The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/220935
NEWS & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR'S EDITOR'S It was a busy three days on the Institute's stand at the Language Show in October. It took place at Olympia, where we met past, current and future examination candidates, existing and potential new members, and a host of other language professionals interested in the work of our membership and examination teams. The Language Show has been running for more than two decades but the range of talks and exhibitors continues to draw in a broad mix of visitors. The last issue of the year has always been a difficult one to get right, as we have had to find space for the Institute's Annual Report, as well as the balance of interesting articles we always strive for. This year, the report will be available, instead, on request from Dunstan House. We have used the space, in part, to resurrect the popular endof-year quiz (p.26) and to bring you some seasonal gift ideas (p.25). With our crossword also taking a festive turn (p.28), we hope you find it a fun and intriguing issue. The New Year is also a time to reassess and renew, and, for translators, it might be a good moment to take stock of the software you are using. I hope our three-article Focus on CAT tools will provide a useful analysis of free tools (p.12), interoperability concerns (p.16) and the increasing integration of machine translation (p.14). Do let me know whether it inspires you to make any changes by emailing linguist.editor@gmail.com. Our series looking at developments in school languages education continues with a student's view of the PGCE qualification (p.22). As well as retraining as a French teacher, Dominic Luddy has overseen the launch of the Speak to the future campaign since he joined the Editorial Board in 2010. I was sorry that I was unable to attend Members' Day this year. Judging by the glowing reviews from participants, it was a great success (p.7). A short version of Dr Martyn Bond's Threlford Memorial Lecture, looking at languages in the European Union, provides many insights (p.8), and I am sure the full live lecture would have brought further enlightenment. NOTES hold steady, helping to secure its place as the recognised standard in public service interpreting. Other examinations continue to attract new candidates, and while quality is always in our sights, the upcoming review of our core examinations for Ofqual provides a more formal setting in which to assess the readiness of our examinations for the future. Following the Institute's move to Dunstan House in Farringdon, IoLET has taken a major step forward with the implementation of a new examinations database. This will greatly increase our capability to support data processing and help us streamline the delivery of our services. We are often asked why there is such a long period between sitting an exam A new examinations database will help us streamline the delivery of our services I led a seminar on the Friday, assisted by a Metropolitan Police Officer, assessing the need to learn languages in the context of the globalisation of English, presenting some compelling scenarios from the military and police in which language competency has been critical to operational success. Helen Campbell, a Trustee of IoLET and previously of DG Translation at the EU, presented a session on what we can do to encourage schools, teachers, students and employers to inspire young people to learn languages. Qualification remains at the heart of recognising and rewarding the acquisition and professional use of language skills. Against the backdrop of the Ministry of Justice's outsourcing of interpreting services, numbers enrolling on the DPSI continue to and getting the result. The database plays a role in this but many people don't realise the complex marking, checking and moderation processes involved in ensuring fairness and quality across all languages and pathways. Languages have hit the headlines a lot over the last decade and not always with favourable messages on the take-up of learning, but there have recently been more positive signs with the relaunch of Routes into Languages, the Speak to the future campaign, the British Academy report 'Lost for Words' and the their new two-year collaboration with The Guardian (see page 5 for details). As we look forwards, IoLET's future will be shaped by our ability to build on our current suite of professional examinations and to develop new offerings to a wider audience. Ann Carlisle, Executive Director IoLET 4 The Linguist DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 LETTER Miranda Moore www.iol.org.uk