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/148589
NEWS & EDITORIAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S EDITOR'S NOTES LETTER I am pleased to report that the Institute has located suitable new premises in central London and will be moving very soon. The office is in EC1 and is well served by public transport, being less than five minutes' walk from Farringdon mainline and Tube stations. We will occupy the fourth floor of the building in an open-plan area, and will benefit from a brand new hosted desktop IT system. We will, of course, email members once the moving date is fixed, and post all the information on our website. Communications will be down for a day or so while we move, but please bear with us. Our new Director of Examinations, Ann Carlisle, has been with us for more than four months now, and has hit the ground running! Ann says: 'It's been a hectic but exciting time with a lot to learn. Everyone has been extremely supportive and I already feel very much part of the CIOL "family". It's a challenging time for IoLET examinations, as economic conditions remain tough while language policies and government decisions bring about In 2010, I attended a Foreign and Commonwealth Office event promoting an increase in British representation in Europe, and there was an unexpected emphasis on language skills as unessential. Reporting on a recent Association of Graduate Recruiters survey, which found that 61 percent of UK recruiters struggle to find 'global graduates', The Independent stressed that '"global" in this sense does not mean "multi-lingual"'. This apparent trend may explain why there is a 'worrying lack of understanding' about the current language deficit among UK exporters, with only 16 percent viewing it as an issue, according to the Institute of Directors. It is true that being 'global' in outlook involves more than learning a language alone – and even linguists can make mistakes. For tips on how to avoid cultural misunderstandings when working internationally, see page 16. Reading Chinua Achebe's Thing Fall Apart, aged 19, was an important step in my own intercultural journey, leading me to West Africa and, indirectly, to my role as an Assistant Editor for The Linguist. I am pleased to be able to honour the 'father of Nigerian literature', who died in March, with a look at the challenges of translating his seminal work (p.10). In this issue, we launch a series looking at the physical environment for interpreters working in various fields, with a look at conditions for legal interpreters (p.12). For those working with Kurdish asylum-seekers, the challenges are manifold, involving a mutlidialectal language, as well as the often distressing nature of the work (p.8). Our Focus on internet resources will be of particular interest to translators, but with articles on how to search the web more effectively and on the ways technology is impacting on the future of the professions, there should be something of interest for all readers (pp. 20-25). 'Economic conditions remain tough while language policies bring about considerable change. But this also gives us an opportunity' considerable change. But this also gives us an opportunity to look again at what we do, how we can do it better and what interest there is in new areas of examination. And all soon from newer and smarter premises in Farringdon, where the whole team will be working more closely together. It's a challenge which I relish, and I look forward to keeping you updated.' To find out more about the work of the IoLET's DipTrans team, see page 33. My colleague Jack Sellen, Professional Development and Membership Services Officer, continues to work on expanding the programme of CPD workshops offered by the Institute. Coming up in the autumn/winter sessions is a new series on literary translation that will cover children's literature, comics, crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy. Other new workshops are in development for 2014 – please check the CPD section of the website and keep an eye out for e-bulletins advertising these. Finally, I would like to alert you to Members' Day 2013, which will be taking place on Saturday 5 October at the newly refurbished Royal College of General Practitioners, Euston Square, London NW1. Further details are on our website. Please save the date! Miranda Moore Alan Peacock 4 The Linguist AUGUST/SEPTEMBER www.iol.org.uk