Here’s a look at the most popular stories about translation, interpreting, and language for December 2018 and January 2019*.
- In the UK, unqualified interpreters used by police have caused court delays, and in at least one instance the collapse of a case.
- Some words don’t cross borders very easily.
- Did you know a former conference interpreter was recently elected to Switzerland’s top government post?
Karin Keller-Sutter is an alumni of The Institute of Translation and Interpreting at Zurich University of Applied Sciences.
- The Society of Authors has announced its 2018 Translation Prize shortlists.
- What does the profession of literary translator entail?
- December is always the time for “words of year” and 2018’s crop were particularly depressing. But will they last?
“Toxic”, “single-use” and “misinformation” were amongst the words of the year for 2018.
- Translating film titles can be a tricky business
- Duck cold: How do the French use animals to talk about weather?
Ducks gather on the bank of the Yauza river during snowfall in Moscow on December 19, 2018. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
“Insect Day” is more commonly known as “Inset Day”.
* I was away from late December until January (hence the round-up covering two months), and so I’ll leave you with a “translation” I saw on my travels …
close-up of the English
close-up of the French
Further reading:
A Smart Translator's Reunion 