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/354134
It takes a lot of effort for teachers to keep up with ever-changing curricula, policy rules and administration, so it is incredible that they find time to revise lesson plans and come up with creative ways of motivating students. Which is why I found Rory Gallagher's thoughtful approach to the classroom environment – and attempts to make the space more comfortable, engaging and conducive to learning – so inspiring (p.18). The landscape for interpreters is changing in very different ways, with developments in ways of working remotely. New technology is making it increasingly viable for interpreters to work at a distance, and more attractive to clients, with implications – both good and bad – for those working in the industry (p.16). Technology in the form of machine translation is another growing concern for professional linguists, and post-MT editing is possibly the biggest growth sector in the industry. To find out how translation engines are progressing, how good the quality is likely to become and what kinds of output we can expect, I spoke to Microsoft about how they create and improve their translation systems (p.14). The details are fascinating – and suggest that translators have nothing to fear. One area that will always be the preserve of human experts is literary translation, and our special Focus on Russian culture and language in the UK includes an insightful Q&A with novelist, poet and translator Anatoly Kudryavitsky and his translator Carol Ermakova (p.7). We also look at the changing situation for Russian fiction in English translation (p.10), and the linguistic challenges faced by one Moscow-based multilingual media agency (p.12). Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist AUGUST/SEPTEMBER www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NOTES Ann Carlisle, Executive Director IoLET, and I have recently returned from China, where we spent a very busy few days visiting educational institutes in Hong Kong, and meeting with the President and Chair of the Hong Kong Society. The society is organising a two-day conference on languages, to take place in March, to mark its 30th anniversary, and we will be providing more details through these pages and by email. We also spent three days in Shanghai, promoting membership and the Trust's exams: we visited the centre which runs the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) there, met with local translators, and gave presentations to students and teachers at local colleges. We were very impressed by the level of enthusiasm and interest shown in languages by all those we met, and had the pleasure of personally congratulating one of this year's DipTrans candidates on her success in the exam. You should, by now, have received a booking form for Members' Day on Saturday 11 October (also available on the website), when Eleanor Sharpston will deliver this year's Threlford Memorial Lecture. Eleanor is Advocate General at the Court of Justice of the European Union, and writes in several languages. The event will take place at BMA House, a spectacular grade II-listed building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, which has been the home of the British Medical Association since 1925. Book now to take advantage of our early bird discount! These will be my last Notes, as I am leaving the Institute in July to take up a new role elsewhere. Much has happened during the seven years I have been with the Institute: we have celebrated our centenary, updated our IT and finance operations, and moved to a much improved office environment at Dunstan House. I would like to record my thanks to the members and volunteers who have supported the Institute and given generously of their time, energy and expertise. I would especially like to thank my colleagues here at Dunstan House, who have been an invaluable support and have made my time at the Institute so enjoyable. My best wishes to you all. Alan Peacock These will be my last Notes… Much has happened during my 7 years at the Institute EDITOR'S LETTER