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/582271
34 The Linguist Vol/54 No/5 2015 www.ciol.org.uk INSTITUTE MATTERS Alexa Alfer Alexa Alfer is Senior Lecturer in Translation Studies and MA Course Leader at the University of Westminster. Her research interests include metaphorical conceptions of translation, hermeneutic approaches to Translation Studies and comparative literature. See p.26 Helen Astley Helen Astley has worked with languages in qualifications and standards development, and as a teacher, examiner, inspector and adviser. She has been leading the European Graduate Placement Scheme since 2013. See p.22 Allison Brown Allison Brown has been a freelance translator of scholarly books, essays and exhibitions from German into English since 1988, specialising in history, art, religion and political/cultural studies. She has an MA in Translation Studies and Linguistics, and lives in Berlin. See p.13 Abigail Leffler Abigail Leffler MCIL translates for non-profit organisations serving the international development and conservation sectors. She researched attitudes towards multilingualism in healthcare interventions for a Communication for Development MA at Malmö University. See p.10 Beatrice Murail Beatrice Murail started out as a translator and interpreter, and now works as a freelance journalist. She has an MA in journalism, an MA in English and a diploma in translation and interpreting. See p.20 Reza Shirmarz Reza Shirmarz MCIL is a playwright, literary translator and singer/songwriter. He has written 16 plays and two poetry collections, and has translated more than 100 plays into Farsi, including works by Plautus and Rattigan. See p.8 Sarah Whitehead Sarah Whitehead is a freelance journalist, specialising in health, crime, disability and gardening, and works part-time on The Guardian's Saturday features desk. See p.18 CONTRIBUTORS Representing your interests , Jane Galbraith looks back at her first months as Head of Membership and explains what's in store for the year ahead and beyond Over the next three years, my main focus is to drive up membership by actively seeking ways to encourage a wider range of linguists to join CIOL, in addition to ensuring that our current members continue to be well supported. We will undertake proactive campaigns to raise awareness of the Institute, explaining how membership supports professional development and provides valuable recognition within the profession. This means talking to employers and other stakeholders, and also targeting the linguists of the future. A range of member testimonials will be created to showcase our membership and to illustrate clearly who our members are, what sector of the language world they represent and how membership has benefitted them. There are some exciting developments planned for our CPD programme. Working with the CPD Standards Office, we are looking at the feasibility of accrediting a number of external training providers. This will enable us to offer a wider range of CPD activities, including web-based opportunities. Members will be notified of the accredited providers and the courses they offer as they come on board, so watch this space. The portfolio of benefits will also be reviewed, so if you have any suggestions please email membershipteam@ciol.org.uk. I am a strong believer in the power of the member network and have been to a number of events organised by the Interpreting, Translating, and Business, Professions and Government divisions. These provided a great opportunity to meet a range of members and to understand what being part of CIOL actually means. The team at Dunstan House will be looking at the viability of resurrecting the Education Division, so if this is something that you are interested in, please contact us. (For more information about the divisions and societies, see page 7.) It's been a whirlwind six months. The first thing that struck me when I joined is just how dedicated the membership team – Jack Sellen, Paul Whitehouse, Soheila Dayani-Phillips and Julie Hobbs – is to supporting our members; and with nearly 400 new member applications each year, the team's working week is busy and diverse. My thanks to them for their continued support and hard work. It looks like the next six months will be just as busy and enjoyable, with the Language Show, Members' Day, and a visit to Hong Kong and China planned, plus the chance to meet members through events run by our many societies. Most of all I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, to representing your interests and to ensuring that membership of CIOL remains relevant and of value to you all.