The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/1056743
Our collection of book recommendations from members of the Editorial Board (p.24) was inspired by my reading material this summer. Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow claims to be the 'original Scandi Noir', but as the narrator establishes in the opening lines – "It's snowing, and in the language which is no longer mine, the snow is qanik" – it is also an exploration of Greenlander culture, the migrant experience in Denmark, and the interplay between the two cultures. I found it interesting, not least because it is never clear how much of the narrator's sociolinguistic observations are authentically Greenlandish and how much they reflect Danish perceptions of this 'other' culture, as expressed by the Danish author, Peter Høeg. I would love to hear from readers about the books that have fascinated or touched you. Our article on page 14 was inspired by Denisa Gannon, hailed as the first Roma person to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, and her work to improve access to justice for the Roma community in the UK. We look at how the lack of translators and interpreters working in Roma, Gypsy and Traveller languages is impeding progress for these marginalised groups. Also astonishing, in 2018, is the growing objectification of women interpreters in South Korea. Jinhyun Cho considers how a situation has developed in which clients increasingly look for appealing physical attributes in addition to languages skills (p.20). If you think you know what this year was all about, why not test your knowledge in our quiz (p.18)? I wish you all a happy New Year. Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/57 No/6 2018 ciol.org.uk/tl NEWS & EDITORIAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S NOTES The significant event for us over the summer months was our move to new premises. The five years we spent in Farringdon provided a transitional period during which CIOL modernised its governance, significantly expanded its range of examination activities, established a new membership pathway and placed a new focus on Chartership. It feels like a notable journey travelled since leaving Saxon House. While we are pleased to retain a prestigious central London location, on historic Fleet Street, we are also very conscious of our broad national and international reach. A Translating Division event ran very successfully in Manchester recently and we are keen to deliver more regionally to meet the needs of members beyond the reach of London events. If you are based in the regions, please support these where you can so we can grow our offer. Our eCPD Webinars serves our international community better, making CPD accessible and available to anyone anywhere in the world with internet access. New premises and new developments all help to build the professional image and reputation of CIOL, fit for our 10-year strategic ambition to place professional linguists on an equal footing with other chartered professions. We have been pleased to see increasing engagement from student linguists through our HE Language Partner programme, and will continue to work with schools and universities to realise a step change in how language skills are perceived and valued. With the UK's exit from the EU approaching, we know that translators, interpreters and other professional linguists are still facing great uncertainty. It is frustrating for everyone that there are so many unknowns, in particular how Brexit (with or without a deal) will affect the services sector. Our members work within many different landscapes and contexts, and we will make every effort to provide pointers, access to information and relevant guidance as soon as there is a reasonable level of clarity. We remain convinced that whatever the outcome for the UK, our ability to speak to and do business with the rest of the world will be paramount, and language skills will be key to effective negotiating and management of business. More than ever, we have to ensure our public services have access to suitably qualified and competent linguists whose remuneration properly reflects the specialist expertise they bring to courts, hospitals, the police and local government. Any changes to patterns of immigration will not obviate this need, for there will still be many speakers of other languages remaining or arriving in this country. On a lighter note, Susie Dent delivered an insightful and engaging David Crystal Lecture in October on the subject of American versus British English, explaining the origins of the many lexical and grammatical differences between the two variations. And in November, our Annual Awards once again provided the opportunity to recognise the great linguistic talents of the future by awarding prizes for excellence in our examinations and qualifications, as well as showcasing the Young Interpreters' Scheme (winner of the Threlford Memorial Cup) and recognising the Arabic language skills of Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent, who was awarded the David Crystal Trophy. Ann Carlisle EDITOR'S LETTER Share your views: linguist.editor@ciol.org.uk