gymraeg i’r Saesneg yn arholiadau’r Gymdeithas. Tra mae Rhys Ifor yn ennill Gwobr Goffa Wil Petherbridge am ei waith yn cyfieithu o’r Saesneg i’r Gymraeg
Roedd arholwyr y Gymdeithas yn ystyried gwaith pawb safodd arholiadau’r Gymdeithas yn ystod 2024 (Gwanwyn a Hydref) cyn dod i’w penderfyniad.
Cyflwynir Gwobr Berwyn i'r ymgeisydd mwyaf addawol am Aelodaeth Sylfaenol drwy gyfieithu i'r Saesneg. Mae'n anrhydeddu Berwyn Prys Jones a fu'n Gadeirydd y Gymdeithas am fwy na chwarter canrif ac yn arweinydd ysbrydoledig ar fyd cyfieithu yng Nghymru.
Cyflwynir Gwobr Goffa Wil Petherbridge gan Gymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru er cof am ei chyn-Ysgrifennydd ac arloeswr ym myd cyfieithu yng Nghymru. Mae’r wobr yn arwydd o werthfawrogiad y Gymdeithas o’r holl waith a wnaeth Wil, yn enwedig wrth sefydlu’r drefn arholi.
O Landeilo daw Sarah yn wreiddiol, gan raddio gyda gradd BA mewn Ffrangeg ac Eidaleg, ac yna MA mewn Astudiaethau Cyfieithu, o Brifysgol Caerdydd. Mae hi wedi gweithio i Business Language Services Ltd am dros wyth mlynedd ac erbyn hyn hi yw Uwch Swyddog y Gymraeg y cwmni.
Cafodd Rhys Ifor ei fagu yng Nghaernarfon gan dderbyn ei addysg yn Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, cyn symud i Gaerdydd i wneud cyrsiau BA Hanes ac MA Cymraeg ac Astudiaethau Celtaidd ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae o wedi bod yn cyfieithu ers bron i bum mlynedd gan gychwyn yng nghwmni Cyfieithu Clir cyn symud ymlaen i weithio yn adran gyfieithu Amgueddfa Cymru, ac erbyn hyn mae o’n gweithio fel Uwch-gyfieithydd yn uned gyfieithu Prifysgol Caerdydd.
"AI in translation and interpretation - the opportunities and the challenges"
A conference organised by Gymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru.
Monday 23 June, Aberystwyth University
Speakers:
Efa Gruffydd Jones, Welsh Language Commissioner, discussing Standards and AI
Dr Angharad James, Department of Law at Aberystwyth University, will discuss the legal confidentiality implications, of using AI.
Hanna Thomas, who works for an international IT consultancy, will talk about the possibilities of AI.
Ben Screen, author of " “Sylfeini Cyfieithu Testun: Cyflwyniad i Gyfieithu Proffesiynol”, the benefits of AI for a translator.
Alun Gruffydd, founder of Bla, will discuss the impact of AI on translation companies.
Mandi Morse, Senior Lecturer in Professional Translation Studies will discuss the implications of AI for educators.
and
Rhys Jones, Bangor AI, will horizen scan for "what's coming next?".
There is no cost to attend and light refreshments will be available.
The Conference will be held through the medium of Welsh but with simultaneous interpretation available.
To register follow the link >>> https://forms.gle/DeDJgc9qzkngXyyU7