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
NEWS & EDITORIAL The latest from the languages world What the papers say��� [Bollywood] studios bother to subtitle their films for export ��� presumably for secondgeneration immigrants with a shaky grasp of the mother tongue, and curious foreigners ��� so why not extend the effort to some of the overall marketing as well? ���Why Aren���t More Bollywood Films Marketed in English?��� 23/10/12 Vital role for teachers The role of teachers in encouraging language learning is paramount, according to a recent survey by the European Commission. ���Friends��� of the Interpreting for Europe Facebook page were asked how they made decisions about whether to continue with languages studies. UK-based respondents cited teachers as being the greatest influence, followed by parents in the early years and their own interests later on. Least influential were careers advisers. Interpreting for Europe is dedicated to promoting interpreting careers across the institutions of the European Union, and works NEW GENERATION: Students at the DG Interpretation���s Open Doors Day 2012 to encourage language learning in schools, colleges and universities in Europe. Its Facebook contacts tend to be young people with an interest in studying languages, which means that the survey sample was limited, as well as self-selecting. However, 500 people responded in the UK alone, revealing a clear trend that will inform the DG Interpretation���s ongoing awareness-raising campaigns. See ec.europa.eu/dgs/scic/news/english_ native_speak_report.htm for the full report. Investment in Welsh TV secured BBC Cymru Wales will continue to support Welsh language broadcaster S4C following a new four-year deal. The renewal of the partnership between the two broadcasters ensures that the BBC will maintain current levels of investment in Welsh-language programming until 2017. Currently, the BBC provides S4C with a minimum of 520 hours of programmes a year. Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Cymru Wales, said: ���Our partnership continues to strengthen as we look forward to even more creative collaboration ahead.��� Launched on 1 November 1982, following a long campaign by language activists, S4C has seen a decline in viewing figures and Vol/51 No/6 2012 revenue in recent years. As it marked its 30th anniversary, the British government decided to end direct funding for the channel. From April 2013, most of its budget will come instead from the BBC licence fee. In a bid to attract bigger audiences, S4C Chief Executive, Ian Jones, is considering adding more voiceovers in English: ���If we���re producing content, why not put an English language track on the red button so that everybody can enjoy the programming?��� ��� The Official Languages Bill, which gives equal status to English and Welsh in the Welsh assembly, will no longer be challenged by the UK government, despite concerns raised by the Welsh Secretary, David Jones. British officials believe diplomats fluent in Hindi will develop a better understanding of India and be quicker to spot business opportunities for British firms��� The increasing mash of the two languages in India has forced a policy move away from English alone being regarded as sufficient for diplomats to communicate with those who matter. ���The Foreign Office under William Hague is placing increasing importance on the ability to transact business in foreign languages������ said a British High Commission spokesman. ���British Diplomats in India to Learn ���Hinglish������, 10/10/12 The perception that booming economies in the East currently offer more job opportunities than in the West explains why increasing numbers of overseas students are clamouring to study in Asia, particularly at Chinese universities in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.��� The days when a Western expatriate was able to land a job with few qualifications besides English language fluency are over, says Angel Lam, a Hong Kong-based recruiter at the Robert Walters agency. ���Language skills are very important. The ability to understand the local culture is very important, so if you don���t have the language skills and you haven���t been to a specific Asian country, then getting a job will be a challenge.��� ���Hopeful in Hong Kong���, 18/10/12 DECEMBER/JANUARY The Linguist 5