The Linguist

As a truly global event, the Olympics have long raised the profile of interpreting in the public eye. In fact, according to the International Institute for Asian Studies, it was at the last Tokyo Games, in 1964, that international audiences really became aware of the language provision – albeit as a somewhat romanticised "glamorous, exotic profession". At Beijing 2008, the language policy was refined further. On page 18, Jie Zhang looks at the impact of this on future Games. Of course, Covid has had a huge impact, prompting some fascinating news stories about the set-up for this summer's event (see 'What the Papers Say…' for example; p.5). By now, we are all acquainted with many of the changes the pandemic has brought to the interpreting industry, but there is still a lot to consider. We reflect on the ways that both individual interpreters (p.20) and language service providers (p.30) have adapted to remote simultaneous interpreting, and the legacy of this extremely rapid change in working practices. It would be interesting to find out how the split-second decisions interpreters make regarding which strategies to use (p.10) are affected by remote working. Covid has impacted us in unexpected ways. Like many people, I am cycling more as a means of getting fresh air and travelling safely, away from public transport. As a result, I have occasionally found myself down the rabbit hole of equipment and technical specifications that will be familiar to those who cycle regularly. This presents an interesting challenge for the translator, even one well-versed in cycling terminology (p.8). Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/60 No/5 2021 thelinguist.uberflip.com NEWS & EDITORIAL CHAIR OF COUNCIL'S NOTES As the pandemic continues its course, this remains a challenging and uncertain time. However, nothing most of us will have experienced can compare to the plight of Afghan interpreters caught up in the recent turmoil in their country. As Chair of a UK-based but internationally engaged organisation, I am glad that the UK Armed Forces and diplomatic service have done what they could in Kabul, and elsewhere in Afghanistan in the past weeks, in such difficult circumstances; but as a linguist and an internationalist I wish they could have done more. For our part, CIOL wrote to the UK Ministry of Defence regarding interpreter access to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme that offers relocation and other assistance to interpreters and others who worked with UK bodies in Afghanistan. As we said in that letter, we count civil servants, defence and ex-Armed Forces staff among our members. And, as our members know all too well, face-to-face interpreters do so much more than interpret language; they interpret culture, navigate difference and complexity, and often help both sides negotiate challenging situations. One can only imagine how much this must have been the case in Afghanistan. Many members will feel a special affinity and concern for the welfare of Afghan interpreters, and we are contacting Pashto- and Dari-speaking CIOL members to ask if they would be prepared to work with us on some resources to provide some guidance and support for displaced Afghan interpreters on how they might find work with their Pashto and Dari language skills. It will not be enough, but at least it is a small thing we can do to help our fellow linguists. In more positive news, CIOL has achieved a financial break-even this year, in great part thanks to the successful move to online delivery of events, CPD and crucially our flagship exams, including the DPSI and DipTrans. Next year will be tough too, but we believe we are now on a positive trajectory, which will enable us to do more for languages and linguists in the UK, Europe and worldwide in the years to come. Do keep safe and well. Judith Gabler EDITOR'S LETTER Share your views: linguist.editor@ciol.org.uk Many members will feel a special affinity and concern for the welfare of Afghan interpreters

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