Conference

Abstract for “Translation and Heritage Language Teaching—an Approach to the English to Spanish Translation Experience of Bilingual Spanish Speakers in the United States”

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Laura Gasca Jiménez, University of Houston

The relation between language teaching and translation is a difficult one. Nevertheless, translation has gained increasing popularity as a pedagogical tool in the last decades. Following this line of research, the present study aims to be a first step towards the integration of the translation activity in heritage language teaching. It focuses on pointing out the habits, attitudes and previous knowledge that students of Spanish as a heritage language have in the United States. The analysis was conducted with a sample of 59 university students of Spanish as a heritage language who were enrolled in an advanced intermediate course at the University of Houston. The participants filled in a questionnaire on their linguistic background, another one on their translation habits and attitudes and finally they completed an English to Spanish translation exercise. Results indicated that most of the heritage language students translate from English to Spanish on a regular basis. The most outstanding contexts of translation are the familiar, personal, academic and the work-related. Their attitudes towards translation are very positive and most of them stress its instrumental value in the United States. Furthermore, the analysis of their translations shows that most of them are able to convey most messages of a source text through the use of different translation techniques with different accuracy levels.

 

 

 

 

Conference

Abstract for “‘Non-professional’ Translators and Interpreters: Questioning the Status Quo”

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Triana Palomo, University Jaume I

Today, the role performed by non-professional translators and interpreters in a changing and globalized linguistic landscape, in general, and in migrant-receiving countries, in particular, is fundamental, because these agents cover most of the linguistic needs in the public services of our country (Gómez & Ivy 2011; Abril Martí & Martín 2011; Burdeus 2015). The linguistic variety is increasingly growing due to social and political issues (such as immigrants looking for jobs or seeking asylum). The study of the role of non-professional translators and interpreters is therefore definitely relevant. For six years, the translation and interpreting academia has showed a particular interest for this subject of study in a biennial meeting, the International Conference on Non-Professional Interpreting and Translation (NPIT). However, the term “non-professional” or even its boundaries are problematic: is someone who works as a full-time translator or interpreter a “non-professional”? Should the professional exercise be limited to those who hold a University degree in Translation and Interpreting, despite the relatively recent appearance of such studies?

In this contribution, we will explore how scholars in the field of translation and interpreting use those terms and compare that use to the view on non-professional translators and interpreters as set in the legal framework of the Spanish State and in the narratives of professional organizations.

To this end, we will analyse the contributions to the aforementioned series of conferences about non-professional translation and interpreting; the approved and applicable Spanish law on translation in public services; as well as the publications of the professionals organizations in our State. By doing so, the following questions will be answered:

–           What is it understood under ‘non-professional’ translators in translation studies?

–           What other terms coexist with “non-professionals” in the academia?

–           Which terms or groups can be identified in the documentation regulating translators’ and interpreters’ performance in official settings in the Spanish State?

–           How and when do professional associations refer to this group?

–           What are the implications of this term when it comes to the performance of non-professionals and their integration into society?

–           In what ways are non-professionals taken into account by professional associations?

This research questions lead to the formulation of the following hypothesis: the variety of terms implies a variety of positions on the legitimacy of non-professional translators and their recognised opportunities of performance and integration.

After building a corpus with the relevant documents, a content analysis will be conducted. The categories used will aim to explain the variety of views and terms.

Conference

Abstract for “Introducing AIIC’s ‘Interpreters in Conflict Zones'”

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Jonathan Sanders, International Association of Conference Interpreters

The International Association of Conference Interpreters, known by its French acronym, AIIC (Association International des Interprètes de Conférence), was founded in the aftermath of World War II and has continuously worked for the advancement of interpretation. With a current membership of more than three thousand individual members throughout the world, AIIC has developed internal specializations. This contribution will focus on the history, projects and developments of the Interpreters in Conflict Zones section, which has worked hand in hand with other organization to produce much needed guidance and leadership to protect both citizens and interpreters from the perils of war.