For over a decade now, the English-language subtitling of Gaelic-language programmes has been the norm in Scotland, where a small minority of the population understands Gaelic (the oldest indigenous surviving language there). This presentation will offer an insight into some of the cross-cultural and interlingual effects of this linguistic bridge. The judicious choice of style and technique in subtitling, when it is integrated into production, can offer more than just a translation for the non-Gaelic speaker, and can even offer support to Gaelic speakers. The two-way transmission of cultural insight will be highlighted by examples from features, current affairs and even comedy. And yes, there may even be a laugh in there!

Fearchar MACILLFHINNEIN, a fluent Gaelic speaker whose first language is English, has been subtitling Gaelic-language output in English for BBC Scotland for far longer than he likes to recall. His experience also covers subtitling English-language output in English, and on occasion languages such as Welsh and Hindi, with the help of a translator. He is also fluent in German and he has provided voice recordings for broadcasts in English, Gaelic and German.