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/641937
Beyond our Focus section on the IoLET Awards 2015, which were as inspirational as ever (p.20), a few interesting themes have emerged in this issue. Firstly, what happens when a government decides to impose a unifying language on its people – from the marginalisation of other regional languages to conflict when speakers of those languages fight back. This is evident not only in Assia Rolls's insightful article on language tensions in post-colonial Algeria (p.14), but also in Theo Merz's exploration of the possible long- term impact on Cantonese of the Chinese government's promotion of Putonghua (p.24). In Argentina, we witness the resurgence of the country's native languages following the imposition of Spanish over more than 400 years (p.16). This has created a greater awareness of the need for interpreting services in those languages – and increased demand. Although English is one of only two official languages in Kenya, it is clear that many people do not identify themselves with the colonial language. Rebecca Maina considers the impact of this in the promotion of human rights: the apparent lack of a functional equivalent in the local languages is linked to the 'foreignness' of the concept (p.8). The problem of equivalence arises again, unsurprisingly, in Ramon Pils's article about the challenges of translating historic legal texts (p.12); and in Brendan Cole's examination of approaches to modern-day translations of Shakespeare into Putonghua (p.18). Continuing the Chinese 'theme', we have – for the first time – a short article written in the language, as CIOL member Raymond Cheng talks about his 'life with languages' in his mother tongue (p.30). Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/55 No/1 2016 www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NOTES As we leave behind the 10th anniversary year of our Royal Charter, there is still plenty to look forward to in 2016 in the world of languages. In January, IoLET presented at the annual Association of University Language Centres (AULC) conference, which took place in Cardiff. Although the focus of the talk was the Trust's new Certificate in Languages for Business, the rise in the number of students of other disciplines learning a language led to consideration of student employability and how a language can enhance the profile of students of any discipline when they are seeking internships, work placements or jobs. Students often underestimate the value of this important communication tool and the other transferable skills acquired during language study, especially if no formal accreditation is offered. In March, the Institute will play an active role in the first Language Show in Scotland. Following the tradition of the London show, the Scottish event comes at an important time for language learning in Scotland, where the government is rolling out – over two parliaments – the European languages model of '1+2' (mother tongue plus two foreign languages). CIOL will have a stand at the show, supported by our Scottish Society, as well as staff and members presenting at workshops and seminar sessions. The early part of this year will see the award of two important tenders for language services in the public sector. The new Ministry of Justice contract this time includes a Lot for Quality Assurance, something which the Institute, through its work under the umbrella organisation PI4J, has long campaigned for. The Crown Commercial Services tender for the delivery of translation and interpreting services will also be concluded. The biennial Critical Link 8 conference is coming to Edinburgh in July, and offers a much more accessible opportunity for public service interpreters and translators based in the UK to participate. IoLET will be presenting on behalf of the International Language Certification for Interpreters Network, established last year. CIOL and IoLET will continue to develop services for the benefit of members and examination candidates respectively. Work is continuing on the Membership pathway, in particular on pre-professional grades of membership to encourage linguists from a broader spectrum of study and work to join the Institute. Ongoing collaboration in Hong Kong and China will help to raise further the profile of the Institute and its qualifications in the Far East, supported by the Hong Kong Society's second International Conference on Linguistics and Language Studies, which will take place in June. So an exciting year ahead – I wish you all the best for 2016. Ann Carlisle EDITOR'S LETTER Collaboration in Hong Kong and China will help to raise further the profile of the Institute