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/735840
Following the vote to leave the EU in June, a large number of our readers have expressed concerns about issues ranging from working conditions to family life, with more than 1,000 CIOL members responding to the Institute's post-referendum survey (p.7). Assessing the likely impact of Brexit – or offering any meaningful advice – is proving difficult, as the Government has yet to provide any real details of what the country's exit strategy will be. I am therefore grateful to Jocelyn Wyburd, Chair of the University Council for Modern Languages (UCML), for her considered analysis of the issues facing languages education in the UK, from primary to university level (p.11). Despite fears that language learning will fall into further decline, there is room for hope in some areas, with Jocelyn calling for a broader government policy on multilingualism. It is clear that the global humanitarian crisis affected the Brexit debate. In Germany the initial response to the hundreds of thousands of displaced people seeking asylum in EU countries was more welcoming. Big businesses responded by offering refugees free German language classes, which we explore on page 14. Among the other articles in this issue, we look at the problems that can arise when a defendant appears in court via video-link with the interpreter in court – now standard practice in certain cases (p.8); how a translator specialising in documents relating to the movement of people complies with Home Office requirements (p.16); and why French- Algerian singer Iness Mezel is so passionate about singing in 'other' languages (p.18). Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/55 No/5 2016 www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL CHAIR OF COUNCIL'S NOTES Collaboration with other bodies and CIOL's visibility in the wider world were key themes to emerge from our strategic planning day earlier in the year, and we continue to seize opportunities to work with other organisations wherever our interests coincide. Over the summer, my predecessor Keith Moffitt attended the Critical Link interpreting conference in Edinburgh on our behalf (see page 29) and we were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Shanghai Foreign Service Company, whose International Training Centre is an IoLET examination centre and hosts the recently formed China Association. As we go to print, I will be attending the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) conference in London and preparing to present at the Translating Europe Forum in Brussels in October. As always, we will have a significant presence at the Language Show in London in mid-October, with two of our four seminars hosted jointly, one with the European Commission's Directorate- General for Translation and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), and another with the University of Westminster. Our membership year began on 1 September and we aim to build on the growth in membership achieved in 2015-16, thanks to the huge efforts made by Jane Galbraith (Head of Membership) and her team. We welcome our first Student, IoLET and Career Affiliates under the new membership pathway and look forward to supporting their progress through the membership grades as they complete their studies or gain additional experience. Improving recognition for qualified, experienced foreign language specialists in a highly fragmented and unregulated professional landscape is critical. We hope that the streamlined Chartered Linguist registration process will encourage more CIOL members to apply and we continue to welcome applicants from partner organisations, so that we can reach the critical mass of Chartered practitioners – and the associated level of recognition – achieved in other sectors. Looking ahead is vital for any organisation. Our strategic planning process is now well established but, as a number of colleagues who have served the Institute with immense dedication are reaching the end of their terms of office, we need a new generation of members to get involved. The next round of Council elections is fast approaching and nomination papers are included with this issue. Detailed guidance on the role, and contact details for existing Council members who would be happy to have an informal conversation with potential candidates, are available on the website: do get in touch if you are interested in standing. Karen Stokes EDITOR'S LETTER We welcome our first Student, IoLET and Career Affiliates under the new pathway