The Linguist

22 The Linguist Vol/64 No/2 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist FEATURES elevate our visibility and reputation together as a profession". Highlights of Interpreters Day included Michelle Deeter's talk on content creation for interpreters, and Diana Singureanu, Sabine Braun and Constantin Orasan presenting findings from the EmpASR project, exploring how interpreters can be better empowered with AI and automatic speech recognition. Katie Santos' insights on career expansion opportunities in education, tourism and accessibility were also much appreciated. A panel discussion featuring ITI CEO Sara Robertson, Mike Orlov from NRPSI, Sue Leschen and John Worne addressed the state of public service interpreting (PSI) in the UK. While acknowledging the debt of gratitude we owe PSIs for the difficult and traumatic work they can be exposed to, the panel highlighted the joint advocacy work by all the UK's professional bodies, which fed into the House of Lords inquiry into interpreting in the courts. Beyond the formal sessions, attendees valued the networking opportunities. As Xenia Andriuta reflected, "The conversations over coffee, reconnecting with colleagues and meeting new professionals who share the same passion… are just as valuable as the formal sessions." For newcomers like Chloe Jones, the conference provided invaluable connections with experienced colleagues, while seasoned professionals like Barbara Grigoletto appreciated the "insightful discussions on our role as translators and linguists in this AI-driven era". As Mariana Bejenari summed up, attendees left "feeling inspired to be more active and proactive" in their work, equipped with fresh insights, strengthened professional connections and a reminder of how much our common love of languages connects our whole community. Find out what language professionals had to say about CIOL's Translators Day and Interpreters Day The recent CIOL Conference Season 2025 brought together linguists and language professionals for two days of inspiration, networking, and professional and personal development at the impressive Convene venue in central London. Here is a collection of what people had to say on LinkedIn after the events. From Translators Day, many selected the 'in conversation' session with CIOL Vice-President and author Susie Dent as a particular highlight. As Stephanie Martinez-Hill observed, Susie delighted the audience with some of her favourite words and phrases, including 'hingum-tringum' (feeling barely presentable) and 'respair' (fresh hope, recovery from despair). "I could listen to Susie Dent talk for hours," remarked Chloe Jones, who appreciated Susie's observations on gendered Energised and inspired AN ENLIGHTENING EVENT Clockwise from top: lexicographer Susie Dent talks to John Worne; Vasiliki Prestidge joins the expert panel; networking after the awards ceremony; and the packed auditorium language, including "negative adjectives that are exclusively directed at women". Stella Hodkin's presentation on behalf of CLEAR Global and Translators without Borders, focusing on AI challenges and language inclusion in development and crisis settings, was also widely appreciated. Business development was another key theme, with Vasiliki Prestidge and Ilenia Goffredo delivering practical advice on building client relationships. As Chloé Bianéis noted, these "tips and positivity" were "key, and timely, to grow as individual businesses and to Conference IMAGES © ANDY PARADISE

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