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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Theatre has emerged as an unexpected theme in this issue – from Newcastle University's use of drama translation with its MA students (p.16), to the idea of the translator as actor, playing a role, in a candid interview with prize-winning literary translator Sam Garrett (p.7), and the use of role-play in the modern foreign languages classroom to increase target language usage (p.18). I can't help but think of it as something of a metaphor for a year of drama in the UK, centred around the vote to leave the European Union and the confusion about what that actually means. As we enter a New Year of uncertainty, we take a more light-hearted look at the events of 2016 in our end-of-year quiz (p.14). How much will you remember? As xenophobia rises in the UK following the referendum result, it is heartening to look at the unifying principles of Esperanto and the continuing allure of its spirit of cross-cultural communication (p.24). Insecurity also persists in the form of new technology, and this year's Threlford Memorial Lecture looks at the impact technological developments may have on the translation industry, individual translators and translator training (p.10). In this issue, we also launch a new Q&A series looking at the varied careers taken up by recent languages graduates (p.29). I hope it will be of particular – but not exclusive – interest to the 150 student affiliates who joined the Institute in the two months after it launched its new membership pathway. Finally, I would like to thank Teresa Tinsley for her witty and insightful 'In the Media' column over the last four years (p.31). Philip Harding-Esch from the British Council will take over the column in 2017. Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/55 No/6 2016 www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S NOTES Autumn is always a busy time for CIOL as we move into a new membership year. This September saw the launch of the new membership pathway with initiatives to encourage linguists at all stages of their career to consider the benefits of joining a professional body. The new pre-professional grades are proving popular, with more than 150 student affiliates registering within the first two months. This period coincides both with our own events and the annual Language Show at Olympia. As I write, we are just back from three intensive days at the show where, alongside our seminars and presentations, we were able to speak to many of our current members and examination candidates. It is always a pleasure to meet members face-to-face and to hear first-hand from them about their experiences and their aspirations. Routes into Languages held a Symposium on the first day of the show addressing the impact of Brexit. The morning started with a Question Time-style expert panel answering questions on the impact of Brexit and included representation from McKinsey, UBS, Rosetta Stone and the CBI. There were some surprisingly positive responses about potential trade and language opportunities, as well as the view that an even stronger case for languages could be made post-Brexit, including possible increased demand for translation and interpretation. This was mixed with messages of caution and not least the need to move away from the negative connotations now firmly associated with the very term 'Brexit'. CIOL is fully supporting the All-Party Parliamentary Group's call, in October, for the government to ensure that Brexit negotiations protect the UK's urgent strategic need for language skills. At stake are security of residency for EU nationals, access to Erasmus+ programmes for UK students, protection of rights to interpretation and translation in legal proceedings, and an education plan that will enable a sufficient supply of linguists for the UK to operate effectively on a global world stage. Professor Dorothy Kenny from Dublin City University delivered a fascinating 'critique of contemporary translation technology' to a packed audience at our annual Threlford Memorial Lecture, held in the distinguished and ornate surroundings of Stationers' Hall in October, and followed by a networking reception for the 180 attendees. Next year the lecture will be held in March at our rescheduled Members' Day, which will also host CIOL's AGM. Ann Carlisle EDITOR'S LETTER It is always a pleasure to meet members face-to-face and hear about their experiences