A COUNCILLOR won first prize at the Argentina Eisteddfod for translation from Spanish to English.

Plaid Cymru councillor Ian Johnson took first place in the competition, held in Trelew, Patagonia. The competition involved translating a series of texts between different languages, the topic being this year's 150th anniversary of the Welsh migration to Patagonia.

Councillor Johnson said: "I was very pleased to compete and win the first prize in the Spanish to English translation competition in the Argentina Eisteddfod.

“Translation can be a very difficult skill, especially in a competition where every word and nuance is being judged. You have to remember that you are translating the meaning of the text, not just the words, and that means that you can be at the mercy of judges and their personal feelings.

“I was lucky as this year’s competition texts were about the twinning of different towns and cities in Wales with similar places in Argentina that were started by the Welsh.

“The judges’ verdict praised my detailed knowledge and understanding of local government and committees, something I’ve obviously learnt from my time as a councillor here in Barry, and something I never thought would come in handy when translating.”