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/1189092
@Linguist_CIOL DECEMBER/JANUARY The Linguist 29 OPINION & COMMENT Q. Why did you choose a degree in French, German and Spanish? A. From a young age, my parents sent me to French classes and I have had contact with the language ever since. I was brought up to accept other cultures, celebrate difference and include every individual. Q. How did you become Diversity Consultant at Audi Brussels? A. I did an internship and had the time of my life, so I really wanted to go back. As I was finishing my studies, I saw this position advertised and applied. The first round in the recruitment process was a telescreening over the phone and the second was an interview with the hiring manager. Finally, I was invited to the Assessment Center, which gives an overview of the kind of things you will be doing for the job. Although it is quite a tense afternoon, I had a lot of fun and knew that the job would be right for me. Q. How much do you use your language skills? A. At Audi Brussels we communicate in the three national languages of Belgium (French, Dutch and German), though most communication occurs in French and Dutch (the languages of Brussels). Two Belgian languages and English are essential for the role. I speak French and German every day and receive Dutch lessons as part of my development plan, getting to B1 level in five months. For international contacts, we also speak English. As English will soon become the Volkswagen Group language, we conduct some training for managers in English. Q. What does the work involve? A. Every day is different. My job focuses on the planning of a Diversity and Inclusion plan, while working to promote our seven company values. We are now working on a 'Diversity Wins' campaign with Volkswagen and Audi AG. I passionately believe in engaging ambassadors from all over our factory. Audi Brussels' commitment to diversity has been acknowledged with the Diversity Label award (see www.audibrussels.be and bit.ly/AudiDiversity). Q. How much do you get to travel? A. A lot, which shows that Audi views diversity as a global topic, as part of social sustainability. I have travelled to Ingolstadt to meet the central diversity team, and attended the Volkswagen Group Diversity Conference and the One Young World Summit 2019. Q. What do you enjoy most about the job? A. I use four languages every day and it gives me such a buzz – I am constantly learning. I love the variation of tasks; networking with other diversity consultants; and talking to staff about how they understand diversity. The support from colleagues, managers and directors has been fantastic. When everyone can be their true self at work, they all reach their full potential, and this simple principle drives me forward. Austen Lowe on promoting diversity at Audi after studying Modern Languages at Chester Just the job I always read with interest the articles and letters in The Linguist on the subject of Brexit. Not surprisingly, the emphasis is on the fate of foreign languages in Britain's education and commercial worlds and of EU citizens based in the UK. Joanna Biernat's letter (TL58,5) was extremely interesting and apposite. However, as in most of the British press, the plight of British nationals who reside and work in the EU seems to attract little attention. The image of 'ex-pats' all being retired people living on plentiful resources is far from the truth. Many British nationals abroad are in work, and those who are freelance may have spent many years building up their business. Yet British citizens resident in the EU who 'trade' in various fields, including translation, will not be able to continue to do so outside their country of residence after Brexit. 'Trade' is a very wide concept. If I am a British citizen living in Spain who translates from French and Spanish, may I continue to work remotely – by email etc – for customers in Spain but not for customers in France? If I am an interpreter living in Germany, may I travel to interpreting assignments in Germany but not work in Austria? It seems to me that in all the speculating, theorising and article writing that has been going on, very little account has been taken of the needs of the British citizens who moved to Europe in good faith. The UK is simply pulling the rug out from under their feet. Anne Maclennan MCIL The fate of UK citizens abroad © SHUTTERSTOCK