SUPERMARKET SHOPPERS MAY soon be able to use their cúpla focail as they shop.

Supermarket giant Tesco has confirmed that they are examining a plan that would see bi-lingual self-service checkouts installed in their 146 stores across the country.

A company spokesperson confirmed to TheJournal.ie that the plan was being looked into, but could not provide any other details. The spokesperson said that no timelines have been decided and that there had been no decisions on how many checkouts would be installed in each store if the plan was pursued.

Tesco operates a similar system in Wales, where their 74 stores can serve customers in Welsh.

The move comes after a successful pilot project in the Galway Shopping Centre branch, where signs and announcements are made in both languages, classes are held for staff and a designated Irish-speaking checkout is available.

The initiative has seen Tesco nominated for an award by Gaillimh le Gaeilge, a group that works with Galway City Council, Galway Chamber and other groups to boost the Irish language in the county.

Tesco’s spokesperson said that the Galway experiment was well received by both shoppers and staff.