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/119185
NEWS & EDITORIAL EDITOR'S LETTER I have a piano at home for the first time in nearly 20 years. Practice requires a 'good ear' and a lot of dedication (a combination readers will be familiar with); I blame a lack of time and teacher for my failure to put in the necessary groundwork. It was humbling, then, to interview Dua'a Majid, one of the many young Iraqi musicians who taught themselves via online tutorials, as bombs fell around them and their music teachers fled. Taught largely by English-speaking tutors, and made up of Kurds and Arabs who do not speak each other's languages, the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq has faced myriad challenges since its inception in 2009. The language dynamics may not be the greatest among them, but they are no less fascinating for that (p.18). This issue's Focus looks at different perspectives on the translation of novels, including the rise of Arabic literature (p.12). Marking the 60th anniversary of Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, the co-translator of a new series looks at the difficulties of rendering the books in German (p.8). We also take an in-depth look at the editors who commission and work on books in translation, and ask how important their own language skills are to the job (p.10). We have had such a positive response to the online issue that we have decided to improve its capacity, especially for mobile devices and the sharing of articles, by moving to linguist.uberflip.com. Please spread the word! Finally, congratulations to Examinations Manager Daryl Lucas for running an incredible 60 races last year in aid of Brain Tumour UK. To read Daryl's inspiring story, see page 33. Miranda Moore Vol/52 No/2 2013 Rewarding excellence Applications are open for two separate education awards that reward innovative ways of motivating language learners. The British Academy Schools Language Awards 2013 is looking for projects in the UK that encourage larger numbers of students to take languages to advanced and degree level. The national winner will receive £8,000, and awards of £4,000 will be given to a further 13 institutions. Projects which involve collaboration between sectors, or which target learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, are particularly welcomed. The European Language Label is open to entrants across all sectors and in all EU member states, with a focus on creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate learners and make the best of available resources. The winning project should be replicable elsewhere. Part of the European Union's Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) for collaboration in the field of education, the award is managed in the UK by the CfBT Education Trust. The application deadline for the European Language Label is 21 April. For details, see www.cilt.org.uk/home/valuing_languages /european_language_label_2012.aspx. The deadline for the British Academy Awards is 31 May. For a reminder, email baslas@britac.ac.uk or visit www.britac.ac.uk/policy/basla2013.cfm. LANGUAGE LABEL The Home Language Accreditation Project (HoLA) won an award in 2012 U-turn over the Baccalaureate Michael Gove has abandoned plans to replace GCSEs with an English Baccalaureate certificate (EBC), which would have included the 'core' subjects of English, maths, the sciences, history, geography and a language. Opposition to the Education Secretary's plans for the exam system for 16-year-olds came from various quarters, including teaching unions, the examinations watchdog Ofqual and the government's Liberal Democrat coalition partners. The grading system for schools, also known as the English baccalaureate (Ebacc), will continue. Credited, in part, with a reverse in the decline of language learning, the Ebacc assesses schools in England and Wales based on the percentage of pupils passing GCSEs in 'core' subjects, including languages. APRIL/MAY The Linguist 5