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Around 98% of all research is published in English, posing a serious problem for the global scientific community. It is often remarked that Spanish should be more widely spoken or understood in the scientific community given its number of speakers around the world, a figure the Instituto Cervantes places at almost 600 million. However, millions of speakers do not necessarily grant a language strength in academia. This has to be cultivated on a scientific, political and cultural level, with sustained efforts from many institutions and specialists. The scientific community should communicate in as many languages as possible By some estimates, as much as 98% of the world’s scientific research is published in English, while only around 18% of the world’s population speaks it. This makes it essential to publish in other languages if we are to bring scientific research to society at large. The value of multilingualism in science has been highlighted by numerous high profile organisations, with public declarations and statements on the matter from the European Charter for Researchers, the Helsinki Initiative on Multiligualism, the Unesco Recommendation on Open Science, the OPERAS Multiligualism White Paper, the Latin American Forum on Research Assessment, the COARA Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, and the Declaration of the 5th Meeting of Minsters and Scientific Authorities of Ibero-American Countries. These organisations all agree on one thing: all languages have value in scientific communication.Get news that’s free, independent and based on evidence. As the last of these declarations points out, locally, regionally and nationally relevant research is constantly being published in languages other than English. This research has an economic, social and cultural impact on its surrounding environment, as when scientific knowledge is disseminated it filters through to non-academic professionals, thus creating a broader culture of knowledge sharing. Greater diversity also enables fluid dialogue among academics who share the same language, or who speak and understand multiple languages. In Ibero-America, for example, Spanish and Portuguese can often be mutually understood by non-native speakers, allowing them to share the scientific stage. The same happens in Spain with the majority of its co-official languages. Read more: Non-native English speaking scientists work much harder just to keep up, global research reveals No hierarchies, no categories Too often, scientific research in any language other than English is automatically seen as second tier, with little consideration for the quality of the work itself. This harmful prejudice ignores the work of those involved, especially in the humanities and social sciences. It also profoundly undermines the global academic community’s ability to share knowledge with society. By defending and preserving multilingualism, the scientific community brings research closer to those who need it. Failing to pursue this aim means that academia cannot develop or expand its audience. We have to work carefully, systematically and consistently in every language available to us. Read more: Prestigious journals make it hard for scientists who don't speak English to get published. And we all lose out The logistics of strengthening linguistic diversity in science Making a language stronger in academia is a complex process. It does not happen spontaneously, and requires careful coordination and planning. Efforts have to come from public and private institutions, the media, and other cultural outlets, as well as from politicians, science diplomacy, and researchers themselves. Many of these elements have to work in harmony, as demonstrated by the Spanish National Research Council’s work in ES CIENCIA, a project which seeks to unite scientific and and political efforts. Academic publishing and AI models: a new challenge The global academic environment is changing as a result the digital transition and new models of open access. Research into publishers of scientific content in other languages will be essential to understanding this shift. One thing is clear though: making scientific content produced in a particular language visible and searchable online is crucial to ensuring its strength. In the case of academic books, the transition to open access has barely begun, especially in the commercial publishing sector, which releases around 80% of scientific books in Spain. As with online publishing, a clear understanding will make it possible to design policies and models that account for the different ways of disseminating scientific research, including those that communicate locally and in other languages. Greater linguistic diversity in book publishing can also allow us to properly recognise the work done by publishers in sharing research among non-English speakers. Making publications, datasets, and other non-linguistic research results easy to find is another vital element, which requires both scientific and technical support. The same applies to expanding the corpus of scientific literature in Spanish and other languages, especially since this feeds into generative artificial intelligence models. If linguistically diverse scientific content is not incorporated into AI systems, they will spread information that is incomplete, biased or misleading: a recent Spanish government report on the state of Spanish and co-official languages points out that 90% of the text currently fed into AI is written in English. Deep study of terminology is essential Research into terminology is of the utmost importance in preventing the use of improvised, imprecise language or unintelligible jargon. It can also bring huge benefits for the quality of both human and machine translations, specialised language teaching, and the indexing and organisation of large volumes of documents. Terminology work in Spanish is being carried out today thanks to the processing of large language corpuses by AI and researchers in the TeresIA project, a joint effort coordinated by the Spanish National Research Council. However, 15 years of ups and downs were needed to to get such a project off the ground in Spanish. The Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia, on the other hand, have worked intensively and systematically on their respective languages. They have not only tackled terminology as a public language policy issue, but have also been committed to established terminology projects for a long time. Multiligualism is a global issue This need for broader diversity also applies to Ibero-America as a whole, where efforts are being coordinated to promote Spanish and Portuguese in academia, notably by the Ibero-American General Secretariat and the Mexican National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies. While this is sorely needed, we cannot promote the region’s two most widely spoken languages and also ignore its diversity of indigenous and co-official languages. These are also involved in the production of knowledge, and are a vehicle for the transfer of scientific information, as demonstrated by efforts in Spain. Each country has its own unique role to play in promoting greater linguistic diversity in scientific communication. If this can be achieved, the strength of Iberian languages – and all languages, for that matter – in academia will not be at the mercy of well intentioned but sporadic efforts. It will, instead, be the result of the scientific community’s commitment to a culture of knowledge sharing. This article was originally published in Spanish
United Nations language staff come from all over the globe and make up a uniquely diverse and multilingual community. What unites them is the pursuit of excellence in their respective areas, the excitement of being at the forefront of international affairs and the desire to contribute to the realization of the purposes of the United Nations, as outlined in the Charter, by facilitating communication and decision-making. United Nations language staff in numbers The United Nations is one of the world's largest employers of language professionals. Several hundred such staff work for the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, or at the United Nations regional commissions in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva and Santiago. Learn more at Meet our language staff. What do we mean by “language professionals”? At the United Nations, the term “language professional” covers a wide range of specialists, such as interpreters, translators, editors, verbatim reporters, terminologists, reference assistants and copy preparers/proofreaders/production editors. Learn more at Careers. What do we mean by “main language”? At the United Nations, “main language” generally refers to the language of an individual's higher education. For linguists outside the Organization, on the other hand, “main language” is usually taken to mean the “target language” into which an individual works. How are language professionals recruited? The main recruitment path for United Nations language professionals is through competitive examinations for language positions, whereby successful examinees are placed on rosters for recruitment and are hired as and when job vacancies arise. Language professionals from all regions, who meet the eligibility requirements, are encouraged to apply. Candidates are judged solely on their academic and other qualifications and on their performance in the examination. Nationality/citizenship is not a consideration. Learn more at Recruitment. What kind of background do United Nations language professionals need? Our recruits do not all have a background in languages. Some have a background in other fields, including journalism, law, economics and even engineering or medicine. These are of great benefit to the United Nations, which deals with a large variety of subjects. Why does the Department have an outreach programme? Finding the right profile of candidate for United Nations language positions is challenging, especially for certain language combinations. The United Nations is not the only international organization looking for skilled language professionals, and it deals with a wide variety of subjects, often politically sensitive. Its language staff must meet high quality and productivity standards. This is why the Department has had an outreach programme focusing on collaboration with universities since 2007. The Department hopes to build on existing partnerships, forge new partnerships, and attract the qualified staff it needs to continue providing high-quality conference services at the United Nations. Learn more at Outreach. #metaglossia_mundus
"Google Search’s speaking practice AI feature lets English language learners practice conversation with a chatbot. It’s available in six countries to start. The speaking practice feature creates an AI bot that keeps up a conversation with users who are learning to speak English. By Emilia David, a reporter who covers AI. Prior to joining The Verge, she covered the intersection between technology, finance, and the economy. Apr 26, 2024, 8:06 PM GMT+1 Google is testing its AI listening skills with a feature that lets people speak into their phones and practice English with a conversational AI bot. Google first rolled out the speaking practice experience in October 2023. Originally, the feature only provided feedback on spoken sentences. Now, users can practice having ongoing conversations in the language they’re learning. TechCrunch reports that the feature is currently available for Search Labs users in Argentina, Colombia, India, Mexico, Venezuela, and Indonesia. Search Labs is Google’s sandbox for potential new Search features; however, the feature may also pop up based on translating to or from English with Google on an Android device. For now, the feedback and conversation practice features are only available in English. Google said in its 2023 blog that Search is a “valuable tool for language learners” because they can get translations and definitions and search for vocabulary. Google doesn’t have a curriculum or a system that levels up students like Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, or other language learning apps. When it launched speaking practice, the company said it helps learners not just practice but also figure out the best words or conjugations to use within the context of a conversation. While Google has had a translation feature for years, the company has also been growing the number of languages its AI models understand. As an avid Duolingo user (947-day Spanish streak), it is crucial for me to get feedback and practice speaking the languages I’m learning in actual conversations. Google hasn’t said what its plans for language learning are or if the speaking practice feature will be expanded to more countries, but Duo, the owl mascot of Duolingo, could be shaking in his boots." #metaglossia_mundus
"Un duo d’interprètes au service de la communauté sourde et malentendante à Saint-Nazaire Charlotte Lorin et Agathe Lacoste forment Idem interprétation depuis 2016. Ce service d’interprètes, basé à Saint-Nazaire, œuvre pour l’intégration des personnes sourdes et malentendantes. « Sur 1 000 000 de personnes sourdes en France, seulement 400 000 utilisent la langue des signes. C’est très peu », note Agathe Lacoste, interprète entre le français et la langue des signes française. Depuis 2016, la jeune femme s’est associée à Charlotte Lorin, pour former Idem interprétation, une entreprise d’interprètes au service de la communauté sourde et malentendante de Saint-Nazaire. « Nous sommes débordées » En ce moment, le duo croule sous les demandes. « Nous intervenons dans les entreprises, pour traduire des formations ou des bilans annuels. Nous travaillons aussi avec la mairie de Saint-Nazaire pour..." #metaglossia_mundus
Ottawa – April 27, 2024 – "The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) welcomes the order issued by the Labour Program on April 25, instructing the Translation Bureau to prohibit the delivery of interpretation services unless specific measures are always in place to protect interpreters against Larsen effects, or dangerous audio feedback. Interpretation services ensure parliamentary exchanges are conducted in both official languages and compliant with the Official Languages Act. Service interruption would have dire consequences on parliamentary proceedings. This instruction follows an investigation that was launched in mid-April, after an interpreter suffered a damaging workplace injury that has so far prevented them from returning to work. A complaint was lodged with the Labour Program that led to the investigator ruling that the workplace is unsafe and in violation of the Labour Code. The investigation’s findings are clear that Larsen effects – both from sudden and repeated exposure – can cause permanent hearing damage and constitute a serious threat. “For almost a decade, interpreters have been placing themselves in harm's way every time they do their job,” said CAPE President Nathan Prier. “Despite an unacceptably high number of workplace injuries, the Translation Bureau has been slow to implement proper measures to protect their employees. This decision is a vindication for all those who have been suffering – an important step forward to ensure interpreters’ health and safety is protected when they do their job.”
Following the move to hybrid settings in 2020, interpreters have been experiencing higher rates of workplace injuries due to poor or inadequate equipment, which can cause audio feedback. These injuries have often been serious, permanently damaging the hearing of interpreters and rendering them unable to continue working in their profession.
“Every day, interpreters have been exposed to potential injuries that can have lasting and debilitating impacts. Interpreters care about the work that they do – but the measures taken so far by management and their partners have been insufficient to adequately protect their health,” said an interpreter represented by CAPE. “Faced with this situation, interpreters have been mobilizing through our union to pressure the government to act. This decision shows our work has produced results. We will maintain our efforts until all interpreters are permanently protected from undue risk.” The Translation Bureau has been ordered to remove all earpieces and headsets with microphones and replace them with higher-quality versions that reduce the risk of feedback. Members of Parliament and committee chairs will also be receiving new information and instructions to ensure that proper procedures are observed. About CAPE With more than 25,000 members, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees is one of the largest federal public sector unions in Canada, dedicated to advocating on behalf of federal employees in the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) and Translation (TR) groups, as well as employees of the Library of Parliament (LoP), the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (OPBO) and civilian members of the RCMP (ESS and TRL). For more information: acep-cape.ca" #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.acep-cape.ca/en/news/translation-bureau-forced-better-protect-interpreters-after-dangerous-working-conditions
"Public service interpreters assume a key role in rendering accessible social services to newcomer clients. They could even be considered inherent to social work settings that are multilingual in nature, such as the interactional context of unaccompanied minors and their legal guardians. However, despite the intrinsic linguistic diversity and the unique position of interpreters in this setting, guardian–minor encounters remain unexplored in research. The current study therefore aims to provide insight into the multilingual needs and challenges in these encounters, focussing particularly on the roles interpreters play in this setting and how they are perceived to affect the interaction. To this end, the study draws on twelve semi-structured interviews with guardians of unaccompanied minors, collected as part of a research project examining the impact of multilingual strategies on the communication and relationship between guardians and minors in Belgium. Through thematic analysis, the study explores guardians’ insecurities, revealing confusion about the professional status of interpreters, concerns about interpretation quality and conflicting expectations of what interpreters should (not) do. The study provides recommendations with a view to improving both the confidence of guardians and the efficiency of guardian–minor interactions, and highlights the relevance of the findings for various other social work settings." #metaglossia_mundus
"Only by sticking with the original title for their films have actors like Sukumar, Prashanth Neel, and SS rajamouli been able to make their Pan-Indian blockbusters successful in the first place. In particular, they have chosen a single title that will appeal to moviegoers everywhere. Currently, the box office prospects of certain recently dubbed films are being negatively impacted by the fact that their names are not being spoken correctly. There isn't a single scene in Vijay Antony's tamil film "Romeo," which is called "Love Guru" in Telugu. Instead, the hero isn't transformed into a love guru by any means. The title of the movie is where the hero will appear in the narrative, thus viewers are also let down by the absence of a suitable tie-in. And now we have the telugu version of the tamil movie Aranmai 4, called "Baak," which has nothing to do with the scary elements of the film. Even though GV Prakash's newly released film "Dear" has the same title in both telugu and tamil, the movie's chances were greatly impacted by the fact that its plot is very similar to that of the "Good Night" picture. However, because the initial films in the franchise have already been well-known because of their nativity, directors like as shankar are choosing to name their sequels differently. Here, his "Indian 2" is called "Bharateeyudu 2." In a same vein, Maniratnam previously used PS (Ponniyan Selvan) for both languages, although for telugu he called Ok kanmani Ok Bangaram due to nativity. However, there is no minimum takers for "Chekka Chivantha Vaanam," which he titled as Nawab in Telugu. The bottom line is that, particularly for dubbed films, the title should accurately convey the plot of the picture." #metaglossia_mundus
"When it comes to processing information in native tongue, a multilingual's brain is less active than that of a person who speaks one language. IF you're a polyglot, you've probably already noticed how little effort it takes to think and express yourself in your native tongue. An American study, published in the journal Cerebral Cortex, examines this phenomenon and shows that our brains process the first language we learn differently from others. The academics behind this research drew on the findings of a 2021 study, which suggested that the brain of a polyglot is less active than that of a person who speaks just one language when it has to process information in their native tongue. The researchers wanted to investigate this finding further, to understand what actually happens in the brains of polyglots when they listen to languages they are more or less proficient in. Evelina Fedorenko, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and her colleagues conducted an experiment involving some 30 individuals speaking at least five languages. While some of the volunteers were more multilingual than others, they all had one thing in common: they were not multilingual "from infancy." Each participant had to listen to passages from the Bible and Alice in Wonderland being read in eight different languages – some of which they didn't speak – while the researchers analysed their neural activity using a functional MRI scanner. The academics found that the polyglots' brains reacted differently depending on the language they were listening to. Less engagement Language processing networks, located in the left cerebral hemisphere, were most engaged when participants listened to languages in which they were most proficient. However, they did not engage very much when the participants heard their native language. Fedorenko hypothesises that the brain is activated to a lesser extent with a native language because it is the one with which we are most familiar. "The findings suggest there is something unique about the first language one acquires, which allows the brain to process it with minimal effort," according to the researchers via a press release. Additionally, the researchers noted that a brain network known as the "multiple demand network" is activated when listening to languages that differ from one's mother tongue. This finding is significant, given that the multiple demand network is involved in the performance of complex and demanding cognitive tasks. This proves that our brains are better able to process information in a language we have mastered since childhood. Most of the polyglots in this study began learning a language other than the one they grew up with as teenagers or adults. In the future, researchers plan to study the brains of people who are multilingual from childhood onwards. Whatever the case, there's no doubt that mastering several languages is a good way to maintain brain health. Multilingualism, for example, has been shown to delay the onset of dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. – AFP Relaxnews" #metaglossia_mundus
"Online translation platform DeepL says it launching an AI assistant that, unlike ChatGPT and other rival AI chatbots, is designed to support the writing process with real-time suggestions on word choice, phrasing, style and tone. DeepL is already the go-to for machine translations in many companies. Now, the German start-up wants to compete against Google, OpenAI and Microsoft with its own AI assistant designed for writing. COLOGNE: Online translation platform DeepL says it launching an AI assistant that, unlike ChatGPT and other rival AI chatbots, is designed to support the writing process with real-time suggestions on word choice, phrasing, style and tone. The German software company says its new assistant allows users to optimise their texts regardless of their language skills and find the right words for any situation and any reader. DeepL Write Pro is the company's first product to be based on its own large AI language model (LLM). LLMs are machine learning models that are trained to understand and generate human language. Well-known LLMs include GPT from OpenAI, Gemini from Google and Llama from the Facebook group Meta. The new AI writing assistant is primarily aimed at business users and is designed to support teams in companies when writing business content. DeepL says the assistant, which currently works in English and German, can help companies ensure precise communication from internal content to external customer communications and contracts. The assistant is available for free with a limited number of text improvements, and costs €15 or $16.50 monthly per user in the full version. The Cologne-based start-up is now competing against chatbots and other AI tools from large IT companies such as Microsoft and Google, as well as the world's leading AI start-up OpenAI. In the past, DeepL's translation app has had to hold its own against Google Translate in particular, often achieving better ratings than the US company's service. However, DeepL only supports 30 different languages, while Google Translate can translate texts into 133 languages. – dpa" #metaglossia_mundus
"By Wan Shuyan from CNS,edited by Wang Zonghan Editor's note: German Sinologist Martin Woesler is a member of the Academy of Europe and holds the Jean Monnet Chair awarded by the EU. He is also professor in Sinology at the University Witten/Herdecke in Germany. By Wan Shuyan from CNS,edited by Wang Zonghan Editor's note: German Sinologist Martin Woesler is a member of the Academy of Europe and holds the Jean Monnet Chair awarded by the EU. He is also professor in Sinology at the University Witten/Herdecke in Germany. Earlier, he was the head of the Chinese Department at the International University SDI München, a professor at the University Roma Three in Italy and a former associate professor at the Utah Valley University, the U.S. In 2019, he became a distinguished professor of the Hunan Normal University in China. His main research interests are the Dream of the Red Chamber, one of the four great Chinese novels, comparative literature, translation, crosscultural communication and contemporary Chinese literature. His joint translation of the Dream of the Red Chamber with Benjamin Schwartz is the first full translation of the classic in German. He was awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2020. In 1926, the French literary journal Europe published the French version of Lu Xun's novella The True Story of Ah Q, translated by Jing Yinyu. It marked the start of the translation of Chinese modern and contemporary literature into Western languages. Martin Woesler has translated several major Chinese authors' work into German. They range from Lu Xun, Zhu Ziqing, Ba Jin, Qian Zhongshu, Wang Meng and Jia Pingwa to Han Han. Here, he talks about the importance of contemporary Chinese literature in understanding China. CNS: In addition to the Dream of the Red Chamber, you have translated a large number of modern Chinese writers' works as well. Why modern Chinese literature? Martin Woesler: Chinese literature has always maintained a good level of creativity. The Dream of the Red Chamber and The True Story of Ah Q were among the best works of global literature at the time. In the 1920s, China produced many high-quality works that formed part of world literature. One reason for it was the good communication between Chinese writers and the literary communities of other countries. Today, there are many outstanding Chinese literary works that deserve to be known to the rest of the world but are still unknown because while more works are being introduced in China, original Chinese works are not being translated and introduced to the world. Another reason contemporary Chinese literature appeals to me is because it has a lot of local characteristics. For example, (1952-born prolific novelist) Jia Pingwa's work contains a lot of the dialect and traditions of his hometown. These wonderful elements, while difficult to translate into other languages, deserve a wider readership. I would love to translate Chinese stories that depict rural life and present them to international readers. There are many quality contemporary Chinese literary works. Lu Xun improved the use of the modern colloquial language in writing. Although he declined to be nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, his work has surpassed the criteria for the award. The True Story of Ah Q, Kong Yiji, and the Diary of a Madman are among the most advanced modern literature of his time. I still cherish the ambitious goal of publishing his complete works in foreign languages. I have translated three of his essays, including The Crisis of the Literary Essay and In Memoriam in Order to Forget. (Iconic satirical author) Wang Meng has contributed greatly to the experimental development of the stream of consciousness style in literature, and I have been involved in translating some of his work. I also enjoyed translating (1953-born novelist) Han Shaogong's work. CNS: How does translating modern literature deepen one's understanding of China? Martin Woesler: Reading modern Chinese literature is the best way to understand China and its culture. Modern writers can make their readers understand their ideas, engage them in their thoughts and help them understand China from a Chinese perspective. We can see the integration of ancient literature and foreign literature in modern and contemporary Chinese literature. Lu Xun’s Call to Arms, for example, provides a realistic portrayal of Chinese society from the 1911 Revolution (the armed rebellion in 1911 that overthrew the last Qing Dynasty ruler and established the Republic of China) to the May Fourth Movement (the intellectual and sociopolitical reform movement growing out of student protests in 1919). It reveals the deep-seated social issues and profoundly analyzes and critiques the old Chinese system and the traditional stereotyped concepts, giving readers new insights into modern Chinese culture and the characteristics of the times. The emergence of the "post-80s" literature and other new types of literature also became an important cultural phenomenon in China at the beginning of the twentieth century. After 2000, "post-80s" writing, mainly youth literature, proved quite a success in the literary market. (Author, blogger and rally driver) Han Han is one of the noted authors of this generation. Literary works in some way reflect the writers' different understandings of the times. Their work and ideas help us understand China step by step. CNS: Some critics say that many literary works lose their original charm in cross-cultural translation. How did you overcome the translation bottleneck when translating modern Chinese literature? Martin Woesler: I think that is a prejudice. Literary works do not lose their original charm in the process of cross-cultural translation. If there are no translations, then a country's literature will only have domestic readers. To make it known to the outside world, it has to be translated into English at least. Each literary work has its own charm in one way or another. If a work of literature is attractive to foreign readers though domestic readers have a different opinion, it is a meaningful task for us to translate it into a foreign language. However, translating a work of literature must not change its original features, it should neither add nor reduce any meaning. If a local translator cannot fully understand and appreciate it, the best person for the job would be someone who has lived abroad for many years. Generally speaking, most successful translations of literary works are done by native speakers of the language of translation. CNS: For a long time, the West focused more on studying classical Chinese literature than translating and studying modern and contemporary Chinese literature. Some foreign translators have even said that the West is like a desert where modern and contemporary Chinese literature is concerned. What is the reason for this vacuum? Martin Woesler: Outside China, the situation is indeed arid where Chinese contemporary literature is concerned, which is unfair because China does have high-quality modern literature. In Germany, non-German literature accounts for 12.5 percent of the total literature; of this, Chinese literature accounts for only 0.3 percent. Before I began my translation career, about a dozen Chinese literary works were being translated into German every year. Since my joining in, that figure has roughly doubled. I gathered a group of young Sinologists in Germany to join a translation workshop and we translate 10 books a year from Chinese into German on average. Most of them are works of literature. Chinese literature will become popular only when China enters the international arena and its image plays a big role in that. China still has a long way to go to improve its cultural appeal, and I hope my translations will help Chinese culture go out and be known to the outside world. CNS: Has the cold shoulder given to Chinese modern literature in the West changed in recent years? What types of writings are likely to appeal to European readers? Martin Woesler: The world of Chinese literature itself is capable of producing many high-quality books. Since the 1930s, China has seen a lot of high-quality literature. Some contemporary writers such as (Nobel laureate) Mo Yan, (popular science fiction author) Liu Cixin, Yan Lianke, Su Tong and Yu Hua are already known to Western readers. But many writers are still unknown in the West. On the whole, for the Western readers, Chinese literature has not yet formed a stable image with its own characteristics. Chinese writers can read more foreign literature to address their shortcomings and learn from the work of other countries. For example, in the 1920s, Lu Xun was involved in cultural exchanges and translations. Through frequent cultural exchanges, his novella The True Story of Ah Q was translated into French and supported by French writer Romain Rolland. Among the literary genres, science fiction, children's literature and Internet literature are popular among Western readers, including European readers. A study by iResearch, a consumer research service provider specializing in online audience and consumer insights in China, said Chinese Internet literature had over 80 million overseas readers in 2020, indicating the genre has great appeal for Western readers. CNS: Your translations are renowned for their remarkable language and skill. How can translations of modern Chinese literature contribute to the cultural exchange between China and the West? Martin Woesler: To improve cultural exchange and mutual understanding, it is also necessary to bring people together. When people of one country really get to know the people of another country, they often change their attitude toward that country. Therefore, we can, for example, strengthen partnerships between schools in China and abroad, and partnerships between cities. Also, other cultural approaches can be taken to attract foreign readers. The films made by the fifth-generation Chinese directors have greatly promoted Chinese literature in the West. Red Sorghum, Ju Dou, and Life are all films adapted from eponymous books. Films like Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet and Eat Drink Man Woman introduced the Chinese food culture, while Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon introduced the Chinese martial arts. The best way to understand a people, a country and a culture is to read modern contemporary literature. Authors can transport readers to their inner world and engage them in their thought process so that the readers see China through the eyes of the Chinese and prejudices are eliminated. For example, when interpreting the Analects of Confucius, Roger T. Ames and Henry Rosemont Jr. analyzed it from a comparative philosophical angle, which successfully conveyed ancient Chinese philosophical ideas to the English-speaking world. CNS: How is the exchange between Eastern and Western literature progressing today? Do they influence each other? Martin Woesler: The major drivers of cultural exchanges between China and the West since the twentieth century were the Western missionaries who came to China, international students and overseas Chinese immigrants and translators. The missionaries introduced classical Chinese literature to the West. (Scottish linguist) James Legge translated and published The Chinese Classics, and introduced Eastern culture, philosophies and customs to Western readers. Zhu Shenghao was one of the earliest Chinese translators of Shakespeare, and the quality and style of his translations is recognized by Shakespearean researchers at home and abroad. Guo Moruo was one of the earliest translators of Goethe. Contemporary and modern East–West literary exchanges have not only promoted the development of Chinese literature, but also enriched world literature. The rich variety of Western literature offers more options to Chinese readers while Chinese literature has given a different perspective and experience to the West. Mo Yan was a voracious reader of foreign classics and his books portray Chinese rural culture, presenting an authentic image of China to Western readers. Literary exchanges are increasing today. More and more Chinese literature is being translated into foreign languages and vice versa. However, the global influence of Chinese literature will increase only when the market demands more Chinese books." #metaglossia_mundus
April 28, 2024 - by Ikenna Okonkwo "Nigerian author Ndifreke Ukpong, known for his controversial novel “Every Woman in This Village is a Liar” and inspirational book “No Limitation to Success”, has emphasised the vital role of mother tongue in shaping identity and cultural diversity. In a recent address, Ukpong urged parents and educators to prioritise teaching mother tongue, stressing its importance in preserving cultural heritage. “The mother tongue is the garment of thought, and it is the language of the heart. If we lose our mother tongue, we risk losing our cultural identity and our connection to our ancestors,” Ukpong emphasised. “Mother tongue, the language we learn from birth, plays a crucial role in shaping our thoughts, expressions, and relationships. In Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages spoken, mother tongue is essential for preserving cultural diversity. “Research has shown that speaking one’s native language enhances cognitive development, improves academic performance, and fosters a sense of belonging. Moreover, mother tongue is a vital tool for cultural transmission, allowing communities to pass down traditions, customs, and values to future generations.” Ukpong’s call to action resonates with educators and policymakers. “By prioritising mother tongue education, we can empower future generations to embrace their cultural identities and contribute to a richer, more diverse global community,” he said. “In addition to its cultural significance, mother tongue also has practical benefits. Studies have shown that children who learn in their native language tend to perform better academically and have better cognitive skills. “Furthermore, mother tongue education can help preserve endangered languages and promote linguistic diversity. With many languages facing the risk of extinction, prioritizing mother tongue education can help safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations.” Ukpong’s passionate appeal to prioritise mother tongue education serves as a timely reminder of the significance of cultural preservation. “By embracing our native languages and promoting mother tongue studies, we can safeguard our cultural heritage and foster a more inclusive, diverse world for generations to come,” he said." #metaglossia_mundus
"Le service d’interprétation ne sera pas interrompu en vue de la reprise des travaux de la Chambre des communes prévus lundi à Ottawa. Le syndicat qui représente les interprètes à la Chambre des communes estime que ses membres ont obtenu une « victoire importante » pour leur santé avec une récente ordonnance émise par le Programme du travail. L’instance fédérale chargée de faire respecter le Code canadien du travail et d'assurer la sécurité des travailleurs a ordonné au Bureau de la traduction de procéder immédiatement à la protection des personnes contre l’effet Larsen. Une exposition répétée à ce phénomène peut créer des atteintes permanentes sur la santé auditive des interprètes, a écrit l’agente de santé et sécurité Marie-Ève Bergeron à la suite d’une inspection. Mme Bergeron a ordonné de procéder immédiatement à la protection des personnes contre ce danger. L’Association canadienne des employés professionnels (ACEP), qui représente les interprètes, avance qu’une centaine de ses membres qui travaillent au Parlement ont subi des blessures auditives telles que des chocs acoustiques, des acouphènes et des pertes d’ouïe depuis le début de la pandémie en raison de la tenue des travaux de la Chambre des communes en mode virtuel, puis hybride. Nous sommes très satisfaits de l’enquête qui a mené à l'ordonnance. Elle détermine que l’effet Larsen est un danger imminent au sens du Code du travail et force le Bureau de la traduction à toujours protéger les interprètes contre cette menace, sinon de suspendre l’interprétation au risque d’une amende ou, pire, de poursuites légales des employés, a affirmé le président de l’ACEP, Nathan Prier, en entrevue samedi à Radio-Canada. L’effet Larsen est un son strident émis par un émetteur, par exemple un casque d’écoute ou un haut-parleur, placé trop près d’un récepteur, par exemple un microphone. L’ACEP compte s’assurer d’imposer le respect de cette nouvelle règle. Il aura aussi à l'œil les nouvelles mesures adoptées par le Bureau de la traduction pour protéger les interprètes. Nous ne sommes pas convaincus que ça marchera. On verra lundi. Une citation deNathan Prier, président de l'ACEP Du même souffle, il confie que certains membres sont réticents à l'idée de rentrer au bureau la semaine prochaine. La plupart de nos membres ont eu des blessures répétées et des incidents de santé, non seulement en raison de l’effet Larsen mais aussi avec le son toxique [...]. C’est une grande victoire pour nos membres. Ils sont contents d’avoir des protections additionnelles. Ils n’ont pas besoin de quitter le domaine. Ils n’ont pas besoin de quitter comme interprètes. Ils peuvent rester dans le milieu. Le Bureau de la présidence de la Chambre des communes a confirmé vendredi que les nouvelles mesures de protection ont reçu l’aval de l’enquêtrice du Programme du travail. Un porte-parole a indiqué que le service d’interprétation ne sera pas interrompu pour la reprise des travaux de la Chambre des communes, prévue lundi. Le président de l’ACEP, lui, rappelle que la situation est très sérieuse. Sans interprétation, les travaux parlementaires ne peuvent pas se poursuivre, car la Loi sur les langues officielles les oblige à se dérouler dans les deux langues officielles, souligne Nathan Prier. Avec les informations de Camille Kasisi-Monet" #metaglossia_mundus: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2068362/interprete-chambre-commune-interruption-evitee
"IQNA-Yoim Rizvan, chercheur en manuscrits coraniques et directeur du Musée de la culture islamique de Saint-Pétersbourg, a parlé lors d'une réunion de l'influence des manuscrits coraniques, de l'impression et de la traduction de ce livre sur l'histoire culturelle de la Russie, notamment en interaction avec les musulmans. Yoim Rizvan a souligné le rôle de l'histoire des manuscrits du Coran en Russie et dans les anciennes républiques soviétiques, et a déclaré : « Selon le décret de Catherine Ier, reine de Russie, en 1787, le texte arabe complet du Coran a été imprimé pour la première fois à Saint-Pétersbourg, aux frais du gouvernement et dans un format spécial, différent de ce qui était publié en Europe. L’ethnographie coranique est un domaine scientifique indépendant et de nombreuses recherches sont actuellement menées dans ce domaine. L'objectif de la recherche scientifique est de fournir une compréhension plus approfondie des événements historiques liés à la montée de l'Islam, et d'examiner les éléments qui peuvent aider à interpréter les significations du Coran. L'un des objectifs les plus importants de la recherche, dans le domaine de l'ethnographie coranique, est de fournir la base d'une nouvelle traduction du Coran, car toutes les connaissances coraniques existantes sont fondées sur les traductions et les interprétations du Coran composées plusieurs siècles après la révélation. Une nouvelle traduction peut mettre en lumière les changements de sens et d'interprétation des mots et termes coraniques, depuis la révélation jusqu'à aujourd'hui ». 4212295" #metaglossia_mundus
"Après avoir ravivé la douleur du nazisme, la municipalité renonce à déployer de nouvelles plaques de rues bilingues. Mais les signalétiques déjà en place ne changeront pas. Les nouvelles plaques de rue de Colmar seront traduites en alsacien, pas en allemand Après avoir ravivé la douleur du nazisme, la municipalité renonce à déployer de nouvelles plaques de rues bilingues. Mais les signalétiques déjà en place ne changeront pas. Par Claire Gandanger Le 27 avril 2024 à 16h30 À l'automne 2023, une trentaine de plaques de rue écrites dans les deux langues avaient été installées dans Colmar (Haut-Rhin). La municipalité de Colmar (Haut-Rhin) revient sur son initiative d’afficher à taille égale les noms de ses rues à la fois en français et dans leur traduction allemande sur les plaques signalétiques. Elle entendait promouvoir le bilinguisme alors que Colmar se trouve à une quinzaine de kilomètres de l’Allemagne. Mais l’apparition à l’automne 2023 d’une trentaine de plaques neuves dans les deux langues avait ravivé la douleur de la présence nazie chez les habitants les plus âgés. La société d’histoire de Colmar s’était indignée d’une telle pratique qui n’était intervenue au cours du XXe siècle qu’à l’époque de la germanisation forcée de Colmar par les nazis entre 1940 et 1945. Devant cette polémique, un groupe de travail composé d’élus, d’acteurs culturels et d’historiens vient de décider que les plaques neuves des rues rénovées et des nouvelles rues des quartiers récents de Colmar afficheraient dorénavant une traduction plus consensuelle en dialecte alsacien. Aviser « en fonction de l’histoire particulière de chaque rue » « Nous donnerons la priorité à l’alsacien quand l’allemand ne se justifie pas et il n’y aura plus de nouvelle traduction en allemand », assure le maire Éric Straumann. « Mais les nouvelles signalétiques déjà en place ne changeront pas », prévient-il. « Dans les quartiers historiques, certaines rues sont affichées en allemand, d’autres en français, en allemand et en alsacien », rappelle-t-il cependant. « Nous aviserons alors en fonction de l’histoire particulière de chaque rue. » Ainsi, le quartier des Maraîchers, zone d’activité constituée au Sud et à l’Est de Colmar alors que la ville était allemande après l’annexion de 1870, doit conserver ses ruelles et impasses d’appellations germaniques. Ce printemps, quatre nouvelles rues doivent recevoir un double baptême français et alsacien." #metaglossia_mundus
"IQNA-Le président de l'Université Al-Azhar, critiquant les erreurs commises dans le domaine de la traduction, a mis en garde contre la déformation du visage de l'Islam. Salama Daoud, président de l'Université Al-Azhar, lors de la conférence « Technologie, traduction et enseignement des langues. Perspectives et défis », a évoqué les erreurs commises dans le domaine de la traduction du Coran, qui déforment le visage de l'Islam et a déclaré : « Des lacunes dans la traduction ont amené certaines personnes à déformer l'image de l'Islam, ses règles et ses concepts ». Le vice-président d'Al-Azhar, Mohammad Al-Dzawini, a souligné dans ses propos, que la traduction représente une voie entre les civilisations, qui a relié les nations et les cultures à différentes époques, et a déclaré : « Ces dernières années, nous avons observé un phénomène qui blesse le cœur des musulmans et tente d'affaiblir l'Islam et les musulmans, de déformer leur image et de répandre la haine envers les musulmans et tout ce qui est islamique. Ceux qui étudient ce phénomène (l’islamophobie) savent très bien que le manque de traduction et la faiblesse de la recherche ainsi que le manque de précision dans le transfert des connaissances et des idées islamiques, au monde occidental, ont provoqué un profond fossé entre les sociétés alors qu’au sommet de la grandeur de la civilisation arabo-islamique, les sciences les plus avancées et les plus complexes, étaient traduites de l’hindi, du persan et du grec, en arabe, avec la plus grande précision ». 4212257" #metaglossia_mundus
"Sortie d’un recueil de proverbes occitans Publié le 28/04/2024 à 05:11 La Dépêche du midi L’Institut d’Etudes Occitanes fédère une quinzaine d’associations dans le Département du Lot. L’IEO d’Olt poursuit son travail de diffusion et de vulgarisation de la langue et de la culture occitane, avec des actions d’animation et d’édition. Vient de sortir le recueil Sagesse du Quercy, 980 proverbes recueillis par l’abbé Lacoste (1851-1924), retranscrits et commentés par Jean Rigouste. Jean Rigouste est professeur agrégé de Lettres classiques. Il a enseigné dans divers lycées, à l’Université de Bordeaux III et à l’IUFM d’Aquitaine. Il a été chargé de mission pour les Langues Régionales au Rectorat de l’Académie de Bordeaux. Il est l’auteur de divers ouvrages en français et en langue d’oc, chroniques de toponymie et articles dans diverses revues. Les 980 proverbes qu’il présente dans l’ouvrage Sagesses du Quercy, ont été recueillis par l’abbé François Lacoste et proviennent de 39 communes, principalement situées dans les méandres de la vallée du Lot, entre Luzech et Soturac, avec une prédominance de Bélaye, où le collecteur passa son enfance, et d’Anglars-Juillac, où il exerça son ministère pendant une quarantaine d’années. On peut l’imaginer notant au jour le jour ce qu’il entendait, ce que lui rapportaient des gens qui devaient connaître sa passion pour les "choses du Quercy", comme il les appelait. Le manuscrit de ce recueil de proverbes se trouve à la bibliothèque du fonds ancien de Cahors. De traditions antiques et surtout diffusés par la tradition orale, les proverbes nous renseignent parfois sur des événements historiques. Ils témoignent de l’histoire des sociétés anciennes et de leurs milieux populaires. L’étude des proverbes et de leur origine intéresse les domaines des sciences humaines. Ce sont des moyens d’analyse des phénomènes sociaux et culturels. Leur intérêt pour les recherches linguistiques (formulations, vocabulaire…) est incontestable. Toute la sagesse populaire, avec l’observation fine de la nature, de l’environnement, de la météo, des caractères humains, de la sociologie, se retrouve dans ces proverbes. Une grande partie de ces proverbes présentés dans Sagesse du Quercy sont inédits, inconnus des recueils existants et d’une exceptionnelle richesse. Chaque proverbe est en graphie de l’auteur et en graphie normalisée occitane, suivi de sa traduction en français accompagné d’explications. La présentation de Sagesse du Quercy est à retrouver sur le site ieo-olt.org/actualitats/ onglet Edicions. Disponible dans les librairies Champollion (Figeac), Calligramme (Cahors), Des Livres et Vous (Gourdon). "#metaglossia_mundus
"The "JESUS" film is set to hit theatres worldwide in a new animated format in December 2025, hoping to target a younger generation. By Ellie TiemensApril 26, 2024 Animated Jesus interacts with child. USA (MNN) — The iconic and record-breaking “JESUS” film is set to hit theatres worldwide in a new animated format in December 2025, hoping to target a younger generation engaging in new forms of media. “JESUS (2025)” was announced in November, 2023 as the newest undertaking from the Jesus Film Project, sharing the story of the life of Jesus as found in Luke. “There are quite a few reasons to go animated with the Jesus film, but one of them is just, with the way that the world is today, in the age of the world, we want to have a way that we can have an impact with those who are engaging in media in new ways,” Chris Deckert with the Jesus Film Project said. The chosen format for “JESUS (2025)” is animation, a type of media that connects people of all ages and speaks to a younger generation. With the average global age being just 30 years old, Deckert sees the importance of engaging with this next generation and communicating about who Jesus is. The original “JESUS“ film broke records as the most translated film of all time, available in over 2,100 languages. The creators of “JESUS (2025)” intend for this animated version to use the same audio from current translations, making it accessible to just as many people groups. Scene from new animated film highlights the Scripture passage “On Earth as it is in Heaven”. Photo courtesy of Jesusfilm.org “For every new language that we work on, we’re going to be doing the traditional Jesus film classically,” Deckert said. “All the translations will be the same. We work with our Bible translators and get straight from the Gospel of Luke most of what we have in the film. So as we translate that, we put it into the Jesus film, but all those lines then will be dropped into an animated version.” “JESUS (2025)” will first be released in English, and shown in theatres in the United States. From there, the film will be dubbed into the top 100 world languages. The Jesus Film Project will then continue to process the film into other languages as quickly as possible. The animated version is currently in the process of production. Deckert says it’ll be more than a year and half before it is ready to be released. In the meantime, the organization is working on fundraising and making sure that the work they’re doing is accurate. “And so the production team, the people they’re working with, who have professional experience in animation, come from different areas that they’ve had such great quality, and they’re bringing that into this project,” Deckert said. “But we want to ensure that this is really high quality, and that it’ll be an engaging story that people connect with not only in the U.S., but in the couple thousand other languages around the world.” Those interested in keeping up with the development of the project can visit Jesus.film or download the Jesus Film Insider app. On another app, Jesus Film, the film is available for download for free in the 2,100 languages it is translated into. Deckert recalls a time he was able to use the app share the film with his Kenyan cab driver in the driver’s tribe’s language. The driver downloaded the film to share it with his family and realized that his own cousin was the one narrating in their language. “So just watching God bring people together with the Gospel and connecting it to them is so easy when you can share it in their own language from anywhere in the world,” Deckert said. Visit Jesus.film for more information on this project." #metaglossia_mundus
"By James Folta That’s according to a recently released survey by the Society of Authors, which heard from over 800 of their members about how they’re feeling about emergent technologies and their impact on their creative work. The Society, a UK-based trade organization that has been advising and campaigning for writers, illustrators, and literary translators for over a century, found that its members are curious but extremely wary of new generative technology. This isn’t a universally skeptical crowd: 22% of respondents say they have used generative programs in their work, and 31% have used them for brainstorming. This number was lower than I might have guessed. Artists have always embraced the experimental possibility of new materials and tools, and that so few are using AI underscores the deep and widespread ethical and reputational concerns around this tech. In fact, the survey found that “even those respondents who were more optimistic…reiterated that ethical concerns are a primary reason to avoid the use of generative AI systems at this stage.” There’s also the crucial factor that this tech hasn’t shown an ability to make art that is good or interesting, and has only found a fanbase amongst the worst guys you’ve ever seen. The survey also found that AI is already cutting into people’s work. A quarter of illustrators (26%) and over a third of translators (36%) say they’ve lost work due to generative AI, and a higher percentage—37% of illustrators and 43% of translators—say the income for their work has decreased because of generative tech. It seems like this programming is already working as intended. I’ve said before that my big concern with AI is as a labor issue. I remain deeply skeptical when the only people aggressively pushing this stuff are bosses who see creative workers as a budgetary line item that can be replaced by a cheaper widget. Companies are just keeping up with the Joneses: a lot of CEOs and Business Deciders seem desperate to avoid last place in the perpetual race to adopt whatever new thing everyone is posting about on LinkedIn. But an AI-driven devaluation of labor fits in with a broader trend in creative work: pay is down, quotas are up, and opportunities are shrinking. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes last year were often framed as a fight against turning creative work in Hollywood into another Uber-esque gig job: writing and acting as precarious and part-time, joining other professions that have been increasingly reoriented to be an app-facilitated servant that can be hired and fired in an afternoon. But the concerns are more than just material, according to the Society survey. 86% worry that AI “devalues human-made creative work” and “many highlighting biases and inaccuracies in AI-generated content, worries about copyright infringement, misuse of personal data, and the exploitation of fellow creators’ works without consent or remuneration.” By far the greatest consensus that the survey found was around the creation and regulation of this tech. We know that tech companies are massively “cutting corners” in their quest to hoover up other people’s work to feed their machines, and 94% of surveyed respondents want credit and compensation when a company takes their work, and 95% want to give consent before their work is used to build someone else’s company. There’s also broad agreement on what should be done. 97% of respondents believe consumers deserve to know when something they’re seeing or hearing was made with AI—something like the fake images Netflix aired in their new documentary. And 95% think that governments need to “introduce safeguards and regulation to ensure compliance with these measures of consent, compensation and transparency.” I wish I felt more optimism that government could step in and help. But if this TikTok ban that’s rocketing through Washington is any indication, elected officials and their staff might no longer think that the internet is a series of tubes, but they still have a deep naivety and credulity about the tech industry and its flaws. The Society of Authors survey makes clear that AI is already impacting creative work—the cat’s out of the bag and it’s been generated with six ears. The companies won’t stop themselves and regulation is already well behind the ball. The only solution will be collective and grassroots. Which is why I’m proposing a Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla strategy: we all get together and build a super-AI to fight the other AIs. It’s the only way." #metaglossia_mundus
"The New England Translators Association (NETA) conference features esteemed speakers and valuable networking opportunities. The New England Translators Association (NETA) is gearing up once again for its annual translation and interpreting conference, set to be the largest gathering of language professionals in the region. With over 200 translators, interpreters, project managers, and other language experts expected to attend, this event promises a day filled with invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration. Scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 8 am to 5 pm, the conference will be hosted in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Boston at its Campus Center. Participants can look forward to a comprehensive program designed to enrich their knowledge and skills in the field of translation and interpreting. Registration includes breakfast and lunch. The lineup features a keynote and endnote presentation, as well as a diverse array of presentations by seasoned professionals from both the region and across the country. Additionally, an academic track led by university students and professors offers a unique perspective on the industry’s latest developments. One of the highlights of the conference is the roster of esteemed speakers who will share their insights and expertise on a range of topics. From Miguel Jimenez-Crespo’s exploration of Translation in the Age of AI to Elena Langdon’s discussion on Advocacy in Healthcare and Community Interpreting, attendees can expect thought-provoking sessions that go into various facets of the profession. Featured Speakers: Miguel Jimenez-Crespo on Translation as a Profession in the Age of AI Steeve Auguste on Artificial Intelligence in the Translation Services Industry Javier Castillo on Introduction to Forensic Transcription and Translation Elena Langdon on Advocacy in Healthcare and Community Interpreting* Convington Bien-Aimé on Rendition of Interpreters and the Level of Understanding of LEP Individuals Ozum Arzik Erzurumlu on Interpreting as Emotional Labor: Exploring the Social Carpet of Conference Interpreting* Helen Eby on Translating and Interpreting: How do they differ? Environments, commonalities and differences, tools and resources, how we can grow as professionals* Barbara Thimm on Writing Through Translation: Applying the Writing Process to Translating Literature Mireya Pérezon Unleashing the Power of Personal Branding for Language Professionals Jasarah Burgos on Bridging Language Barriers: Enhancing Family and Community Engagement through Language Access Regina Zaragoza Frey and Alexandra Fortich on Language Access: Public Schools Leading the Way for Municipalities Ross Perlin, author of Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York Moreover, the conference provides ample opportunities for attendees to interact face-to-face with industry leaders, fostering the development of valuable professional connections and relationships. Whether you’re looking to expand your business contacts, stay abreast of emerging trends, or simply connect with like-minded professionals, this event offers a conducive environment for growth and collaboration. Notably, the conference has received accreditation for continuing education credits from reputable organizations such as the American Translators Association and the Massachusetts Trial Court Office of Language Access. Sessions approved by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters offer additional credits, highlighting the event’s commitment to providing high-quality educational content. As the translation and interpreting landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and connected is essential for professionals seeking to thrive in the industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to join us at the NETA Conference 2024 and take your career to new heights. Don’t miss this opportunity to interact face-to-face with the most active and committed Translation and Interpreting professionals in New England, allowing you to expand your business contacts, stay updated on new developments in the field, and develop lasting professional relationships. Mark your calendars and secure your spot today for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration." #metaglossia_mundus
"The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, 1-3 May, under the title "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity". (Panel Session 5) 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue Production Date 02 May 2024 Summary The 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, 1-3 May, under the title "Dialogue for Peace and Global Security: Cooperation and Interconnectivity". Description "Social Media: building bridges or walls between people and cultures?" Key-note speaker: Ahmad Ismayilov · Chief Executive Officer at Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) Moderator: Ms. Shafag Mehraliyeva, Communication and Media specialist at ADA University Panelists: ● Dr. Lhoucine Rhazoui, Director of Cultural Affairs Department of Organization of Islamic Cooperation ● Mr. Fernando Lottenberg, Organization of American States' Commissioner to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism ● Amb. Sohail Mahmood, the Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) ● Mr. Bryan J. Mayer – Advisor to the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Argentina ● Mr. Alexandru Giboi – Secretary General of the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) and lecturer on International Strategic Management & Crisis Management at the Università della Svizzera Italiana" #metaglossia_mundus
"Writing Five SOA Alumni Longlisted for PEN Literary Awards PEN America has released the 2024 PEN literary awards longlist, which includes work by five School of the Arts alumni. The organization annually bestows over $350,000 in cash prizes to writers and translators. PEN America has released the 2024 PEN literary awards longlist, which includes work by five School of the Arts alumni. The organization annually bestows over $350,000 in cash prizes to writers and translators. “Our Awards are juried by panels of esteemed, award-winning authors, editors, translators, and critics,” a statement by PEN America reads. “These authors are committed to recognizing their contemporaries, from promising debut writers to those who have had a continuous, lasting impact on the literary landscape.” Adjunct Assistant Professor and Writing alumna Catherine Lacey ’10 was nominated for the PEN/Jean Stein book award, granted to book-length works of any genre based on their impact, merit, and originality. The prize promises a $75,000 award and will be judged this year by Álvaro Enrigue, Lupita Aquino, Michael Schaub, and Tess Taylor. Lacey has been nominated for her genre-bending work, Biography of X (FSG, 2022), which follows the narrator, CM, as she tries to piece together a biography of her late widow, the esteemed yet elusive X. Writing alumni Jinwoo Chong ’21 and Javier Fuentes ’14 were nominated for the PEN/Hemingway award for debut novel, conferred to a debut novel of “exceptional literary merit.” The $10,000 prize will be judged by Cleyvis Natera, Charlie Vázquez, and Elizabeth Crane this year. Chong has been nominated for his novel, Flux (Melville House, 2023), a melange of speculative fiction and crime noir following the timelines of three characters. Fuentes was nominated for his book, Countries of Origin (Pantheon Books, 2023), the story of an undocumented New York pastry chef who is forced to return to Spain to avoid deportation and his subsequent love affair with a young, rich man he meets on the flight back. Mary Jo Bang ’98 has been nominated for the PEN/Voelcker Award for poetry collection. The recipient will be awarded $5,000. This year’s judges are Diane Seuss, Natalie Scenters-Zapico, Rigoberto González, Deborah Fleming, and Writing Professor Timothy Donnelly ’98. Bang has been nominated for her collection, A Film In Which I Play Everyone (Graywolf Press, 2023), a collection in which the speaker is simultaneously herself and everyone she’s ever met. Theatre alumna Virlana Tkacz ’83 has been nominated for the PEN Award for Poetry in Translation. This prize bestows $3,000 on recipients and will be judged by Dorothy Bonett, Matthias Göritz, and Nancy Naomi Carlson. Tkacz has been nominated for her co-translation, with Wanda Phipps, of How Fire Descends by Serhiy Zhadan (Yale University Press, 2023) from the original Ukrainian. This collection recounts the Ukrainian struggle against Russian oppression, honoring both living and dead. As of April 23, 2024, PEN America has canceled its awards ceremony due to the withdrawal of over half of this year’s nominees––a list which includes Lacey, who is among nine out of ten nominees who have declined the Jean Stein book award––citing PEN America’s lack of response to the war in Gaza. Jean Stein, the writer after whom the Jean Stein Award was named and whose foundation supplies the hefty $75,000 award, was a “passionate advocate for Palestinian rights.” The funding agency has requested that PEN donate the unawarded $75,000 to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Many of those who withdrew or declined awards described the organization’s “failure to protect” Palestinian writers in Gaza. PEN’s stance has been widely disparaged by members of the literary community, who have drafted an open letter calling for the resignation of the organization’s CEO, Suzanne Nossel as well as the president, Jennifer Finney Boylan, and the entire executive committee. “We respect their decision and we will celebrate these writers in other ways,” said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, a PEN literary programming supervisor. " #metaglossia_mundus
"Fri, April 26, 2024 at 3:26 p.m. GMT+1·4 min read The innovative AI-powered mobile calling app further boasts real-time speech translation capabilities, empowering users to call globally like a local in their native languages. SAN JOSE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 26, 2024 / AI Phone, the leading generative AI-powered mobile application for enhanced phone calls, today announced a major update that expands its real-time phone translation capabilities to 91 languages and dialects, far surpassing other solutions on the market. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S24's Live Translate for phone calls supports only 13 languages upon release. Additionally, AI Phone's speech-to-text feature now supports 133 languages. It also excels in recognizing dialects for phone voice recognition, supporting up to 14 dialects of Arabic, 22 dialects of Spanish, and 15 English dialects and accents. This significant advancement empowers users to overcome language barriers and connect seamlessly worldwide, fostering a more inclusive and globalized communication experience. By fine-tuning LLM for phone call scenarios and contexts, the translation accuracy has reached 98%, far surpassing that of ordinary text translation techniques. AI Phone app is available on the App Store and Google Play. Learn more about AI Phone's suite of features and unlock a world of effortless communication at aiphone.ai. Bridging the Gap: Effortless Communication Across Languages As the first app to truly apply AI large models to the field of real-time phone translation, AI Phone leverages the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize phone calls. The app provides a comprehensive suite of features, including real-time call translation in both texts and speech, live call captioning, AI-powered call summaries, and comprehensive transcriptions. This recent update focuses on real-time translation, removing the frustration of language barriers for a wider range of users. "We are thrilled to expand our real-time call translation capabilities to more languages," said Rachel Davis, Senior Public Relations and Communication Manager at AI Phone. "This update reflects our commitment to making communication accessible and fostering connections across borders. Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter, a business professional navigating international partnerships, or someone simply wanting to connect with loved ones who speak another language, AI Phone empowers you to have clear and effortless conversations." Addressing Communication Challenges in Diverse Scenarios AI Phone's real-time translation addresses communication challenges in a variety of scenarios: Global Travel: Effortlessly navigate conversations with locals, ask for directions, or order food with confidence, regardless of the language spoken. Cross-Border Business Trips: Facilitate smooth communication during conference calls, or casual conversations with international colleagues. Multinational Company Collaboration: Bridge communication gaps within diverse teams, fostering a more inclusive and productive work environment. Non-Native Speakers: Stay connected with family and friends who speak a different language, or confidently conduct business calls in your non-native tongue. International students can also benefit by overcoming language hurdles while adapting to a new environment. Why Choose AI Phone? AI Phone prioritizes user experience. The app boasts a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users of all technical backgrounds to access its powerful features. With a few taps, you can activate real-time translation and enjoy seamless communication across language barriers. AI Phone also stands out with its unique combination of features and benefits: Cost-Effective: Affordable subscription plans make AI Phone's powerful features accessible to everyone. Compared to traditional human interpretation solutions, it saves over 99% of the cost. Multi-System Compatibility: The app seamlessly integrates with both iOS and Android devices, ensuring everyone has access to this innovative technology. All-in-One Functionality: Eliminate the need to juggle multiple apps or devices. AI Phone provides a comprehensive suite of features within one user-friendly platform. The Future of Telephone Communication AI Phone represents the future of phone calls. By harnessing the power of AI, the app transforms traditional phone calls into a more inclusive and efficient communication tool. "We are dedicated to continuous development, adding even more languages in the future, and exploring new ways to leverage AI to enhance the phone call experience for everyone," Rachel Davis added. Experience the future of communication by downloading AI Phone for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Visit aiphone.ai for more information. About AI Phone AI Phone is a generative AI-powered mobile application that empowers users to have clear and effortless phone calls through a suite of AI-powered features, including real-time call translation, call transcriptions with highlighted notes, and AI call summaries. AI Phone is committed to making communication smarter and fostering connections across borders. For more information, please visit aiphone.ai. Media Contact Company: AI Phone Contact name: Rachel Davis Email: press@aiphone.ai Website: aiphone.ai City and Country: San Jose, USA +1(408)905-8123 SOURCE: AI Phone" #metaglossia_mundus
"Literary translator and critic Vitaly Chernetsky and Ukrainian poet and translator Iryna Shuvalova have won the American Association for Ukrainian Studies (AAUS) Translation Prize for their translation of “The Winter King”, a poetry collection by Ostap Slyvynsky. Literary translator and critic Vitaly Chernetsky and Ukrainian poet and translator Iryna Shuvalova have won the American Association for Ukrainian Studies (AAUS) Translation Prize for their translation of “The Winter King”, a poetry collection by Ostap Slyvynsky, as announced by the author on his Facebook page. “They say Vitaly Chernetsky and Iryna Shuvalova have just received the AAUS Translation Prize for their translation of this book. Congratulations to both of them!” Ostap Slyvynsky wrote. Oksana Maksymchuk, jury member, translator and 2023 AAUS laureate said that the jury described the translations by Vitaly Chernetsky and Iryna Shuvalova as “balanced and musical interpretations of skillfully crafted originals. Delicate and detailed, they possess a wonderful balance between accuracy of interpretation and poetic virtuosity.” The jury has also honoured the anthology “Babyn Yar: Ukrainian Poets Respond” by John Hennessy and Ostap Kin. “This book is powerful, fascinating. Elegant and convincing translations bring to life the diverse and heterogeneous voices, conveying their roughness and dark intensity,” the jury noted. “The Winter King” is a poetry collection by Ostap Slyvynsky published in Ukraine in 2018. Vitaly Chernetsky and Iryna Shuvalova translated it for a contemporary Ukrainian poetry series by Lost Horse Press. Vitaly Chernetsky is an American Slavic scholar, literary critic, and translator of Ukrainian literature into English. Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Kansas. Iryna Shuvalova is a poet and researcher from Kyiv, Ukraine, residing in Oslo. She is the author of five award-winning poetry collections. American Association for Ukrainian Studies, AAUS, is an educational organization founded in 1989 to share knowledge about Ukraine, popularizing Ukrainian studies, creating resources for building the scientific advancement of its members, and making the organization’s intellectual resources available to the media and the public. The members of the organization are scholars, doctoral studies students, and undergraduates, primarily from the United States and Canada, as well as individual members from Europe, including Ukraine. The Association is affiliated with the International Association of Ukrainian Studies, the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), and the Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN). Translation: Iryna Saviuk Copy editing: Jared Goyette" #metaglossia_mundus
"‘Shōgun’ is a refreshing reminder that in a time where the power of the ‘one-inch tall barrier’ still seems distastefully under contention, sometimes you need to revive the literal Tokugawa Shōgunate to bridge the cumbersome gap between worlds April 26, 2024 11:27 am | Updated 04:37 pm IST A still from ‘Shōgun’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement In its grand finale, FX’s captivating rendition of James Clavell’s historical epic Shōgun gracefully bows out with a rendezvous with mortality. “Please split your belly open by sunset,” and “Have a good death” echo some of what we hear with the casualness of a tea sip. Yet, to truly grasp the weight of seppuku’s socio-historical significance, honour the richness of its source material, and deftly navigate the intricacies of translation, the series stands alone in its unparalleled achievement. Shōgun employs a three-pronged approach, replete with cross-cultural exchanges, verbal fencing, and the delicate dance of understanding in an era poised on the precipice of profound change..." #metaglossia_mundus
"As ‘Shōgun’s interpreter between cultures, producer Eriko Miyagawa had to consider everything from Sengoku-period accuracy to the nuances of euphemisms for sex. APR. 26, 2024 Interpreting Shōgun Was More Than Just Translation Yes, Shōgun producer Eriko Miyagawa has seen your memes. Photo: FX Shōgun is a show about fate. About cross-cultural differences, statecraft, chaos, about war never changing, and about getting my ship the Erasmus back. But most importantly, it’s a show about communication. Court etiquette of the Sengoku era, as well as the gender politics of the time, mean a lot of things cannot be said explicitly. Even if you speak the same language as someone, you can never fully know them, and yet you all have to work together toward a common goal. The making of Shōgun mirrored these themes in many ways. As a cross-cultural production — shot in Canada, produced by Hollywood, filled with Japanese actors — interpretation was key. Enter Eriko Miyagawa. The producer worked closely with lead actor/producer Hiroyuki Sanada to ensure the show was accurate to period Edo yet still relatable to modern Tokyo. From consulting on translating English scripts for Japanese actors, to translating the show’s press kit, to serving as interpreter for multiple interviews with Vulture, she wore many hats and was gracious enough to answer all our questions about how Shōgun was interpreted from English book to Sengoku Japan and back. Can you start by telling me some of the things that you did as a producer on Shōgun and how that differed from previous experiences in which you were just consulting? I think the main difference is the sheer volume. I’ve done all sorts of things. I started as an on-set interpreter. My first job was Kill Bill. Since then, I’ve been servicing mostly American shows with Japanese elements. But when the volume is so big and comprehensive, like Shōgun, it becomes producing. On this show, Hiro and myself were brought on as producers from the get-go. We had access to the entire process; we were able to give input on all the different aspects of the show. That was quite different. A lot of times on other shows there will be an American producer overseeing the show. I’ll consult in this department or we need this bit translated, and they sort of put it together. What was really great about Shōgun is that Hiro and I were able to see the entire process. Nothing fell between the cracks. Tell me about the process of translating scripts into the various languages the show uses. It needed to go through steps of polishing so that what ends up in the show feels authentic to native Japanese audiences. Obviously, James Clavell’s novel was based on rigorous research and passion for Japanese culture. So they had that to work from as a base, but the scripts went through layers of consultations to get it right. Then the American writers, they write the script. Then it goes to a team of Japanese translators in Tokyo. Hiro and I are checking in at different stages. Then it goes to Japanese dialogue polishers, who are experienced with Japanese period shows, to make sure it’s period-appropriate and feels natural for a human being to be speaking. Because you know, it happens a lot in dubbing, when dialogue is pretty much directly translated from another language and it just sounds like something that’s been translated. So we wanted to make sure it felt natural. What’s great about a TV series is that the actors have the time to be able to really immerse in the world. They have their own opinions and input, so we just kept polishing until the moment we roll. When a script is translated, it’s not just one thing it could be. There are so many different options. There are so many ways to interpret one thing. There is a lot of conversation for every single line. It’s just exhausting. As you were saying, some of the work that the Japanese translators were doing was specifically to keep it rooted in this period accuracy. It’s a work of translation not just into Japanese but into Sengoku-period Japan. Ultimately, if they really speak how they spoke in that time, we wouldn’t understand it. So it’s a fine balance, which takes from a tradition of Japanese jidaigekiThe Japanese term for media set before the Meiji Restoration of 1868.. Every jidaigeki made their own choices, depending on if they wanted to be a little bit more modern versus if they wanted to feel more classic. I think, generally, we went for the classic. But we were very careful because we really wanted a young Japanese audience who may not typically watch jidaigeki to be able to understand and enjoy it without any stress. What’s your professional opinion of Mariko-sama as an interpreter? Was she good, or did she put too much of her own feelings into her translation? [Laughs.] I think she’s a great diplomat. So she’s the best diplomatic interpreter. Toward the end, she sort of infused her opinions a little strongly, but I think she’s just a great interpreter. When working on a translation, how much do you think about the audience as opposed to just trying to accurately represent what the actor is saying? First of all, we try to be as close as possible, to be respectful to the script, and close to the intention of the writers as much as possible. They’re great writers and the text is so loaded with beautiful nuances and a great sense of humor. But there are things that are quite difficult to translate, sometimes. They’re not a natural part of our language or our culture. So it becomes a conversation, how to preserve that in the most realistic way. Also, and I think Anna spoke about this on one of her TV appearances, but Japanese text is longer. So a lot of balls were in the air. Can you tell me more about Japanese text being longer? Especially when you have to be polite — when you’re using the honorific, like when Mariko is talking to Toranaga — it starts to get a little longer. To say thank you, you have to be super polite, and at the end say these honorifics. It just becomes longer. Justin also wanted to be respectful, and he was kind of enjoying that process. I think Justin saw how he could incorporate that in the subtitles. Your bio calls you “bilingual and bicultural,” which I love. Sometimes, like in the case of honorifics, the language barrier isn’t the site of miscommunication, sometimes the cultural barrier can be greater. Totally, and they’re so intertwined. I like to be seen as bicultural. I’m familiar with different filmmaking processes. I’ve never worked on a project without interpreters present on set. That’s sort of my specialty: to work on projects with different cultures and different languages and sort of bridging that and moving things forward. In previous interviews for which you’ve interpreted, the actors talked about how different they found the Shōgun set compared to Japanese productions. Is there anything you think that an American audience would be surprised to know about working in Japan versus working in the West? Yeah, there’s a lot. But I think one of the important things, what Eita said, is that actors are more included in the process [on Shōgun]. I mean, every project is different. But I know that all the Japanese actors who’ve only worked on Japanese shows really appreciated how they’re much more a part of the process than they typically are in Japanese shows. In Japan, there’s no union. So I think working conditions can be a lot tougher. That’s probably one of the big things. And I think there’s a lot longer of a development process, as well as prep time, in Hollywood shows. They allow more time for actors to prepare for the role, training. There’s just more time because there’s more money. I want to get into some specific choices the show made with language that I’m hoping you have insight into. The choice of “pillow” as the euphemism for sex, how did that come about? I think it’s from the book. I think I’ve heard it in Japanese jidaigeki. I think I have too. But it was so insistent on the show. I was like, Wow, we’re just going with “pillow,” okay. It’s a good euphemism. And we talked about this with Eita a little bit, but one of his little poetic flourishes was translated to something like “trying to fuck a sunset.” And I was given to understand there isn’t really a swear word for sex in Japanese, nothing that has the stigma of “fuck.” Yeah. So what was being said there, that felt like “fuck” was what needed for the subtitles? He just says … not even “make love to.” The Japanese euphemism for sex is “to hold tight.” Literally, it means “to hug.” So it’s not really as hard as the English. It’s interesting that there isn’t necessarily a word for that activity that has the same boundary-pushing power in Japanese. Definitely, that was super hard for translators. Who swears the most in our show, other than Blackthorne? Maybe Yabushige? At least that’s what it looks like in translation. Yeah, he does. And what word is being used when people discuss fate on the show? What concept is that? Most of the time the word shukumei is used. That basically means fate. There’s another word called unmei, which is more like destiny. There’s a couple of lines that use unmei because it’s a little bit lighter. In terms of nuance, shukumei is a bit more loaded. Shukumei is a very important concept for this show. I think we use it very selectively, in the right places. I was reading the show’s official glossary, which is so cool that you have, and it says that shukumei is tied into Buddhism. So it’s interesting that even the converts on the show still hold onto that concept. It’s also a part of Shintoism. Buddhism and Shinto are very present. They’re quite seamlessly intertwined with politics. Temples had a lot of power, certain relationships with lords. I think it is a Buddhist concept, but it might have a life of its own at this point. Can you think of a specific time where the translation process was especially nuanced? That made you go, Wow, this really took some time, but we figured it out eventually. Many. But, you know, you kind of forget the hard things. I think one kind of interesting, and a little bit controversial, example could be Ochiba’s line at the end of episode four. She is with Ishido and she, in a very Ochiba, passive-aggressive way, is like “Get things moving.” And at the end, the subtitle says “The council will answer to me.” Something like that. I think originally we had pretty much the direct translation of that line in Japanese, but it felt like she became a Disney villain or something. A Japanese woman of that stature wouldn’t say that, and also it felt a bit out of Ochiba’s character. I mean, that’s what she is really saying, that’s her intention. But she wouldn’t say that. So in Japanese she’s saying, “Let’s hear what they have to say.” Japanese audiences, who are so familiar with these types in jidaigeki, are going to immediately understand that what she means is, “The council will answer to me.” But I think the subtitle needed to get more to the point. That was one of the more difficult choices that we needed to make. There are many of those on a smaller scale, many lines that needed to be deliberated and adjusted. But I thought that was a pretty interesting example of how different it can be. Have you seen the memes where the whole joke is that Mariko is interpreting really asymmetrically? Like Blackthorne says a whole essay, and she translates a single sentence? Yeah, it’s very Lost in Translation. Remember the scene where the commercial director’s telling Bill Murray many things, and then the interpreter goes, “more intensity”? I do, yeah. You worked on Lost in Translation, right? Yeah, but as a PA in prep. I’ll say that, when you’ve been interpreting for me, I’ve been grateful for your concision. I know I yammer. You’re thinking while you’re talking. Also I think sometimes interpreters are diplomats. I’m often involved with hiring and placing interpreters who work on set. Not only do they need to be skilled interpreters, but I think more importantly they need to be a good diplomat and be able to mediate as needed, to move things forward. For better or worse, it’s part of the job. This interview has been edited for length and clarity." #metaglossia_mundus
"Abstract Cultural intelligence is of great importance for effective communication between members of different cultures, but also for the possibility of better adaptation to other cultural environments. Ethnocultural empathy is necessary to better understand the emotions and needs of members of other cultures. Ethnocultural empathy also involves the understanding and effectively communicating with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. This study aimed to assess the intercultural competencies of psychology students in terms of cultural intelligence and ethnocultural empathy. The Cultural Intelligence Scale, with 20 items, and the Ethnocultural Empathy Scale, with 30 items, was used for data collection. As such, participants completed questionnaires that included basic socio-demographic questions and questions corresponding to each item on the scale. The questionnaires were completed in both online and printed form. The sample included 100 psychology students from various universities in Serbia. A detailed statistical analysis was conducted in order to 149 ©Copyright 2024 by the author(s) This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. detect all results elements of importance. A significant correlation was detected between cultural intelligence and ethnocultural empathy. Dimensions of cultural intelligence through which the correlation was manifested were shown to be metacognitive and motivational one. Determination of cultural intelligence and ethnocultural empathy by intercultural competencies were examined. The study demonstrates that proficiency in communicating in other languages is the primary factor predicting both ethnocultural empathy and the influence of exposure to different cultures. The effect of experiencing other cultures on ethnocultural empathy may be partially influenced by one's ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages. This study offered a fresh perspective on a previously researched topic, considering the impact of changing contexts and social structures on its outcomes. It provided insights into how these changes have influenced the subject on a global scale. Practical changes in educational approaches indicated by this study results are needed to help psychology students become more culturally aware and empathetic, which impacts overall cultural diversity development." #metaglossia_mundus
"Across the Worlds of Islam: Muslim Identities, Beliefs, and Practices from Asia to America Edited by IV ( New York : Columbia University Press , 2023 ), 306 pp. Price PB $36.00. EAN 978–0231210652. Extract Ever since the appearance of Cemil Aydin’s monumental book, The Idea of the Muslim World: A Global Intellectual History (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2017), there has been renewed debate about what it means to speak of a singular, homogeneous entity titled ‘The Muslim World’. There are keywords that evoke such a structural symmetry, with religious and cultural, as also social and political overtones, words like umma (the Muslim collectivity), caliphate (the political office) and, of course, Islam itself. Two years before Aydin’s book, there appeared another holistic reprisal of terminology and everyday practice: Shahab Ahmed, What is Islam? The Importance of Being Muslim (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2015). Ahmed argued that there is an underlying unity to Muslim/Islamic identity. It coheres especially in one region, labeled Balkans to Bengal, and in one timespan, 1200–1800. It can best be understood as a convergence of contradictory opposites under the banner of Islam, with Sufism and literature playing as major a role as shariʿa and juridical conformity..." #metaglossia_mundus
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"Around 98% of all research is published in English, posing a serious problem for the global scientific community.
It is often remarked that Spanish should be more widely spoken or understood in the scientific community given its number of speakers around the world, a figure the Instituto Cervantes places at almost 600 million.
However, millions of speakers do not necessarily grant a language strength in academia. This has to be cultivated on a scientific, political and cultural level, with sustained efforts from many institutions and specialists.
The scientific community should communicate in as many languages as possible
By some estimates, as much as 98% of the world’s scientific research is published in English, while only around 18% of the world’s population speaks it. This makes it essential to publish in other languages if we are to bring scientific research to society at large.
The value of multilingualism in science has been highlighted by numerous high profile organisations, with public declarations and statements on the matter from the European Charter for Researchers, the Helsinki Initiative on Multiligualism, the Unesco Recommendation on Open Science, the OPERAS Multiligualism White Paper, the Latin American Forum on Research Assessment, the COARA Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment, and the Declaration of the 5th Meeting of Minsters and Scientific Authorities of Ibero-American Countries. These organisations all agree on one thing: all languages have value in scientific communication.Get news that’s free, independent and based on evidence.
As the last of these declarations points out, locally, regionally and nationally relevant research is constantly being published in languages other than English. This research has an economic, social and cultural impact on its surrounding environment, as when scientific knowledge is disseminated it filters through to non-academic professionals, thus creating a broader culture of knowledge sharing.
Greater diversity also enables fluid dialogue among academics who share the same language, or who speak and understand multiple languages. In Ibero-America, for example, Spanish and Portuguese can often be mutually understood by non-native speakers, allowing them to share the scientific stage. The same happens in Spain with the majority of its co-official languages.
Read more: Non-native English speaking scientists work much harder just to keep up, global research reveals
No hierarchies, no categories
Too often, scientific research in any language other than English is automatically seen as second tier, with little consideration for the quality of the work itself.
This harmful prejudice ignores the work of those involved, especially in the humanities and social sciences. It also profoundly undermines the global academic community’s ability to share knowledge with society.
By defending and preserving multilingualism, the scientific community brings research closer to those who need it. Failing to pursue this aim means that academia cannot develop or expand its audience. We have to work carefully, systematically and consistently in every language available to us.
Read more: Prestigious journals make it hard for scientists who don't speak English to get published. And we all lose out
The logistics of strengthening linguistic diversity in science
Making a language stronger in academia is a complex process. It does not happen spontaneously, and requires careful coordination and planning. Efforts have to come from public and private institutions, the media, and other cultural outlets, as well as from politicians, science diplomacy, and researchers themselves.
Many of these elements have to work in harmony, as demonstrated by the Spanish National Research Council’s work in ES CIENCIA, a project which seeks to unite scientific and and political efforts.
Academic publishing and AI models: a new challenge
The global academic environment is changing as a result the digital transition and new models of open access. Research into publishers of scientific content in other languages will be essential to understanding this shift. One thing is clear though: making scientific content produced in a particular language visible and searchable online is crucial to ensuring its strength.
In the case of academic books, the transition to open access has barely begun, especially in the commercial publishing sector, which releases around 80% of scientific books in Spain. As with online publishing, a clear understanding will make it possible to design policies and models that account for the different ways of disseminating scientific research, including those that communicate locally and in other languages. Greater linguistic diversity in book publishing can also allow us to properly recognise the work done by publishers in sharing research among non-English speakers.
Making publications, datasets, and other non-linguistic research results easy to find is another vital element, which requires both scientific and technical support. The same applies to expanding the corpus of scientific literature in Spanish and other languages, especially since this feeds into generative artificial intelligence models.
If linguistically diverse scientific content is not incorporated into AI systems, they will spread information that is incomplete, biased or misleading: a recent Spanish government report on the state of Spanish and co-official languages points out that 90% of the text currently fed into AI is written in English.
Deep study of terminology is essential
Research into terminology is of the utmost importance in preventing the use of improvised, imprecise language or unintelligible jargon. It can also bring huge benefits for the quality of both human and machine translations, specialised language teaching, and the indexing and organisation of large volumes of documents.
Terminology work in Spanish is being carried out today thanks to the processing of large language corpuses by AI and researchers in the TeresIA project, a joint effort coordinated by the Spanish National Research Council. However, 15 years of ups and downs were needed to to get such a project off the ground in Spanish.
The Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia, on the other hand, have worked intensively and systematically on their respective languages. They have not only tackled terminology as a public language policy issue, but have also been committed to established terminology projects for a long time.
Multiligualism is a global issue
This need for broader diversity also applies to Ibero-America as a whole, where efforts are being coordinated to promote Spanish and Portuguese in academia, notably by the Ibero-American General Secretariat and the Mexican National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies.
While this is sorely needed, we cannot promote the region’s two most widely spoken languages and also ignore its diversity of indigenous and co-official languages. These are also involved in the production of knowledge, and are a vehicle for the transfer of scientific information, as demonstrated by efforts in Spain.
Each country has its own unique role to play in promoting greater linguistic diversity in scientific communication. If this can be achieved, the strength of Iberian languages – and all languages, for that matter – in academia will not be at the mercy of well intentioned but sporadic efforts. It will, instead, be the result of the scientific community’s commitment to a culture of knowledge sharing.
This article was originally published in Spanish"
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