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/552383
thelinguist.uberflip.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER The Linguist 5 A bird can communicate in a similar way to how humans use language, scientists have discovered. A study of the chestnut-crowned babbler bird from Australia revealed a method of communicating that has never before been observed in animals. The bird combines sounds in different combinations to convey meaning. The findings could help in the understanding of how language evolved in humans, researchers report in the online journal PLOS Biology. 'Babbler Bird Calls "Convey Meaning"', 30/6/15 What the papers say… Guardians of the Italian language, working to update and improve it since 1612, are convinced that the language of love faces its greatest ever danger. As right-wing Italian politicians bemoan the arrival of Eritrean, Syrian and Nigerian migrants, the sober and suited experts of the Accademia della Crusca are more concerned about turning back the tide of English words… Politicians gather in parliament for 'question time', reality TV shows are 'i reality' and a football manager is 'un mister'. The Italian navy had a recruitment poster with the slogan 'be cool and join the navy' in English. 'Italians Resist an English Invasion on the Language Front', 22/6/15 For the first time this year, The Eurovision Song Contest was simulcast in International Sign Language, and deaf viewers were not left disappointed… [The aim] was not to interpret each song word for word, but rather to give Deaf viewers a sense of the song's character and mood… It took several hours to perfect the sign language routine for each entry. 'Eurovision Sign Language Interpreter's Fantastic Electro Velvet Dance Routine', 25/5/15 The latest from the languages world School leavers hoping to study modern languages have a better chance of getting into a top university than they did five years ago, according to a Press Association report. According to data from Ucas (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), 44.2% of applications to study modern languages at the University of Cambridge were successful in 2014, compared with 28.4% in 2010. This trend was reflected at other Russell Group universities, with the success rate for applications at King's College London rising from 12.9% to 21.7% over five years. This was largely explained by a decrease in competition for places, with a 66% fall in language degree applications at Cambridge since 2010. There are now two applications per place for languages, compared with six for mathematics and medicine. Warwick was a notable exception, with the acceptance rate falling from 18.7% to 12.7% over five years, as applications increased and the number of places was reduced. • Two surveys ranking the modern languages and linguistics departments of universities have been published. Cambridge topped the Guardian's list, based on a variety of indicators, including student satisfaction with the course and the percentage of graduates starting a career after six months. In the QS World University Rankings 2015, which are based on academic and employer reputation, the top universities from 2014 – Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and California – maintained their positions. NEWS & EDITORIAL The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has launched a public consultation asking for views on the topics that the next census might cover. Census statistics are used in decision-making by private, public and voluntary bodies and individuals, and every census has to take into account changing user needs and changes in society. The consultation for the previous census led to questions that have provided detailed information about the nature of diversity across England and Wales. For example, 7.7% of the population aged 3 years and over reported a main language other than English, with Polish being the most popular. Open until 27 August, the 2021 census topic consultation invites people to comment on the ONS's current proposals and to make additional suggestions via https://consultations.ons.gov.uk/census/ 2021-census-topics-consultation. Uni acceptance rate increases Census consultation The European Commission is recruiting for temporary translation staff (1-4 years), with applications due by 2 September. Candidates should work from Bulgarian, Croatian, Swedish, Finnish, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Greek, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Romanian, Latvian, Polish, Slovenian or Slovak into English, and have an additional source language. For details, see http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation /workwithus/staff/temporary/index_en.htm © SHUTTERSTOCK EU seeks translators Percentage with English (English or Welsh in Wales) as a main language 98% or more 95-97.9% 86-94.9% 75-85.9% Under 75% Highest % of 'other' languages (outside of London) Boston Corby Cambridge Thanet Slough Rushmoor Birmingham Leicester Bradford Manchester