In the latest edition of the ITI Bulletin, our Director Alun Gruffydd reports on his presentation at the Nordic Translation Industry Forum’s conference in Malmö back in November 2024.

This particular conference focused on the role of humans in the translation industry against a backdrop of AI’s rapidly developing momentum. Alun, who has previously expressed his scepticism of AI, centred his presentation on defending the traditional approach to translation – with the magic of a human touch!

Alun presented comparisons of idioms of four languages – Welsh, English, Finnish and Norwegian (all of which we translate into here at Bla!) as he was eager to demonstrate the various layers of languages and how that only a trained human Translator can fathom such richness.

In addition, he stressed that we should not forget the “academic and professional journey of the linguist”, which is already so often overlooked, especially so in the context of the Welsh language. Not only will allowing clients to become self-qualified lead to a decline in the population of Translators, but also bares immense risk on the quality and accuracy of written content.

Click here to read Alun’s insightful article titled ‘Another Country’ in the ITI Bulletin and scroll down to page 33.

At Bla, we have over 13 years’ experience of serving our valued clients with expert Welsh translation services. Over the years, we have had the privilege of serving returning clients as well as welcoming new ones. One thing all of them have in common is the questions they ask regarding Bla’s services. Therefore, it is our pleasure to outline below a few frequently asked questions:

1) What services do you offer?

Our team specialises in document translation, editing, and proofreading. Due to our varied client base, we are familiar with a whole range of subjects, from Engineering to Education, Climate Change to Current Affairs and everything in-between. We are comfortable with providing short and catchy translations for those attention-grabbing marketing materials as well as hefty, technical reports. Discuss your requirements with our Business Unit so that our translation team can achieve the best outcome for you and your goals.

2) What qualifications do your linguistic staff hold?

We have 8 qualified Translators and 1 Trainee Translator here at Bla, as well as access to a pool of around 20 qualified Freelance Translators who have all been approved to work with us by our Director. Our qualified in-house team hold relevant degree-level qualifications (and post-graduate qualifications in some cases). Our Trainee Translator is currently undergoing a tailored training programme under the supervision of our Translation Manager – Quality and Director, which also involves an element of expert training by external providers. For more information about our experienced staff, please see our About page.

3) What are your prices?

Our fees vary depending on the service you require and are very much in line with the translation industry. Usually, translation services are priced based on wordcount. You’re more than welcome to fill in a contact form here outlining your requirements and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

4) What are your return times?

We provide a return time based on various factors: your requirements, the document’s complexity, our capacity in terms of resources, therefore our return times vary. We will always communicate the expected return time with you before beginning any translation task. If you have a specific return date in mind, please feel free to inform us with your enquiry. We value honest communication with our clients and, therefore, we will never make any promises that we cannot keep.

5) Do you use AI?

We do not use AI in our line of work. Rather, we use a TM Software which is a translation ‘memory’ our human Translators feed into and maintain regularly. Our TM of choice is MemoQ – a reputable and widely used software package. Using a TM has many advantages; improves consistency across documents, speeds up the translation process, facilitates collaboration within our team which, ultimately, improves the service we offer to our clients.

6) What other languages can you translate?

In 2023, we established Bla₂, which is our International Languages Unit. This means that organisations can turn to us with all of their translation needs, streamlining their supply chain and benefitting from Bla’s famous top-class customer service. Apart from the Welsh language, we specialise in Arabic, Urdu, Romanian, Polish and French, however we can undertake translation projects in a whole host of other languages beyond these. Head over to our Bla2 page to learn more.

If we haven’t quite covered your questions above, then you’re urged to reach out to us by submitting a contact us form here and one of our team members will respond promptly.

Bla Translation’s offices are based on Ynys Môn (Isle of Anglesey) where we are surrounded by idyllic beaches, interesting landscapes and breathtaking scenery. It is no surprise then that our home is a honey pot for tourists wishing to escape from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives to the tranquillity of Môn Mam Cymru. In our latest blog, we explore how translation services can boost the tourism industry.

1. Immersing in our culture

Using the Welsh language in the tourism industry will provide more authentic experiences for visitors who come here from outside of the country, helping them to immerse in our rich culture in Wales. Our language is what makes us unique as a nation, so why not reap the benefits of that competitive advantage we have here in Wales? It helps to distinguish Wales as a holiday destination compared to other similar honeypot areas within the UK that lack this special feature. You are missing a trick if you are a business owner in Wales and not taking every opportunity to display our country’s unusual charm.

2. Welcoming Welsh-speaking tourists

There are so many things to see and do across Wales, and when the weather’s in our favour, then it is very difficult to beat God’s own country. It is no surprise then that many of us who live in Wales opt for a staycation every now and then. Hearing and seeing the Welsh language will no doubt boost rates of return visits as it shows respect towards our rich culture. It will also offer a more enjoyable and comfortable experience to those who do speak Welsh, or are learning the language, which could inspire further visits. Imagine going to Spain and not being immersed in their language and culture?! It’s such an important part of a holiday.

3. Greater sense of place

Along with our strong food and drink scene, striking historical buildings and abundant wildlife, our language makes a significant contribution to our sense of place and help tourists to forge a connection with the area. Welsh place names, for example, strengthen our identity and help us to connect with places on a deeper, emotional level – and we all know that emotions are powerful in sales. It is exceptionally important that we preserve the Welsh language so that we maintain and improve our sense of place.

The Welsh language has to be central to our tourism industry in Wales, not only to create opportunities to immerse in our culture and to be inclusive, but most importantly, to ensure a prosperous future for our ancient mother tongue.

If your organisation relies heavily on the tourism industry, you must put the Welsh language centre stage. Not only does this help to secure the language for future generations, but it will also help you stand out in a tough, saturated market.

We all know that the Welsh language is the oldest language in Britain, but it was once in decline, thanks to the sufferings it has endured. Continued efforts over the last few years, however, have ensured it’s revival. One of the most significant milestones in this effort was the establishment of The Welsh Language Standards. These Standards are a set of legally binding requirements that facilitate the Welsh language in Wales, protecting and promoting its use in daily life and public services. Let us delve deeper into these Standards:

What are the Welsh Language Standards?

The Welsh Language Standards were introduced by the Welsh Language Measure (Wales) 2011. Briefly, this Measure aims to ensure that the Welsh language is treated equally to the English language in Wales. The purpose of the Standards are to:

• Promote and encourage the Welsh language across various sectors
• Ensure that the language is used in the delivery of public services
• To make it easier for people to access services in Welsh if they choose to.

Who is required to comply with the Welsh Language Standards?

All public sector organisations in Wales must comply with these Standards. This includes organisations such as local authorities, police, health boards, public education establishments.

The Standards are enforced by the Welsh Language Commissioner, who is responsible for overseeing them and ensuring that organisations comply. If an organisation fails to comply, then the Commissioner has the right to impose a penalty.

Do you need help?

At Bla, we have worked with countless organisations who are required to comply with the Welsh Language Standards. From local authorities to health boards and near-enough everything in-between, we have provided our expertise to ensure that these establishments operate bilingually. We’re here to help so please do reach out to us for assistance:

(01248) 725 755

business@bla-translation.co.uk

As a translation company with over 11 years’ experience in the industry, at Bla we have acute knowledge of the importance of ethics when it comes to translation. Translators play a crucial role in conveying information, and respecting the principles of translation is key to providing a successful translation service. We outline these ethics below:

1. Staying true to the source text –
   
   The source text is the original document, written in the author’s unique voice. Translators must stay true to the source text by conveying the message in full, adopting the correct language register and conveying the purpose in an appropriate manner in the target language. There are some cases in which this guidance is more loosely adhered to, such as creative translations, but cultural sensitivity must always be respected in such cases.
   
2. Produce a grammatically accurate translation –
   
   Correct grammar is paramount in translation. Without it, the meaning will no doubt become distorted between the languages. Your written materials are a direct representation of you/your organisation/brand. Choose your Translator wisely to ensure that the service you receive is error-free, helping you to make the best possible representation of yourself in the target language.
   
3. Putting personal feelings/thoughts to one side –
   
   As Translators, we naturally work on highly varied translation tasks. Through our work, we are exposed to a range of different subject matters and/or opinions – some of which we may disagree with. We are professionals, therefore, we will always maintain transparency when undertaking such translation tasks and will always be led by the source text only.
   
4. Privacy is the magic word –
   
   Privacy is critical in translation and is just as important as grammatical accuracy. In our work at Bla, we handle documents that contain highly sensitive information on a daily basis. When choosing a Translator, you need to be sure that such confidential information will be safe in their hands.
   
5. Fair business practices –
   
   Translators should always be transparent with their pricing structure. In this field, the price is usually based on the number of words to be translated. There should be clear communication in terms of costs with the client before undertaking the translation task so that the client isn’t unpleasantly surprised by any unexpected fees. At Bla, we offer free, no obligation quotes.

If you are searching for a professional, reliable and *double* award-winning translation company, who have over 10 years’ experience of delivering accurate services to a diverse client base, then get in touch with our Business Unit who will be more than happy to advise you: business@bla-translation.co.uk

Although the Welsh language is one of Wales’ official languages, it is only public sector organisations in Wales who are legally required to operate bilingually. The Welsh Language Measure 2011 introduced a set of Welsh Language Standards with which public bodies in Wales are required under law to comply. Failing to do so will result in action being taken against such organisations. Very briefly, the aim is to ensure that the Welsh language is not treated less favourably than the English language in Wales.

At Bla, we have the pleasure of working with a varied client base, having supported, and continue to support, a wide range of organisations from all sectors in Wales and beyond. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of private businesses turning to us for translation services, which is fantastic to see. It demonstrates that more private businesses are becoming aware of the benefits of operating bilingually in Wales.

So what are the benefits of bilingualism to businesses?

• Whatever service you have to offer or whatever product you’re selling, your client base will expand if you communicate with your audience in their own language as you will be able to rapidly forge a connection with them. By using two languages, you are reaching a wider audience which will result in higher sales
• If you’re on a mission to win tenders where there is an element of public money, one way of dramatically strengthening your bid will be to express that you are working with a professional translation company based in Wales (*cough* Bla Translation *cough*) who will assist you to satisfy your Welsh language obligations
• By adopting the Welsh language, you show cultural sensitivity. The public awareness of your brand will strengthen as you will be exposed to an enhanced client base
• In addition to this, you will boost the loyalty of your current client base, increasing client retention rates even further.

One of the private companies we have been working with for many years is Freshwater, a national communications agency head-quartered in South Wales with a further office in London. The client base that Freshwater has developed over the years is enviable and they also boast an exceptionally strong team of experts. Bla is privileged to have been Freshwater’s chosen translation providers since April 2017. During that time, we have developed a highly efficient and effective working relationship.

As a company who are adept at using translation services as part of their everyday work, they have seen first-hand the benefits of operating bilingually in Wales, even in the private sector.

Don’t just take our word for it:

Aled Edwards, a first-language Welsh speaker and Events Director at Freshwater, said:

“At Freshwater, we pride ourselves on providing the highest standard of service to our clients – whether in the public or private sector – and an integral part of that is being able to operate bilingually.

“We consider the Welsh language in everything that we do – from coming up with campaign concepts all the way through to the design and delivery of marketing and event assets.

“As a long-standing supplier to the Welsh Government and other public sector bodies in Wales, this is absolutely crucial. But we’re also seeing a demand for bilingual services by our private sector clients, too.

“It’s great to work with such a trusted partner as Bla, who supplies us with client-ready translation quickly and efficiently.”

Rather than perceiving the Welsh language as another obstacle you are required to swerve, why not think of it as an opportunity to unlock more business benefits?

We want to help you to do just that, so please reach out to us by dropping an email to business@bla-translation.co.uk for an informal and no-obligation discussion.

Thanks to Freshwater for their contribution to this blog.

The day of the lovers, better known as Saint Dwynwen’s Day (Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen), is celebrated in Wales on 25 January. Many versions of the story explore how Dwynwen becomes known as the Welsh patron saint of lovers.

Dwynwen lived on Anglesey during the fifth century and was the daughter of king Brychan Brycheiniog. She was very beautiful indeed. In one version of the story, she falls in love with a man named Maelon but is forbidden to marry him by her father. Maelon becomes furious and is cruel towards Dwynwen.

Distraught, Dwynwen prays to God that she falls out of love with Maelon. An angel visits Dwynwen in her sleep and gives her a special potion, which makes her forget all about Maelon and turns the poor man into a block of ice. God grants her three wishes. Firstly, Dwynwen wishes for Maelon to be thawed. Then, she wishes that God looks after all lovers, and lastly, that she will remain unmarried for the rest of her life.

As a thank you to God, Dwynwen dedicated her life to him by living as a nun. She lived out the rest of her life isolated on Llanddwyn Island. She built a church there, which became known as Llanddwyn (Church of Dwynwen). Over time, Dwynwen became a symbol of enduring love and compassion, and people began to turn to her for help with love-related problems. Her church on Llanddwyn became a pilgrimage site for those seeking her blessing.

Today, Saint Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated in Wales with various customs, including the giving of cards, flowers, and gifts. It’s a day to express affection for loved ones and to celebrate Welsh heritage, as it honours the rich history and culture of Wales.

Hi! My name is Elliw and I’m now the Business Officer at Bla Translation Ltd. I’d like to start by introducing myself so that you can get to know me a little bit better…

• My background:

I grew up in a few places throughout my childhood but from the age of 10 until my mid-twenties, I lived in Penygroes, a village near and dear to my heart. I currently reside in Bangor, which is extremely convenient as it is central to (almost) everywhere I need to go.

In school, I had no idea which career path I wanted, so I stuck to pursuing the lessons I enjoyed. This is why I went on to study a joint-honours History and English Literature degree at Bangor University, in which I was awarded First-Class Honours. Realising how much I loved learning and being in education, I decided to go on to do a Primary PGCE course.

I completed a total of 3 years as a qualified teacher in a few different schools and doing some supply work in-between. It was during the more recent period of being a supply teacher, when work was rather limited, that I came across a job advertisement for a ‘Business Officer’ at Bla. Well, the rest is history as they say…

• Why I applied for this post:

Even though I enjoyed my time as a teacher, especially as I was fortunate enough to work in extremely supportive schools, I had been thinking about a career change for some time. I especially found this when working as a supply teacher as the work wasn’t guaranteed and going to new schools on the regular became daunting.

A few months ago, I was searching various job sites and saw a job opening at Bla Translation, as a ‘Business Officer’. The job role sounded interesting and was perfect for me. I decided to research the company and fell in love with their website and the company itself. I could envision myself working there and fitting in with everyone. I reached out to Anna to express my concerns of not having a business background, who reassured me that it was the transferable skills that mattered.

To cut a long story short, I applied for the job, succeeded in getting an interview, and was fortunately offered the role. This marks almost 3 months since beginning my journey within a business environment, and I absolutely love it. Let this be a sign to anyone who is wondering whether or not they should change careers or are afraid that they won’t meet the job criteria – you never know until you try!

• My work on a daily basis:

As a Business Officer, it is my responsibility to assist our Business Manager accordingly and ensure professionalism every step of the way. Every day is slightly different, but my aim is to be a point of contact for clients. I have also taken over the marketing for Bla, which I find to be so fun! I love creating and posting the content on our social media regularly. Remember to follow us and engage with us on our social media platforms.

I am fortunate enough to learn new things every day, such as how to navigate complex emails, receiving training from our Translation Manager – Systems and our Finance Officer to eventually be able to help them with their tasks, and mastering Excel spreadsheets (which can be a never-ending struggle)! The Business Unit attend meetings, workshops, and conferences in different locations, where we get to meet exciting new people within similar fields.

Our Business Manager and I have regular meetings to stay up to date on the tasks that need to be completed each week. This really helps to keep us on track. We follow a rolling work plan and social media calendar, which shows exactly what needs to be done each day/week/month (although flexibility is extremely important, as urgent things can arise and take priority from time to time).

I find my job role to be a real learning curve, especially after transitioning from an education background, and incredibly exciting. I look forward to seeing what the future holds here at Bla…

If you want to reach Bla’s Business Unit, then we’d love to hear from you:

business@bla-translation.co.uk
01248 725755

In this blog, we’re going to take you down (further than) memory lane as we delve into what makes us at Bla so passionate for our work.

In 1536, the Acts of Union were passed which meant that Wales was now a part of England. The Acts ruled the English language as the only language in Wales, even though most of our country’s residents were monoglot Welsh speakers, putting them at a disadvantage in all aspects of daily life. 

In the late 18th century, the Welsh Not was introduced in Welsh schools. It was a form of punishment and its aim was to ban children from speaking their mother tongue with their friends. In the long term, the goal was to completely banish the Welsh language. 

The year 1588, however, was paramount and, you could say, is responsible for the survival of the Welsh language. The translation of the Old Testament into Welsh is arguably the most important Welsh translation ever to have been completed. It introduced the first written version of the Welsh language and many believe that this act saved our language. 

This is only a snapshot of the trials and tribulations the Welsh language and Welsh people have suffered over the years. It is our pleasure to play our part in ensuring a prosperous future for our beautiful language. 

THIS is why we do what we do!

As a professional translation company, we have invested heavily in the technology used by our staff on a day-to-day basis. Our use of technology supports our internal talents, helping us to boost speed, ensure consistency and deliver efficiency savings in the services we provide. 

It’s very interesting to note that we have seen a noticeable increase in the translation requests we receive which involve an element of working on the client’s own platform – and we’re more than happy to accommodate such requests! 

From apps to websites to internally created platforms, our staff are adept at being flexible in their approach, learning new technologies as they work and upskilling our team. 

Here are some of the platforms we are experienced of working on, however please note that this is not an exhaustive list:

Memo-Q

Déjà vu

Memsource

Trados

Phrase

WordPress Multilingual Plugin

If you have an internal platform on which you’d like us to work or if you’d prefer us to use a translation software not included in the above list, then please get in touch with our Business Unit: business@bla-translation.co.uk who will be happy to discuss your needs.