Breton interpreting and translation

Breton interpreting for events, broadcasting and research

Virtually all Breton speakers are fluent in French, so interpreting is mostly needed for events, conferences, broadcasting, ceremonies and research interviews with older native speakers. For interviews with elderly speakers, tell us the area, so we can find an interpreter who knows the local dialect of Léon, Trégor, Cornouaille or Vannes. Many of these speakers grew up with Breton at home and French at school, and an interpreter who recognises that history puts them at ease.

We provide Breton with French or English, consecutive or simultaneous, for festivals, Celtic-language gatherings linking Brittany with Wales, Cornwall, Ireland and Scotland, and academic meetings. Remote interpreting suits online meetings and international panels, via the SILA Linguists® video app or your organisation's video system, and telephone interpreting can be arranged when a quick conversation is needed.

Breton translation, terminology and localisation

Most Breton translation involves cultural and educational material, signage, websites, subtitles and heritage items such as letters and songs. We translate into the unified orthography unless you need another convention, and we note dialect features that affect meaning. Because modern Breton terminology is still being created and standardised, our translators check current recommended terms for subjects such as technology, health and administration.

For tourism and public signage, we produce bilingual Breton and French or Breton and English content, and localise websites and visitor apps. Certified translation of Breton documents into English is available with our signed statement of accuracy, accepted by UK authorities, universities and employers.

Breton transcription and subtitling

Archive recordings of native speakers, songs, oral histories and radio programmes are transcribed with time codes and translated into French or English for heritage projects and research. Our subtitling can help broadcasters and film-makers bring Breton-language productions to wider audiences. Song lyrics and poetry can be given a literal English version alongside a freer, singable or readable rendering.

Where our Breton linguists work

Our vetted, trained and qualified Breton linguists can support cultural organisations and festivals, schools, universities and research projects, broadcasters and publishers, heritage and community groups, and tourism bodies. SILA Linguists® gives you one project team, and archive material is handled with care under confidentiality agreements and UK GDPR.