Over the next few weeks, we would love to take the opportunity to reintroduce our Undeb Aber staff team!
Name: Felix Parker-Price - Undeb Aber Translator
Where is home?:
Despite being a Welsh language translator… I come from Sheffield, Northern England originally. I came to Aberystwyth around 11 years ago to learn Welsh.
Tell us a little about yourself:
Shwmae! I’m Felix and I’m the Undeb Aber translator. I came to Aberystwyth in 2013 to do Celtic Studies where I learnt Welsh, Irish and a bit of Breton. I went on to study in Brest University, Brittany where I had the opportunity to learn French and improve my Breton but due to complexities by Brexit and the pandemic I had to return to the UK before getting a job offer here in Aber.
It’s your last meal on earth…what’s on the menu?:
Sunday dinner, with all the trimmings or pie, peas and gravy even though I’m fond of different food cultures.
Outside of work, what are your favourite pastimes or hobbies?:
I love running, swimming and going for walks. I have a big interest in traditional music and play regularly in a local pub. On top of that I’m a keen linguist and I love speaking, reading, studying and listening to the languages that I’m learning.
What do you love about living & working in Aberystwyth?:
It’s hard not to warm to Aberystwyth and given that I had studied here returning to Aber to work was an easy choice after a period away in Brittany and England when the opportunity rose. There’s plenty to do here with good pubs, regular gigs and beautiful natural areas.
If you weren’t in your SU role…what would you be?:
Probably some kind of language tutor, freelance translator or whatever else is to be had…
Before working here, have you had much involvement with the students’ union or student groups?:
Throughout my undergrad I was a member of the Society of Celtic Students of Ireland and Britain, a conference that travelled every year around the Celtic nations. In my first year I was part of the Second Language Welsh Society where I made lots of friends who helped my along my learning journey, and I would support Brest University’s Breton Society’s events whilst I was studying there.
Tell us interesting fact about yourself (something people may be surprised to learn):
Well… I’m not Welsh despite being a Welsh translator… I also speak around 6 languages in total (although ranging in terms of ability); English (mother tongue), Welsh, Breton, French, Irish, Manx Gaelic but learning Basque and I have weak grasp of Ukrainian.
Why did you join the team here at Undeb Aberystwyth?:
By the time I finished my master’s degree remotely (living in England at the time although my Uni was in Brittany) I started work as a freelance translator during the second lockdown. I gained a good amount of experience that was a big help for applying for this job here in Aber. Returning to Aber wasn’t an obvious choice for me at first but it was an easy one given I have so much love for the place and I’m keen to contribute to ensuring a vibrant Welsh language life for all at the Uni.