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 the DPSI is Korean, in 2011. The largest candidate group for the June session was once again Polish, followed this time by Russian, then Urdu, Spanish and Arabic. From the three pathways of Law, Health and Local Government, the Legal pathway (both English and Scottish) still attracts the largest number of entries. Public Service Translation Unit pilot As a result of emerging interest in a higher level public service translation module, IoLET has decided to run a pilot to introduce a potential Public Service Translation Unit. The format and level will be the same as for DipTrans units (level 7) and the topics will be available for the following options: Law (English/Scottish), Health and Local Government. The unit may be of particular interest to holders of the DPSI who want to gain a unit credit for a higher level translation qualification, to DipTrans holders themselves, as well as to new candidates who are interested in adding one of the public service specialisms to their qualifications. Initially, the pilot will be offered for the out-of-English paper only. We are currently in the process of identifying examination centres familiar with the DipTrans and/or DPSI willing to run a pilot. Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) 1,047 candidates sat the 2012 DipTrans examination (1,157 in 2011) in 38 countries (47 in 2011). 617 candidates sat the examination for language combinations from English (722 in 2011). Other languages into English combinations had 430 candidates (435 in 2011).��There was a total of 44 language combinations, which is a Vol/51 No/6 2012 decrease from the 50 language combinations offered in 2011. 61 percent of candidates sat in the UK, 39 percent overseas (in 38 countries). New language combinations for 2012 included English into and out of Hebrew, Czech into English, and English into Tamil. Small Entry languages out of English included Bulgarian, Dari, Farsi, Japanese, Kurdish-Sorani, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepalese, Panjabi, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Tamil, Turkish and Urdu. Small Entry languages into English included Dutch, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish and Turkish. We also had a small candidature for language combinations other than English, namely French into German, French into Spanish, German into French and Spanish into German. The top five language combinations in 2012 were French into English, Spanish into English, English into Greek, English into Spanish, and English into German. International Diploma in Bilingual Communication (IDBC) The IoL Educational Trust will run the International Diploma in Bilingual Communication in Hong Kong until 2014. Metropolitan Police Test (Met Test) In 2011-12, the Met Test changed from being run three times a year to twice a year. There is now a Summer (May/June) and a Winter (November) session. We have begun work to make the Met Test into an Ofqual accredited qualification, which we hope will add value and secure its future. We assessed in 30 languages during November 2011 and 26 in May 2012. Polish continues to be the most popular language, with Romanian close behind. Lithuanian is growing as a language; fewer candidates are applying for Kurdish (Sorani) than in previous sessions. Small Entry languages in the last year included Dutch, Nepalese, Serbian, Tamil, Thai and Ukrainian. Continuation Courses We moderated and certificated Continuation Courses in three languages ��� French, German and Spanish ��� in five schools. The courses are for pupils in Year 11 (ages 15-16), most of whom have sat a language GCSE a year early. The courses are designed to bridge the gap between GCSE and A-level/ International Baccalaureate; widen the pupils��� knowledge of the language they are studying; increase their awareness of the culture of the countries it is spoken in; and encourage able linguists to continue further study in that language. Customised Assessments for Business/Education (CASB/E) We continue to offer in-business language assessments at levels 1, 2 and 3. The most popular language is French, followed by Spanish. Clients include L���Or��al, QBE Insurance and Amlin plc. External representation We continue to attend many events in connection with language teaching, translation and interpreting. We are involved with Speak to the future ��� the campaign for languages, which highlights the importance of languages, language learning and professional language activities for the UK; and with Language Rich Europe, a networking project that brings together 1,200 policy makers and practitioners from across Europe, to discuss and develop better policies and practices for multilingualism. The IoLET has contributed a chapter to the EU Framework Project for Implementing EU Common Standards in Legal Interpreting and Translation, Building Mutual Trust 1, and is a partner in the follow-up project, Building Mutual Trust 2. It is also a member of the Advisory Board of the TransCert project consortium, an EU project looking at voluntary certification for translators in the EU. IoLET prizes The annual prize-giving ceremony was held in London, in November 2011. Prizes were given for excellent performance, by candidates and centres, in IoLET examinations. The Threlford Memorial Cup was awarded to Italian in Italy, for fostering the study of languages and working to emphasise the importance of cultural knowledge. The David Crystal Award was won by Professor Erik Hertog for his work across Europe in developing the provision of professional language training. The Institute paid tribute to the work of its divisions ��� Translating, Interpreting, and Business, Professions and Government ��� which are crucial to��the delivery of professional services to our members.��Their success depends on the energy and commitment of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. Future plans As well as plans outlined above, IoLET will be introducing online enrolment and payment for our examinations. We are in discussion with various organisations about the production of new Units for the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF), some of which lend themselves to electronic assessment delivery. DECEMBER/JANUARY The Linguist 33