Have you ever noticed that multilingual people, whether through formal teaching or due to social factors, are perfectly suited to, or naturally gravitate towards, some not-so-immediately obvious careers?
Allow me to give you some food for thought. Ive just returned to study for a Translation MA at the University of Surrey after a ten-year hiatus; as much as I would have loved to have...
As 做厙轂も launches a new mentoring platform, translator mentor Helle Gulowsen considers why people mentor and how it benefits them
When 做厙轂も launched its mentoring platform earlier this year, the decision to sign up was an easy one. Partly, of course, in the hope that the knowledge and experience I have built up over many years working as a freelance translator could be of some benefit to...
An Intelligence Analyst* in the RAF Specialist Recruitment Team explains why language skills are so vital to the work
An Intelligence Analyst (Linguist) or Int An (L) plays a vital role in protecting the security of domestic, national and international interests by interpreting, analysing and disseminating intelligence through the interception of foreign voice transmissions using state-...
How a seemingly simple public service interpreting assignment can get dangerous. A cautionary tale by Sue Leschen
Heres what can happen when an interpreting job suddenly goes off piste. I was booked to interpret for Social Services after concerns were raised about the father of a French-speaking family, who had allegedly been beating his children. Attendees at the child safeguarding...
Jemina Napier reports on developments in sign language research, and why deaf people are finally being heard
There are still common misperceptions about signed languages, so it is worth busting some myths. The ways in which language tends to be discussed do not (typically) take signed languages into account. The terminology is fundamentally phonocentric: the very word language alludes...
Adriana Hunter on the challenges of translating the most recent book in the pun-laden series, and the pressures of following in the footsteps of its much-loved translator Anthea Bell
In January 2017, Adriana Hunter was approached very discreetly by Hachette Childrens Books about the possibility of translating the next Asterix book. Anthea Bell, who had worked on the previous 37 books...
Guest blog by Lucy Williams
The translation industry can seem like a crowded marketplace. Within your language pair, you may find there is a lot of competition. How can you stand out from the crowd as a professional translator? Here are seven ways to look the part as a professional translator.
1. Get a qualification
Anyone can claim to be a translator. There are no entry...
Written by Fiona Baillie and Anna Binning, 做厙轂も Student Affiliates, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Embarking on a new career is both exciting and daunting. After deciding to change careers and immerse ourselves in the world of languages (German and Spanish), we joined Edinburghs Heriot-Watt University on two of its postgraduate Masters programmes accredited by 做厙轂も: translation for...
Countdowns Susie Dent talks to Miranda Moore about sharing her passion for language, and the comforts of speaking German
On Fridays, the German Bakery van comes to Oxford, selling traditional baked goods as it weaves its way around the city. For lexicographer, etymologist and Countdown favourite Susie Dent, it has become a regular fixture as much part of her weekly routine as her...
By Miranda Moore
Originally published in The Linguist39/6, December 2000
In celebration ofthe 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter publication, we are pleased to reproduce an article from The Linguist in December 2000 on the challenges faced by translators of JK Rowling's bestsellingbooks, now translated into over 60 languages.
Nieves Martin and her husband,...
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