https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/welsh-language-services-here-when-you-need-us-podcast-transcript/

Welsh Language Services: here when you need us - podcast transcript


[English] - [Cymraeg]

Rhydian: Welcome to Inside HMCTS, the podcast will take you behind the scenes of our courts and tribunals, and the people who helped make them work. Today we take a closer look at our Welsh language services and the support available to people who want to use Welsh when using our services. In this episode, you hear from the team who explain what the service offers, who can use it, how to access help and why using your preferred language can make such a difference during what are often sensitive and emotional moments. Whether you're a Welsh speaker, learning the language, or simply curious about the support available, this episode will guide you through everything you need to know. So, to start us off, can you introduce yourselves, please?

Hywel: So, I'm Hywel Hughes and I'm the head of Welsh Language Services in HMCTS.

Caren: I'm Karen Davies, I'm Head Welsh Language Translation within HMCTS Welsh Language Unit.

Mari: I'm Mari Davies, the Welsh Language Support Manager in the Welsh Language Unit.

Rhydian: In simple terms, what does the Welsh Language Service team actually do?

Hywel: Yeah. Well, basically, we provide a range of various services. Translation naturally is the one that comes to mind immediately. That is translation of material
of all kinds, reports, court orders and so on from English into Welsh. We provide a telephony service for those people who want to discuss and talk about their cases with us in Welsh. And we provide a design service as well. And allied to that, of course, is the wider sort of policy and strategic work allied to operating our Welsh Language scheme.

Rhydian: So, why does HMCTS have the Welsh Language Service team?

Mari: Because people in Wales who want to interact with us in Welsh are entitled to do so and we exist to ensure that they can exercise that right.

Rhydian: What kind of support can people get from your team? Is it things like translated forms, Huras in Welsh interpreters?

Mari: All of those things, actually, if they want to speak to us in Welsh, they can use our Welsh Language Helpline. We have different numbers for each of the jurisdictions. If translation is required, then Karen's team and the team of translators that we have can deal with that. And sorry, I was just going to add, if somebody wants to speak Welsh in a court or tribunal, we can arrange interpreters for the benefit of those people who don't speak Welsh.

Rhydian: Who can use your services? Is it only for people who speak Welsh fluently?

Caren: Yeah, it's for everybody, every level of Welsh. If you speak Welsh fluently or if you have a little bit of Welsh or if you want to use English words with your Welsh, everything is acceptable and everything is fine with us. We just want to do the best that we can to ensure that you feel comfortable when you use our services.

Hywel: And I would add to that, that the message from not just us, but the wider judiciary is for Welsh speakers to use the Welsh that they've got. It doesn't need to be of a particular standard. It's just the way that they can communicate better.

Rhydian: Do people have to request Welsh services or is it offered automatically?

Caren: When people arrive in court in the morning, they are offered, if they want to speak Welsh in their hearing, the court clerk or whoever will ask them that question. And then we will facilitate that if they want. So if somebody that hearing doesn't understand Welsh, then we would arrange an interpreter for the benefit of those people. And with written translations, everything is requested to us internally by forms for the staff. But the telephone helpline, like we say, there's designated numbers for the Welsh helpline. So they phone them directly and get the Welsh service instantly by phoning those special numbers.

Hywel: I mean, in magistrates' court cases, there is no compulsion on anyone to give us information beforehand that they wish to use the Welsh Language. But naturally, if a case progresses to a trial, then in case management meetings, the requirement to use Welsh will obviously be highlighted and discussed. And it's the same with Crown Court cases and most family civil and tribunal cases is that we will be able to identify and be told about that requirement beforehand, which then enables us to, in most cases, make sure that an interpreter is present.

Rhydian: Without sharing any confidential information, can you give an example of how your team helps someone going through the court or tribunal process?

Mari: I can think of a recent case actually when there was a family case being dealt with by magistrates andthere was a call from the legal advisor who was dealing with that case to our office to say that they needed an interpreter because the mother in the case was clearly more comfortable in speaking Welsh. So we were able to arrange for one of our interpreters to go straight down to the court that day, which made a huge difference to the mother in that case because she was then able to discuss the case in the language that she was most comfortable, which then enabled the court to make some progress. And I think they were struggling with progress before that point because the mother wasn't able to best express herself. Everybody at the end of that case were very grateful to those, to the interpreter for going down at short notice because the case was progressed and both mother and father actually were able to use the language that they were more comfortable.

Rhydian: Is there a common myth or misunderstanding about using Welsh services that you'd like to clear up?

Hywel: I think sometimes those that don't speak Welsh. Question why a Welsh speaker would want to speak Welsh in a court or tribunal hearing, not quite understanding that although they can't speak English, of course they can. It's a matter of how best can they communicate and get over their evidence, especially in a highly emotive environment like a call to the tribunal hearing. If we look at it from a perspective of Welsh speakers, then quite often they might feel that they are reticent to use the language because they fear it might cause a court, an inconvenience, and also that they think, quite wrongly, that we have to have a certain standard of Welsh. And that is not true. And that is, a welcome for anyone to speak Welsh or use the Welsh language in that interaction with us.

Caren: And just to add that in terms of interpretation, I think a common myth within that is that the interpreter is there for the benefit of the Welsh speaker rather than those who don't understand Welsh. So people think that the interpreter is there to interpret from English into Welsh for the Welsh speaking person where in fact the interpreter is there to facilitate proceedings if somebody wants to speak Welsh and it's for the benefit of the non-Welsh speaking parties or persons in the court.

Rhydian: Very interesting. Thank you. If someone listening wants to use our services in the Welsh Language, what should they do?

Mari: It depends actually on which service that they are interested in using and what the jurisdiction is. If they just want to speak to us in Welsh about their case, and that can be in any jurisdiction, they can use our Welsh Language Helplines, which are advertised online. They can also follow us on social media for more information about those telephone numbers. There are other things they can do. They can apply for a divorce online, they can make a plea online. As I say, it just depends on the jurisdiction.

Hywel: So naturally, our services in Welsh, are also available to those that work in the legal profession. And if they've got a My HMCTS account, then they can access seven different services, just as they can in English through the medium of Welsh.

Rhydian: If there's one thing you'd like listeners to remember about Welsh Language Services, what would it be?

Hywel: That they're there to be used in the simple answer. We need people
to be aware of them. In effect, that's partly why we are doing this podcast to raise awareness. But it's to use for service, either orderly or digitally. That's what we want.

Caren: I think the important thing is for people to feel confident in the language that they're using when they access court services. So if they feel more comfortable speaking Welsh, they should exercise that right to do so.

Hywel: What we've also tried on our digital services is to use language that is clear to understand for people so that they can continue on that particular journey through the medium of Welsh. Because the experience we have is that those people who do interact with us in Welsh, they find it a very rewarding experience.

Rhydian: Thank you. And this might be one for three of you to answer if you can keep it concise. But I think it'd be nice to hear from all of you on this. Why does this work matter to you personally?

Mari: It's important to me that people can communicate with us in the language that they feel most comfortable, particularly when you think of the nature of people's interactions with us as an organisation.

Caren: And for me, it's that people can speak the language that they're most comfortable in when they feel in the vulnerable situation, like Mari was saying. It's their right to be able to speak Welsh and we should be able to facilitate that at all times.

Hywel: For me, it's a passion, it's more of a calling than a career and also predominantly because it's in the justice arena and justice is important.

Rhydian: Is there a demand for the Welsh Language Services?

Hywel: Yes, there is certainly a demand for Welsh Language Services. I think research across public sector organisations has shown us that if people see that the Welsh Language Service is there and as equally accessible as English, then they will lose it.
and we can testify certainly from our Welsh Language telephony service that is growing month on month. And in January this year, for example, we had nearly 300 people calling us on the Welsh Language Helpline.

Rhydian: And that brings us to the end of this episode of Inside HMCTS.
A huge thank you to Hywel, Caren and Mari for giving us such a clear insight into the work of the Welsh Language Unit, and for the care and passion they bring to supporting people across Wales.

If you’d like to use HMCTS services in Welsh, whether that’s speaking to someone about your case, applying for a divorce, making a plea online, or accessing translated documents, you’ll find Welsh‑language helpline numbers and guidance on GOV.UK. Just search “Welsh language HMCTS.”

For more episodes and full transcripts, visit GOV.UK and search Inside HMCTS. Thanks for listening and join us next time as we continue exploring the people, stories and services shaping our justice system.


[English] - [Cymraeg]

Gwasanaethau Iaith Gymraeg: yma pan fyddwch chi ein hangen ni - trawsgrifiad podlediad

Rhydian: I ddechrau, gallwch chi gyflwyno'ch hunan.  

Hywel Hughes ydw i, Pennaeth Gwasanaethau Cymraeg y Gwasanaeth Llysoedd a Thribiwnlysoedd. Caren Davies ddwi, a fi ydy Gwasanaeth Llysoedd a Thribiwnlysoedd Gwasanaeth Cyfieithu Gwasanaeth Llysoedd a Thribiwnlysoedd. Mari Davies ddwi, a fi ydy rheolwr gefnogi'r iaith Gymraeg. 

Rhydian: Yn syml, beth mae tîm gwasanaethau iaith Gymraeg yn ei wneud?  

Rydym ni yn darparu ystod o wahanol wasanaethau, o gyfieithu, cyfieithu testun i ddarparu cyfieithwyr ar y pryd ar gyfer gwrandawiadau llys a thribiwnlys. 

Rydyn ni'n rhedeg nifer o linellau ffôn fel bod pobl yn gallu cysylltu â siarad efo ni am eu hachosion yn Gymraeg. Mae gennym wasanaeth dylunio yn ddwyieithog ac yn Gymraeg, ac wrth gwrs yn ychwanegol at hynny rydyn ni'n gweithredu polisi, rydyn ni'n amlwg yn datblygu ein polisi iaith Gymraeg, sy'n cael ei amlygi wrth gwrs drwy'r cynllun iaith Gymraeg ni. 

Rhydian: Pam mae gennym ni tîm gwasanaethau iaith Gymraeg? 

Fel bod pobl yn gallu arfer eu hawl i siarad Cymraeg pan maen nhw'n defnyddio gwasanaethau llysoedd a thribiwnlysoedd. 

Rhydian: Pa fath o gefnogaeth all pobl ei chael gan eich tîm?  

Mae gennym ni linell ffôn Gymraeg, felly os ydy rhywun eisiau siarad efo ni am ei achos, maen nhw'n gallu defnyddio'n llinellau ffôn Cymraeg ni. Rydyn ni hefyd ar gael i gynghori'r farnwriaeth hefyd weithiau ar bethau fel termau Gymraeg. 

Rydyn ni'n darparu gwasanaeth cyfieithu o'r Gymraeg i'r Saesneg, ac o'r Saesneg i'r Gymraeg, i gyfieithu dogfennau sy'n ymwneud ag achosion llys neu unrhyw weinyddiaeth fewnol, ac yn trefnu cyfieithwyr ar y pryd ar gyfer achosion llys. 

Rhydian: Pwy all defnyddio ein gwasanaethau? 

Unrhyw un sydd eisiau ymwneud â ni drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, beth bynnag fo safon y Gymraeg honno — da ni jest eisiau i bobl ddefnyddio’r iaith maen nhw’n gyfforddus yn ei defnyddio efo ni. Felly, mae’n gallu bod yn hanner Cymraeg, hanner Saesneg; beth bynnag sy’n gwneud pobl yn gyfforddus. 

Mae’n bwysig hefyd, yn y cyd-destun hwn, gofio am yr aelodau sy’n gweithio yn y proffesiwn cyfreithiol — cyfreithwyr yn benodol. Ac wrth gwrs, maen nhw bellach yn gallu defnyddio ein gwasanaethau ni yn Gymraeg drwy MyHMCTS, sef y porth digidol. Os oes gennych chi gyfrif gyda ni, gallwch gael mynediad at sawl un o’n gwasanaethau yn Gymraeg drwy MyHMCTS. 

Rhydian: A oes rhaid i bobl ofyn am y wasanaethau Cymraeg neu ydy fe'n cael eu cynnig yn awtomatig?  

Mae yna nifer o wasanaethau ar gael ar-lein yn awtomatig yn Gymraeg. Ti'n gallu switsio rhwng y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg efo llawer o'n gwasanaethau ni erbyn hyn. Ac mae'r tudalennau ar GOV.UK gael yn Gymraeg hefyd ar gyfer rhai gwasanaethau. 

Er gyfer siarad Cymraeg mewn achosion, mae rhywun yn gallu dod i'r llys ynadon ar y diwrnod a dweud bod nhw'n dymuno siarad Cymraeg pan maen nhw i fyny yn y llys am y tro cyntaf. Ond fel arfer, bydd y wybodaeth yna wedi cael ei chyfleu ymlaen llaw efo achosion sifil, teulu ac achosion llys y goron le da ni'n gwybod bod rhywun eisiau siarad Cymraeg ac wedyn da ni'n drefniadau i drefnu cyffeithydd i ddod i'r achos i gyfieithu ar gyfer y sawl sydd ddim yn deall Cymraeg yn yr achos hwnna wedyn. 

Rhydian: A allwch chi roi enghraifft sut mae eich tîm yn helpu rhywun sy'n mynd i droi'r broses llys neu dri tribwynlys? 

Mi oedd achos diweddar o flaen ynadon lle’r oedden nhw’n ceisio penderfynu rhywbeth yn ymwneud â phlant. Roedd y fam yn yr achos; dwi ddim yn credu ei bod hi wedi dweud o flaen llaw ei bod hi’n fwy cyfforddus yn siarad Cymraeg, ond daeth hynny’n amlwg yn ystod yr achos. 

Felly, mi ges i alwad i’r uned i ofyn a oedd modd i gyfieithydd fynd i’r llys i alluogi’r fam i siarad Cymraeg — ac mi oeddwn i’n gallu anfon rhywun yn syth i’r llys i helpu. Gwnaeth hynny wahaniaeth enfawr i sut aeth yr achos hwnnw yn ei flaen ar y diwrnod. Llwyddodd y llys i ddod i benderfyniad oherwydd bod y fam wedi gallu cyfleu ei hun yn Gymraeg, ac roedd diolch arbennig i’r cyfieithydd am fynd i’r llys ar fyr rybudd y diwrnod hwnnw i wneud y gwahaniaeth yna i’r achos. 

Rhydian: Oes yna gam ddealltwriaeth gyffredin am ddefnyddio gwasanaethau Cymraeg hoffech i'w glirio? 

So dwi'n meddwl bod nifer o bobl ddi-gymraeg falle'n cwestiynu pam fod Cymry Cymraeg eisio defnyddio'r Gymraeg mewn gwrandawiad llys neu dribiwnlys oherwydd wrth gwrs bod nhw'n gallu siarad Saesneg hefyd. Ond mater cyfathrebol ydy o yn y pen draw a’r rheswm pam fod Cymry Cymraeg eisio gwneud hynny, dyna'r iaith gyntaf nhw a dyna'r iaith maen nhw'n gallu cyfleu ei hunain orau ynddo fo. O ran y Cymry Cymraeg dwi'n meddwl bod yna gamargraff bod nhw'n teimlo bod nhw'n creu anhwylustod falle i'r llys os ydyn nhw'n mynnu i ddefnyddio'r Gymraeg, weithiau bod nhw'n teimlo bod eu Cymraeg nhw ddim digon da. 

Ond y neges amlwg ynglŷn â ni ydy mai yna groeso unrhyw un siarad Cymraeg. 

Rhydian: Os oes rhywun sy'n gwrando eisio defnyddio ein gwasanaethau yn y Gymraeg, beth dylen nhw ei wneud?  

Mae’n dibynnu pa wasanaeth mae rhywun yn ceisio cael gafael arno fo. O ran gwybodaeth ar GOV.UK, mae llawer o wybodaeth ar gael yn Gymraeg, ac mae llawer o’n gwasanaethau digidol ni ar gael yn Gymraeg hefyd. 

Mae’n bosib cael mynediad at wasanaethau ffôn, wrth gwrs, drwy ffonio’r llinell gymorth, ac mae’n bosib dod i siarad efo ni yn y llys. Mae hefyd yn bosib siarad Cymraeg ar y diwrnod mewn achosion llys ynadon. 

Mae cyfryngau cymdeithasol, wrth gwrs, yn bwysig iawn. Mae gennym ni gyfrif ‘X’ i bobl allu ein dilyn, ac yn fuan iawn rydym yn gobeithio bod yn weladwy ar ‘Facebook’ hefyd. 

Rhydian: A oes alw am wasanaethau iaith Gymraeg?  

Oes yn bendant. Dwi'n meddwl bod profiad cyrff cyhoeddus sy'n weithredol yng Nghymru'n gyffredinol yn profi os ydy'r gwasanaeth hwnnw yn weladwy ac yr un mor hygyrch ar wasanaeth Saesneg yna i'r bobl yn eu defnyddio nhw. 

A dyna'n profiad ni ydy i ddweud y gwir, yn enwedig efo'n llinellau ffon. Da ni'n gweld y defnydd o'r gwasanaeth hwnnw'n cynyddu o flwyddyn i flwyddyn. Ac yn ystod mis Ionawr o'r eleni mi oedd bron i 300 o bobl wedi cysylltu efo ni yn Gymraeg ar y llinellau hynny. 

Rhydian: A oes un peth yr hoffech chi i wrandawir ei gofio am wasanaethau Cymraeg? 

Mae'r gwasanaeth yna i chi ei ddefnyddio. Da ni eisiau i chi ddefnyddio'r gwasanaeth a pheidiwch boeni am beth di safon eich Cymraeg chi. Defnyddiwch yr iaith rydych chi'n fwyaf cyfforddus ynddi. 

Os ydy hwnnw'n Gymraeg ac ychydig bach o Saesneg neu hyd yn oed bach mwy o Saesneg na Chymraeg ond eich bod chi'n gyfforddus. 

Rhydian: Yn olaf, pam mae'r gwaith hwn yn bwysig i chi'n bersonol?  

Mae'r hawl yna gan bobl i ymdrin hynny yn Gymraeg ac mae'n bwysig i fi bod pobl yn gallu defnyddio'r hawl yna. Ac fel dwi wedi dweud, dwi'n meddwl eisoes mae'n bwysig bod pobl yn gallu ymwneud â ni yn yr iaith Maen nhw'n fwyaf cyfforddus.  

Dwi'n teimlo'n angerddol hefyd bod angen i bawb siarad yr iaith maen nhw'n teimlo'n fwyaf cyfforddus efo mewn sefyllfa sy'n anodd iawn pan maen nhw'n delio efo rhywbeth fel llys neu dribiwnlys lle mae emosiwn yn uchel ac maen nhw angen cyfleu hynny yn y ffordd orau bosib. Wedyn, mae'r hawl i siarad Cymraeg yn bwysig iawn mewn sefyllfaoedd felly. 

Dwi'n gweld o'n rhywbeth angerddol ac o'n rhywbeth galwedigaethol yn hytrach na rhywbeth gyrfaol. 

Ac wrth gwrs, mae'r ffaith bod ni'n gweithio yn y sector cyfiawnder yn eithriadol o bwysig hefyd oherwydd mae cyfiawnder yn bwysig i bawb ac yn amlwg mae cyfiawnder trwy'ch iaith gyntaf yn bwysig i Gymry Cymraeg.  

Rhydian: Ac mae hynny'n dod â ni at ddiwedd y bennod hon o Inside HMCTS. 

Diolch yn fawr iawn i Hywel, Caren a Mari am roi cipolwg mor glir i ni ar waith yr Uned Iaith Gymraeg, ac am y gofal a'r angerdd maen nhw'n eu cynnig i gefnogi pobl. Os hoffech chi ddefnyddio gwasanaethau HMCTS yn y Gymraeg —  boed hynny'n siarad â rhywun am eich achos, gwneud cais am ysgariad, gwneud ple ar-lein,  neu gael mynediad at ddogfennau wedi'u cyfieithu — fe welwch rifau llinell gymorth yn y Gymraeg ar GOV.UK. Chwiliwch am "cynnwys yn yr iaith Gymraeg gov.uk" 

Am fwy o benodau a thrawsgrifiadau llawn, ewch i GOV.UK a chwiliwch Inside HMCTS. 

Diolch i chi am wrando — ac ymunwch â ni'r tro nesaf wrth i ni barhau i archwilio'r bobl, y straeon a'r gwasanaethau sy'n llunio ein system gyfiawnder.