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Medical interpreter program removes language barrier for Latino community by: Tearsa Smith Posted: Aug 12, 2024 / 12:45 PM EDT Updated: Aug 13, 2024 / 07:38 AM EDT KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Many of us take for granted the ability to talk with our health care provider but for many of our neighbors there is a language barrier to receiving adequate care. A program is looking to decrease health care disparities in the Latino community by opening the lines of communication. “So we, we thought, you know, we have a lot of people who are bilingual, not even bilingual, but multilingual. We have a lot of people who speak dialects. How do we get them in these positions where they’re able to make the healthcare landscape look more equitable? And so when we started thinking about that, we thought, okay, well, there’s a lot of people who want to go into higher education and they want to go into the medical field. Let’s get them started as medical interpreters, give them the training that they need,” Dalia Rodriguez-Rojo, Centro Hispano’s Medical Interpreter Program Coordinator, said. Centro Hispano’s Medical Interpreter Training Program is on its third cohort of aspiring medical interpreters. It started as a partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but now they have expanded to five local medical centers. “Having someone that’s there who can advocate for you and let your provider know, ‘hey, this is what the patient is saying. This is what the patient needs.’ It really puts the patient back in control of their own healthcare,” said Rodriguez-Rojo. The program helps fill the gap for a growing Hispanic population. “Because we’re here for them, you know, obviously we’re there for the doctor as well, for him to be able to give the message, but most likely we’re mostly there for our patients — because we don’t want them to feel left out, or, you know less, because they cannot communicate,” said Daniella Lopez who is training with the program. Aspiring medical interpreters like Lopez and fellow student, Erika Tomas, attend workshops, role-playing scenarios, learn medical vocabulary and will undergo a practicum. “I think it’s very important to build that kind of relationship with our community, that they can trust us in interpreting for them, because there is a scarcity in interpreters, and for me, knowing three languages, it’s very important to be able to use the skills that I was given to help others,” said Tomas. “It’s a common misconception that if you’re bilingual, you can be a medical interpreter. It’s a lot more than that. You need to know the terminology. You need to know the ethics behind it. A lot of people think, ‘okay, if I speak Spanish, if I speak a third language, you know, I can be a great medical interpreter,’ but that’s not the case,” said Rodriguez-Rojo. The interpreter training program is on its third cohort and their soon to be new jobs are in high demand. According to Centro Hispano, “applicants should be fully bilingual in speaking English and Spanish (speakers of indigenous Mayan dialects are encouraged to contact Centro to discuss possibilities) and will need to complete a language fluency evaluation prior to full acceptance into the program. Applicants should also be of Latino descent, over the age of 18, and have a high school diploma or GED/hiset. Interpreters in training will need to commit significant evening hours (approximately 10-12 per week) to study and class time through the summer and will need to have access to reliable transportation.” For more information, please contact Dalia Rodriguez-Rojo at interpreter@centrohispanotn.org.
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
«Elle enjoint son amie de venir»: attention à la faute grammaticale ! Par Le Figaro C’est une faute à laquelle n'échappent même les plus aguerris de la plume Le verbe «enjoindre» est un véritable piège quand il s’agit de l’employer. La rédaction revient sur son bon usage. «Le parlement enjoint Emmanuel Macron d’agir», «la justice enjoint la France d’accélérer les choses», «“ne cédons rien à la division”, enjoint le président de la République»... L’air de rien, ces phrases cachent pourtant une mauvaise construction avec l’emploi du verbe «enjoindre» en l’absence de préposition. Cela n’a pas échappé à l’œil acéré de Bruno Dewaele, ancien champion du monde d’orthographe et spécialiste de la langue française, qui l’a relevée. Ce dernier a consacré deux billets à l’usage du verbe «enjoindre», ce qui témoigne bien de la difficulté de son emploi. «Je crois que les dictionnaires ne nous rendent pas service dans la mesure où leur définition peut être juste équivoque sur la construction et prennent des exemples qui peuvent être ambigus», explique ce dernier au Figaro. Dans le Petit Robert, le verbe «enjoindre» - présenté comme synonyme des verbes «imposer», «intimer», «prescrire» ou encore «sommer» - est indiqué comme un verbe transitif, c’est-à-dire accompagné d’un complément d’objet : «L’Église enjoint l’abstinence pendant le Carême.» Mais, comme le rappelle Bruno Dewaele, «le sens d’un mot n’a rien à voir avec la façon dont il se construit». Car si «enjoindre» est synonyme de «sommer», il ne se construit pas comme ce dernier ! «Il y a une distorsion entre la sémantique et la signification, comme le verbe pallier qui est défini dans les dictionnaires par l'expression “remédier à” mais qui ne se construit pas comme tel car on ne pallie pas à quelque chose mais on pallie quelque chose», explique Bruno Dewaele. Et d'ajouter : «Évidemment avec cette confusion, l'usager est tenté de construire le verbe de la même manière.» À lire aussiSaurez-vous parfaitement orthographier ces dix mots ? Mais on ne sait s’il s’agit d’un verbe transitif direct («il enjoint quelqu’un») ou indirect (avec un complément d’objet indirect, «il enjoint à quelqu’un»). Le Petit Robert indique simplement qu’on «enjoint (quelque chose) à quelqu’un» et non l’inverse. Il propose des exemples peu clairs tels que «ce que l’honneur lui enjoint de faire» ou «il m’envoie au tableau noir et m’enjoint de tracer un cercle». Les pronoms sont en effet de la première et deuxième personne, cela ne nous dit pas s’ils sont COD ou COI. Comment s’y retrouver ? L’Académie française est formelle : «Enjoindre est un verbe transitif indirect et doit être construit comme tel». Ainsi, on ne dit pas «je l’ai enjoint de venir» mais «je lui ai enjoint de venir». De même, il est incorrect de dire «ils enjoignent Pierre de les aider», mais il serait plus exact d’écrire «ils enjoignent à Pierre de les aider». «Quand le complément d’un verbe transitif indirect est un nom, il est généralement introduit par la préposition à, mais si on substitue un pronom à ce nom, la préposition disparaît», expliquent les Sages dans leur rubrique Dire, ne pas dire. Pour mieux s’y retrouver, il faudrait penser aux verbes «ordonner (à)» ou «imposer (à)» - et non à «sommer (de)» ou «intimer (de)» - pour avoir la bonne construction grammaticale pour le verbe «enjoindre». #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.lefigaro.fr/langue-francaise/elle-enjoint-son-amie-de-venir-attention-a-la-faute-grammaticale-20240910
Où l’on reparle d’insécurité linguistique Diffusion du 10 septembre 2024 Du lundi au vendredi à 6h57, 14h56 et 18h57. Le samedi de 10h à 11h. De Olivier Glain France Bleu Saint-Étienne Loire De Mardi 10 septembre 2024 à 6:57 - Mis à jour le mardi 10 septembre 2024 à 14:56 Par Insécurité linguistique : quand on stigmatise les langues régionales. Stéphanois, gaga, vos mots sont précieux ! Insécurité linguistique : le gaga parfois stigmatisé. L’insécurité linguistique liée aux patois et accents régionaux, comme le stéphanois, est encore bien présente. Les locuteurs se sentent parfois dévalorisés face à un français dit "standard" perçu comme plus prestigieux, souvent renforcé par des jugements entendus dès l’école. Pourtant, il n’y a pas un seul français, mais des variations tout aussi légitimes. L’insécurité linguistique : une conséquence des jugements scolaires Les patois régionaux, comme le gaga, sont souvent relégués au rang de "mauvais français", un jugement renforcé dès l’enfance, notamment à l’école. Beaucoup de Stéphanois ont ainsi entendu que leurs mots, comme « gandous » pour « éboueurs » ou « être en caisse » pour « être en arrêt maladie », n’étaient pas considérés comme du "vrai français". Cette idéologie de la langue unique stigmatise ces expressions locales et place leurs locuteurs en position d’insécurité linguistique, où ils se sentent obligés de changer leur façon de parler pour se conformer à une norme perçue comme plus prestigieuse. Stéphanois et fiers de l’être : la diversité linguistique existe Malgré ces jugements, la réalité est tout autre. Le français n’est pas une langue uniforme, mais un ensemble de variétés régionales qui reflètent la richesse de notre culture. Le français régional stéphanois, avec son accent et ses expressions, est une forme légitime du français, au même titre que toute autre. En revendiquant leur façon de parler, les locuteurs de français régional défendent une langue vivante et riche, loin des préjugés. Les locuteurs de français régional, comme le stéphanois, souffrent encore d’insécurité linguistique, une conséquence de jugements tenaces. Mais ce français-là est tout aussi légitime. Olivier Glain #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.francebleu.fr/emissions/completement-gaga-des-parlers-d-ici/ou-l-on-reparle-d-insecurite-linguistique-7160750
Publié le 10 Septembre 2024 par Marc Escola (Source : Rezzik Mohamed)
Le numéro 01 du volume 08 de la revue Langues, discours et inter cultures vient de paraitre sous le titre La Bande dessinée et la littérature. Quelles limites et quelles représentations ? Le dossier thématique a été coordonné par Dr REZZIK Mohamed de l'Université d'Alger 2. Les auteurs qui y ont contribué ont tenté de répondre à la problématique initiale qui consiste à savoir dans quelle mesure peut-on considérer la bande dessinée comme une expression littéraire. Sommaire Nouvelles voix de la BD algérienne Vicente Esmeralda , Date de réception: 02-08-2024 Date de publication: 31-08-2024 pages 9-25. De la nouvelle à la bande dessinée, La Légende de Saint Julien L'hospitalier de Luc Duthil d’après Flaubert : une étude sur la nature, ses espaces et ses jardins Seddaoui Fatima , Date de réception: 23-09-2023 Date de publication: 31-08-2024 pages 26-43. Combler les fossés : Maus, un outil littéraire et pédagogique pour comprendre l'Holocauste Fernandes Ana , Date de réception: 26-07-2024 Date de publication: 31-08-2024 pages 44-72. Pour une adaptation en bande dessinée, Colomba de Mérimée (Enjeux et limites de l’écriture graphique ) Seddaoui Fatima , Date de réception: 11-09-2023 Date de publication: 31-08-2024 pages 73-89. La manipulation par l'image : démarche de traitement de l’information véhiculée par l’image Mzoughi Hajer , Date de réception: 10-10-2023 Date de publication: 31-08-2024 pages 91-107. Acta fabula Autres ouvrages en attente de rédacteur parutions récentes - XVIIe siècle 2024, n° 304 : "Amelot de La Houssaye, un médiateur au Grand Siècle"
- Nouvelle revue d'esthétique, n°32 : "Bernard Teyssèdre"
- Europe, n° 1141 : "Alfred de Musset" (mai 2024)
- Revue de Littérature Comparée, 2024 n°1 varia et n°2 : "Littératures extra-européennes et littérature comparée. Une réflexion critique" (coord. Elise Duclos & Claudine Le Blanc)
- The Balzac Review / Revue Balzac 2024, n° 7 : "L’analogie/Analogy"
- Rubriques, n° 1 : "Figures et Images. De la figura antique aux théories contemporaines ?" (Benoît Tane, dir.)
- Ligature. Revue critique du livre d'artiste, n° 28 : ""Livre d'artiste & septième art"
- Bulletin de la Société Paul Claudel 2024-2, n° 243 : "L’Apocalypse hier et demain"
- Mélusine numérique, hors-série : "Almanach du siècle surréaliste" (H. Béhar, dir.)
- Revue française d'histoire du livre, n° 145 (2024)
#metaglossia_mundus: https://www.fabula.org/actualites/122429/langues-discours-et-inter-cultures.html
One month after a judge declared Google's search engine an illegal monopoly, the tech giant faces another antitrust lawsuit that could break up the company. MATTHEW BARAKAT | The Associated Press Mon, September 9th 2024 at 2:24 PM Updated Tue, September 10th 2024 at 10:46 PM ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — One month after a judge declared Google's search engine an illegal mono Google slapped with new antitrust suit, could dismantle company (TND) The regulators contend that Google built, acquired and maintains a monopoly over the technology that matches online publishers to advertisers. Dominance over the software on both the buy side and the sell side of the transaction enables Google to keep as much as 36 cents on the dollar when it brokers sales between publishers and advertisers, the government contends in court papers. They allege that Google also controls the ad exchange market, which matches the buy side to the sell side. “One monopoly is bad enough. But a trifecta of monopolies is what we have here,” Justice Department lawyer Julia Tarver Wood said during her opening statement. Google says the government's case is based on an internet of yesteryear, when desktop computers ruled and internet users carefully typed precise World Wide Web addresses into URL fields. Advertisers now are more likely to turn to social media companies like TikTok or streaming TV services like Peacock to reach audiences. In her opening statement, Google lawyer Karen Dunn likened the government's case to a "time capsule with with a Blackberry, an iPod and a Blockbuster video card.” Dunn said Supreme Court precedents warn judges about “the serious risk of error or unintended consequences” when dealing with rapidly emerging technology and considering whether antitrust law requires intervention. She also warned that any action taken against Google won't benefit small businesses but will simply allow other tech behemoths like Amazon, Microsoft and TikTok to fill the void. According to Google's annual reports, revenue has actually declined in recent years for Google Networks, the division of the Mountain View, California-based tech giant that includes such services as AdSense and Google Ad Manager that are at the heart of the case, from $31.7 billion in 2021 to $31.3 billion in 2023. FILE - The Google app icon is seen on a smartphone, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Marple Township, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) The trial that began Monday in Alexandria, Virginia, over the alleged ad tech monopoly was initially going to be a jury trial, but Google maneuvered to force a bench trial, writing a check to the federal government for more than $2 million to moot the only claim brought by the government that required a jury. The case will now be decided by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema, who was appointed to the bench by former President Bill Clinton and is best known for high-profile terrorism trials including that of Sept. 11 defendant Zacarias Moussaoui. Brinkema, though, also has experience with highly technical civil trials, working in a courthouse that sees an outsize number of patent infringement cases. The Virginia case comes on the heels of a major defeat for Google over its search engine, which generates the majority of the company's $307 billion in annual revenue. A judge in the District of Columbia declared the search engine a monopoly, maintained in part by tens of billions of dollars Google pays each year to companies like Apple to lock in Google as the default search engine presented to consumers when they buy iPhones and other gadgets. And in December, a judge declared Google's Android app store a monopoly in a case brought by a private gaming company. In the search engine case, the judge has not yet imposed any remedies. The government hasn't offered its proposed sanctions, though there could be close scrutiny over whether Google should be allowed to continue to make exclusivity deals that ensure its search engine is consumers' default option. Peter Cohan, a professor of management practice at Babson College, said the Virginia case could potentially be more harmful to Google because the obvious remedy would be requiring it to sell off parts of its ad tech business that generate billions of dollars in annual revenue. “Divestitures are definitely a possible remedy for this second case,” Cohan said “It could be potentially more significant than initially meets the eye.” In the Virginia trial, the government's witnesses are expected to include executives from newspaper publishers including The New York Times Co. and online news sites that the government contends have faced particular harm from Google's practices. “Google extracted extraordinary fees at the expense of the website publishers who make the open internet vibrant and valuable,” government lawyers wrote in court papers. “As publishers generate less money from selling their advertising inventory, publishers are pushed to put more ads on their websites, to put more content behind costly paywalls, or to cease business altogether.” The government's first witness was Tim Wolfe, an executive with Gannett Co., a newspaper chain that publishes USA Today as its flagship. Wolfe said Gannett feels like it has no choice but to continue to use Google's ad tech products, even thought the company keeps 20 cents on the dollar from every ad purchase, not even accounting for what it takes from the advertisers. He said Gannett simply can't give up access to the huge stable of advertisers that Google brings to the ad exchange. On cross-examination, Wolfe acknowledged that despite Google's supposed monopoly, Gannett was able to work other competitors to sell its available inventory to advertisers. The government's case also attempts to use the words of Google's own employees against them. In openings, Justice Department lawyers cited an email sent by a Google employee wondering whether Google's control of the technology on all three sides presented “a deeper issue” to consider. “The analogy would be if Goldman or Citibank owned the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange),” wrote the employee Jonathan Bellack. Google disputes that it charges excessive fees compared to its competitors. The company also asserts the integration of its technology on the buy side, sell side and in the middle assures ads and web pages load quickly and enhance security. And it says customers have options to work with outside ad exchanges. Google says the government's case is improperly focused on display ads and banner ads that load on web pages accessed through a desktop computer and fails to take into account consumers' migration to mobile apps and the boom in ads placed on social media sites over the last 15 years. The government's case “focuses on a limited type of advertising viewed on a narrow subset of websites when user attention migrated elsewhere years ago,” Google's lawyers wrote in a pretrial filing. “The last year users spent more time accessing websites on the ‘open web,’ rather than on social media, videos, or apps, was 2012.” #metaglossia_mundus
"A South Korean woman learns a tribal language and translates the Bible for a remote Indonesian village Date 08/29/2024 Myo-Sook Sohn holding a Central Auyu BiblePhoto by Jack Gandy of Mission Aviation Fellowship PAUL BUTLER, HOST: Today is Thursday, August 29th. Thank you for turning to WORLD Radio to help start your day. Good morning. I’m Paul Butler. MYRNA BROWN, HOST: And I’m Myrna Brown. Coming next on The World and Everything in It: reading God’s word for the first time. WORLD Reporter Travis Kircher comes now with a story of how one woman invested more than 20 years of her life to make that happen for others. AUDIO: [Drums and chanting] TRAVIS KIRCHER: In the village of Kotiak, on the south coast of the Indonesian island of Papua, a celebration is taking place. It’s May and the villagers have come together to mark an important event. Mission Aviation Fellowship pilot Jack Gandy captured this audio. JACK GANDY: The first day, there was, I mean, just dancing. Drums, people in traditional dress. The villagers are celebrating the dedication of the Central Auyu Bible – the first Bible translated into their native language. GANDY: We’d flown in the Bibles, I think, the week before. It was basically three or four flights, full of Bibles. The woman responsible for the translation isn’t from Papua. She was born more than 4,000 miles away in South Korea. SOHN: I was born in non-Christian family. Myo-Sook Sohn was born in the city of Miryang in 1964 to a family of Bhuddists. When she was a little girl, she visited a local church at Christmas to get a present. There, she learned about Christ. SOHN: So, one Sunday service, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. At the age of 10. Her family wasn’t pleased with her decision. SOHN: When I became a Christian, my parents did not allow me to go to the church service. But I pray to God by myself. She later moved to an apartment in the town of Daegu. Her landlord was a Christian and took her to a local church. After hearing a missionary speak at a special service, she felt called to the mission field. SOHN: At that time, it looks like very good to do the missionary job. Because Jesus loves us. And also Jesus wanted us to deliver his message. She soon became involved with a South Korea-based ministry: Global Bible Translators. She says God directed her to translate the Bible into the Central Auyu language, a language spoken by only about 15,000 people. But first, she had to learn the language. She moved to Papua to live with the people and engaged them in simple daily conversations. SOHN: My goal was to practice languages with 10 people every day. As time passed she saw how desperately they needed a Bible in their own language. The Central Auyu people had pastors, but they didn’t always get things right. She said a pastor using an Indonesian Bible to preach from Acts 5 inadvertently mangled the story of Ananius and Sapphira. Instead of teaching that the couple died because they lied to Peter and the Holy Spirit, he told his congregation they perished because they sold their land to outsiders. SOHN: So don’t sell land to outsiders! That was the sermon! [LAUGHS] Even worse, some of the tribal Christians were still clinging to their animistic spiritual beliefs. When one indigenous translator working with Sohn died of illness, some of the villagers blamed her. Gandy says that’s a common response. GANDY: Whenever someone becomes unexpectedly ill, it must be witchcraft. And so they go find someone who is a witch or something like that – usually a woman, right? – and they kill her. Sohn says that nearly happened. SOHN: One person came to my house to kill me, but villagers stopped him. So he didn’t come down to my house. At the time, Sohn and her staff had been working on a translation of Ephesians chapter six, the chapter about waging spiritual warfare against powers and principalities. At times, she says she had to fight her own spiritual battle, often against discouragement. SOHN: And God always answered me and guided me, encouraged me. I think my relationship with God made me overcome all those difficulties and the struggles and other things. AUDIO: [Tribal singing] It all paid off in May when the MAF planes filled with Bibles began arriving in the village. Admittedly it was not the whole Bible. Sohn and her team managed to translate the entire New Testament and two books of the Old Testament. But it was all in the Central Auyu language. Sohn was there for the celebration. SOHN: [LAUGHS] People were so much excited! I never imagine they were excited like that! Four pigs were slaughtered for the occasion. SOHN: That means a big feast! A big party and a big feast! [LAUGHS] Gandy says the villagers surrounded Sohn and sang a tribal song about how the Lord had called a woman all the way from Korea to bring the Bible to a tribe most people don’t even know exists. GANDY: But the Lord does. The Lord knows and the Lord cares for each one of these people. And I think it’s a testament to His care for all these people that he doesn’t want that one should perish. For now, Sohn says she still has a lot of work to do training ministers to devour the feast of God’s Word. SOHN: Pray that they will read the translated Bible every day and practice the Word of God in their daily life. Reporting for WORLD, I’m Travis Kircher." #metaglossia_mundus
Freelance linguists are facing job insecurity due to advancements in "AI translation. A new report highlights the challenges faced by these professionals. However, Spanish researchers are optimistic about potential new opportunities. A new survey has reiterated what many working in the freelance translation industry have feared Half of all freelance linguists have considered abandoning their profession due to the rapid advancements in AI translation tools, according to a report conducted by industry news outlet Slator. The findings paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by these professionals as they grapple with the growing capabilities of machine translation. However, researchers in Spain are seeing a silver lining in all of this upheaval. AI’s Impact on the Language Industry: Linguists Adapt or Exit While AI continues to disrupt numerous sectors, freelance translators appear particularly vulnerable. The survey findings suggest that many are struggling to compete with increasingly sophisticated AI models, leading to a widespread sense of uncertainty about their future prospects. However, this report also highlights a silver lining, suggesting that freelance linguists can leverage their unique skills and linguistic talents in alternative roles, such as language consultants, data annotators, and cultural mediators. The survey by Slator paints a vivid picture of the shifting landscape for language professionals in the age of AI. With traditional translation and interpretation tasks facing decreasing demand, linguists are finding themselves at a crossroads – adapt or consider a career change. The survey, which polled 260 linguists, revealed that more than half of freelance translators experienced a decline in requests for their services over the past year. AI was cited as the primary culprit behind this trend, with the majority believing the impact will intensify over the next five years. The data further showed one in five freelance translators and interpreters are actively seeking new jobs. While the demand for traditional linguistic services is dwindling, new opportunities are emerging. AI-related tasks such as prompting, terminology management, and data annotation for training LLMs are increasingly sought after. To stay relevant, linguists are upskilling; a third have acquired new AI skills in the past year, and nearly half have expanded their subject matter expertise. However, the transition isn’t seamless. Over 50% of freelance translators and interpreters have contemplated a career switch, either within or outside the language industry. Those specialising in Professional Services, Technology, and Life Sciences seem particularly inclined towards exploring alternative career paths. Today, the post-editing of machine translations is the second-most sought-after skill among language service providers and is the task with the greatest growth potential. European Language Industry Survey New research says AI can empower translators A groundbreaking report from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), reveals a transformative shift in the translation industry. Far from replacing human translators, AI is emerging as a powerful tool, enhancing efficiency and productivity. The study explores the evolving relationship between human translators and AI, showcasing how machine translation, once seen as a threat, is now being embraced as an invaluable asset. AI is proving particularly helpful in streamlining repetitive tasks, allowing translators to focus on the more nuanced aspects of their work. Today, the post-editing of machine translations is the second-most sought-after skill among language service providers and is the task with the greatest growth potential, according to the European Language Industry Survey. We have concluded that there is no direct relationship between what automated quality assessment metrics say and the actual post-editing effort involved,” said Oliver. “We therefore felt that there was a need to add a further step to the quality assessment system. UOC report researchers The UOC report said, “Translators edit unprocessed machine translations, correcting texts produced by artificial intelligence. This brings with it many advantages for human translators, but also significant problems if the quality of the machine translation is poor. This is why the ability to objectively assess the quality of machine translation tools is essential for the sector.” Two researchers from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Antoni Oliver, member of the Interinstitutional Research Group in Linguistic Applications (GRIAL-UOC), coordinator of the TAN-IBE project and member of the UOC’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and Sergi Álvarez-Vidal, a fellow GRIAL-UOC researcher, have developed a new method for assessing work by AI to improve translators’ work, boosting their capabilities with the potential of machine translation, and enhancing the quality of the end result for all users. “We have concluded that there is no direct relationship between what automated quality assessment metrics say and the actual post-editing effort involved,” said Oliver. “We therefore felt that there was a need to add a further step to the quality assessment system.” New post-editing software for translators The researchers suggest complementing automated assessment systems with another programme that helps evaluate the actual effort put into post-editing. This will allow companies to choose an AI tool that actually increases the efficiency of the translation process. “We have added a further step: translators translate a sample of the machine translation with a special programme we have developed. This allows us to gather a range of data and decide whether the effort made by the translators is less than that with other systems,” explains Álvarez-Vidal. “If it is less, it means that this machine translation tool works for the translation company’s workflow.” Machine translation is a common tool in the translation industry, but human review remains essential. Post-editors refine machine output by making corrections, amendments, or even rejecting it entirely. Oliver highlights the central question, “Who’s truly in charge here: the human post-editor or the AI system?” The researchers stress that machine translation quality directly affects post-editors. Higher-quality machine translations make post-editing faster and easier, while lower-quality machine translations increase the risk of errors slipping through and raise the time and cost of post-editing. Oliver succinctly states, “Quality in machine translation is crucial for effective post-editing.” The report highlights several key benefits of this human-AI collaboration: - Increased Productivity: AI can rapidly translate large volumes of text, significantly reducing turnaround times.
- Improved Accuracy: Machine translation algorithms are constantly learning and improving, leading to more accurate translations.
- Enhanced Consistency: AI can ensure consistent terminology and style throughout a document.
However, AI is not a panacea. Human translators remain essential for complex texts requiring cultural sensitivity and in-depth understanding of specialised fields. The UOC report paints an optimistic picture of the future of translation. AI is revolutionising the industry, empowering translators to work smarter, not harder. If you are a translator, do you agree with the findings of the two reports? Share your professional thoughts in our comments section." #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.freelanceinformer.com/news/freelance-translators-face-existential-crisis-amid-ai-boom-should-they-adapt-or-make-a-career-change/
Thursday, August 29 2024 For Immediate Release: August 29, 2024 Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400 Portantino IEP Translation Bill Passes Senate Floor, Heads to Governor Sacramento, California – Senate Bill 445, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), passed the Senate floor today. The measure is headed to the Governor’s desk and if signed, would address language barriers in the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Many parents don’t speak English but yet have students who require IEPs. Some schools take as long as a year to properly translate them, shortchanging an entire year of education for our students. SB 445 presents a timeline for translating foundational documents so parents can advocate for their children. “SB 445 is a path forward for parents to be able to understand their child’s IEP and be involved in their child’s academic life,” stated Senator Portantino. “Language barriers for children who face challenges is a hurdle we need to overcome. We should be doing everything we can, as early as possible in a child’s academic life, to provide the services necessary for each child to reach their potential and achieve success. Though I had hoped to move the needle further, I am heartened by this incremental step forward.” The IEP process can be overwhelming and intimating for parents and guardians who are not familiar with the process or terminology - especially, if that person’s native language is not English. Local education agencies (LEAs) are required to provide translated copies of the IEP, if requested. The problem occurs when the LEA does not provide the translated IEP in a timely manner or when the IEP has not been translated accurately. “We thank Senator Portantino for his leadership and commitment to this issue,” stated Joanna French, Senior Director of Research and Policy Strategies for Innovate Public Schools. “SB 445 represents a step forward in legislation that prioritizes students with learning differences and their families. Equitable and timely access to translated documents for families during the IEP process is essential to student success and meaningful family engagement. We hope that by passing this bill and ensuring the statewide IEP template is translated and disseminated to districts, we will reduce the delays far too many families experience in getting IEPs translated into their home language.” SB 445 would require the forthcoming statewide IEP template that is being developed by the California Collaborative for Excellence in Education be translated into the top 10 most commonly spoken languages used across the state, aside from English, and to make those templates available on its website by January 1, 2027, or no later than 18 months after the template is digitally posted. “Senator Portantino has been a steadfast advocate for students with disabilities during his time in the Legislature. School districts will be able to use this tool to translate IEP documents for parents with Limited English Proficiency more efficiently,” said Gregory Cramer, Senior Legislative Advocate with Disability Rights California (DRC). “We are hopeful this is the start of ensuring timely IEP translation and full parent participation in the special education process regardless of language or background, which is vital to achieve the free and appropriate public education that all students deserve,” added Allegra Cira Fischer, DRC Senior Policy Attorney. " #metaglossia_mundus
- By Greta Terfruchte
- September 5, 2024
Oriette D'Angelo and Lupita Eyde-Tucker, author and translator team for D'Angelo's Homeland of Swarms Award-winning Venezuelan poet Oriette D’Angelo and award-winning poet and translator Lupita Eyde-Tucker will visit Illinois State University on Thursday, September 19, to discuss D’Angelo’s poetry collection Homeland of Swarms (co•im•press, 2024) followed by a bilingual reading from the book. Translated from the Spanish by Eyde-Tucker, Homeland of Swarms is D’Angelo’s debut collection in English. The author and translator team will take part in Pub.Unit Presents, an event series hosted by the Publications Unit in the Department of English that is centered on embracing the interdisciplinary English studies model of the English department by bringing in writers who are also editors, and who often embody additional literary and educational roles. The event will be held on Thursday, September 19, at University Galleries. At 4 p.m., there will be a public conversation and question-and-answer session, in which D’Angelo and Eyde-Tucker will discuss the book, poetry, their respective roles as writer and translator, and the sociopolitical exigencies of Venezuela in addition to their shared experiences as editors and educators, specifically D’Angelo’s role as founder of an independent digital literary magazine and Eyde-Tucker’s as a Bread Loaf translation scholar. The second half of the event will be a bilingual reading from Homeland of Swarms. Books will be available to purchase at the event, or may be purchased from the publisher. Both events are free and open to the public. “In this urgent collection, at once political and highly personal, D’Angelo brings together body and country: her own female body and her Venezuelan homeland under the abusive yoke of men like Hugo Chavez.” –Geoffrey Brock About Homeland of Swarms Homeland of Swarms by Oriette D’Angelo, translated from the Spanish by Lupita Eyde-Tucker At once image-rich, lyrical, and searingly sociopolitical, Homeland of Swarms (Cardiopatías) is Venezuelan poet Oriette D’Angelo’s debut poetry collection in English, translated from the Spanish by Lupita Eyde-Tucker. In her unrelenting, charged poetry, D’Angelo reveals how the diseases and dis-eases of a fraught state infect not only the body politic but also the individual bodies of the citizenry. While the book weaves a tapestry of pain caused by the ills of corruption, scarcity, crime, inflation, and poverty in contemporary Venezuela, it also ponders how individuals can confound societal cancers or wage a worthy struggle against the afflictions—both real and metaphorical—that emanate from the heart of a country to infect, affect, and scar the populace. And yet, Homeland of Swarms imbues the struggle with a sense of hope and an abiding will to survive despite the odds. Eyde-Tucker specifically sought politically motivated poetry from underrepresented countries like Venezuela, and she renders D’Angelo’s poetry into English with poise and panache. Time and again, Homeland of Swarms blends memory and imagery to draw us into the exigencies and emergencies of contemporary Venezuela and transform us, for, according to D’Angelo, “This book was born from the need to name the pain and the disease from the outside, assuming that the weight of our context affects our bodies.” About the Author Oriette D’Angelo is an award-winning Venezuelan poet currently living in Iowa City, where she is a Ph.D. candidate in Spanish Literature at the University of Iowa. She is the author of four poetry collections, including En mi boca se abrirá la noche (Libero Editorial, 2023) and Cardiopatías (Monte Ávila Editores, 2016). Homeland of Swarms (co•im•press, 2024), is her debut English collection of poetry, a translation of Cardiopatías. Cardiopatías won a first book prize in Venezuela from Monte Avila Editores. She compiled the book Amanecimos sobre la palabra (Team Poetero Ediciones, 2017) about young Venezuelan poets. She is also the founder and director of the digital Spanish language literary magazine Digo.palabra.txt. In 2022 she was the recipient of the Stephen Lynn Smith Memorial Scholarship for Social Justice from University of Iowa. She has an MA in Digital Media from DePaul University as well as an MFA in Spanish Creative Writing from the University of Iowa. About the Translator Lupita Eyde-Tucker is an award-winning poet and translator. Although born in New Jersey, she was raised in Ecuador, where she took an interest in Spanish language poetry. She is the winner of the 2021 Unbound Emerging Poet Prize and her poetry collection “Eucalyptus” was named a finalist for the Andres Montoya Prize from Letras Latinas. Her work has appeared in Women’s Voices for Change, Yemassee, Rattle, and American Life in Poetry among other publications. Her translations of Oriette D’Angelo have appeared in journals such as Nashville Review, Columbia Review, Asymptote, the Los Angeles Review, Circumference, and the Arkansas International, which nominated her translation “Knee on Dirt” for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. She holds an MFA in Poetry from the University of Florida and has served as a staff scholar at Bread Loaf Translators Conference since 2021. The event is sponsored by the Harold K. Sage Foundation; the Illinois State University Foundation Fund; the College of Arts and Sciences; and the Publications Unit in the Department of English. For additional information, contact Holms Troelstrup, assistant director of the Publications Unit, at jhtroel@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-3025. Follow the Publications Unit on Twitter @PubUnit_ISU and on Instagram @PubUnit.
By Immigration Prof "A report (Held Incommunicado: The Failed Promise of Language Access in Immigration Detention) of the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigrant Justice Clinic concludes that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not providing sufficient translation services to detainees in its facilities. Andrea Castillo for the Los Angeles Times discusses the report. Detainees' main complaints included being unable to ask for medical care and having to rely on other detainees for the translation of sensitive documents. The punch line of the report: "Together, these data paint a clear—and troubling—picture of language access in 125 immigration detention centers that collectively hold approximately 95% of the people that ICE detains.16 Specifically, the data show a nationwide pattern of ICE failing to meet its language access obligations under its own rules and federal law. This report also sheds new light on the wide-ranging harms and often life-altering consequences of this failure for the [Limited English Proficient (LEP)] people that ICE detains. And, while this report does not cover other aspects of language access in immigration detention or with respect to other agencies involved in the immigration legal system, its findings suggest the need for closer examination of the government’s compliance with its language access obligations in these contexts as well. The findings in this report are critical, both due to the importance of language access to LEP individuals’ fundamental needs and rights and because the very nature of ICE’s language access failures makes it effectively impossible for detained LEP
individuals to raise, challenge, or remedy these problems on their own. As such, this report concludes with recommendations for the federal government and other actors to respond to the urgent problems that this study reveals." KJ" #metaglossia_mundus: https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2024/09/report-held-incommunicado-the-failed-promise-of-language-access-in-immigration-detention.html
"With the school year now in full swing, your kids might be coming home from school saying words like "rizz" and "Ohio." We called in the experts to explain what these words mean. Posted 11:30 AM, Sep 05, 2024 and last updated 2:16 PM, Sep 05, 2024 BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — With the school year now in full swing, your kids might be coming home from school saying words like "rizz" and "Ohio." If you already know those words, consider yourself ahead of the game. Words like "bussin'" and "skibidi" are slang from Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Anyone born roughly between 1995 and 2010 is considered to be Gen Z, while anyone born roughly between 2010 and 2024 is considered to be a part of Gen Alpha. So I called the experts to explain some of this slang.WKBW Rizz Additionally, Meriam-Webster describes rizz as meaning romantic appeal or charm. Ohio According to a recent article from Forbes, Ohio is used to describe something as weird or bizarre. Skibidi Skibidi can also be used interchangeably, according to Mashable, so it can mean "good" or "bad." In this case, skibidi is used to describe something as bad. Mewing Mewing is a technique where you flatten your tongue on the roof of your mouth in order to "define your jawline."" #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/that-kid-has-a-lot-of-rizz-western-new-york-gen-z-and-gen-alpha-kids-translate-slang-you-need-to-know
"Andrea Castillo - Los Angeles Times (TNS) LOS ANGELES — A Spanish-speaking detainee at California's McFarland immigrant detention facility was struggling in May 2023 to tell a doctor, in broken English, that he sometimes bled from his rectum. Without calling for an interpreter or ensuring his patient understood what he was about to do, the doctor proceeded with a rectal exam that shocked and traumatized the man, he recalled in an interview with The Times. "I was so embarrassed, powerless," the man said, adding that he never received a diagnosis or follow-up from the doctor. "I feel it was abuse because he didn't explain anything. I don't understand much English." The man was eventually transferred to another facility, where a different doctor explained through a Spanish interpreter exactly what she would do during the exam. His experience was one of many language-access failures documented in a report published Thursday that concluded the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was failing to provide adequate translation services mandated by federal law and its own rules. The report, conducted by the immigration clinic at the Cardozo School of Law in New York, surveyed more than 200 detainees and legal service providers across the country, and reviewed more than 800 complaints from 2016 to 2022 about language-access issues. The information was provided by the Department of Homeland Security in response to federal records requests. Most survey respondents reported never receiving language assistance at a law library and having to rely on other detainees to help translate sensitive documents. Detainees complained of being unable to lodge requests for medical care because facility staff spoke only English, resorting to hand gestures to communicate crucial medical information. Some said they languished in pain until they were deported because they couldn't communicate a need for care. Legal service providers reported having clients whose medical conditions worsened because of delayed treatment caused by the lack of a suitable interpreter. "The very nature of ICE's language access failures makes it effectively impossible for detained individuals (who are not fluent in English) to raise, challenge, or remedy these problems on their own," the report states. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond to a request for comment. The report's authors said the Biden administration's new asylum rules — which seek to expedite the process — make adequate language access all the more crucial. Unlike criminal defendants, detained immigrants generally have no right to government-appointed counsel. Because of that, language access in detention facility law libraries is essential for non-English speakers "to even understand the charges against them, much less prepare any sort of legal defense to deportation," the report states. Internal policies at Immigration and Customs Enforcement require detention facilities to provide detainees with interpretation for medical care and law libraries, as well as translation of written forms. In a 2020 report, Matthew Albence, then a senior official at ICE, wrote that the agency had done "excellent work" in providing detainees with "meaningful access to programs and activities in a language they can understand." But during a review last year, Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties said it had received 208 allegations related to language access during the last five years, opened 116 complaint investigations and issued 118 recommendations to immigration officials regarding those violations. The problem of language access has worsened as migrants attempt to cross the border from an ever-growing diversity of countries. Last year ICE detained migrants from 170 countries, speaking dozens of different languages, including less common ones indigenous to regions in Latin America and West Africa One man who speaks Soninke, a West African language, told the report's authors that he didn't know why he was detained at a facility in Pennsylvania — or that it was related to an immigration case — because all his documents were in English and no one at the facility understood him or provided interpretation. Jennifer Norris, managing attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center in Los Angeles, said she has seen the issue permeate all steps of the legal process, from finding a lawyer to challenging arguments by the federal government in immigration court. She said cases can stall and immigrants remain detained as immigration authorities attempt to find an appropriate interpreter. Norris said her client Vrej, a 52-year-old Armenian speaker from Iran, was denied immigration relief during his initial court hearing, held before she began representing him. Reading the hearing transcript, she realized Vrej had been given an Armenian interpreter from Armenia who didn't understand his dialect. Again and again, the transcript states "Untranslated" for Vrej's responses. Eventually, the interpreter spoke up. "Your honor, this is the interpreter. I — I have a feeling that, uh, the respondent is not 100-percent understanding me," the interpreter said, according to the transcript. Vrej, who has been detained for nearly two years, appealed his denial and is now awaiting another trial.
"The American Literary Translators Association has announced the longlists for the 2024 National Translation Awards for poetry and prose. Sep 05, 2024 The American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) has announced the longlists for the 2024 National Translation Awards for poetry and prose. The shortlists will be announced on October 10 and winners on October 26, at ALTA's annual conference. The winning translators will receive a $4,000 purse. This year’s prose judges are Philip Boehm, Shelley Fairweather-Vega, Will Forrester, Joon-Li Kim, and poupeh missaghi. This year’s judges for poetry are Kazim Ali, Ronnie Apter, and Mary Jo Bang. The 2024 National Translation Award in Prose Longlist (in alphabetical order by title): The Annual Banquet of the Gravediggers' Guild
By Mathias Énard
Translated from French by Frank Wynne
New Directions (US), Fitzcarraldo Editions (UK) By the Rivers of Babylon
By Antonio Lobo Antunes
Translated from Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa
Yale University Press Cold Nights of Childhood
By Tezer Özlü
Translated from Turkish by Maureen Freely
Transit Books The End of August
By Yu Miri
Translated from Japanese by Morgan Giles
Riverhead Books (US), Tilted Axis Press (UK) The Hunger of Women
By Marosia Castaldi
Translated from Italian by Jamie Richards
And Other Stories Kairos
by Jenny Erpenbeck
translated from German by Michael Hoffman
New Directions (US), Granta Books (UK) The Liar
By Martin A. Hansen
Translated from Danish by Paul Larkin
New York Review Books Not Even the Dead
By Juan Gómez Bárcena
Translated from Spanish by Katie Whittemore
Open Letter Books This is Not Miami
By Fernanda Melchor
Translated from Spanish by Sophie Hughes
New Directions (US), Fitzcarraldo Editions (UK) Traces of Enayat
By Iman Mersal,
Translated from Arabic by Robin Moger
And Other Stories (UK), Transit Books (US) Whale
By Cheon Myeong-kwan
Translated from Korean by Chi-Young Kim
Archipelago Books (US), Europa Editions (UK) The World at My Back
By Thomas Melle
Translated from German by Luise von Flotow
Biblioasis The 2024 National Translation Award in Poetry Longlist (in alphabetical order by title): And the Street
By Pierre Alferi
Translated from French by Cole Swensen
Green Linden Press Bathhouse and Other Tanka
By Tatsuhiko Ishii
Translated from Japanese by Hiroaki Sato
New Directions Central American Book of the Dead
By Balam Rodrigo
Translated from Spanish by Dan Bellm
FlowerSong Press Delicates
By Wendy Guerra
Translated from Spanish by Nancy Naomi Carlson and Esperanza Hope Snyder
Seagull Books The Dragonfly
By Amelia Roselli
Translated from Italian by Roberta Antognini and Deborah Woodard
Entre Ríos Books A Friend’s Kitchen
By Al-Saddiq Al-Raddi
Translated from Arabic by Bryar Bajalan with the poet Shook
The Poetry Translation Centre The Iliad
By Homer
Translated from Ancient Greek by Emily Wilson
W. W. Norton & Company Landless Boys
By Jerzy Jarniewicz
Translated from Polish by Piotr Florczyk
MadHat Press Ovid’s Metamorphoses
By Ovid
Translated from Latin by C. Luke Soucy
University of California Press The Roof of the Whale Poems
By Juan Calzadilla
Translated from Spanish by Katherine M. Hedeen and Olivia Lott
University of Wisconsin Press Shining Sheep
By Ulrike Almut Sandig
Translated from German by Karen Leeder
Seagull Books Winter King
By Ostap Slyvynsky
Translated from Ukrainian by Vitaly Chernetsky and Iryna Shuvalova
Lost Horse Press" #metaglossia_mundus
"Read for Life gets grants for bilingual books Kids can learn to read via native language By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF
jeanniewolf@thecourier.com Sep 07, 2024 7:00 AM FINDLAY — Read for Life is now able to give students the opportunity to hear books being read in both English and their native language. Coordinator Kristy Szkudlarek said adults in the program are able to check out books and hear them read at home. If they have children, they can then read them the books. “I think it helps especially hearing the language, hearing English, and then understanding it," she said. "And it’s a great plus that it’s also in their language so they can understand it and put their words to our words.” She said the organization received a $4,935 Hancock Reads grant from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation to create the talking book collection. Language Lizard and VOX books are both included, she said. These have attached devices that readers can press to play the story as often as they like. A few of the books can also be read using a phone, she said. In addition to English, available languages include Arabic, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Ukrainian. They were selected, according to Szkudlarek, because people who speak these languages are students in the program. The books have been circulating for the past month or two. Two additional grants — a $9,000 Dollar General Adult Literacy Grant and a $16,345 Community Foundation grant — provided Intercambio Confidence and Connections workbooks for the Language for Life class and the organizations outreach partners, Szkudlarek said. “We have such a huge population of folks wanting to learn English and to read and write, we have literacy outreach partners in various locations around Findlay," she said. "So the library trains the tutors and then the locations have a class once a week.” Some of these classes include Haitian-Creole focused at Mission Possible and Spanish at Gateway Church, Church of the Living God and St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. The workbooks were developed to offer practical English language acquisition for adults, and each lesson includes listening activities, vocabulary words and images, pronunciation activities, grammar practice and real-life conversations. “If a partner organization says we have five new students, I have books to give them,” she said. A box goes along with the books and may include items such as play money to practice making change, dice for learning numbers, and pretend fruits and vegetables. “These are lessons in the very first book,” said Szkudlarek. “All of these things go with that very first book so the tutors can actually show them and it’s not just pictures.” The items are already in use at some of the locations, she said. There is no cost to the students to attend these classes. “They can go through one book and go to the next book and the next book and the next book,” she said. Since some of the students are not able to attend class at its given time, tutors work with them. "There’s a need and people are seeing that there’s a need,” she said. “And if you have one hour a week, that’s all it takes really.” Szkudlarek is a certified trainer and provides instruction to the tutors. The next Read for Life tutor training session will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday in the Lindamood Room at the library. Lunch is provided. If a volunteer is interested in working one-on-one with a partner organization, they can make an appointment with Szkudlarek, who will take them through a condensed training specific to the curriculum being used. “But I’m always needing more tutors to help with the students that can’t come to these classes or are working on their high school equivalency or they’re just learning to read and don’t fit into the English as a Second Language classes,” she said. "There are all different types of needs." September and January seem to be the busiest months for the program, she said. "I don’t know if it's summer is over and they all come back or it's a New Year’s resolution to do this kind of thing. So I’m hoping for a good crowd,” said Szkudlarek. “Grants are amazing to keep the program moving forward,” she added. “But the volunteer effort is really what we need now.” Read for Life has provided adult literacy education in the community for over 35 years. The past 11 of those have been under the umbrella of the library. Read for Life recently moved into the former circulation workroom near the front door there. To register for tutor training, send an email to Szkudlarek at readforlife@findlaylibrary.org" #metaglossia_mundus https://thecourier.com/news/539432/kids-can-learn-to-read-via-native-language/
"Just as God speaks my language, He also speaks to others — to the Romani people, to the poor, to those who don’t know him yet. By Bob Burckle, Op-ed contributor Friday, September 06, 2024 Have you heard from God lately? Do you know that God speaks to you in your own language? In working with the former communist bloc countries of Eastern Europe for the last six decades to get local Bible translations into the hands of every person, we’ve witnessed a profound revelation among people who had never had Bibles before. The revelation that each of these transformed souls is hit with is: “God loves me. He sees me and loves me.”
The gypsies of Eastern Europe
This year, EEM partnered with Hungarian Gypsy Missions International and a Slovakian preacher who has worked diligently over the last 15 years to create the first-ever Bible translation for the local Romani dialect. While the term “Gypsy” is considered derogatory in the West, it is often used descriptively by this regional people group.
For the last 1,000 years, the Romani people have been widely oppressed and treated with extreme contempt in Europe. They have faced social ostracization, persecution, violence, murder and even sterilization. The widespread neglect, avoidance and mistreatment of the Romani continues today, reinforcing the idea that they are unwanted and forgotten.
But the God of the universe has not forsaken these precious people. He loves them, sees them and has a purpose for them.
This was revealed in one of the Romani communities visited by EEM this year, when they were able to read the Word of God for the first time in their own heart language. Men were emotional, holding up their Bibles in church, outpouring their hearts to God and to one another. Everyone was sharing about the things they were finally getting to learn for the very first time. One woman, with tears in her eyes, said this: “I just realized ... and it’s so humbling ... I just realized that God speaks our language.”
In essence, what she was saying is that “God loves us — that He would stoop so low to speak our language.” It’s beautiful and tragic to hear. Just as Jesus died for you and me, He also gave his life for these beautiful people, tossed aside by the world, misunderstood, devalued and abused.
What an incredible revelation. We know that the Word of God is incomparable. It is alive, divinely inspired and sharper than any double-edged sword. It is utterly transformative. Perhaps this most-powerful piece of literature is one that, at times, we take for granted. Afterall, we have the Bible in our language, in our homes, on our phones and in every pew at church. We in the West are certainly not starved for the Word of God. Yet, there are many throughout the world who are. “So will my message be that goes out of my mouth — it won’t return to me empty. Instead, it will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). Bibles in the language that speak to our heart
Like this woman and her people, we wouldn’t know the fullness of God’s heart for us if we weren’t able to read His Word in our own “heart language.” This is why it’s crucial that every soul has a Bible in their native tongue. This is why we must continue on in the Great Commission, namely through sharing the Gospel message found in God’s Word. This is why our ministry slogan is, “The Bible. We Want Everyone to Get it!” We don’t just want everyone to have it; we want everyone to get it. Get it into their hands, get it into their minds, and get it into their heart so that they can understand God’s purpose through it and therefore know their true identity in Christ.
What can we take away from this? - Value the Bible. This holy, transformative text we behold is a precious gift, especially in the hands of people who have never before heard the Good News, as well as for those most persecuted for following Christ. Let us imagine if we were in these people’s shoes of never having had the Bible in our language or living in constant fear of being persecuted for harboring its message of hope. If this was us, the Bible would be our truest, most valuable treasure, and we would treat it as such.
- Pray for the Romani people that they would receive the Word of God, be transformed by its message and step into the Great Commission alongside us. Pray that Jesus would have His way among them, showing them how valued, loved and seen they are — despite the false narratives reinforced by the culture that surrounds them.
- Help spread the Word of God. We all bring something to the table, whether through evangelism, language skill sets, giving or teaching. Each of these roles, alongside countless others, presents opportunities to help share the Word of God with unreached people groups around the world. If you are bilingual, you have the opportunity to translate in mission work. If you are called to give to missions, consider giving to a ministry that works toward crafting accurate Bible translations and distribution, a cause that will not return void. Likewise, if you are compelled to the international mission field yourself, you can hand-deliver the Good News to those who have never received it.
Just as God speaks my language, He also speaks to others — to the Romani people, to the poor, to those who don’t know him yet. He speaks our language and loves each of us deeply — a truth so powerful and moving, that we couldn’t possibly keep it to ourselves. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17). Bob Burckle is President of EEM (Eastern European Mission), which has been providing Bibles and Bible-based materials to the people of Eastern Europe since 1961, now reaching 32 countries in 25 languages. EEM distributed 1.95 million books in 2022 – all free of charge. See more at www.eem.org" #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/what-it-means-to-say-god-speaks-our-language.html\
"Literature that expands the borders of what ‘international’ can mean Books by Louise Erdrich, Jesmyn Ward and others have interrogated the boundaries meant to contain us. September 7, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. EDT The National Book Awards will celebrate its 75th anniversary at this year’s ceremony, on Nov. 20. To mark the occasion, The Washington Post has collaborated with the administrator and presenter of the awards, the National Book Foundation, to commission a series of essays by National Book Award-honored authors who consider (and reconsider), decade by decade, the books that were recognized and those that were overlooked; the preoccupations of authors, readers and the publishing industry through time; the power and subjectivity of judges and of awards; and the lasting importance of books to our culture, from the 1950s to the present day. In this last essay in the series, Anton Hur — a finalist for the National Book Award in 2023, for his translation of Bora Chung’s “Cursed Bunny” — looks back at the 2010s. As a non-American, I didn’t know I was even eligible for a National Book Award until I was nominated for one last year. I assumed that any award with “national” in its name was another parochial American institution that would probably have nothing to do with me, like how Bong Joon-ho, director of “Parasite,” once described the Academy Awards as a “very local” film festival. Another well-known honor, the Pulitzer Prize, extended eligibility from U.S. citizens to permanent residents only beginning this year — which still excludes me from contention. In fact, translated literature as a category for the National Book Awards reappeared only in 2018, after an astounding 35-year hiatus, a resurrection that I daresay was mindful of the spectacular success of the International Booker Prize. That honor had also been revamped, in 2016, to its current format, in which prizes are split 50/50 between author and translator, neither of whom are required to have anything to do with the United Kingdom (where the award is based) on their passports. Better slightly late than never — or is it? The International Booker is one thing, but why should a national literary prize award the literature of other nations? Well, in a nutshell, because nation-states are bogus, especially when it comes to literature. Even the winners of the National Book Awards, especially during the 2010s, have such an internationalist streak that it quickly becomes clear how impossible it is to talk about the nation without talking about the inter-nation. Phil Klay’s “Redeployment,” winner for fiction in 2014, is clearly a book about America and Americans, but it needs the setting of the Iraq War to achieve its power. “The Friend,” by Sigrid Nunez (fiction winner in 2018), uses the narrow canvas of middle-class academics living in New York but includes a plethora of international cultural references, such as Rilke’s “Letters to a Young Poet” (check out the recent translation by 2022 finalist Damion Searls) and Kornél Mundruczó’s film “White God.” The works that fascinate me most among the fiction winners from that decade, however, offer the internationalist perspectives of “nations” within America, such as the Ojibwe reservation in “The Round House,” by Louise Erdrich (2012 winner), and the disenfranchised Black communities in Jesmyn Ward’s “Salvage the Bones” (2011) and “Sing, Unburied, Sing” (2017), an impressive double win for Ward. This more expansive understanding of what “international” could mean is not without its problems, as it otherizes what might rightfully and simply be called American — but this conversation itself seems appropriately American to me. Several winners in the nonfiction category also interrogated the boundaries of what it means to be American. “The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America” (2013), by George Packer, presents portraits of individual Americans almost as if writing for an international audience — or even aliens from space — to explain what this country is. “Between the World and Me” (2015), by Ta-Nehisi Coates; “Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” (2016), by Ibram X. Kendi; “The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke” (2018), by Jeffrey C. Stewart; “The Yellow House” (2019), by Sarah M. Broom — all these books deal with the experiences of racialized people in America through different lenses, though perhaps it’s more accurate to say that the Black experience, this nation within the nation, is the lens through which America comes into sharpest focus. It is illustrative that “Trust Exercise,” by Susan Choi (2019 winner for fiction), a novel featuring a high school theater class, is set in a space that is marginal to the performing arts world. It shows how generative the tension between the center and the margin, or the familiar and unfamiliar, truly is for artists of all kinds. What’s immediately salient to me as a translator is that a translator-poet, Arthur Sze, won the award for poetry in 2019 — a feat thrillingly repeated twice in our current decade, by Don Mee Choi for “DMZ Colony” (2020) and John Keene for “Punks: New & Selected Poems” (2022). Apparently, before the translated literature category was revived, poetry was where the translators hung out (other nominated translator-poets in the 2010s included Forrest Gander, Ilya Kaminsky, Ariana Reines, Mark Strand, Jane Hirshfield and Rowan Ricardo Phillips). Translator-writers are quite common in Korea, and they are thankfully becoming ever more common in America. For example, Jennifer Croft, a judge this year in the translated literature category (previously nominated for her translations of “Flights” and “The Books of Jacob,” novels by Olga Tokarczuk), recently published her own novel (“The Extinction of Irena Rey”), and the chair of last year’s judges, Jeremy Tiang, won the Singapore Literature Prize for his novel “State of Emergency.” But why have a translated literature category at all? Neil Clarke, the editor of the science fiction magazine Clarkesworld, had the same thought; he has argued against creating a translation category at the Hugo Awards, claiming that it would serve to further marginalize translated literature. A quick glance at the history of nominees for best novel at the Hugos reveals that a translation has been a finalist only twice, and for the same team: the redoubtable Cixin Liu, author of “The Three-Body Problem,” and his translator Ken Liu. As someone who reads translations primarily and prodigiously, you can’t make me take Clarke’s fears of “further” marginalization seriously. And it has to be said that this also applies to the National Book Awards, which simply stopped taking translated literature into consideration for more than three decades. (In writing this article, I was asked to consider what works may have been overlooked by the awards during the 2010s and, well, imagine me madly gesticulating at all the works in translation published in the eligibility periods between 2009 and 2017.) To have a translated literature category is to acknowledge and honor the influence that international literature has had on American letters and American life. It declares to the world that the United States is a part of the global literary sphere, that it will make a place for us as we have made a place for it. In other words — and I say this with great affection for my American peers — it makes you look less like cultural imperialists. In 2018, the revived award was given to Margaret Mitsutani’s translation of “The Emissary,” by Yoko Tawada, a novelist who writes in both Japanese and German — name a more internationalist author! Demographic analyses of nominees tend to focus on race and gender, but in translated literature we look at languages: The 20 nominated authors since the award returned represent 12 languages, with three times the number of nominees from Norway than from the entire continent of Africa. It is also illuminating, if unsurprising, to look at the lists of nominated translators. Seven of the 10 translators on the 2019 longlist were women — translators tend to be women, as is the case in most underpaid professions. A translator of color has never won the International Booker Prize, and only a handful have been finalists for either that award or the National Book Award (four each). Perhaps this is less an oversight than a sadly accurate reflection of our industry as a whole. Translation, like most of Anglophonic publishing, is White-dominated, and we still have a long way to go.
"Study: ICE fails to provide detainees with language interpretation required by its own rules WASHINGTON — A Spanish-speaking detainee at California’s McFarland immigrant detention facility was struggling in May 2023 to tell a doctor, in broken English, that he sometimes bled from his rectum. Without calling for an interpreter or ensuring his patient understood what he was about to do, the doctor proceeded with a rectal exam that shocked and traumatized the man, he recalled in an interview with The Times. “I was so embarrassed, powerless,” the man said, adding that he never received a diagnosis or follow-up from the doctor. “I feel it was abuse because he didn’t explain anything. I don’t understand much English.”
"September 7, 2024Busines Newswire The world is becoming more connected than ever, and with this increasing global interaction comes the need for seamless communication across language barriers. Whether it’s businesses expanding into new markets, travelers seeking assistance abroad, or people connecting on social media, language translation plays a vital role. Traditionally, human translators have handled most of this work, but Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how we think about and approach translation. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the future of AI Translation and explore what to expect in the coming years. From advanced language models to voice cloning and lip-syncing, AI is transforming communication on a global scale. 1. How AI Translation Works Today Before we dive into what’s next, let’s first look at how AI Translation functions today. AI Translation is powered by machine learning algorithms, which are trained on vast datasets of text and language. Neural networks, such as those used in Google’s Google Translate or OpenAI’s GPT models, process this data to understand and generate translations. Right now, the accuracy of AI Translation has improved significantly in recent years, thanks to innovations in Natural Language Processing (NLP). However, there are still challenges when it comes to translating nuanced or context-sensitive content, like idiomatic expressions, cultural references, or jargon. Despite these challenges, AI Translation is already a game-changer for businesses, governments, and individuals alike. Companies like Duzo AI are leading the charge with advanced tools for breaking down language barriers and helping content creators reach audiences worldwide. 2. What the Future Holds for AI Translation The future of AI Translation is filled with exciting potential. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, we can expect several key developments: Greater Accuracy and Contextual Understanding One of the biggest hurdles for AI Translation has been capturing context and nuance. AI often struggles with slang, idioms, or phrases that don’t directly translate word-for-word. However, advancements in deep learning will allow AI models to better grasp the context and cultural significance of phrases, making translations more accurate and natural. In the future, we can expect AI to not just translate literal meanings, but also understand tone, emotion, and cultural subtleties, making translations more human-like and less robotic. This will help bridge the gap between human and AI translators, enhancing the efficiency and quality of translations. Real-Time Voice Translation Imagine traveling to a foreign country and having real-time conversations in a language you don’t speak. With advances in AI Translation, this scenario is not far-fetched. Real-time translation is already available to some extent through tools like Google’s Pixel Buds or Microsoft Translator, but the future promises even more seamless and accurate real-time voice translation. AI is rapidly improving in terms of recognizing accents, dialects, and various speech patterns, allowing for more effective voice-to-voice translations. This will help people communicate more naturally in person, without the need for a third-party translator or app. Voice cloning, which allows AI to replicate your voice while translating your speech into another language, is another development on the horizon. This can be extremely beneficial in industries like entertainment or customer service, where maintaining the speaker’s voice adds a personal touch. 3. AI Translation and the Business World The implications of AI Translation in the business world are profound. Companies are increasingly going global, and with that comes the need to communicate with customers, partners, and employees in different languages. AI Translation is helping businesses break into new markets without the costs and delays associated with hiring human translators for every task. Multilingual Customer Support One of the most significant advantages of AI Translation for businesses is in customer support. AI-powered chatbots can communicate with customers in multiple languages, offering instant solutions to queries without the need for human intervention. This not only reduces costs but also ensures 24/7 support for customers across the globe. Businesses can also leverage AI Translation to localize their websites, apps, and marketing materials, making it easier to connect with international audiences. By creating content that speaks directly to users in their native language, companies can build stronger customer relationships and increase their market share. Efficient Content Localization In today’s digital world, content is king. Whether it’s blogs, social media posts, product descriptions, or training manuals, businesses need to create content that resonates with a global audience. AI Translation is making it easier for companies to localize their content quickly and cost-effectively. Platforms like Duzo AI are already offering tools that provide natural translations, voice cloning, lip-syncing, script editing, and subtitle generation. These innovations will allow businesses to create localized content in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods, helping them stay ahead of the competition. 4. Challenges AI Translation Must Overcome While the future of AI Translation is promising, it’s important to acknowledge some of the challenges that still need to be addressed. Accuracy in Specialized Fields AI Translation has made incredible strides in general translation, but when it comes to highly specialized industries—like law, medicine, or engineering—there’s still a long way to go. These fields require not only a deep understanding of language but also domain-specific knowledge. For instance, legal terminology in one language might not have an equivalent in another, or medical phrases might carry different connotations depending on the region. Human translators often bring this kind of specialized knowledge to the table, and while AI is learning, it may take some time before it reaches the level of expertise required for highly technical or niche translations. Ethical Concerns and Data Privacy As AI Translation continues to improve, ethical concerns around privacy and data security will become increasingly important. AI models need access to vast amounts of data to train and improve, and this data often includes sensitive or confidential information. Ensuring that these translation tools protect user data will be critical as businesses and individuals begin to rely more heavily on AI for translations. Companies offering AI Translation services will need to be transparent about how they handle and secure this information. 5. How AI Translation Will Impact Global Communication As AI Translation becomes more widespread, it will have a profound impact on global communication. The ability to easily converse with people from different cultures and languages will foster greater understanding and collaboration on an international scale. In the future, language may no longer be a barrier to innovation, education, and diplomacy. AI-powered tools like those provided by Duzo AI will play a significant role in this transformation. By offering natural translations, voice cloning, lip-syncing, script editing, and subtitle generation, Duzo AI helps individuals and businesses alike break down language barriers and connect with global audiences. With companies like Duzo AI at the forefront of innovation, we can expect the future of AI Translation to be one of seamless, natural, and human-like communication. 6. Conclusion: A Bright Future for AI Translation The future of AI Translation is filled with potential, from increased accuracy and real-time voice translation to its profound impact on global business and communication. While there are still challenges to overcome, such as maintaining accuracy in specialized fields and addressing ethical concerns, the advancements we’ve already seen are just the beginning. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect more personalized and contextually aware translations, making it easier for people to communicate across borders. And with platforms like Duzo AI leading the charge, the future of translation will be more natural and accessible than ever. Ready to take your content worldwide? Break language barriers with Duzo AI’s cutting-edge translation, voice cloning, and subtitle tools. Expand your reach and ensure your message is understood by audiences everywhere. Visit Duzo AI today to see how their innovative solutions can help you communicate naturally, no matter the language. In this blog, we explored the exciting developments in AI Translation and how they will shape the future of communication. Companies like Duzo AI are paving the way for natural, seamless translation that can take your content to a global audience. With AI Translation becoming more human-like and accessible, the future of global communication looks incredibly promising." #metaglossia_mundus: https://ipsnews.net/business/2024/09/07/the-future-of-ai-translation-what-to-expect/
"Prof Nogwaja Zulu gives an insightful lesson about cross-language usage in some South African languages. Heritage Month: Exploring the shared roots of our mother tongues Prof Nogwaja Zulu gives an insightful lesson about cross-language usage in some South African languages. September 7, 2024 Nhlanhla Hlatshwayo IN honour of Heritage Month, Caxton Local Media had the privilege to learn from Prof Nogwaja Zulu from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s College of Humanities, School of Arts, African Languages. Prof Zulu shared insightful perspectives on the rich diversity of South African languages, revealing the fascinating history and shared roots that have shaped our linguistic landscape. Prof Zulu writes: It is common in South Africa to find a number of words with similar meanings and sounds being used in several languages, for example, one finds common words in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu and other languages. That linguistic process is known as cross-language word usage. Cross-language word usage happens because of the interaction in language contact, that is, when two languages meet for the first time. In Africa, cross-language interaction happened when European languages came into contact with third-world countries during the period of missionaries, of intercontinental trade, such as the Indian-Dutch interaction, and later, on a massive scale during the colonisation period. Another process of cross-language word usage happens as a result of language co-existence. In South Africa, African languages have a long history of living together in the southern region of Africa. As a result of a long co-existence, there has been borrowing and interchange of language items, resulting in cognates – words with the same spelling and meaning in different languages. An example is the word, ‘mona’, for jealousy, which is in Nguni languages such as isiZulu and isiXhosa. But that word is also used in the Sotho language group. Some cognate words are more common in language affinities, such as Nguni (isiZulu, isiXhosa and isiNdebele) and Sotho (Sesotho, Setswana and Sepedi) language groups because of a long co-existence. Let us examine the following loan words (words from a donor language to a recipient language): English-isiZulu kitchen words: porridge – phalishi
spoon – sipuni
dish – ndishi pot – bhodo/bhodwe
bottle – bhodlela These words are for items that came with European missionaries during the first language encounter with Africans. The isiZulu word for spoon is khezo, but that meaning is getting lost to the generation born after 1994. To them, sipuni is the original word for spoon. Many loans seem to be naturalised in recipient languages, such as the Afrikaans word pap being used as papa in Nguni and Sotho language groups. IsiZulu sometimes uses phalishi for porridge, but that meaning has shifted to ‘soft porridge’. Also, the English and Afrikaans words ‘cat’ and kat, are naturalised in Nguni and Sotho language groups as kati and katse, respectively. In isiZulu, a cat is mangobe, and in Sesotho, it is mosiya. The influence of the various missionary languages is now almost untraceable when it comes to naming items of first language contact, for example in Sotho languages, where the missionaries were from France, the Sesotho word for sweets, dipongpong (singular: pongpong), is no longer recognised as the French load word, bonbon. New words New loan words come with new inventions in technology, and they are Africanized into the morphology (word structure) of various African languages. The word ‘phone’ (verb) – fona is Africanised in all the African languages of South Africa, for example in the following: Ngizofona in isiZulu
Ke tla fona in Sesotho
Ndizofona in isiXhosa. We find a similar pattern with the current technology terminology: television, computer, delete, click, save, inbox, etc. In conclusion, we can say that because of the long history of co-existence among the languages of South Africa, a healthy interaction of the languages of the country exists." #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.citizen.co.za/north-glen-news/news-headlines/local-news/2024/09/07/heritage-month-exploring-the-shared-roots-of-our-mother-tongues/
WASHINGTON — "Imagine a customer-service center that speaks your language, no matter what it is. Alorica, a company in Irvine, California, that runs customer-service centers around the world, has introduced an artificial intelligence translation tool that lets its representatives talk with customers who speak 200 different languages and 75 dialects. So an Alorica representative who speaks, say, only Spanish can field a complaint about a balky printer or an incorrect bank statement from a Cantonese speaker in Hong Kong. Alorica wouldn’t need to hire a rep who speaks Cantonese. Such is the power of AI. And, potentially, the threat: Perhaps companies won’t need as many employees — and will slash some jobs — if chatbots can handle the workload instead. But the thing is, Alorica isn’t cutting jobs. It’s still hiring aggressively. The experience at Alorica — and at other companies, including furniture retailer IKEA — suggests that AI may not prove to be the job killer that many people fear. Instead, the technology might turn out to be more like breakthroughs of the past — the steam engine, electricity, the internet: That is, eliminate some jobs while creating others. And probably making workers more productive in general, to the eventual benefit of themselves, their employers and the economy. Nick Bunker, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said he thinks AI “will affect many, many jobs — maybe every job indirectly to some extent. But I don’t think it’s going to lead to, say, mass unemployment. We have seen other big technological events in our history, and those didn’t lead to a large rise in unemployment. Technology destroys but also creates. There will be new jobs that come about.’’ At its core, artificial intelligence empowers machines to perform tasks previously thought to require human intelligence. The technology has existed in early versions for decades, having emerged with a problem-solving computer program, the Logic Theorist, built in the 1950s at what’s now Carnegie Mellon University. More recently, think of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Or IBM’s chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, which managed to beat the world champion Garry Kasparov in 1997. AI really burst into public consciousness in 2022, when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, the generative AI tool that can conduct conversations, write computer code, compose music, craft essays and supply endless streams of information. The arrival of generative AI has raised worries that chatbots will replace freelance writers, editors, coders, telemarketers, customer- service reps, paralegals and many more. “AI is going to eliminate a lot of current jobs, and this is going to change the way that a lot of current jobs function,’’ Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said in a discussion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in May. Yet the widespread assumption that AI chatbots will inevitably replace service workers, the way physical robots took many factory and warehouse jobs, isn’t becoming reality in any widespread way — not yet, anyway. And maybe it never will. The White House Council of Economic Advisers said last month that it found “little evidence that AI will negatively impact overall employment.’’ The advisers noted that history shows technology typically makes companies more productive, speeding economic growth and creating new types of jobs in unexpected ways. They cited a study this year led by David Autor, a leading MIT economist: It concluded that 60% of the jobs Americans held in 2018 didn’t even exist in 1940, having been created by technologies that emerged only later. The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which tracks job cuts, said it has yet to see much evidence of layoffs that can be attributed to labor-saving AI. “I don’t think we’ve started seeing companies saying they’ve saved lots of money or cut jobs they no longer need because of this,’’ said Andy Challenger, who leads the firm’s sales team. “That may come in the future. But it hasn’t played out yet.’’ At the same time, the fear that AI poses a serious threat to some categories of jobs isn’t unfounded. Consider Suumit Shah, an Indian entrepreneur who caused an uproar last year by boasting that he had replaced 90% of his customer support staff with a chatbot named Lina. The move at Shah’s company, Dukaan, which helps customers set up e-commerce sites, shrank the response time to an inquiry from 1 minute, 44 seconds to “instant.” It also cut the typical time needed to resolve problems from more than two hours to just over three minutes. “It’s all about AI’s ability to handle complex queries with precision,’’ Shah said by email. The cost of providing customer support, he said, fell by 85%. “Tough? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely,’’ Shah posted on X. Dukaan has expanded its use of AI to sales and analytics. The tools, Shah said, keep growing more powerful. “It’s like upgrading from a Corolla to a Tesla,’’ he said. “What used to take hours now takes minutes. And the accuracy is on a whole new level.’’ Similarly, researchers at Harvard Business School, the German Institute for Economic Research and London’s Imperial College Business School found in a study last year that job postings for writers, coders and artists tumbled within eight months of the arrival of ChatGPT. A 2023 study by researchers at Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and New York University concluded that telemarketers and teachers of English and foreign languages held the jobs most exposed to ChatGPT-like language models. But being exposed to AI doesn’t necessarily mean losing your job to it. AI can also do the drudge work, freeing up people to do more creative tasks. The Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, for example, introduced a customer- service chatbot in 2021 to handle simple inquiries. Instead of cutting jobs, IKEA retrained 8,500 customer- service workers to handle such tasks as advising customers on interior design and fielding complicated customer calls. Chatbots can also be deployed to make workers more efficient, complementing their work rather than eliminating it. A study by Erik Brynjolfsson of Stanford University and Danielle Li and Lindsey Raymond of MIT tracked 5,200 customer-support agents at a Fortune 500 company who used a generative AI-based assistant. The AI tool provided valuable suggestions for handling customers. It also supplied links to relevant internal documents. Those who used the chatbot, the study found, proved 14% more productive than colleagues who didn’t. They handled more calls and completed them faster. The biggest productivity gains — 34% — came from the leastexperienced, least-skilled workers. At an Alorica call center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one customerservice rep had been struggling to gain access to the information she needed to quickly handle calls. After Alorica trained her to use AI tools, her “handle time’’ — how long it takes to resolve customer calls — fell in four months by an average of 14 minutes a call to just over seven minutes. Over a period of six months, the AI tools helped one group of 850 Alorica reps reduce their average handle time to six minutes, from just over eight minutes. They can now field 10 calls an hour instead of eight — an additional 16 calls in an eight-hour day. Alorica agents can use AI tools to quickly access information about the customers who call in — to check their order history, say, or determine whether they had called earlier and hung up in frustration. Suppose, said Mike Clifton, Alorica’s co-CEO, a customer complains that she received the wrong product. The agent can “hit replace, and the product will be there tomorrow,” he said. “ ‘Anything else I can help you with? No?’ Click. Done. Thirty seconds in and out.’’ Now the company is beginning to use its Real-time Voice Language Translation tool, which lets customers and Alorica agents speak and hear each other in their own languages. “It allows (Alorica reps) to handle every call they get,” said Rene Paiz, a vice president of customer service. “I don’t have to hire externally’’ just to find someone who speaks a specific language. Yet Alorica isn’t cutting jobs. It continues to seek hires — increasingly, those who are comfortable with new technology. “We are still actively hiring,’’ Paiz says. “We have a lot that needs to be done out there.’’" #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.gmtoday.com/business/ai-might-not-steal-many-jobs-after-all/article_bea55d42-6d1b-11ef-bd2f-6bf522c239d5.html
"Research suggests that our political leanings are revealed in the way we use language. Key points - Studies suggest that how we talk may reveal our political leanings.
- Online hyper-partisan speech follows a specific linguistic style.
- Political partisanship in Congressional speech has dramatically increased.
Increasing political divides Source: Larisa/Pixabay Every election cycle, we are surrounded by highly politicized talk via ads and social media as well as from relatives, friends and neighbors. Certain behaviors have also become linked to people’s political affiliation, ranging from wearing a mask to wearing a MAGA hat. More surprising, though, is that how we talk, more than the content of what we say, can signal our political leanings. Signaling left or right One study that looked at politically based subreddits within the larger Reddit community found that people who were hyper-partisan, i.e., more extreme to the left or right in political views, used a different style of language compared to those in non-partisan political subreddits. The basic premise of the study was that, when people were strongly invested in having others agree with them, they would adopt a more intimate informal linguistic style. This includes using things that are common in spontaneous spoken conversation like discourse markers (like, you know, I mean) and lots of “I” or “you” pronouns as if they were personally conversing with post readers, as well as swear words and exclamation marks. When comparing posts on subreddits that were clearly left- or right-leaning compared to subreddits that were trying to encourage diverse or politically neutral views, they found that hyper-partisan subreddits indeed used more of these features, while non hyper-partisan sites tended to use less of those, but more third-person pronouns (she, he, or they), quotes, and periods. Whether a site was left-leaning or right-leaning also made a difference, with left-leaning sites in particular using more swear words and “I” pronouns. Why would we find these differences? Guided by prior studies, the researchers suggest that partisanship is usually strongly emotive and speakers who are highly politicized hope to engage those with similar views by creating a sense of closeness and community. Informal language features help to establish intimacy in this way in part because they come across as more spontaneous and conversational—which is typically the channel through which we forge shared opinions. The researchers suggest using swear words helped to convey emotional intensity and their results showed the hyper-partison sites used twice as many swear words overall. Not only did hyper-partisan subreddits use more swear words, they also tended to involve stronger ones (like fuck vs. hell) – again indicating more intense feelings toward issues or people. The great divide Not only does our degree of partisanship come out in terms of how we communicate online, but research shows that partisanship in politicians’ speech has greatly increased over the last century. By partisan talk, I am referring to the types of short catchphrases and party talking points that have become increasingly recognized as call signs of particular political ideologies. For example, the term “climate crises” is frequently used by Democrats and “secure borders” is often mentioned by Republicans. article continues after advertisement In a study that used machine learning to examine common refrains like these in Congressional speeches from 1872 to 2016, researchers discovered that the computer algorithm could identify the political affiliation of the speaker with just a minute of speech. More importantly, though, up until 1994, the rate of identification was only about 55%. By 2009, it had skyrocketed to 83% party-affiliation accuracy—all based on processing one-minute samples of speech. The researchers suggest this increase is tied to more sophisticated marketing and messaging around the “contract with America” that Republicans began strategically adopting in the mid 1990s. Seeing its effectiveness, Democrats soon also started hammering away at coordinated and consistent political messaging. This type of recurring, coordinated phraseology is now standard in politics, spread in large part by partisan news platforms and social media sties. According to the authors of the study, “Democrats and Republicans now speak different languages to a far greater degree than ever before.” The big-picture result? Increased partisanship not just for politicians but for everyone—feeding right back into what is driving the partisan linguistic style evidenced on reddit. Luckily, not all topics appeared to follow this track of becoming increasingly partisan as of late. While “alcohol” was found to be the subject of great political partisanship during the Prohibition era, now, at least, Democrats and Republicans are more willing to discuss their differences over a drink. References Gentzkow, M., Shapiro, J.M. and Taddy, M. (2019), Measuring Group Differences in High-Dimensional Choices: Method and Application to Congressional Speech. Econometrica, 87: 1307-1340. Nguyen, A., Roberts, T., Anand, P., & Fox Tree, J. E. (2022). Look, Dude: How hyperpartisan and non-hyperpartisan speech differ in online commentary. Discourse & Society, 33(3), 371-390.
"We’re using research in the Asia-Pacific region to highlight the importance of language of instruction to the education outcomes of children. This International Literacy Day, we’re using research in the Asia-Pacific region to highlight the importance of language of instruction to the education outcomes of children. With more than 3,000 documented languages, the Asia-Pacific region is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world. In Papua New Guinea alone, there are 839 spoken languages – the highest number for any country in the world. About 40% of the global population does not have access to education in a language that they speak or understand. Research within the Asia-Pacific region shows the impact that language can have on educational outcomes. Students whose mother tongue is not the same as the language of instruction face additional barriers to learning and are more likely to leave school early. This year, International Literacy Day celebrates the theme of ‘Promoting multilingual education: literacy for mutual understanding and peace.’ Drawing on findings from ACER’s research in the Asia-Pacific region, we’re highlighting the challenges that language of instruction can have on children’s learning, and how well-planned and resourced language in education policies can make education more equitable for all. In Southeast Asia, there are wide disparities between the numbers of students who attend primary education in their first language. For example, while 90% of students in Cambodia and Viet Nam attend primary school in their first language, only 25% in Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia do. Initiated in 2012, the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) is a cross-national assessment program that examines the learning outcomes of Grade 5 students in Southeast Asia. SEA-PLM 2019 found that children who did not primarily use the test language at home were more likely to perform poorly. In the Pacific, hundreds of languages exist. And while English is a common language of instruction in school, students may use different languages in the home. The Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (PILNA) aims to monitor student achievement in literacy – reading and writing – and numeracy at the end of 4 and 6 years of primary school. Undertaken in 15 countries in the Pacific Islands, PILNA collects information on reading and writing through its literacy assessment. PILNA 2021 found that students who performed better in reading tended to use the language of assessment in more settings. This suggests that using a language in every day conversation may improve students’ reading ability. The complex discussion between mother tongue or the adoption of a common language of instruction continues to be fiercely debated. One critical issue is the need to not place unrealistic language demands on students, many of whom already face other challenging conditions. Providing children a solid basis for language development is key to their success. Governments in the Asia-Pacific region have approached language in education policies in a myriad of ways. They are often tasked with carefully balancing resource availability, politics and cultural expression. Language policies are often ambitious, despite the complex linguistic and resource-constrained environments. In some countries, there is no official accommodation of a child’s mother tongue. Many other countries have bilingual or multilingual policies for the first few years of primary school. Children may initially learn in their home language and have an ‘early exit’ transition to a second language (or third) by Grade 4. Often, policies may not be implemented in practice due to societal or community pressures to use more global languages and a lack of teacher training and materials in relevant languages. It is not easy to obtain evidence on the impact of using mother tongue language as the language of instruction on learning outcomes. However, available evidence suggests that while ‘early exit’ transition programs show early promise, outcomes are not sustained once mother tongue support stops. Students may lack the reading proficiency in their mother tongue to support a transition to reading with comprehension in another language. Where evidence of longer-term success exists, it relies almost exclusively on ‘late exit’ transition, with mother tongue instruction continuing at least until the end of primary school. This requires significant long-term funding backed by political will, as well as an environment in which the plan may be implemented. Students should not have to cope, at least in primary school, with so many languages. The core language of instruction should be decided early on and see children through their primary education. Building foundational language, especially spoken language skills, is key to school success. Children who do not speak the language of instruction at home need additional support. Curriculum and teaching practices may need to be adjusted to support these children to build a solid basis for language development. Our recent Multi-Year Teacher Development Study in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has shown that there is a need to bridge the gap between the home and school language environments, such as through intensive support for ethnic students to build their oral language skills. This is now being implemented by the Lao PDR government. Planning and adequate resourcing is crucial to supporting the language development of students. There is often a gap between what is best practice, and what can realistically be achieved. Teachers must be proficient in the relevant languages of instruction and have good command of languages of their students, trained in appropriate learner-centred pedagogy and literacy development, and supported by a suitable curriculum and teaching resources. Steps should also be taken to involve community members in education. Getting the policy settings right and providing adequate support to effectively implement these policies is vital. What our research suggests is that children are being left behind. More support is needed to ensure that all children have the best possibility for success, no matter what language they speak at home." #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.acer.org/in/discover/article/understanding-challenges-with-language-of-instruction-in-multilingual-contexts
"L’Institut de Traduction de la Bible (ITB) et la Société Biblique Russe (SBR) ont publié le fruit de leur travail conjoint : la première édition de la traduction complète de la Bible en langue bouriate. La traduction a été soumise à une évaluation scientifique à l’Université d’État bouriate Dorji Banzarov et à l’Institut de Linguistique de l’Académie des Sciences de Russie (ASR)..." #metaglossia_mundus: https://orthodoxie.com/la-bible-en-langue-bouriate-a-ete-publiee/
Long-running cable service celebrates 25th anniversary by offering new language channel that will include Wolastoqey, Mi'gmaq Author of the article: John Chilibeck • Local Journalism Initiative reporter Published Sep 08, 2024 #metaglossia_mundus
"Released On: 03 Sep 2024. Available for over a year Africa is home to around one-third of the world's languages, but only a smattering of them are available online and in translation software. So when young Beninese computer scientist Bonaventure Dossou, who was fluent in French, experienced difficulties communicating with his mother, who spoke the local language Fon, he came up with an idea. Bonaventure and a friend developed a French to Fon translation app, with speech recognition functionality, using an old missionary bible and volunteer questionnaires as the source data. Although rudimentary, they put the code online as open-source to be used by others. Bonaventure has since joined with other young African computer scientists and language activists called Masakane to use this code and share knowledge to increase digital accessibility for African and other lower-resourced languages. They want to be able to communicate across the African continent using translation software, with the ultimate goal being an "African Babel Fish", a simultaneous speech-to-speech translation for African languages. James Jackson explores what role their ground-breaking software could play for societies in Africa disrupted by language barriers. A Whistledown production for BBC World Service"" #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct6x40
"Keep your brain young: Check out these expert-backed tips to fight brain ageing and boost mental agility at any age | Health Sep 08, 2024 11:08 AM IST Keep your brain young: Check out these expert-backed tips to fight brain ageing and boost mental agility at any age Like any other organ in human body, our brain also requires care and attention to stay sharp and efficient hence, engaging in habits that keep the brain active and alive is crucial for maintaining cognitive health, enhancing memory and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. To ensure this, experts recommend adopting specific lifestyle choices that can significantly boost brain power, improve mental agility and promote long-term brain health.. Want a Smarter Brain? In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Srinivas M, Consultant - Neurologist at Sparsh Hospital in Yeswanthpur, shared, “Regular physical exercise, particularly aerobic activities like walking, swimming and cycling, play a vital role in keeping the brain active and healthy. Exercises that challenge coordination and balance, such as Yoga or tai chi, also enhance cognitive function. For young children, building a brain-friendly environment is essential.” He added, “Encouraging activities like puzzles, memory games and creative play stimulates brain development. Developing a habit of reading, alongside limiting screen time, is crucial. Additionally, quality sleep and proper nutrition fuel cognitive growth. These practices, when instilled early, set the foundation for a lifetime of brain health.” Daily Habits to Boost Brain Health According to Dr Vikram Huded, HOD and Director and Clinical Lead - Interventional Neurology at Narayana Group, five key daily habits to keep your brain active and alive, especially in your 40s and 50s are as recommended - First, engage in regular aerobic exercise, which boosts blood flow and promotes brain plasticity.
- Second, prioritise quality sleep to support cognitive recovery.
- Third, stimulate your mind with challenging activities like puzzles or learning new skills.
- Fourth, maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3s, which support brain health.
- Finally, practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress and enhance mental clarity. Incorporating these habits daily can significantly improve cognitive resilience and protect against age-related decline. Even small, consistent changes can have profound long-term effects on your brain's vitality.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition." #metaglossia_mundus: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/habits-to-keep-brain-active-and-alive-unlock-the-secret-to-a-sharp-mind-101725772009844.html
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"Medical interpreter program removes language barrier for Latino community
by: Tearsa Smith
Posted: Aug 12, 2024 / 12:45 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 13, 2024 / 07:38 AM EDT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Many of us take for granted the ability to talk with our health care provider but for many of our neighbors there is a language barrier to receiving adequate care. A program is looking to decrease health care disparities in the Latino community by opening the lines of communication.
“So we, we thought, you know, we have a lot of people who are bilingual, not even bilingual, but multilingual. We have a lot of people who speak dialects. How do we get them in these positions where they’re able to make the healthcare landscape look more equitable? And so when we started thinking about that, we thought, okay, well, there’s a lot of people who want to go into higher education and they want to go into the medical field. Let’s get them started as medical interpreters, give them the training that they need,” Dalia Rodriguez-Rojo, Centro Hispano’s Medical Interpreter Program Coordinator, said.
Centro Hispano’s Medical Interpreter Training Program is on its third cohort of aspiring medical interpreters. It started as a partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but now they have expanded to five local medical centers.
“Having someone that’s there who can advocate for you and let your provider know, ‘hey, this is what the patient is saying. This is what the patient needs.’ It really puts the patient back in control of their own healthcare,” said Rodriguez-Rojo.
The program helps fill the gap for a growing Hispanic population.
“Because we’re here for them, you know, obviously we’re there for the doctor as well, for him to be able to give the message, but most likely we’re mostly there for our patients — because we don’t want them to feel left out, or, you know less, because they cannot communicate,” said Daniella Lopez who is training with the program.
Aspiring medical interpreters like Lopez and fellow student, Erika Tomas, attend workshops, role-playing scenarios, learn medical vocabulary and will undergo a practicum.
“I think it’s very important to build that kind of relationship with our community, that they can trust us in interpreting for them, because there is a scarcity in interpreters, and for me, knowing three languages, it’s very important to be able to use the skills that I was given to help others,” said Tomas.
“It’s a common misconception that if you’re bilingual, you can be a medical interpreter. It’s a lot more than that. You need to know the terminology. You need to know the ethics behind it. A lot of people think, ‘okay, if I speak Spanish, if I speak a third language, you know, I can be a great medical interpreter,’ but that’s not the case,” said Rodriguez-Rojo.
The interpreter training program is on its third cohort and their soon to be new jobs are in high demand.
According to Centro Hispano, “applicants should be fully bilingual in speaking English and Spanish (speakers of indigenous Mayan dialects are encouraged to contact Centro to discuss possibilities) and will need to complete a language fluency evaluation prior to full acceptance into the program. Applicants should also be of Latino descent, over the age of 18, and have a high school diploma or GED/hiset. Interpreters in training will need to commit significant evening hours (approximately 10-12 per week) to study and class time through the summer and will need to have access to reliable transportation.”
For more information, please contact Dalia Rodriguez-Rojo at interpreter@centrohispanotn.org."
#metaglossia_mundus: https://www.wate.com/news/health-watch/medical-interpreter-program-removes-language-barrier-for-latino-community/