The Linguist

Chartered Institute of Linguists What the papers say… From Brat to Bootylicious: How pop changed the English language, 1/11/24 'Brat' has now been named word of the year by Collins English Dictionary… [which] heralded Brat as a concept that has conquered the world. "More than a hugely successful album, 'brat' is a cultural phenomenon that has resonated with people globally, and 'brat summer' established itself as an aesthetic and a way of life," the publisher said… Collins said that other "new and notable" words in 2024 include the Taylor Swift-derived Era – "a period of one's life or career that is of a distinctive character". Homes Plan Blocked Again Amid Welsh Language Fears, 21/10/24 Plans for 18 affordable homes have been refused for a second time amid fears the development could endanger the Welsh language… Councillor Gareth Jones said the authority had a duty to protect Welsh communities. But councillor Edgar Wyn Owen said: "I won't apologise for trying to find affordable housing and help local people live where they want to live." The latest from the languages world Philip Harding-Esch on the creeping use of AI in high-stakes settings, from literature to health In November, Veen Bosch & Keuning, the largest publisher in the Netherlands, announced plans to trial the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in their translation of commercial fiction into English. Initially, they will trial it with ten books, and only with the permission of the authors. The move was met with some consternation in the industry. The Guardian spoke to many stakeholders who listed various issues, including opening the door to more mistakes or misleading translations; the formulaic nature of the translations and losing the creativity of human translation; and the risk to authors' reputations. According to the Society of Authors' Translators Association, a third of translators have lost work because of AI. Part of the issue is about the appropriate settings in which to use AI. For example, the BBC reported on a new app being used at the A&E desk of a hospital in Northern Ireland, which allows real-time translation of audio or text. One member of staff said it helps "to get between patients even quicker, and it takes a lot of the pressure off". Crucially, the lead nurse underlined the importance of human language services and stressed that the app is there to help – not replace – them. NEWS & EDITORIAL In less critical settings, there is even more enthusiasm. In October, Apple Watch announced a new Translate app that allows translation of conversations. Apps are constantly being launched for video services, such as D-ID's Video Translate, which uses AI to lipsync your video to another language, and Canapii's app which offers real-time translation at exhibitions and conferences. However, when machine translation goes wrong it goes really wrong. One reviewer of the (otherwise impressive) D-ID app found instances of 'made-up' and 'random' words being inserted. There are also increasingly persuasive arguments underlining the inherently human aspect of communication and creation. In The Bookseller, translator Lisa Fransson described a translator's attention to "meaning, atmosphere, character and the setting or time period" and the fact that "every tiny decision brings something to the text as a whole". These are qualities that are inherently subjective and creative. CIOL's White Paper on AI and translation set out a vision for the future where AI can be deployed as a useful tool, but where human expertise remains essential and certain risks are managed. WINTER 2024 The Linguist 5 Bilingual Brains Build Stronger Connections, 10/10/24 New research demonstrates that learning a second language enhances brain connectivity, particularly when started in childhood. Scientists found that bilingual individuals have more efficient communication between brain regions, notably between the cerebellum and left frontal cortex… Zeus Gracia Tabuenca, the paper's first author [said] "The results indicate that the earlier the second language experience, the broader extent of brain areas involved in neuroplasticity." Publisher to use AI © UNSPLASH

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