The Linguist

After lunch, Josephine Murray explored translating across genres from literature to food writing, while Diana Singureanu and Sabine Braun of the University of Surrey outlined their cutting-edge research on AI, technology and the spoken word in interpreting. Maria-Elena Metaxas offered a reflective 'life in languages', and Lucas Nunes Vieira of the University of Bristol presented findings from a significant survey on the use of AI translation in frontline UK public services. Facing the future The day closed with a roundtable chaired by incoming Chair of Council Anita van Adelsbergen, bringing together outgoing Chair Steve Doswell, Membership Committee Chair Emma Gledhill, and translator and interpreter Jaquelina Guardamagna. The brief to the panel had been a deliberate one: not a visionary or cheerleading session, but an honest, grounded conversation rooted in what is actually happening in linguists' working lives. Jaquelina explained that while there have always been ups and downs during her 18- year career, she now has a constant pipeline of work. "I think it's because of the personal brand I've built," she shared. She is no longer purely translating or interpreting but advising clients, writing documentation and policy, and operating somewhere between freelance practitioner and small agency owner – a transition many in the room recognised. Her counsel to those starting out was direct: build relationships. The tools have changed since she trawled the ProZ directory for agencies 20 years ago, but it is still the human relationships that open the door. Drawing on her in-house experience in localisation and UX, Emma discussed attitudes towards AI: "Very slowly, the conversation about AI is going to turn into 'when are we using this', not 'how do we use it'." She also flagged a concern that is surfacing beyond the language sector: if AI takes away the entry- level work that has always been the way junior linguists learn their craft, where do the senior linguists of the next decade come from? Capping a long association with CIOL as he steps down as Chair of Council, Steve offered the long view. Every wave of technology brings opportunity and damage: first come the boosters, then comes learning, and eventually appropriate regulation. He was candid, too, about the reality behind the optimism: before joining Council he was part of the seven-strong organising team of CIOL Midlands; all five freelance translators on the team have since left the business because the work dried up. Drawing on Edward de Bono's coloured 'thinking hats', Steve said: "I tend to wear the yellow optimist's hat by choice, but I also recognise the reality of the tough conditions in which many of our professional colleagues find themselves. Part of the role of professional bodies such as CIOL is to wear the blue hat: taking all things into consideration, and acting as a beacon to help show the way forward." Closing the panel, Anita returned to the theme she had opened with, that language remains fundamentally deeply human, and that what linguists offer clients is not just a language service but a service based on trust. AI, she underlined, is a tool: useful in expert hands, dangerous in untrained ones. What stayed with many delegates was less a single message than an accumulated one: that the linguists at Bush House – students, freelancers, in-house specialists, academics – are not retreating in the face of AI but reshaping their practice and narrative to face up to it. Everyone agreed that human judgement, cultural awareness and the trust of clients are not commodities a machine can replace, but deep and valuable linguistic, professional and human skills. The context for language professionals is changing, but the 2026 CIOL Conference made one thing clear: linguists are very much still here, still adapting, and remain special and valuable people. ADAPTING TO CHANGE Mariam Aboelezz spoke about changes at UK universities (left); and (right) Anita van Andelsbergen (r) speaks during the closing panel with Jaquelina Guardamagna (l) 8 The Linguist Vol/65 No/2 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist NEWS & EDITORIAL The conversation continued online The Bush House conversation continued at CIOL's Online Conference 2026 on Thursday 30 April, with seven speakers, record participation and a live audience from all over the world. Attendees took part throughout the day via Q&As and live polls. Anna Rioland opened the event with a thoughtful exploration of adult language learning and the role of wellbeing, followed by Ilenia Goffredo on diversifying the language profession. Marilena Iannidinardi gave a fascinating inside view of interpreting at the European Commission and how to work there, and Gerard Lysaght shared practical wisdom on reputation management in a world of social media. After lunch, Gabriella Ferenczi looked at how freelance linguists can market themselves in a changing landscape, Martín Chamorro returned with a much-anticipated update on practical use of AI for translators, and Danny Bate closed the day with a fascinating tour through the unlikely story of English spelling.

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