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/933479
February 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the UK and the 90th anniversary of universal suffrage. It seems a good moment to explore communication between suffragists across Europe, and particularly between France and the UK – a fascinating area of history that is crying out for in-depth research. Perhaps one of our readers might take up the challenge? Another area of activism that required global cooperation at the time was the socialist movement. The prominent socialist and suffrage activist Eleanor Marx played a vital role as cross-cultural communicator. On the 120th anniversary of her death, we investigate this little-known aspect of her life on page 8. Elsewhere in the issue we attempt to assess the effect of the EU referendum result on translators working between Europe and the UK by asking agencies (p.16) and individual translators (p.18) about their experiences to date. Although the specifics vary, all but a handful have been impacted in some way. We have made some changes to our Institute Matters section, with the calendar and event reports now available only via the CIOL website, monthly newsletter and mailing lists – formats that can provide accurate, up-to-date information. This has freed up space for articles that give an insight into the various aspects of Institute life, and on page 32 we look at how volunteers plan events. We can now run our 'A Life with Languages' series, which charts the journey of CIOL members in their mother tongue, in both English and the other language, starting with one member's love affair with Danish (p.31). Miranda Moore 4 The Linguist Vol/57 No/1 2018 www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL CHAIR OF COUNCIL'S NOTES Disruption and innovation were two of the main themes to emerge from numerous events and conferences in the languages sector in 2017. From artificial intelligence, neural machine translation and wearable devices combining speech-to-text and speech synthesis technologies, to pedagogical innovations and the need to develop new skills to enhance employability, the landscape in which linguists operate is changing rapidly. Innovation – one of the five core values underpinning CIOL's strategic plan through to 2020 – will be critical in the way we deliver our products and services in 2018, and in particular, how we accredit and develop the linguists of the future, while supporting existing members at each stage of their career. Council's crucial role in setting CIOL's strategic direction is all the more marked in a time of technological and political upheaval, and the challenges to professionalism articulated by Professor Andy Friedman at the Professional Associations Research Network (PARN) conference last summer. The experience and expertise Council members bring to the table are fundamental in ensuring that the organisation is well equipped to respond to the accelerating pace of change. Knowledge of the sector and the issues facing language professionals now and in the future – combined with a commitment to CIOL's vision and values – are therefore essential for Council to fulfil its role effectively. At the same time, as CIOL's governing body, Council bears responsibility for overseeing its financial health, as well as risk management, policy development and monitoring the achievement of our strategic objectives. For Council to work well, it also needs members with a positive, cooperative and constructive approach to discussions and problem-solving, and a shared commitment to equality and diversity. As we approach the 2018 round of elections, we are once again fortunate to have committed members who are willing to put themselves forward as candidates, and devote their time and energy to leading CIOL into the future. Whether you are standing for election, volunteer your time in other ways or simply want to have your say in how CIOL is governed, I urge all of you who are eligible to participate to take the time to read the candidates' statements carefully and exercise your right to vote. The results of the election will be announced on 10 March at the AGM, which will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in central London and again combined with Members' Day, following positive feedback from attendees in 2017. Join your colleagues, if you can, for a stimulating day of seminars, networking and our annual Threlford Lecture, which will be delivered this year by Dr Joanna Drugan, Senior Lecturer in the School of Language and Communication Studies at the University of East Anglia. Karen Stokes EDITOR'S LETTER Share your views @Linguist_CIOL