Seirbheis Eadar-theangachaidh na Gàidhlig ga h-aithneachadh aig Comataidh na Gàidhlig

Chaidh obair Seirbheis Eadar-theangachaidh Gàidhlig na Comhairle aithneachadh aig coinneamh Comataidh na Gàidhlig an-dè.

Thug aithisg dhan chomataidh fiosrachadh do Bhuill mu obair na Seirbheis tron bhliadhna ionmhais Giblean 2022 gu Màrt 2023, agus geàrr chunntas air na pròiseactan a tha san amharc. San ùine seo, chaidh 982 iarrtas a làimhseachadh – is gach iarrtas eadar-dhealaichte a thaobh meud, bho abairtean goirid gu pròiseactan anns a bheil na mìltean de dh’fhaclan. Tha an grafaig-fiosrachaidh gu h-ìosal a’ toirt staitistearachd airson cuid de na prìomh raointean eadar-theangachaidh a bhios a’ dol fa chomhair a’ phobaill.

Ged a bha a’ mhòr-chuid de na h-iarrtasan bho thaobh a-staigh seirbheisean na Comhairle, chaidh cuideachadh a thoirt seachad cuideachd do bhuill na Comhairle, High Life na Gàidhealtachd (HLG) agus Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA). Chaidh taic a thoirt corra uair do dhaoine is do bhuidhnean bhon taobh a-muigh cuideachd. Tha a’ mhòr-chuid de dh’iarrtasan co-cheangailte ri trì earrannan farsaing: goireasan foghlaim, sgrìobhainnean corporra, agus soidhnichean rathaid/sràide is togalaich.

Tha a’ mhòr-chuid de dh’eadar-theangachaidhean bho Bheurla gu Gàidhlig, ach tha e na adhbhar misneachd gu bheil na h-iarrtasan bho Ghàidhlig gu Beurla a’ fàs. Faodaidh luchd-cleachdaidh a chuireas fios chun na Comhairle sa Ghàidhlig a bhith cinnteach gum faigh iad freagairt sa Ghàidhlig agus tha sin am measg nan geallaidhean leantainneach ann am Plana Gàidhlig na Comhairle.

Thuirt an Comhairliche Calum Rothach, Cathraiche Comataidh na Gàidhlig: “Tha iarrtas àrd airson Seirbheis Eadar-theangachaidh na Gàidhlig, a tha air a stiùireadh leis a’ Phrìomh Oifigear Eadar-theangachaidh againn, gus eadar-theangachadh, dearbh-leughadh is comhairle cànain a thoirt seachad airson iomadh co-theacsa eadar soidhnichean, stuthan clò-bhuailte is didseatach, agus airson nam meadhanan sòisealta. Chaidh àireamh iongantach iarrtasan – 982 – a làimhseachadh sa bhliadhna ionmhais mu dheireadh. Tha an obair seo riatanach gus ar cuideachadh a’ coileanadh nan dleastanasan is nan geallaidhean a tha air am mìneachadh sa Phlana Ghàidhlig againn.”

Lean e air adhart: “Tha Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd a’ dèanamh obair mhòr ann a bhith a’ leasachadh shoidhnichean dà-chànanach. Tha poileasaidh dà-chànanach aig a’ Chomhairle agus thathar a’ coimhead ris mar eisimpleir dhen chleachdadh as fheàrr. Bidh a’ mhòr-chuid de na h-iarrtasan ris am bi an t-eadar-theangair a’ dèiligeadh a’ tighinn bho thaobh a-staigh na Comhairle agus tha fianais cuideachd air obair chom-pàirteach làidir.

“Tha Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA), a’ bhuidheann chom-pàirteachais nàiseanta airson  ainmean-àite Gàidhlig, am measg prìomh chom-pàirtichean na Comhairle. Bidh AÀA a’ toirt seachad fiosrachadh ùghdarrasach mu ainmean-àite Gàidhlig gus an tèid cruthan cearta a chleachdadh air soidhnichean is ann an co-theacsaichean eile. Tha dreuchd chudromach aca ann a bhith a’ rannsachadh ainmean-àite, a’ lìbhrigeadh phròiseactan co-cheangailte ri ainmean-àite, agus ann a bhith a’ toirt comhairle ro-innleachdail seachad dhan Chomhairle is do bhuidhnean eile. Tha sinn a’ cur luach mòr air an cuid eòlais.”

Thuirt an Comhairliche Coinneach Mac a’ Ghobhainn, Cathraiche Comataidh na h-Eaconamaidh is a’ Bhun-structair: “Tha soidhnichean dà-chànanach a’ cur ri brìgh àiteachan agus a’ sealltainn gu bheil Gàidhlig is cultar nam pàirtean bunaiteach de choimhearsnachdan air feadh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean. Tha Gàidhlig is cultar a’ toirt spionnadh dhan eaconamaidh, gu h-àraid a thaobh nam fèisean a leithid Blas agus am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail.

“Tha gnìomhachas turasachd na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean ag aithneachadh gu bheil a’ Ghàidhlig na so-mhaoin agus gu bheil buannachdan mòra an lùib a bhith ga brosnachadh am measg luchd-tadhail, agus gu bheil seo a’ cur ri tursan tarraingeach is fìor a mhaireas nan cuimhne.”

Gaelic Translation Service recognised at Gaelic Committee

The work of the Council’s busy Gaelic Translation Service (GTS) was recognised at yesterday’s meeting of the Gaelic Committee.

A report to the committee informed members of the work of the GTS during financial year April 2022 to March 2023, and provided a summary of forthcoming projects. During this period, 982 requests were administered – varying in size from single words to projects running to tens of thousands of words. The infographic below provides statistics for some of the key public facing areas of translation.

Whilst most of these requests were from within the Council’s services, assistance was also provided to Council members, High Life Highland (HLH) and Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba (AÀA). Occasional assistance was also provided to external individuals and organisations. Translation requests fall broadly into the three categories of educational materials, corporate documents, and road/street and building signage.

The vast majority of translations are from English to Gaelic, and although the number of Gaelic to English requests is still comparatively small, there has been an encouraging increase in recent years. The fact that customers who contact the Council in Gaelic are guaranteed a response in Gaelic is an ongoing GLP commitment and one which the Council has pledged to reinforce.

Cllr Calum Munro, Chair of the Gaelic Committee said: “There is a high demand for the Gaelic Translation Service which is managed by our Senior Translation Officer to provide translation, proofreading and linguistic advice for many purposes including signage, printed and digital materials, and social media. An incredible 982 requests were handled during the last financial year. This work is essential to help us meet our responsibilities and commitments as set out in our Gaelic Language Plan.”

He continued: “The Highland Council is very proactive in relation to the development and implementation of bilingual signage. The Council has a bilingual policy which is regarded as an example of best practice. The translator largely responds to requests from within the Council and there is also evidence of strong partnership working.

“One of the Council’s key partners is Ainmean Àite na h-Alba (AÀA) – Gaelic Place-names of Scotland, the national advisory partnership on Gaelic place-names. AÀA provides a single source of authoritative information on Gaelic forms of place-names for use on signage and in other contexts. They play a significant role in the research of place-names and the delivery of Gaelic place-name project work, providing both strategic and advisory roles to the Council and other bodies. We are grateful for their expertise and their advice.”

Cllr Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee added: “Bilingual signage creates a sense of place and shows that Gaelic and culture are an intrinsic part of many communities across the Highlands and Islands. Gaelic and culture are economic drivers, especially in relation to the many festivals including Blas and the Royal National Mòd.

“The tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands continues to recognise and use Gaelic as an asset to be promoted and marketed to visitors, especially delivering an authentic memorable and engaging visitor experience.”