Translating and Interpreting Forum 2019

2 September 2019

The School of Languages & Cultures held its annual half day Translating and Interpreting Forum in August to discuss issues related to translating  and interpreting services in Queensland, translating and interpreting research, and translating and interpreting teaching and learning. The forum brings  together  presenters  from  the  local  translating  and  interpreting  industry  and academia. This year we focussed on the theme digital technology.

Dr Joss Moorkens from Dublin City University opened with his academic analysis of “Copyright issues in translation in the era of big data”.  He noted how the rights to ownership of translations are not clear and differ based on jurisdiction. As a result, the challenge for translators is that in relinquishing copyright they also lose any control over future exploitation of the translation data they have generated.  Joss located this problem in its historical context, pointing out that we need to change current practices in order to maximise translation sustainability. This requires cooperation from translation and client companies, changes and adherence to standards, and engagement from translators, which is not an easy task but a necessary one, according to Joss.

Following on from Joss’ academic insights, Emil Davityan from Bluedot Innovation in the US Silicon Valley shared his practical understanding of “Value and privacy: international evolutions in technology, communication and personalised data”.  He noted that cultural, economic and political interactions with previously disconnected people around the world are being facilitated and continuously redefined by technology.  By extension, the nature and methods of our communication are also changing rapidly.  Emil illustrated some of these changes in technology and data-driven innovations using his own experience in Silicon Valley, pointing out how they are affecting professionals around the world and how the ecosystem of technology companies works in practice. 

The forum finished with practitioner tips from Anna Jenman of AUSIT, who shared her practical ideas on how to “Optimise your translation business for success.”  This included workload management, building capacity and efficiency, using technology, finding new clients, and marketing on a small budget.  Anna successfully linked Joss’ academic insights and Emil’s overseas entrepreneurial ideas to the everyday professional experience of the local practitioner here in Brisbane. 

We sincerely thank the UQ Confucius Institute for its ongoing generous support of the forum.

 

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