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/458734
Although many readers will have read Professionally Speaking, telling the story of the first 100 years of the Institute, it is unlikely you will have spent as much time poring over it as I have. Few will know, for example, about the language guides produced for soldiers during the Second World War. To find out more about this fascinating history, in this anniversary year of the Royal Charter, we are running a History of the Institute in 6 Objects, beginning with a newspaper cutting from 1910 (p.6). Much has happened in the 10 years since the Institute was granted its Charter and, in this issue, we feature several inspiring projects that were launched during this time. In 2006, a programme was established to foster language awareness among primary school children through the teaching of Esperanto, and it has been very successful in this aim (p.18). A year later, GCHQ began sending its language analysts, whose work is usually shrouded in secrecy, into schools to tell pupils about the important work they do (p.8). More recently, an enterprising young undergraduate had the idea to start a free, on-campus languages magazine to unite students interested in world cultures (p.16). It has now expanded its foreign language sections and should be an inspiration to language students at other universities, as well as to linguists more broadly. In 2013, IoLET launched a new qualification, the Diploma in Police Interpreting, and, on page 12, the top candidate in the first set of exams offers her advice to future candidates. Finally, the Chartered Linguist scheme was relaunched in October very successfully. We have all the details on page 26. Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist FEBRUARY/MARCH www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S NOTES Happy New Year. 2015 is a special year for the Institute in which we mark the tenth anniversary of the Royal Charter. It is therefore pertinent, and to be celebrated, that the recent relaunch of the Chartered Linguist (CL) scheme saw a much greater number of Members and Fellows applying for and achieving CL status/registration (see p.26). Gaining a groundswell of support for the scheme is critical if we are to persuade a wider audience, including users of language services, to recognise this benchmark of professionalism. 2015 is also my first year as Chief Executive and I have been entrusted with the next step in the Institute's development at an exciting time. We have spent the last 12 months or so settling into our new home, and making sure our infrastructure and support services are fit for the 21st century. We must now build on that to expand our reach and influence for the benefit of members, and to make sure others know more about who we are and what we do. 2015 also sees the launch of our new strategic plan to 2017, which is on our website. Alongside improvements to membership services and benefits, and qualification development, it also sets new directions for the Institute: a greater web and social media presence, integration of online registration and payment facilities, innovative CPD (continuing professional development) events and a more significant impact on national language policy and the broader languages landscape. There will continue to be challenges: the renewal of the MoJ Framework agreement; gaining proper recognition for professional interpreters in the health service; and pushing for wider understanding of the vital role of languages and linguists in the economy, security, defence and diplomacy, to name just three. But there have also been positive signs of progress: the formulation of the new CCS language services framework, for example, does acknowledge some of the quality monitoring issues raised by the Institute and others in respect of the MoJ Framework. IoLET has kickstarted this new era by winning a significant contract with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to deliver its prestigious language examinations, something the Institute last did some decades ago. The new Certificate in Languages for Business is also gaining recognition as an important, innovative qualification that fills a noticeable gap in vocational language qualifications and offers examination in the practical language skills required for the workplace. I look forward to working with you to take the Institute forward, particularly through this celebratory year of the Charter. Check the website for more news and events. Ann Carlisle A groundswell of support for the scheme is critical if we are to persuade a wider audience EDITOR'S LETTER