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/857320
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone turned 20 in June. While one small minority-language publisher celebrated with a new edition in Scots (the 80th language J K Rowling's series has been translated into), CIOL marked the occasion by resurrecting my 2000 article on the challenges of translating the books into multiple languages. Given Harry Potter's global popularity, I perhaps should not have been so surprised to discover how widely that article has been referenced, copied and even plagiarised. To read it and other articles from The Linguist archives, check out the CIOL blog at ciol.org.uk/news. As linguists we tend to focus on the need for professional language skills – with good reason. Yet there are many areas where services are provided to vulnerable people with limited skills in the language of the host country, by those with no relevant qualifications. For this reason, I found the article on communication in dementia care (page 26) particularly interesting, as crosscultural and linguistic training had to be designed for care workers who did not have a high level of education. Brexit remains a constant concern and on page 7, David Crystal takes a considered and incisive look at the impact on the English language, its changing value and whether a new English will emerge. Elsewhere, we look at the fascinating – and at times scary – job of interpreting for a terror suspect (page 10); the complexities of translating dosages, side-effects and drug names for the pharamaceutical industry (page 16); and how to get ahead in an age where personal branding and perceived value are paramount (page 24). Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/56 No/4 2017 www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S NOTES Having recently attended the Modern Languages graduation congregation at the University of Birmingham, I am firmly reminded that we are at that time of year when the national state of languages comes under scrutiny, as annual GCSE, A level and degree results are published. An impressive group of some 180 graduates walked across the Great Hall stage in Birmingham to be conferred with a degree that included one or more languages, either as a full degree or in combination with another discipline. While the majority of graduates had studied European languages, the appearance of Chinese and Japanese was an indication of the growing importance of language reach beyond our close geographical boundaries. And while most had studied one or two languages, it was pleasing to see some combining three languages. The recently published 2016-2017 Language Trends survey was undertaken in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, and represents the first litmus test of how the decision to leave the EU may impact on language teaching in schools. It presented some mixed messages on the state of languages. There were some disturbing statistics on the continuing – potentially catastrophic – fall in the numbers studying a language at A level, and the widening gap in language learner numbers between the public and private sectors, and the north and south. However, there was also some encouragement in the stabilisation of the numbers studying a language GCSE at around 50%, and a moderate increase in the expertise available to and employed within the primary sector. The Institute will be closely monitoring how Brexit will play out in education, and the potential longer term impact on the profession for translation and interpreting, and language use in business and government. Spring and summer are also important examination periods for the Institute, and in particular for publishing the results of the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) and the delivery of our main Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) and Diploma in Police Interpreting sessions. Public service interpreting remains an area where the Institute is working actively towards ensuring that standards appropriate to the linguistic and legal importance of the work undertaken in courts are maintained, and that professional qualifications, such as the DPSI, is understood and recognised by those in the public sector procuring language services. I wish all of you preparing for and sitting examinations, working on their delivery, or marking and moderating the results, a successful and rewarding examination season. Ann Carlisle EDITOR'S LETTER The Institute will be closely monitoring how Brexit will play out in education