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
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thelinguist.uberflip.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016 The Linguist 21 AWARDS FOCUS and translation. Universities were generally very interested in the EMT project and all were keen to join. They said the curriculum was, in principle, very good but implementing it would be another issue. I did not reckon on so many differences in the education systems across Europe. Here are just a few: • In Spain, the curriculum is decided by the Ministry of Education; in other countries it is not • Romania requires that research play the major part in any MA programme; in others professional experience is more important • Some countries, such as France, had a two- year MA programme; others, including the UK, limited it to one year • Some countries made internships compulsory; in others they were not allowed • Some countries could recruit professional translators to teach; others were allowed to recruit only university professors. In spite of all these difficulties, and thanks to the enthusiasm of the universities and their determination to go ahead, the first EMT conference, in 2006, was such a success that DGT decided to go ahead with the project. So it was that an annual EMT conference was established. An action plan was drawn up under which two internal DGT groups – a steering committee and a working group representing all official languages – and an external EMT Expert Group were instituted. The latter was made up of eight university professors who had an international reputation and were particularly committed to the project. 1 Although they struck a geographical balance across Europe, they were appointed on an individual basis for their expertise in translator training; they did not officially represent their institution or country. Their role was to advise DGT on the steps to take in order to set up an EMT network. Progression From April 2007 to May 2009, the group met for two days every two months in a different university each time, and discussions continued online between meetings. The first challenge was replacing the model EMT curriculum with a more flexible scheme that could be implemented by universities. They came up with a list of six main competences that professional translators, and experts in multilingual and multimedia communication, should master. 2 These are all interrelated and necessary for translators but should also be understood in the overall context of university education for translators, which necessarily goes beyond such specialist professional aptitudes. The group also set out what is to be achieved, acquired and mastered by the end of the training, regardless of where, when and how it takes place. University programmes that could prove that these competences were acquired by the end of their MA Translation could be part of the EMT network, no matter how the programme was implemented. After long and intense discussions, the EMT Expert Group fine-tuned the competences and drafted the criteria that would be applied for the selection of the first members of the EMT network. The commitment to success was so intense that a special bond formed among the group's members. I will not forget the emotion I felt when – in the middle of a crucial discussion at 2am – one member sent me photos of his newly born puppies. SPECIAL EVENT (L-r) The winners with their awards; applause from CIOL Chair of Council Keith Moffitt, Royal Patron Prince Michael of Kent and President Nick Bowen; Marketing Manager Debbie Butler captures the moment; Chief Executive Ann Carlisle speaks at the event at Lancaster House; and Vice-President Baroness Coussins with HRH Prince Michael Threlford Memorial Cup for fostering the study of languages European Masters in Translation NRPSI Award for best overall DPI candidate Veronika Balkovska McInally Trophy for best overall CBS police candidate Kincso Kovacs Schlapps Oliver Shield for best DipTrans group entry Dom-Schule Fremdsprachen Richard Lewis Trophy for best DipTrans overall candidate James Christopher Palmer Fred Brandeis Trophy for best DipTrans Eng>Ger candidate Erik Freitag Peter Newmark Award for best DipTrans (Literature) Consuelo Tesei Nuffield Trophy for best DPSI group entry Peterborough Interpreting Academy Jaffar Hamid Cup for best DPSI candidate (Local Govt) Aisha Sohail Corsellis Cup for best DPSI candidate (Health) Magdalena Herok-Broughton Susan Tolman Award for best DPSI candidate (Law) Kamila Czul Susan Tolman CPD Prize for best DPSI overall candidate Kamila Czul PRIZEWINNERS IMAGES: © CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU