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/883785
A year after it was launched, the membership pathway has produced outstanding results. We ended the 2016-17 membership year on 31 August with a record 7,358 CIOL members, up 29% on 2015-16. With a 126% increase in the number of Chartered Linguists on the register, 10 Higher Education Language Partners now on board and more developments in the pipeline, it is an exciting time to be embarking on our next three-year strategic plan. The final plan, with an updated statement of vision and values, is based on the four pillars of accrediting, developing, supporting and representing linguists, agreed at the strategy planning day in April, and was approved by Council in July. The next round of Council elections is fast approaching. Four members of Council – Dominic Brett, Tom Gale, Christine Pocock (Vice-Chair) and Judith Ridgway – will be stepping down at the AGM in March 2018; all have made an outstanding contribution and will be much missed. As a result, we have vacancies to fill and will soon be seeking nominations from Associates, Members and Fellows. As an organisation, we depend on a diverse range of knowledgeable, engaged, committed members to volunteer their time to Council and our various committees and boards. For information on the election process visit ciol.org.uk. The autumn is always a busy time for events in the languages sector. As ever, CIOL will have a strong presence at the Language Show in London (13-15 October), and will be hosting a series of practical seminars on topics ranging from qualifications and support networks to social media and terms and conditions for linguists. Our Head of Membership, Jane Galbraith, will be presenting on professionalism, chartership and the value of CPD, as part of our broader campaign to position linguists alongside other chartered professions. 2017 also marks our inaugural David Crystal Lecture, the first in a series of free public lectures to be held annually and named after the British linguist, academic, author and CIOL Vice-President. This year's lecture, on 21 October, is being held in conjunction with the University of Westminster and the Language Acts and Worldmaking project of the AHRC Open World Research Initiative. Dr Lid King was the first recipient of the David Crystal Trophy, awarded in 2016 for his outstanding contribution in the field of languages. His lecture on 'The Language of Hate' and the counter narratives emerging in response to it will undoubtedly offer a thought-provoking start to the series. As this issue went to press, we were deeply saddened to hear of the death of our President, Dr Nick Bowen. Nick was a stalwart supporter of the Institute over many years, and the wisdom, pragmatism and gentle humour he brought to his many roles over the years will be sorely missed. A full obituary and tribute to Nick will appear in the next issue. Karen Stokes CHAIR OF COUNCIL'S NOTES Chloe Paver and Matthew Philpotts' research into museum translation in Germany reminded me of the time I showed a Mexican graduate around Berlin. Interpreting informally into Spanish, I soon realised that it was not only the language that needed translating, but the historic, social and cultural context. While most Europeans take a basic understanding of modern German history for granted, it is by no means an essential part of schooling in other parts of the world. The question is how much foreign visitors are missing out if such gaps are not filled at tourist attractions (p.8). Experiencing the city from a position of relevant historic ignorance was, nonetheless, enthralling for the Central American visitor – creating the sense of adventure you might expect when travelling in another continent. When travel is not an option, a good foreign-language box-set can recreate a small part of that wonder. Such 'armchair travel' immerses the viewer (briefly and virtually) in the other culture, and there is much enjoyment to be had in hearing the sounds of the other language. I am already missing the for helvede's and mor's of Dicte on Channel 4's Walter Presents; David Wilson's rallying cry for more subtitles and less dubbing (p.26) already has an influential ally in the on- demand service for foreign-language drama. Much can been learnt, too, from considering professional debates through the lens of other cultures, and it is interesting to revisit the question of creative licence in literary translation through the perspective of oral West African traditions, which have a more flexible approach to the 'text' (p.16). Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/56 No/5 2017 www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL EDITOR'S LETTER