The Linguist

With the onset of space tourism and increasing talk of a human mission to Mars, not to mention the huge impact of generative AI, covering the pressing issues of the day can now feel decidedly futuristic. Seeing topics become a reality that were, until a few years ago, firmly in the realm of science fiction is exciting but also unsettling and, at times, deeply worrying. Will the technology help, rather than threaten, interpreters (p.10) and translators (p.26)? And could developments in areas such as cybersecurity (p.18) and planetary science (p.8) open new possibilities for linguists? Of course, looking forward also means learning from the past, and in this issue we consider how the fight to save languages from the threat of extinction depends on understanding their history and cultural significance (with a focus on Breton; p.24). It also means challenging the status quo: on page 22, Nahed Arafat outlines a project to improve the practices of healthcare professionals working in multilingual environments, while on page 12, James Puchowski argues that teachers should move beyond a 'standard' language variety. It never hurts to look back at recent events, so why not test your knowledge of language news from 2023 with our end-of-year quiz. And if you're looking for a feel-good story to start the New Year, teenager Mukhtar Omar Mukhlis describes how a school languages programme helped him regain a sense of linguistic pride after years of suppressing aspects of his identity (p.32). Wishing you all the very best for 2024. Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/62 No/4 thelinguist.uberflip.com NEWS & EDITORIAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S NOTES As the world of work becomes ever more digital and automated, some of the skills which used to be essential for human 'knowledge workers' now seem to be capable of being performed at breakneck speed by machines and algorithms… Rough cuts of marketing content, meeting minutes and more can now be produced in short order by ChatGPT, Bing and Claude. We are experimenting with these tools at the Chartered Institute of Linguists and the savings in time, in some cases, can be significant. We also know that, globally, AI is transforming the world of languages and localisation (as our articles on booth tech (p.10) and patent translation (p.26) attest). Whether it's machine translation, natural language processing, speech recognition or text generation, AI is everywhere. We don't know yet how this will truly affect translators, interpreters and other linguists. Given the latest generation of AI runs on large language models, there will be changes and challenges, but also new opportunities for those linguists who can leverage their skills and knowledge to create, improve and evaluate language-based AI solutions. The speed of change can feel overwhelming. And this poses a particular challenge for aspiring (as well as established) linguists, who need to prepare for a future of work that is constantly changing and evolving. How can linguists equip (and re-equip) ourselves with the skills that will help us stand out and thrive in this new landscape? What are the best skills to develop for the future? Tech and AI-literate experts increasingly cite 'meta skills' as the ones to go for: skills that are not easily replicated by technology. These are the skills of higher-order thinking: creativity, imagination, context – and editing. They are also the skills that allow us to generate new approaches, solve complex problems, communicate more effectively, collaborate with others and adapt to changing situations. Meta skills enable us to leverage the power of technology and to use all the new tools AI brings us to our advantage. And a great way to develop meta skills is through languages… Languages are not just a means of communication, they also codify different ways of thinking, perceiving and expressing oneself. Learning languages enhances cognitive abilities: memory, attention, reasoning and problem-solving. Languages broaden cultural awareness, empathy and the ability to see another perspective. Languages and linguistics foster curiosity – as well as attention to detail – and can help people to be more flexible, adaptable and resilient. If the future of work feels more uncertain and unpredictable than ever, it should also be full of opportunities for those who can continue to learn and grow throughout their working lives. By developing and valuing our meta skills, linguists have powerful assets for a future where we can not only survive but thrive. As generative AI is now showing us: languages are the uber 'meta skill'. Please do enjoy this edition of The Linguist! John Worne EDITOR'S LETTER Share your views: linguist.editor@ciol.org.uk

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