Confirmed speakers
Susie Dent - In conversation: Life as a linguist, lexicographer and word detective
Lexicographer, linguist, etymolygist, bestselling author, broadcaster, 'Queen of Dictionary Corner', HonFCIL and CIOL Vice-President, Susie's conference presentation will take the form of a Q&A with John Worne: ‘In conversation with Susie Dent - life as a linguist, lexicographer and word detective’.
In this session, we will learn how Susie got interested in languages, what she has to say about etymology and lexicography, while generally celebrating ‘our eccentric, gnarly, but utterly joyous language’ (Susie’s words!), and her latest venture into the world of fiction.
Ilenia Goffredo MCIL - Combining the best of human intuition and digital tools to evolve as a ‘Next-Gen’ language expert
In her presentation, Ilenia will explore the evolving role of language experts and the importance of fostering a community of linguists that continues to uphold human values, ethics, and cultural understanding in their work.
She will cover:
- Reshaping the role of language experts in a rapidly changing industry
- Adaptive learning skills and the ability to constantly upskill
- Creativity and emotional intelligence
- Specialisation in niche domains and high-value work
Ilenia Goffredo is the co-founder and managing director of LingBox (www.lingbox.co.uk), a London-based translation agency providing businesses with translation services in multiple languages. With over 10 years' experience in the translation industry, she has also been working as a professional English-Italian interpreter and translator specialised in marketing & advertising, business, market research and fashion, including a role as a Senior sub-editor for a global platform for luxury fashion.
Along with being an active member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and an associate of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting, she holds a Master’s degree in Interpreting (Conference and PSI) and a Bachelor’s degree in Translation and Liaison Interpreting.
Stella Hodkin - Chief Language Service Officer at CLEAR Global / Translators without Borders
Of the world’s over 7,000 languages, only a handful are meaningfully online. As language technology evolves, low-resource languages are getting left behind, creating an ever increasing digital language divide.
CLEAR Global, together with the support of the Translators without Borders Community, is working hard to ensure people can get vital information and be heard, whatever language they speak.
In this session, Stella will provide an overview of community efforts and collaborative initiatives to build datasets and develop language technology for speakers of marginalised languages. We will explore specific scenarios in which language technology is combined with the skills of language professionals to deliver information that can save lives.
Stella Hodkin is a language service industry expert with an unwavering passion for languages and a profound belief in the transformative power of global communication. With over 20 years of experience in the language service industry, Stella has held a variety of roles, working as both a freelance and in-house translator, before transitioning to management roles within global language service providers.
In 2018, Stella joined the Leadership Team at CLEAR Global (formerly Translators without Borders), and today coordinates the Language Services Team. In this capacity, Stella leads a team dedicated to providing life-changing and potentially life-saving information in accessible language formats, leveraging TWB's community-based model to provide NGO partners with essential language services and support.
Additionally, Stella serves as Chapter Manager for the Italian Chapter of Women in Localization, further contributing to the advancement and empowerment of women within the localization industry.
Rebecca Nicholls MCIL - Plot twist! The TV and film industry's big shake-up: a guide for translators
A guide to navigating the TV and film industry, offering some context to translators working within it.
2024 has been an annus horribilis for the TV industry, with the hashtag #SurviveTo25 trending as freelancers share stories of taking temp work in bars and shops to make ends meet. It's been a challenging time. So, what commercial environment are translators pitching into? Meanwhile, AI has proven just as controversial in TV and film, with the concerns of creatives and translators intersecting in some areas, and diverging in others. This session will help decode the language of TV and film, from industry jargon to understanding the client’s perspective, equipping translators with the insights needed to market effectively to this industry.
Rebecca Nicholls has worked in film and television for over twenty years, working with broadcasters and producers all over the world. After a BA in French from the University of Durham, Rebecca won a scholarship to QUT in Australia, where she gained a post-graduate level diploma in Film & Television Production.
She worked at Channel Nine in Australia, before returning to Europe to work in international film distribution in London and Paris. She now specialises in the translation and distribution of French-language documentaries into English-speaking markets, with a particular interest in films about human rights and environmental issues.
Translation at the British Library – Conscientious Bilingual Description
The British Library is working in partnership with Qatar Foundation/Qatar National Library to digitize archival material related to the history of the Gulf. Records in these historical collections often originate from colonial administrations, and dealing with them in translation raises a variety of ethical as well as practical questions. Julia Ihnatowicz and Nisreen Alzaraee will speak about the work of the project’s in-house Arabic translation team and the bilingual treatment of colonial and imperialist language.
Julia Ihnatowicz is the Translation and Editorial Lead for the British Library/Qatar Foundation Partnership (BLQFP) Programme, managing a team of Arabic translators and bilingual editors. She holds master’s degrees in translation studies and comparative literature, and has worked extensively in academic writing, literature, and the arts.
Nisreen Alzaraee is an Arabic Translator for the British Library/Qatar Foundation Partnership (BLQFP) Programme. She holds a master’s degree in postcolonial studies and has years of experience in discourse analysis and political and developmental research.
Vasiliki Prestidge MCIL CL - Finders keepers: finding and keeping amazing clients
Vasiliki Prestidge is a translator, interpreter, transcreator, blogger, consultant and director of Greek to Me Translations Ltd. She works with English, Greek and French primarily and her team covers other language combinations. Services facilitate the business operations of the legal, creative, marketing & advertising, fashion and media industries across the UK, Greece, and Cyprus.
Vasiliki is a Chartered Linguist, member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). She is registered with the Greek Consular Authorities in the United Kingdom as a certified translator and interpreter. She holds a BA in English Language and Linguistics and Masters in Business Translation and Interpreting. As Member of Council to the CIOL and Board Member of the IoL Educational Trust she overseas and supports the organisations' strategic goals.
She is a Lecturer in Legal Translation and Languages at the School of Business and Law, London Metropolitan University. Her mission is to help organisations and individuals achieve their goals through the power of words. Through The Translators Mentor, Vasiliki helps aspiring or young translators to overcome self-limiting beliefs, build a business mindset and achieve their highest potential.
You can follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Expert Panelists (with more to be confirmed)
Steve Doswell MCIL CL, Chair of CIOL Council, is an experienced linguist and corporate communication practitioner with extensive experience spanning energy, power engineering, robotics, financial services and higher education.
He has also had experience as a translator (French/German-English) and became a CIOL member in the 1990s after completing the Final Diploma in Spanish. He has been President of FEIEA, the European Association of Internal Communication and CEO of the UK’s Institute of Internal Communication (IoIC).
Steve recently had his book: 'Running Me: Running EU' published, which shares his experiences of the diverse languages and cultures of Europe experienced whilst running in all 28 EU countries for charity.
Dr Mariam Aboelezz MCIL CL is a Lecturer in Arabic Translation Studies at the University of Liverpool. She previously taught at University College London, Birkbeck College and Lancaster University. She also worked as an Arabic translator at the British Library for seven years.
Her research interests include Arabic linguistics, sociolinguistics and translation, and she has published a number of academic papers in these areas. She is particularly interested in the translation of cultural heritage.
She has been a member of CIOL since 2007 and, in addition to a DipTrans from CIOL Qualifications, holds a PhD in Linguistics and MA in Language Studies from Lancaster University, and a BA in English Language from Ain Shams University in Egypt.
She is passionate about promoting the teaching of non-European languages and fostering positive attitudes towards heritage languages in the UK. She is also eager to contribute towards improving professional standards for Arabic Public Service Interpreting.
Anita van Adelsbergen MCIL CL - Vice Chair of CIOL Council
Anita van Adelsbergen is a Chartered Linguist in the UK and an interpreter and sworn translator in the Netherlands.
Alongside her career as a linguist, she has worked as an equestrian journalist and TV commentator for international broadcasters, including the Dutch national broadcaster NOS.
Then: The CIOL Awards
CIOL’s Annual Awards celebrate and recognise outstanding contributions in the field of languages, as well as exceptional achievement in CIOL's professional language qualifications.
2023 winners receiving their CIOL Awards from HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, CIOL Patron.
Reserve your place and secure an 'early bird discount' by booking now via Eventbrite
