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/99426
ANNUAL REVIEW briefing and research. In March 2012, the division provided a two-session workshop on marketing strategy: the use of social media in the languages industry, and how to improve marketing skills. The Translating Division���s ���Translator���s Pack ��� Live!��� professional development event was held in November, aimed at new translators starting up in business. Topics included continuing professional development (CPD), web resources, the translator���s office, and working with agencies and direct clients. In July 2012, the division joined forces with the ITI and the European Commission in London to host an event at Europe House on Clear Writing. It included presentations on the EU Clear Writing Campaign, plain English and writing for web users. In May, the Spanish Society celebrated its 25th anniversary with a meeting and lunch in Madrid, attended by 27 members and the Institute���s Membership Services Officer. Also in May, the Joint Acting Chief Executive Officer, Alan Peacock, and the Chair of the Editorial Board, Karen Stokes, visited the Lincolnshire Society for its AGM, and Mr Peacock attended the Spring Conference of the Hong Kong Society. Stuart Poole stood down as Chair of the Scottish Society and Ann Withers was elected as the new Chair. The Institute���s other societies ��� German, Scottish, North West, London and Cambridge ��� continued to host professional events throughout the year. Chartered Linguist Scheme At its meeting on 31 March 2012, Council decided to undertake a review of the rules and admissions criteria of the 32 The Linguist Chartered Linguist scheme. This is being carried out by a small working group, chaired by Keith Moffitt, which includes representatives from the ITI and the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC). The working group aims to make recommendations to Council in 2013. Ministry of Justice (MoJ) interpreting contract The MoJ framework agreement for the provision of interpreters in the criminal justice system, which came into force in January 2012, was the focus of considerable controversy and media attention during the year. Tony Bell and Keith Moffitt both wrote to MoJ ministers and senior officials on several occasions, raising concerns about the new arrangements. Mr Moffitt sat as an observer on the steering committee of the Professional Interpreters for Justice Campaign, alongside representatives from six other organisations representing public service interpreters, and the profession���s regulatory body, the National Register of Public Service Interpreters Ltd (NRPSI). This situation has led to an investigation by the National Audit Office (NAO), and inquiries by the Public Accounts Committee and the Justice Select Committee, to which the Institute submitted evidence. Professional development and training The range of continuing professional development workshops offered by the Institute has continued to expand over the year. The majority of workshops are non-language specific and do not carry any pre-requisite other than a fluent level of English and the other DECEMBER/JANUARY language(s), both spoken and written. Courses range from those aimed at people new to the profession, through to practical workshops on business practice and technology. We are also aiming to branch into new areas, such as audiovisual translation, literary translation, games localisation and voiceover; and to offer structured workshop series on specific topics, such as ���Working Successfully as a Freelance Translator���. Future plans include partnerships with university language departments to facilitate student engagement. IoL Educational Trust The IoLET has had a challenging year with a fall in enrolments in its two main qualifications: the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) and the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans). However, new centres are still coming forward for both examinations, and the challenge is to ensure that we identify all potential candidates and continue to offer the qualifications to the highest possible standards. In the spring, we had to prepare for our submission to our external Regulator, Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation). This involved the IoLET Board confirming that we met all the criteria necessary for continued recognition as an Awarding Organisation. It was a lengthy but worthwhile exercise that provides reassurance for all stakeholders that our qualifications are independently monitored and are of the standard and level they claim to be. However, self-assessment is a key part of ensuring that we maintain our standards, and so we continue to review our own documentation, procedures and processes on an on-going basis. Special Projects IoLET continued its collaboration with external organisations and universities, offering exemptions and joint certifications of language-based assessments. It is currently working on ways to make its qualifications more accessible to individuals already studying interpreting or translation in universities, in order to facilitate the process leading to exemptions. Certificate in Bilingual Skills (CBS) All three pathways were offered in a combined total of 25 languages this year. Italian, Polish and Spanish, closely followed by French, were the most popular languages. For the first time, we also offered a CBS in Swahili. Both our CBS variants, the ���Public Services��� and the ���Sports & Leisure��� pathways, are enjoying continued interest, and the Metropolitan Police commissioned a second tailor-made ���CBS Police��� for their officers, entering 113 candidates for 18 languages, a 20 percent increase. Discussions are in progress with both the education and the health sectors to see how a school-specific or NHS-related CBS could be best employed. The CBS Handbook for Tutors, providing guidance on running CBS courses, is now available on the CIOL website. Successful holders of the qualification can apply for Student Membership of the CIOL. Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) A total of 886 candidates registered for the June session of the DPSI this year. The take-up of languages in 2012 was similar to 2011, with 42 languages. The most recent language to be introduced to www.iol.org.uk