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 31 INSTITUTE MATTERS An Editor's life When I first received The Linguist after joining CIOL, I felt the tangible benefit of being part of a professional organisation. I loved learning about the experiences of other linguists and reading news from the language sector. Since joining the Editorial Board four years ago, I have become more interested in the work behind the scenes, so I was pleased when the Editor agreed to talk me through her journey with The Linguist over two decades. "I started working with The Linguist Editor Pat Treasure at the end of 1999. The job was advertised as Editorial Assistant for two publications, and working on The Linguist particularly interested me as I had always been fascinated by different cultures and crosscultural collaborations. Working from Pat's home office, I learnt about graphic design, writing articles, picture research, subediting and proofreading, but also about the benefits of speaking another language. So after two years I went to Central America to learn Spanish. Living between the UK and Mexico, I worked as a subeditor and writer on various publications, and was asked to become Acting Editor of The Linguist in 2006, initially to cover Pat's maternity leave. I enjoy learning, so this is a great role for me. The content always changes and I am constantly researching interesting subjects relating to languages and culture. I get to work with really inspiring and supportive people, and I am always motivated when speaking to linguists about their experiences and ideas, for example at Members' Day. Article ideas come in various ways: from Editorial Board members; people who approach me with suggestions; research into current trends; publications and blogs. I assess each idea with readers in mind, give writers a brief and liaise with them on any edits. There is a two-week production schedule and at the end of the first week the magazine has to be ready for proofreading. I make a flat-plan, source images (mainly from online picture libraries) and design the pages. The second week is about making corrections and final checks, adjusting images for print, selecting a cover with a small team, making pdfs and uploading them for the printers. I then get printer proofs, make necessary amendments and approve the magazine for print. That used to be the end of production, but now we have two online issues, a blog and articles on the EBSCO database. So I spend a few days transferring articles to Word, making web-ready pdfs and working with our web developers to get the online issue ready. CIOL's work to standardise its committees has led to improvements at the Editorial Board. The Linguist has a role in CIOL's Strategic Plan and the board now regularly considers how it supports these aims while maintaining editorial authority. We used to find new board members almost exclusively through suggestions from existing board members, but a few years ago we opened up the selection process to attract a broader range of applicants, and we are currently considering how we can make sure we fully represent members and meet our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion requirements. We look for people with ideas and insights in the fields they work in, who can look critically at what we are doing and bring fresh ideas for content. We now have a searchable online issue for CIOL members, which enables them to access content in different ways. It is a really valuable resource, but it could do even more and we are planning to upgrade the platform next year. We certainly don't stay still!" Contact linguist.editor@ciol.org.uk to register your interest in joining the Editorial Board. DID YOU KNOW? • The Linguist has three anniversaries: The Linguist Review launched in 1924; The Incorporated Linguist took over in 1962; and it was renamed The Linguist in 1986. • There was a nine-month publication gap in 1947-1948, reflecting a "very difficult period" for the Institute. • The journal was edited by Institute staff until 1970, but it didn't become a paid professional role until 1989. Editorial Board member Jaquelina Guardamagna quizzes Editor Miranda Moore about her 20-year involvement with The Linguist