Welsh officials have looked into using the Google Translate service to compile records of proceedings from the general assembly of parliament into Welsh, and then have them proofread. However, the head of an association for professional translators has said that the idea would not save money.

Members’ contributions from English to Welsh during plenary meetings in the Senedd chamber have not been translated since last September, but Welsh-language contributions are translated into English. Since a fully bilingual record was agreed in principle, the Welsh Language Board has accused the Assembly Commission of breaking its language scheme. Geraint Wyn Parry, chief executive of the Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters, said that it’s a ridiculous idea, because machine translations have so many failings.

Would it be sensible for Wales to risk losing the accuracy of their proceedings instead of asking for a professional translation service? Think about it.