Moray Watson

Professor Moray Watson is a distinguished academic at the University of Aberdeen, where he holds the position of Professor of Gaelic and Translation Studies and serves as Director of Ionad Eòghainn MhicLachlainn: the National Centre for Gaelic Translation. He is based in the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture and has been a key faculty member since 2004. His academic leadership extends to curriculum development, including the MSc in Translation Studies, and he actively teaches Gaelic across all levels and streams.

His research spans Translation Studies—particularly translator training, literary translation, and skills acquisition—and modern Gaelic literature, with a special focus on Iain Crichton Smith. His scholarly output includes numerous books, edited volumes, journal articles, and conference presentations, reflecting deep engagement with both theoretical and practical aspects of minority language translation and education.

The recent articles reflect a consistent focus on Gaelic literary forms, translation challenges, and pedagogical innovation. Themes include cultural boundaries in fiction, rhetorical structures in Gaelic dialogue, and the translation of canonical texts like Alice in Wonderland and The Hobbit into Gaelic. There is a strong trend toward standardization, fluency training, and the revitalization of Celtic languages through accessible learning materials.

• Donald Meek Prize 2012
• 2021 Donald Meek Prize for the year's best Gaelic book

Professor Watson supervises PhD and MLitt students and is actively involved in academic service, including roles with the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Carnegie Trust, the Gaelic Books Council, and as an external examiner for the University of Glasgow. He has delivered invited lectures internationally, including in China, Canada, and Ireland, emphasizing minority language studies and translation ethics. His work is supported by institutional affiliations and collaborative research networks.

He leads Ionad Eòghainn MhicLachlainn, a national research center dedicated to Gaelic translation, and contributes to major publications such as the Literary Encyclopedia. His interdisciplinary approach bridges language pedagogy, literary criticism, and cultural preservation, positioning him as a central figure in contemporary Gaelic studies.