Wrexham Council staff told to stop using Google Translate because of complaints over Welsh language errors

Council staff in Wrexham have been told to stop using Google for translations following complaints about Welsh spelling errors.

It has led to calls for the local authority to bring translation services back in-house following concerns over its failure to comply with Welsh Language Standards.

The Welsh Language Commissioner recently rebuked the council after she received 14 complaints about inaccurate Welsh signs.

A senior councillor also made an apology this year when the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales issued a damning report over repeated failures to correct Welsh errors in council tax bills.

The latest issues were highlighted by Plaid Cymru councillor Gwenfair Jones, who revealed an e-mail had been issued to staff advising them not to use the Google Translate function.

Speaking at a meeting on Wednesday, the Gwersyllt West councillor said: “I think they use Google Translate and it doesn’t translate it properly.

“It does make a difference and there has been an e-mail going round recently to tell staff not to use Google Translate and to make sure it’s done correctly.

“It can be frustrating for people like me who read in Welsh first and think that’s not right.

“We did look at this last month and we did make some recommendations around bringing translation back into Wrexham and I think it would be the best way moving forward.”

Problems were also highlighted last month when Welsh language campaigners slapped stickers on about 80 give way signs in Wrexham in protest at them being displayed in English only.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg labelled over them with the Welsh translation ‘Ildiwch’ in order to draw attention to the issue.

In response to the comments made by Cllr Jones, one of the authority’s executive board members insisted most translation was done properly.

Cllr David Kelly (Ind), lead member for planning and corporate services, said: “When we have statutory duty to translate we have to do it through an external provider, which is another local authority, we have to pay a significant amount for that service.

“We do have our own internal staff to do it and I don’t think they’re guilty of using Google, but departmentally there are cases where they need a quick translation and that’s when things start to go wrong.”

Council leader Mark Pritchard agreed (Ind) that it was an issue that had be addressed.

He said: “If you recall the previous executive board meeting, we did apologise and we need to make it crystal clear that we have to deliver on Welsh standards and that’s the frankness of it.

“We will achieve it and we have to, there’s no ifs or buts here.”

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).