The Linguist

22 The Linguist Vol/65 No/1 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist Georgia Meakins offers practical advice for diversifying into The sustainability and renewable energy sectors are some of the fastest-growing industries across the globe. Over 100 nations have pledged to halve their carbon emissions by 2030, with the goal of reaching 'net zero' by 2050 (i.e. producing only as much carbon as the Earth is able to absorb). With these crucial deadlines rapidly approaching, countries are looking for innovative ways to lower their carbon footprint and keep on track. The most apparent example of the 'green transition' in our everyday lives is the growing implementation of renewable energies. Signs of this innovative sector are now an everyday sight for many of us, from electric vehicles to solar panels. But have you ever asked yourself about the opportunities this race to discovery may offer the language industry? With eco initiatives, NGOs, research teams and start-ups of all kinds working across the globe, the demand for targeted, domain- specific language services is ever-increasing. Among the countries leading the way, the one with by far the highest capacity for renewable energy generation is China. But countries such as the USA, Brazil, Japan and many European states are also investing heavily in this area, with most nations building capacity to some degree. Therefore many languages will be in demand, with Mandarin, English, Portuguese, German and Japanese being some of the most sought-after. 'The renewable energy sector' is a bit of an over-generalisation however. While it refers to fuels obtained from replenishable, infinite sources, there are many types and they differ wildly. You will likely be familiar with solar, wind and maybe hydro energy, but there is also geothermal, tidal and biomass/bioenergy. Within each, there are specific types, such as photovoltaic solar, concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar thermal. It's a very large field encompassing vastly different technologies. One of the appeals of this industry is that it covers so many fields of communication that even if you can't tell a solar panel from a wind turbine, there are opportunities for you. That said, it also presents some unique challenges. There are four main types of language work I have come across in this sector, each with its own set of skills and requirements that may appeal to different kinds of linguists. Conference interpreters Traditionally trained conference interpreters and translators with experience in international government are always required by supragovernmental institutions and events such as the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), hosted by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Climate diplomacy is a field in constant evolution, with many different actors jostling to have their opinions heard. Depending on the type of conference, vocabulary may swing from business and economy (e.g. profitability of transitioning to green energy), to evocative pleas from climate activists, to current and future political challenges, such as climate refugees. All of these evoke strong emotions, and highly visual language and metaphor are often used to influence audiences. Furthermore, representatives of civil society, such as NGOs, may not be as confident public speakers as conference interpreters are used to, adding rushing, stammering or other features of nervous speech to the fray. These points, combined with the technical challenges of numbers, dates and other characteristics of diplomatic speeches, create an environment where the interpreter is constantly on their toes with each new speaker. Technical translators Most of the work in the renewables sector is more boots-to-the-ground, private work. When a new technology is developed to be sold internationally, instruction manuals, installation guides and even training sessions for technicians will often need to be translated. The challenge is similar to all technical translation: an understanding of how the technology works, precise vocabulary and the fast pace of development. As technology develops so quickly in this sphere, each device will be vastly different from the next, so it can be difficult to build a reliable, useful glossary. The upside is that there is a lot of information available online, and the forms are similar to other comparable assignments, so technical translations can be produced without a degree in electrical engineering. It is certainly the fastest-paced domain I have worked in. Even work that I did just a few months ago on innovations in perovskite solar panels is starting to become outdated. Some may see this as a good thing, as it means there is always work for the translation sector, GOING GREEN

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