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
INSTITUTE MATTERS Strength in diversity Edda Ostarhild: An appreciation A RECENT EVENT ON DIVERSIFICATION GAVE TD MEMBERS A LOT TO THINK ABOUT, SAYS MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM A 'Diversification for Translators' event seemed a pretty good idea – we hadn't done that before – but we wanted more than straightforward skills training. SOAS's Brunei Library in Central London provided excellent facilities, and Lindsay Bywood of UCL opened proceedings by suggesting some key questions: Do I have the subject knowledge? Have I got the time to explore a new market? Can I afford it? Percy Balemans had come from The Netherlands to talk about transcreation. Necessary skills for this timeconsuming work include a secure grasp of the targetlanguage social environment. She raised laughs with examples of translated advertising copy that contained embarrassing double-entendres. Lindsay then returned to deal with subtitling. There are new opportunities and sophisticated tools available, but the work is poorly paid. Silvia Ferrero, a videogame localisation expert, talked about this fastmoving market, with new ideas popping up everywhere. Localisers need to be gamers themselves. All of the 50 participants seemed to get something out of the day. We gave them a questionnaire asking what they thought, and how they felt, about diversifying, and we are now using this feedback to produce a comprehensive article on the subject for the next issue. Crossword answer Puzzle on page 28 Y B E 22 T T H K F R 20 T S S O 15 E E E L P O G O D I A H F 21 11 R 12 Y 16 V E 17 A I O G 7 K N 1 A N P 10 H E C 2 E L A R E P D D F K E R O H T 3 U A 13 I T U O I S 18 H R I L 9 J N U I T A D 19 A O 23 L R U O L C U 14 Y 8 4 S S D E E A A T 5 S I P N O A N R L E A L 6 E S Vol/52 No/6 2013 Edda Ostarhild (Jones), Chair of Council 1990-91 and Director and Chief Executive from 1992 to 1998, died on 16 September, aged 82. She was a determined and powerful leader, and played a key role in the life of the Institute at a time of considerable stress and crisis. As Chair of Council and then CEO, Edda took the helm, rather like a warrior in an ancient Norse saga, steering the Institute through some very stormy seas. She was a quick thinker: she readily grasped a situation, and almost as rapidly came to a decision. Always determined and forthright, she could sometimes be dogged, occasionally even dogmatic. The year 1990/91 found the Institute in a state very close to meltdown, heading for a large and quite unexpected deficit. Under Edda's leadership, and with the close involvement of the Hon Treasurer, Colin Nunnington, a comprehensive recovery plan was drawn up, and a bank loan was secured. An appeal to members was made for financial support. Financial recovery was assured, and the bank loan was repaid before the due date. Edda was the driving force behind the move to Saxon House. By the early 1990s, the Institute's headquarters in Highbury Grove were virtually bursting at the seams. Suitable premises were finally found: Saxon House in Southwark Street, SE1, a striking-looking former warehouse that had been completely modernised internally. The move took place in April 1997, with a grand opening ceremony in October. It is an irony that Edda should have passed away in the very week that the building was sold, although from a recent conversation with her we know that she understood the need for this. She was always interested in new ventures, being, for example, a keen proponent of the Certificate in Bilingual Skills and having been the first Chief Examiner for the Diploma in Translation. She gave determined support to the Community Interpreter Project, led by Ann Corsellis and financed by the Nuffield Foundation, which resulted in the creation of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters (NRPSI) in 1996. Edda took over responsibility for Careers Using Languages, a very successful book that went into nine editions between 1982 and 2002. It was highly detailed, full of information, brimming with enthusiasm for languages – not a bad way of summing up Edda's character and attitude. When she retired from the Institute in 1998 there were those who asked themselves if Edda would ever retire. She continued to be active, setting up as an independent languages and education consultant, involved in a variety of European projects and working closely with Brunel University. Edda Ostarhild had a successful academic career as a lecturer in German at Thames Valley University before taking on responsibilities at the Institute. She was widely respected, and will be remembered for her commitment to the Institute and the job in hand, and to the cause of languages. Hers was an eventful life in which she made a valuable contribution in her chosen professional field at a time of significant change, confronting challenges that might have daunted a lesser person. CIOL President Nick Bowen HonFCIL CIOL Vice-President Tim Connell FCIL CIOL Hon Treasurer Tony Bell FCIL DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 The Linguist 33