Chartered Institute
of Linguists
NEWS & VOICES
By Erwin La Cruz
Do measures that pit machine translation against human interpreters give an accurate picture, asks Erwin La Cruz
The fight for translation supremacy between machines and humans rages on. The reports from the front line are delivered in code: LEPOR 0.68, NIST 0.56, BLEU 0.46, METEOR 0.56, WER 0.39. These acronyms are translation quality evaluation metrics. These...
Fuschia Hutton and mentor Oliver Lawrence outline the benefits of CIOL’s mentoring scheme from both sides
CIOL launched its mentoring programme, through which seasoned translators and interpreters share their knowledge to help less experienced linguists reach their full potential, at Members’ Day 2018. Mentees can choose mentors according to the skills and expertise they most...
By Anita van Adelsbergen
Anita van Adelsbergen considers the many challenges of specialising in canine and equine translation
When you are working on a translation and can’t find a certain word, Google will usually find your answer. But as an interpreter in the middle of a field, arena or paddock, that is a bit more difficult. And when it comes to equine interpreting, just...
Frank Gardner tells Miranda Moore how his passion for Arabic drives his work as BBC security correspondent
Frank Gardner talks about languages the way an explorer might talk about his most exciting voyages. To him, they are the start of an adventure: “the wardrobe that leads to Narnia… the door to someone else’s world”. It’s not just that the renowned Arabist found his passion for...
As CIOL launches a new mentoring platform, translator mentor Helle Gulowsen considers why people mentor and how it benefits them
When CIOL 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
Here’s 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 Children’s Books about the possibility of translating the next Asterix book. Anthea Bell, who had worked on the previous 37 books...
Countdown’s 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...