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/1257392
Covid-19 has highlighted issues interpreters face such as noisy environments, as well as creating new challenges. Those working in healthcare settings have reported difficulties in hearing clients when PPE (personal protective equipment) and ventilators are used. One doctor came up with a non-profit flashcard initiative in response to such communication problems, launching it within 72 hours (p.7). For many linguists, the pandemic has meant switching to remote working practices (p.6). This issue's focus on communications and marketing may be of particular help for those looking to new fields, markets and ways of working to mitigate the financial fall- out from the crisis (p.12-17). One effect of the need to physically isolate has been to make those who are further away seem closer. It's as easy to talk to family in another country via Zoom as it is to speak to those nearby, which can have the added benefit of helping bilingual families to teach children a native language (p.29). Online learning tools are also increasingly important as school-age children remain at home (p.26). I am communicating more with family in Mexico and notice that I often refer to my son as el niño, though it would be odd to say 'the boy' in my native English. So I was shocked to read that evidence of a Puerto Rican father's apparently uncaring attitude towards his dead infant hinged on the fact that he referred to him as 'the kid' – a direct translation from el nene. As he stood trial for murder, it took the work of expert witness Michael O'Laughlin to have this 'evidence' removed. Read more about this fascinating work on page 8. Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/59 No/3 2020 thelinguist.uberflip.com NEWS & EDITORIAL CHAIR OF COUNCIL'S NOTES Thank you to everybody who voted for me in this year's election allowing me the honour to continue as Chair of CIOL Council for the next three years. Many of us last met at our phenomenal CIOL Conference in London in early March (p.32). In my presentation on 'The Future Ahead', I highlighted the challenges we are facing as a profession and the urgent need for us to adapt to change. Our first Insight report, 'The Language Professions', had already identified that the language sector is challenged by lack of recognition, outsourcing of services, deteriorating rates and terms of work, and hence fewer new entrants to the profession. Since then humankind has been ravaged by the impact of Covid-19 on our personal and professional lives. For CIOL, like many other organisations, it has created a new urgency about reassessing our overall strategy and operational business delivery in order to adapt to the 'new normal' and stay relevant for the language industry. The scope of change will depend on how high we set our ambition to continue to be the premier body for language professionals – an ambition that is being costed, planned and resourced in order to safeguard the profession for future generations. The unique value of chartership as a protected title in an unregulated industry will continue to be our first priority. Our professional qualifications are having to compete in a much harsher commercial environment and therefore our second priority is reviewing our examination framework to ensure it is sufficiently resilient for the next generation of linguists. We will, by necessity, address the smarter provision and delivery of assessment methodologies and the use of technology. We have already sharpened our potential for collaboration with the recent launch of our Business and Corporate Partnership Scheme, but we are resourcing other opportunities in order to strengthen our external recognition and visibility. Professionalism is not just about the job you do, but how you do it. We have therefore completely transitioned eCPD to a new platform, and added high-quality, specialised webinars, career and experience blogs, and videos. We will continue to connect with our member base by enhancing CPD training and peer-to-peer support with bespoke guidance to create a one-stop knowledge base. Our second Insight report, 'Careers and Qualifications', went live in March. A 'Guide to Interpreting in Business and Corporate Environments' has also been published, with more to come by the end of the year. As we move into the second half of 2020, we will work with ambition and confidence to achieve our aims, without losing sight of our core values of consistency, transparency and integrity of standards of linguistic competence. On behalf of Council, I wish you all well and hope to meet you again in person in the not too distant future. Judith Gabler EDITOR'S LETTER Share your views: linguist.editor@ciol.org.uk