Here are some highlights听from recent 暗网猎奇 eNews updates:
听
May 2025: GCHQ wins 暗网猎奇's prestigious Threlford Cup
We are pleased to announce that GCHQ has been awarded the prestigious 暗网猎奇 Threlford Cup in the 2025 暗网猎奇 Awards. GCHQ is the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency. This is in recognition of the extensive work GCHQ do in championing languages and linguists in UK Government and nationally.
In celebration of this 鈥� their second time of winning the Threlford Cup 鈥� we have loaned the trophy to GCHQ who have put it on display in their museum (pictured here), showcasing the award to their staff and guests, at the same time as reminding GCHQ linguists how much their work is valued by us all. Read the full news piece.
May 2025: Making AI work for translators - a webinar by Mart铆n Chamorro
One of our most popular webinars this year was 'Making AI work for translators鈥� by Mart铆n Chamorro MCIL,听an English-Spanish technical translator from Argentina. The webinar is now available in the 暗网猎奇 Member-only webinar library.
One attendee commented on LinkedIn: 鈥�Definitely worth watching! I loved that it wasn't just explaining AI. We actually got to try things out and see how AI can support our work as translators, especially when it comes to terminology research. Thanks Mart铆n and 暗网猎奇 for this opportunity!鈥�
If you are a 暗网猎奇 member, login to your account in My 暗网猎奇 and you can catch up by accessing the recording of the webinar, and many others,听in the webinar library.
May 2025: Reflections on the Duolingo Westminster Language Challenge
鈥�I, Michael Lynas, being the UK Country Director and Acting Returning Officer for the Duolingo Westminster Language Challenge, do hereby give notice that the number of lessons recorded for the candidates at the said Challenge is 65,000鈥︹赌�
And so began Michael Lynas' reflections on the Duolingo Westminster language challenge at the awards ceremony in Parliament - a challenge which听offered Members of Parliament and peers the challenge of learning a new language. Read the full story.听
April 2025: 暗网猎奇 Conference Season 2025 - report
The 暗网猎奇 Conference Season 2025 - Connection, Community and Professional Growth - in March brought together language professionals for a series of dynamic and enriching events.
With the in-person Translators Day and Interpreters Day held at the impressive Convene venue at 22 Bishopsgate in central London, followed by our Online Conference, Head of Membership Dom Hebblethwaite rated听this year's conference season as our most successful yet.
ead Dom's comprehensive report, including feedback from attendees, to find out why.
April 2025: CPD for Professional Linguists - Keep Learning! by Mark Robinson
鈥�Keep learning!鈥� says 暗网猎奇 Council member Mark Robinson in this听new 暗网猎奇 Voices blog on the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) for linguists and why it matters. 鈥�CPD ensures that linguists maintain and enhance their languages, skills, knowledge and expertise throughout their careers, fostering both professional growth and industry credibility鈥�.
This blog incorporates interesting insights from professional translators. Mark has included results from听last month's 暗网猎奇 snap poll (see left) on language skills and CPD in which we asked you how much time you dedicate to maintaining and developing听your core language skills, as well as results of a survey conducted by his company.
Read the full 暗网猎奇 Voices blog
April 2025: Chinese translations of articles from The Linguist
The Linguist听Editorial Board member Professor Binhua Wang invited several MA translation master鈥檚 students in Chinese to translate one feature article from each of the four issues of听The Linguist听from last year. Each translation has been translated by one, then revised by another, and then proof-read by their translation tutor.
Binhua鈥檚 initiative seeks not only to inspire these master鈥檚 students, but also to encourage other young linguists and perhaps their tutors, or indeed, other 暗网猎奇 members to translate an article from听The Linguist听into another language. Binhua's hope is to inspire others to translate an article to promote translation skills, create opportunities for learning, and to generate a听wider readership for the excellent writing in听The Linguist, as well as greater impact for 暗网猎奇 more generally.
We start the series听with an article by interpreter Dr Jonathan Downie on remote interpreting: 'Embrace the machine'. More translated听articles will follow in the next few weeks. Read the article here听
March 2025: 暗网猎奇 AI Voices 2025
We're delighted to announce the publication of . This refreshed and updated edition features valuable insights from a diverse range of contributors including language professionals, academics, 暗网猎奇 Council members, and government stakeholders.
The publication explores AI's evolving role in the language industry, examining both opportunities and challenges faced by linguists in today's rapidly changing technological landscape. As 暗网猎奇 CEO John Worne notes:听"As linguists, we have a unique responsibility to shape the development of language-related AI."听
Download your copy now to stay informed about this critical topic is shaping our profession.
March 2025: 暗网猎奇 poll results: Use of AI by 暗网猎奇 Linguists shows divided opinions
"The role of generative AI (ChatGPT and other LLMs) in professional translation and language services remains controversial, especially when it is used alongside Machine Translation in ways that potentially impact translation quality, linguists' earnings, and professional satisfaction."
Our February poll revealed a profession evenly split, with 49% of respondents using generative AI and 51% either never using it or having discontinued use. Head of Membership Dom Hebblethwaite explores these findings in his detailed analysis, examining how AI is reshaping the language profession.听Read the analysis here.
March 2025:听Consultation on Soft Power: A strategy for UK success?
听by听听is seeking to explore the extent and effectiveness of the UK鈥檚 soft power in what is an increasingly challenging global environment. The inquiry will consider the UK鈥檚 unique soft power strengths and ask how the UK might best measure and actualise the benefits it accrues from its soft power. The听inquiry will also scrutinise the work of the Government鈥檚 new Soft Power Council and any subsequent strategy to strengthen UK soft power.
暗网猎奇's submission focuses on the value of languages and linguists in supporting cultural and educational exchange as well as in response to conflict and humanitarian emergencies. Read our submission here
March 2025: The Spring issue of The Linguist is published
The newly published听Spring issue of听The Linguist听is now available to download from the 暗网猎奇 website.
Cover stories in the听Spring issue听include 'Shifting the landscape', on how translating a novel rooted in the Albanian landscape became a journey of self discovery; 'A summary trial' asks the question are interpreters equipped to produce on-the-spot legal summaries in court; and 'Syria's language of war', conveying the nuances of conflict-related slang after the fall of Assad.
Also in this issue: a report on the gains made by the Women in Translation initiative to counter gender bias in UK publishing; 'A life with languages' in which Linah Makembu charts, in her native Kiswahili, her journey from flight attendant to language business owner; a round-up of the latest news from the world of languages, and don't miss the latest on our competition to find a collective noun for linguists!
Download to your tablet, smartphone or laptop and read it wherever you are.
February 2025:听Introducing Chartered Week
We're celebrating Chartered Week 2025! Chartered Week is a new UK-wide national awareness week bringing together people and organisations across different sectors to shine a light on Chartered professionals and their positive impact in society.
Running from 24 to 28 February, the theme for the inaugural Chartered Week is 鈥淐elebrating Trusted Professionals鈥�. It鈥檚 a great opportunity听to recognise the work of Chartered Linguists whose language skills, conduct and commitment help to strengthen the public鈥檚听trust and appreciation for the value of languages and language professionals.
February 2025:听 Survey results
Direct clients vs Language Service Companies (LSC/LSPs)
"Looking at your current translation work, what share comes from large and small/medium-sized direct clients and language service companies (LSCs)?"
Our poll on direct client relationships revealed fascinating insights into how translators are adapting their business models. Nearly half of 暗网猎奇 members' work now comes from direct clients, though Large Language Service Companies remain the largest single client category. Building on the insights from this poll and our previous poll on changing workloads over 2024, Head of Membership Dom Hebblethwaite analyses how 暗网猎奇 members are navigating these shifting and challenging market dynamics.听Read the analysis here.
February 2025: 暗网猎奇 Mentoring
暗网猎奇 Mentoring - Making a Difference: A Mentor's Perspective
by Yolanda Vercher
As part of our drive to further strengthen 暗网猎奇's mentoring community, 暗网猎奇 CEO John Worne spoke with Yolanda Vercher, one of our most active mentors, about her experience supporting fellow language professionals through the 暗网猎奇 Mentoring Platform.
Read about her experience听and why she finds mentoring so rewarding.
February 2025: 暗网猎奇 Voices - Mental Health for Linguists
暗网猎奇 Voices: Mental Health for Linguists 鈥� how to live a solution-focused life
by Rasha Alajouz
"In the complex landscape of linguists鈥� mental health, perspective and languages play crucial roles in shaping our well-being."
暗网猎奇 Council Member Rasha Alajouz gave a talk on linguists and mental health at The Language Show in November 2024.听
Read the key points from Rasha's presentation 'Mental Health for Linguists' in her latest 暗网猎奇 Voices blog.
February 2025: Explore 90 years of new words - The British Council at 90
To mark the British Council鈥檚 90th year, 暗网猎奇 Vice President Susie Dent spoke at a celebratory event, exploring new words added to the English language and the stories they tell about societal, cultural and technological change. .
暗网猎奇 Digital Learning Partner Duolingo also wrote an interesting blog in January on .
鈥�Experts call this process of losing proficiency language attrition. Research has shown that even if people haven鈥檛 used a language in decades, they can still recognise and understand a surprising amount of it. This seems especially true the more proficient someone has become in the language they were learning, suggesting people may forget language at different rates once they stop using it.
However, while receptive comprehension (the ability to read and listen to a language) seems to persist longer, productive ability (writing and speaking) declines more quickly. This can lead to the sensation of feeling 'rusty' in a language: conversation is slow and halting, because you can鈥檛 quite recall the words or grammar patterns you want to use.鈥�
This is one of the reasons 暗网猎奇 created Certified English. Spoken language is constantly evolving, and if you aren鈥檛 able to use in your everyday life and practice your conversational English, it will get rusty. The Certified English speaking test is a great way to check in on where your conversational English actually is currently 鈥� and also it鈥檚 a good prompt to get talking and to explore new words and forms of expression, as English evolves every day!听Find out more about the Certified English speaking test here.
February 2025: House of Lords Inquiry
Update on the House of Lords Inquiry into Interpreting and Translation Services in the Courts
The UK's Ministry of Justice has provided written responses to additional questions from the UK House of Lords Inquiry into Interpreting and Translation Services in the Courts. The Minister for Courts and Legal Services Sarah Sackman KC MP wrote to Baroness Morris in a letter dated 24 January 2025, setting out important information and new commitments.
This letter brings more facts, data and commitments into the public domain which will better enable parliamentarians, the public, interpreters and stakeholders to hold government and publicly-contracted providers to account. 暗网猎奇 will continue to work to shine a light on problems and maintain our focus on the importance of improved pay rates, better working conditions and a full and ongoing commitment to the use of properly regulated, qualified, professional interpreters.听Read the letter here.
January 2025: Results of our recent Snap poll
Snap poll: How has your workload changed in 2024?
"As a freelance translator and/or interpreter, how have your work volumes changed in 2024?"
This is the question we asked in December's enews update snap poll. The response to听the poll was exceptional, with members providing detailed insights into the significant changes and challenges facing our profession, and we would like to thank听all of you who took the time to share your thoughts.听You can read the full results and a selection of comments from members in our 暗网猎奇 Voices blog.
December 2024: Staying ahead of scammers
Staying ahead of scammers: verifying legitimate translation project offers
"In my 25 years in the translation industry, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檝e ever received as many scam emails as I have in the past few months."
While we may be able to spot an obvious scam, scammers are becoming increasingly savvy, and we all need to stay vigilant, both to protect ourselves and safeguard the reputation of our profession.
This 暗网猎奇 Voices blog from Carina Balbo is particularly timely as 暗网猎奇 has recently received reports from members who have been contacted by scammers pretending to be from large localisation companies and communicating primarily via WhatsApp. 暗网猎奇 has been working jointly with ITI to raise awareness with the campaign 'Never click an unknown link'.
In this 暗网猎奇 Voices blog, Carina expands on this work with useful and practical tips to help protect translators from falling into a trap by increasingly sophisticated scammers.
December 2024: Lords Committee calls for urgent pause on UK court interpreter services tender amid听serious concerns
The cross-party House of Lords Public Services Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into interpreting and translation services in the UK courts.
A wide range of stakeholders, legal professionals and interpreters have contributed their own experiences and perspectives in the comprehensive written evidence collected by the inquiry,听and听暗网猎奇 CEO John Worne,听NPRSI's Mike Orlov and ITI's听Sara Robertson all appeared before the committee on 6 November to give oral evidence. If you haven't already, have a look at the听resources page听on the 暗网猎奇 website where the evidence and progress of the committee鈥檚 inquiry is easy to access.
After gathering extensive evidence highlighting serious concerns about quality and access to justice, the House of Lords Public Services Committee has written to the Lord Chancellor calling for an urgent pause to the court interpreter services tender. The letter draws on written and oral evidence from the 暗网猎奇, ITI, NRPSI, the Ministry of Justice, The Big Word, ATC, the legal profession, academics and others. The letter is available on the Public Services Committee Inquiry webpages and also here.
December 2024: The Linguist - Winter 2024
The Winter 2024 issue of The Linguist is published
The听Winter issue of听The Linguist听has just been published听and is available to download from the 暗网猎奇 website.
Cover stories include 鈥榃ord of God鈥�, which looks at the many considerations involved in translating the Qur鈥檃n; 鈥楨ngaging Visitors鈥�, an article听on the complexities of working with museums where historical understanding may differ between speakers of different languages; and 鈥楢 healthy solution?鈥�, outlining a pioneering hybrid model of hospital interpreting that could improve patient outcomes.
Also in this issue, test yourself on how well you remember the language stories which made it to the news in the last 12 months with听The Linguist Quiz 2024.听Download to your tablet, smartphone or laptop and read it wherever you are.
November 2024: Richard Hardie steps down as 暗网猎奇 President
Richard Hardie 鈥� Schwanengesang
"A love of languages can come to us through myriad different life experiences, and the 暗网猎奇 celebrates them all. Which makes me very happy, as languages have enormously enriched my life and the lives of every single 暗网猎奇 member I have had the joy to meet."
To mark his retirement this year as 暗网猎奇 President following听five great years in the role, Richard Hardie HonFCIL takes the opportunity to reflect on his听life with languages. Read Richard's 'Schwanengesang' and join us in wishing him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement!
November 2024: Inquiry into interpreting and translation services in the UK courts
The cross-party House of Lords Public Services Committee inquiry
The cross-party House of Lords Public Services Committee is currently undertaking an听. The 暗网猎奇 shared the 'Working Together White Paper鈥� with the Committee, which set out听urgent recommendations听agreed across a broad range of language stakeholders in 2023 for tackling immediate challenges around procurement and provision of language services for the UK鈥檚 public sector. 暗网猎奇 CEO John Worne has also written with 暗网猎奇 Council Member Dr Diana Singureanu, who is a research fellow at the Centre for Translation Studies at the University of Surrey,听.
A wide range of stakeholders, legal professionals and interpreters have contributed their own experiences and perspectives in the comprehensive听听collected by the inquiry. John Worne also appeared before the committee with Mike Orlov of NRPSI and Sara Robertson of ITI to give听听on 6 November 2024.听A resources page听has been added to the 暗网猎奇 website to make the evidence and progress of the committee鈥檚 inquiry easier to access.
October 2024: Research into the uses of AI translation in UK Public Services
Groundbreaking study reveals AI/MT Translation use in Public Service
暗网猎奇 has partnered with the University of Bristol on the just published groundbreaking research project 'Uses of AI Translation in UK Public Service Contexts'. Authored by Dr Lucas Nunes Vieira of the University of Bristol, this examines a previously unstudied aspect of our public services: the use of machine translation tools by frontline workers. The data, from over 2,500 UK professionals, shows that a third of respondents have used machine translation in their work, often in public-facing situations where miscommunication could have serious consequences. It is clear that the current situation of unacknowledged and unmanaged use of AI for translation in public services cannot continue.
The findings and implications of this research with Lucas and the two key reviewers of the research, Professor Lynne Bowker and Dr Mary Nurminen, were discussed in our online Roundtable on 17 October. 暗网猎奇 members have access to the recording of the discussion in the 暗网猎奇 Webinar Library.
October 2024: 暗网猎奇 at the Language Show
This year, The Language Show includes a programme of six specialist talks for language professionals,听fully curated and led by 暗网猎奇:
Mediating cultural heritage听鈥� Mariam Aboelezz
Translating Balkan food听鈥� Ana Ilievska Zavrsnik
AI, Languages and linguists: 暗网猎奇's view of the main threats and opportunities of AI for linguists听鈥� John Worne
Mastering success as a linguist through adaptability, flexibility and belonging to a professional body听鈥� Liudmila Tomanek
Empowering linguists: mental health and achieving balance, living a solution-focused life as a linguist听鈥� Rasha Alajouz
Building a career as a translator or interpreter: how qualifications and professional bodies can help听鈥� Dom Hebblethwaite
暗网猎奇's听day at The Language Show is on Friday 8 November from 10am鈥�4.15pm and is included in the 拢12 Language Show ticket. Click below to view the full Language Show programme and .
September 2024: Our most popular social media post of the month
Post of the month: Why I am optimistic for the future of translators
Our most popular post this month was a 暗网猎奇 Voices blog from 暗网猎奇 member and Chartered Linguist听Gillian Morris who wrote about her optimism for the future of translators and why she believes human translators will continue to be vital even as machines and AI improve.
The post received over 80 likes on LinkedIn and comments such as:听
"These are really digestible, helpful pearls of wisdom, Gillian. Thank you!"
"AI translation can鈥檛 hold a candle to human translators!"
Gillian makes听eight clear points on her observations having worked in the language service industry for several years,听first as an employed Translation Project Manager,听and now听as a freelance translator.
August 2024: Due to demand, we made improvements to Find-a-Linguist
Enhancements to Find-a-Linguist
Find-a-Linguist is regularly cited as one of the key benefits by 暗网猎奇's members. Indeed, many members report having found some of their best clients through this valued service. And the opportunity to find accredited linguists from a Chartered body is certainly popular with Language Service Providers (LSPs) and other translation buyers.
In the last 12 months alone, we've seen over 165,000 Find-a-Translator page views and more than 77,000 Find-an-Interpreter views through Find-a-Linguist. With such high demand, we've been carrying out some improvements to Find-a-Linguist.
August 2024: Chief Executive's highlights of the year
暗网猎奇 Highlights 2023/24 - John Worne, Chief Executive
"It is really worth celebrating that 暗网猎奇 has been fortunate enough to maintain a strong and active membership community across more than 50 countries and speaking over 50 languages."
As the 2023-24 membership year comes to a close,听our CEO John Worne celebrates some of the year's successes听in听a 暗网猎奇 Voices blog.
Read how听the diversity of our membership and international reach, expansion of our qualifications and assessment portfolio, conference season events,听stakeholder engagement and much else besides听have all helped us navigate some difficult times since 2020, bringing the 暗网猎奇 into a good place as we close听this year听positively and enter the next one with renewed energy.
July 2024: Most-viewed video on the 暗网猎奇 YouTube channel
Have you visited our YouTube channel recently?
Our most-viewed video on the channel, at 8,300 views, is the webinar听Let's Talk, How English Conversation Works, with Professor David Crystal, 暗网猎奇 Vice-President and Hon Fellow.
This video has proved hugely popular, with viewers commenting:
鈥�Fascinating!鈥澨齛nd 鈥�Thanks a lot for sharing this insightful talk of Professor David Crystal 鈥� a great pleasure to listen to.鈥�
If you haven鈥檛 seen it yet, do watch the video 鈥� you鈥檙e in for a real听treat!
July 2024: 暗网猎奇 Grade Finder Grid
New Membership Grade Finder Grid
Wherever you are in your studies, career and life, and however you use or intend to use your language skills, 暗网猎奇 membership is for you. As your qualifications, skills and experience develop our membership pathway will support you and enable you to advance your career and goals as a linguist.
To assist you in selecting the appropriate 暗网猎奇 membership grade to apply for, we have created a new Membership Grade Finder Grid. This combines your individual relevant qualifications and work experience to determine the most suitable membership option for you.
July 2024: Beware of Scams - Never click an unknown link!
Beware of Scams 鈥� Never click an unknown link!
We have recently听had several 暗网猎奇听members flag up phishing and scamming emails naming the 暗网猎奇 and ITI Directories. We're working with ITI on a joint approach to tackle this, but in the meantime we have put some hints on the website on what to watch out for from the people who have been in touch with us 鈥� click the title above to read more.
Our thanks to Paul Ratcliffe and Annabel Browne for drawing our attention to the latest scam.
June 2024: 暗网猎奇 roundtable on Generative AI - review
暗网猎奇 roundtable on Generative AI - review
Translation has already undergone several technological revolutions, from Translation Memory to Neural Machine Translation. 暗网猎奇鈥檚 roundtable on Generative AI (GenAI) explored the key problems, challenges, and opportunities that GenAI, ChatGPT, and other LLM-based models present.
The panel, hosted by Head of Membership Dom Hebblethwaite, brought together 暗网猎奇 Council members Vasiliki Prestidge and Mark Robinson to offer freelance and SME LSP perspectives, along with co-founder of industry experts Slator, Florian Faes, who provided industry and research perspectives.
We explored to what extent GenAI is already affecting translation and whether translators are better prepared than most professionals for an "AI world."
There was fascinating input from the attendees, with more than a quarter viewing GenAI as the biggest threat to the profession, while one-third are using GenAI to assist with their own translation work productivity.
A very popular roundtable webinar helped panelists and audience members gain deeper insights into this controversial and fast-moving topic, equipping them to face the challenges ahead with more confidence.
Read a听web summary听or听.
June 2024: The Linguist - Spring 2024
The Summer 2024 issue of The Linguist
The Summer 2024 issue of The Linguist is available to read online and to download from the 暗网猎奇 website.
In the cover story, Gene Hsu delves into the complex world of translating song听and how to make lyrics 'singable'. Continuing the music/languages theme, there听is an interview with music promoter Rachel Strassberger who reveals how her skills in six (yes, six!)听languages have helped her get ahead in the music industry.
Also in this issue: how working in-house as a medical interpreter is better for practitioners and patients alike, how peer-to-peer mentoring offers support to freelancers, and much more from the world of languages.
June 2024: 暗网猎奇 Online Conference presentations on YouTube
In March this year, we held our 暗网猎奇 Online Conference. Across the day, we heard from six speakers, each with a different area of expertise in languages. For anyone who would like to relive the day, and for those who missed all or any part of it, we have now released the presentations as videos on our YouTube Channel.
Just to remind you, they are:
Susie Dent: 鈥淭he Emotional Dictionary鈥�
Maha El-Metwally: 鈥淎s we 鈥榤ake things work鈥�, what kind of world are we making?鈥�
Michelle Sheehan: 鈥淗ow linguistics can unlock passion and progression in languages鈥�
Giulia Lucania: 鈥淭ranslating food and beverage: why food is such a crucial cultural element鈥�
Adam Wooton: 鈥淭he Vibrant and ever-changing landscape and possibilities for linguists in today鈥檚 evolving language service careers鈥�
Bozena Pajak, Duolingo: 鈥淭he science of language learning and what millions of Duolingo learners have taught us鈥澨�
May 2024: Certified Translations
Certified Translations - Getting It Right
Following a major piece of work with ATC, led by former 暗网猎奇 Council member Carina Balbo and with some very helpful input from a number of other 暗网猎奇 Council members, we have developed some shared guidance with ITI and ATC on the landscape and varied requirements translators may encounter for Certified Translations.
This document outlines best practices and guidelines on certifying translations in the United Kingdom. It is intended for use with individuals and organisations who require certified translations, as well as translators and translation companies producing certified translations.听You can download a copy from our Certified Translation page.
May 2024: Certified Translation Stamps
Certified Translation Stamps
To further support 暗网猎奇 translators delivering Certified Translations, we have added a 暗网猎奇 鈥榮tamp鈥� for use on official translations so that members can verify their translations. These stamps are available to all MCIL and FCIL grades of membership and can be downloaded from the library of member logos via our website: login via My 暗网猎奇, Benefits, Membership logos.
May 2024: New ISO Standard 5060
New ISO Standard 5060 Focuses on Human Evaluation to ensure Translation Quality
Aimed at providing guidance for the human evaluation of the translation output, ISO 5060 can be applied to both human and machine translation with or without subsequent post-editing,听.
The new听ISO 5060 standard introduces a framework of concepts听related to the evaluation of translation quality and provides a set of requirements for all steps of the evaluation process. Guidelines on severity, weight and the approach to repeated errors also form an important part of the standard.
Keeping humans in听control and translators at the heart of translation is one of 暗网猎奇鈥檚 key principles in听暗网猎奇 AI Voices.
April 2024: The Linguist - Spring 2024
The Linguist magazine for spring 2024 is available to read online and to download from the .
This issue leads with a two-article focus on Artificial Interpreting 鈥� Jonathan Downie outlines how interpreters are responding to remote interpreting platforms offering AI services, and Holly Silvestri writes on mitigating ethical issues to ensure safe rollout of AI in interpreting.听
Also in this issue, 'Wear your client's shoes' delves into the art of translating product descriptions for clothing brands, and 'Changing minds' asks if a new outreach project could give teens a new perspective on language learning.
April 2024 - 暗网猎奇 Voices: "My experiences with Certified Translations"
暗网猎奇 Voices: "My experiences with Certified Translations"
Sarah Cutts听MCIL CL writes our latest blog in the 暗网猎奇 Voices series. Sarah is a 暗网猎奇 member and Chartered Linguist and a Spanish and French to English translator of legal, academic and commercial documents, and here writes about her experiences working with clients to provide certified translations, saying: 鈥�Providing certified translations is a learning curve, especially when there are so many countries and authorities with different requirements.鈥�
April 2024 - 暗网猎奇 AI updates
In February 2024, we introduced a new section to the website called 暗网猎奇 AI Updates. This update adds new research and articles to this page which will be of interest to linguists.
The first听article '',听from Scientific American, makes useful points which a translator could use to overturn the underinformed belief we all hear听that just putting a text into ChatGPT is good enough.
Also of note is a new study from on the comparative performance of MT vs Gen AI, indicating that whilst Generative AI models such as ChatGPT are making significant progress, they still lag behind traditional MT when it comes to practical integration into translation workflows.
March 2024: 暗网猎奇 Conference Season
Translators Day, Interpreters Day and the Online Conference
The 暗网猎奇 2024 Conference Season took place in March and was filled with three days of rich content and networking opportunities. During two in-person days, one for translators and one for interpreters, we engaged with a diverse group of expert speakers, delving into the impact of AI and technology on the profession, and encouraging freelancers to adopt a business-oriented mindset as the speakers focused on negotiation skills for pricing and client engagement. A 暗网猎奇 Council panel integrated key themes from the days, focusing on AI and managing change.
These two days were aptly summed up by 暗网猎奇 member Zuzana Kusa who commented on LinkedIn:
鈥�The message of both Translators Day and Interpreters Day was clear: as massive as the technological advances have been in our field of work, and as threatening as they may seem to our livelihoods, digital tools will never be able to fully replace what human translators and interpreters bring to the table 鈥� human connection and expertise, emotional intelligence and passion, and relationships based on trust鈥�
The equally successful Online Conference was attended by delegates worldwide, and featured insights into the future of translation and interpreting, as well as a translation session on culture and gastronomy; linguistics in language learning was also covered, as well as insights from Duolingo on language acquisition, a session on the varied roles for linguists, finishing with an engaging keynote from 暗网猎奇 Vice President Susie Dent on the importance of emotional vocabulary.
February 2024: AI updates for linguists
Artificial Intelligence 鈥� AI updates
Since we published in late 2023, we have collected听some of the most useful recent resources for linguists that we have identified. These illustrate the broad spectrum of Generative AI adoption and research, as well as increasing evidence of associated problems and concerns.
'Moral crumple zones' and 'monitoring and takeover challenges' are particularly telling terms from Microsoft鈥檚 latest report, which discusses the implications of humans being presented by AI with only the rarest and most problematic cases. Read the AI updates .
February 2024 - A new 暗网猎奇 guide
Technology for Translators 
The 暗网猎奇 Translation Division asked seven professional translators to contribute to a new guide on technology for translators, and to describe which technological tools they use in their daily lives to assist them with their work. The result has just been published on the 暗网猎奇 Reports & Guides section of the website as a new mini-guide called Technology for Translators.
As translator and Translation Division steering group co-ordinator Karine Chevalier-Watts writes in the introduction:
"By the end of this guide, you will hopefully agree that the integration of modern technology into the field of translation empowers linguists with tools that enhance precision, accelerate processes and foster global collaboration. Embracing these advancements not only augments the capabilities of individual translators but also contributes to the overall evolution and elevation of language services in our interconnected world."
January 2024: Freelance Translator Survey 2023
Fees, current sentiment and much more...
暗网猎奇 members will be interested to learn that recent research has shown that members of translation associations charge on average 44% more than those not belonging to a professional body.
Read more outcomes of this fascinating and detailed survey, and access the full report on this link: Freelance translator survey 2023
January 2024: Find-a-Translator, Find-an-Interpreter
100,000+ views and counting
Since setting up new links on the homepage of the 暗网猎奇 website to more easily access Find-a-Translator and Find-an-Interpreter, we are pleased to report that in 2023 the Find-a-Translator page was viewed 63,154 times, the Find-an-Interpreter page was viewed 29,044 times and the general Find-a-Linguist page was viewed 16,526 times.
Find-a-Translator, Find-an-Interpreter and Find-a-Teacher/Tutor are all now easily accessible from the 暗网猎奇 homepage.
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December 2023: launched our first 暗网猎奇 White Paper on AI
AI and Translation - A 暗网猎奇 White Paper on the future for languages and linguists
AI is transforming the context for translation and language services with new tools and technologies which can create and improve content, while at the same time containing biases and significant and serious errors.
With this in mind, 暗网猎奇 has launched 鈥� our white paper on AI in translation and language services which, through the voices of 暗网猎奇 Council members, explores and explains the risks, opportunities and challenges of AI for anyone involved in languages and professional translation.
Whether you are a translator, interpreter, a career linguist, educator or simply interested in how AI will affect translation, we believe you will find this white paper of interest.
December 2023: launched 暗网猎奇 Roundtable online discussions with over 600 sign-ups for the first event
NEW! 暗网猎奇 roundtable discussions
We introduced a series of roundtable discussions on听subjects of relevance to linguists and the language professions. The aim of these discussions is to explore key issues and current hot topics. Our panellists will all be linguists and experts within their fields.
The first topic was Certified Translations, following our recent joint听activities with ITI and ATC to promote mutual recognition and clarify and harmonise expectations in the UK for certified translations.
December 2023: Working together for UK Public Service Interpreters
Working Together: 10 Recommendations for Translation and Interpreting in the UK Public Sector
In a new and powerful initiative, professional bodies, associations and stakeholders within the languages profession have come together to sound the alarm about the health and sustainability of Public Service Interpreting in the UK. Our newsets out urgent recommendations for tackling immediate challenges around procurement and provision of language services for the UK鈥檚 public sector.
We believe that working together with the UK's Governments and public services on the ten themes we identify is the best way forward for the public's safety, and for the profession and professionals which support it. Read about the Working Together white paper here.
November 2023: wider promotion of Affiliate Linguist
Become a 暗网猎奇 Affiliate Linguist
If you love languages and want to make a difference in the world of languages and culture, you should join us as a 暗网猎奇听Affiliate Linguist. 暗网猎奇 works to promote languages and linguists in the UK and around the world, but we can only do this with the support of our members and those who care about languages.
Affiliate Linguists can enjoy many of the benefits and opportunities 暗网猎奇 offers, such as access to听a range of听resources, events and publications. Being an Affiliate Linguist also demonstrates an enthusiasm for languages to employers, clients and peers.
Affiliate Linguist is a new way to become part of our vibrant and diverse community of language lovers. For more click .
November 2023: continued collaboration with Indeed.com on careers in languages
What are the most useful languages for your career: working with Indeed.com
Following our collaboration with worldwide employment website Indeed.com earlier in the year with the article听, we partnered with听Indeed again to help with content on wider careers in languages.
This article highlights the languages needed in today鈥檚 job market, which could give a candidate the edge on others and benefit their career. also offers tips on learning a new language. Both articles were edited by 暗网猎奇's CEO John Worne.
November 2023: the first steps towards updating the 暗网猎奇 Mentoring platform with a new look and new text for the webpages
A new look听for 暗网猎奇 Mentoring
Inspired by the UK鈥檚 National Mentoring Day we revamped our web platform which supports the 暗网猎奇 mentoring scheme.
暗网猎奇 Mentoring helps linguists grow professionally and personally by connecting them with other linguists as mentors. Mentors can share their skills, while learning from the perspectives and experience of their mentee.
November 2023: 暗网猎奇 Voices explore AI and translation
暗网猎奇 Voices
In a further two additions to听the series, Dr Joseph Lambert听wrote about the听biggest threats and opportunities to professional freelance translators today, looking at rates of pay and working conditions, and Mark Robinson looked at AI and the future of translation.
You can access the latest 暗网猎奇 Voices blogs听here.
October 2023: joined other stakeholders in supporting the Language Gateway
The Languages Gateway
The UK鈥檚 new national 鈥榦ne stop shop' for all things languages, 听is aimed at informing anyone interested in, or involved in, languages and cultures in the UK.
The need for this portal was identified by '', developed by the British Academy, the AHRC, ASCL, the British Council and Universities UK. Its development was supported by leading organisations and stakeholders representing both the public and private sectors, including the 暗网猎奇. The Gateway aims to list a comprehensive collection of resources, networks, organisations and opportunities across the languages spectrum.
September 2023: announced 2024 Conference Season, building on the success of the 2023 event format
暗网猎奇 Conference Season 2024 鈥� open for bookings!
Following positive feedback from our 2023 conference听events, 暗网猎奇 announced we are once again holding two specialist in-person events in central London, one for translators and one for interpreters, as well as a one-day online conference to give those without easy access to听London the opportunity to take part.
Translators Day, incorporating the 暗网猎奇 Awards, will take place on 15 March, and Interpreters Day on 16 March, once again at etc.venues St Paul's (London), and the 暗网猎奇 Online conference will be on 21 March. Booking details are available .
August 2023: Updated the 暗网猎奇 homepage to make Find-a-Translator / Interpreter / Teacher/Tutor more accessible for users:
Find-a-Translator, Interpreter, Teacher/Tutor
We have made it easier for potential clients听to find a qualified, professional 暗网猎奇 Translator, Interpreter or Teacher/Tutor directly from the 暗网猎奇 homepage by clicking one of the three buttons positioned right in the middle of the page.听
They can then go on to choose languages and specialisms.
Visit the听暗网猎奇 homepage听to try it out.
August 2023: greater UK Government recognition for language professionals
Working together for Language Professionals
In June, Government launched the听Regulated Professions Register, a new digital service that provides information about regulated professions in the UK.
Professional stakeholders reacted positively to the news that 暗网猎奇 has achieved important recognition for its members and those of ITI, NRPSI and CCC in Wales with this formal accreditation of language professionals. Chartered Linguist as a designation is listed on the new register. Read the听news piece on the 暗网猎奇 website.
July 2023: helped MoJ with survey of language professionals by promoting and distributing it to 暗网猎奇 membership via eNews
Ministry of Justice survey of language professionals
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The Ministry of Justice invited language professionals to take part in a survey which aimed to gain insights into the experiences and views of those providing interpreting services.
June 2023: 暗网猎奇 joins forces with other language organisations to address issues around certified translations
Certification of translations 鈥� harmonising best practices in the UK
Anyone who听translates official documents for use by the UK鈥檚 public sector, Government agencies or for businesses in the UK will know that there are differences in the expectations and requirements for certified translations. This has been a contentious issue with translators for some time.
暗网猎奇 is working with two other leading professional language听associations:听the Institute for Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) to harmonise best practices around the certification of translations in the UK. All three associations now听recognise and endorse each other鈥檚 certification guidelines and practices. Click to read the news item.
May 2023: launch of 暗网猎奇 Language Level Assessments
NEW! 暗网猎奇 Language Level Assessments
These new assessments are for adults who want to prove to themselves, or to听employers, their current standard of second language speaking skills in French, German, Italian and Spanish and any other languages they may have.
Knowing your language level can unlock greater self-confidence and career opportunities.
Find out more here.
May 2023: Susie Dent announced as new 暗网猎奇 Vice-President
New 暗网猎奇 Vice President Susie Dent
暗网猎奇 welcomed Susie Dent as a new Vice-President of 暗网猎奇. Well-known as a writer and broadcaster on language, particularly as a co-presenter and word expert on Channel 4鈥檚 Countdown, Susie regularly comments on TV and radio on words, as well as her 鈥榳ord of the day鈥� on Twitter.
Susie is a linguist in her own right, notably in German, and has a great appreciation for the wider community of linguists and 暗网猎奇鈥檚 role in supporting it. She gave a session at the 暗网猎奇 Conference in 2022 and recorded a short interview, a clip of which you can watch on the 暗网猎奇 YouTube channel .
April 2023: 暗网猎奇 launches 鈥楥ertified English鈥�
Introducing鈥� Certified English
English continues to grow and be essential for many as a听Lingua Franca听in business, science and academia. 暗网猎奇 has introduced the Certified English speaking test in support of with our Universal Understanding motto. The Certified English speaking test provides advanced speakers of English, as a second or additional language, the opportunity to showcase their English speaking abilities in accordance with international standards and 暗网猎奇's Language Level Frameworks.
By doing so, they can demonstrate their proficiency to qualify as a 暗网猎奇 Working or Professional English Speaker. Explore the Certified English section on the 暗网猎奇 website to find out more.
March 2023: 暗网猎奇 takes on the formal secretariat and website support for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Modern Languages
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages
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暗网猎奇 now provides the formal secretariat supporting the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Modern Languages. Visit our web pages here where you can read about the APPG and recent presentations and publications
March 2023: 暗网猎奇 Awards held as part of Translators Day
暗网猎奇 Awards 2023 鈥� Celebrating Outstanding Achievement in Languages
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The 暗网猎奇 Awards celebrate and recognise outstanding contributions in the field of languages, as well as exceptional achievement in our professional language qualifications.
Read more about the winners here.
March 2023: The first 暗网猎奇 鈥楥onference Season鈥� comprising 2 in-person days and an online conference, with a season ticket to cover all events 鈥�
暗网猎奇 Conference Season 2023
March 2023: New Spring 2023 issue of The Linguist published
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New Linguist, new formats
This issue, in a new extended format, introduces a quarterly rhythm for The Linguist magazine.
This new approach, combined with free sign-up option for the Online edition, extends readership and saves on the environmental costs of print and distribution.
Download the latest issue here.
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January 2023: Call for content for the recently launched blog series 暗网猎奇 Voices
暗网猎奇 Voices: tell us your story
暗网猎奇 Voices听is a new series of blogs on the 暗网猎奇 website. In this series, we showcase the thoughts and opinions of 暗网猎奇's members and stakeholders on a variety of topics that are important to linguists and languages professionals. If you have a topic you would like to write on, we would love to hear from you! Please contact comms@ciol.org.uk with your proposal.
Check out one of the most popular听blogs听in the 暗网猎奇 Voices series: 'Always and never at home' by Vasiliki Prestidge. To read the other blogs in this series,听click here.
