Crisis Translation

This event has ended.

Please note this event has been rescheduled to take place on Wednesday 13 February 2019 in room 2.18 at the School of Modern Languages and will include an additional speaker.

A research seminar with guest speakers Dr Federico M. Federici (University College London) and Ms Ketham Al Sharou (University College London) as part of the Translation Adaptation and Performance research theme the School of Modern Languages.

Communicating in Multilingual in Cascading Crises - Dr Federico M. Federici

Abstract

This paper presents the objectives and ongoing findings of the H2020-funded INTERACT Network that focuses on crisis translation. The role of translators and interpreters operating during multilingual cascading crises (be these the outcome of human-made or natural disasters) has been underestimated in disaster studies research and has received cursory attention in translation studies until recently.

The illusion of an international lingua franca hides the complexity of fluent communication in crises occurring in multilingual contexts, where cascading events (Pescaroli & Alexander, 2015) engender communication in unexpected ways ((Crowley & Chan, 2011). Access to clear information is paramount to efficient communication for populations affected by a crisis; access to life-saving information is a human right (O'Brien, Federici, Cadwell, Marlowe, & Gerber, 2018).

Who are the translators and interpreters in unpredictable emergencies? How do the translators and interpreters handle the power struggle intrinsic in the relationship between those affected and those responding? Do they have any professional expertise? To what extent are translation resources explicitly built into response operations or considered a key element of preparedness and response (Cadwell & O’Brien, 2016)? Or can volunteers be trained to become ad hoc translators in response to specific crises (Federici & Cadwell, 2018; Moser-Mercer, Kherbiche, & Class, 2014; O'Brien, 2016)?

This talk reflects on a few core issues related to the role of language mediators in multilingual emergencies, in particular focusing on policies that embed language mediation in emergency response and training needs of linguists who get involved in crisis translation.

Biography

Federico M. Federici is a Reader in Translation Studies at the Centre for Translation Studies of University College London, UK. Holder of a Laurea in Ling. Lett Moderne (EN/FR) from the University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Federici moved to the UK where he was awarded his PhD at University of Leeds (2007). In 2007, he founded and directed the EMTTM MA in Translation Studies at Durham University, UK (2008-2014). He was founder and Director of the Centre for Intercultural Mediation at Durham University. He served as member of the Board of the European Master’s in Translation Network (2011-2014). Together with several articles in journals, he authored Translation as Stylistic Evolution (2009), co-edited Translators, Interpreters and Cultural Mediators (2014), and edited Mediating Emergencies and Conflicts (2016), Translating Dialects and Languages of Minorities (2011), and Translating Regionalized Voices in Audiovisuals (2009). His research focuses on translators and interpreters as intercultural mediators and on reception of translated texts in the news.

Machine Translation and its Role in Crisis Translation - Ms Khetam Al Sharou

Abstract

Machine Translation (MT) is a technology whereby a computer produces translations from one language into another. In recent years, research in MT has experienced a huge development and nowadays fairly accurate translations can be obtained for certain language pairs. This substantial quality improvement has led to its introduction into professional translation workflows and its potential has been proven beyond the translation industry itself. In fact, in 2010 MT was proven useful as an aid in the response efforts to the Haiti earthquake. In this presentation, we will briefly see what machine translation is and how an MT engine works to then explain how it could be used in disaster preparation and relief operations.

Biography

Ms. Khetam Al Sharou is a researcher at the Centre for Translation Studies of University College London where she is conducting her doctoral research. She holds an MSc in Translation and Computer Assisted Translation Tools from Heriot-Watt University, UK. Prior to her doctoral studies, she lectured in English at the Higher Institute of Translation and Interpreting, Damascus University and other universities in Syria. Her PhD project focuses on the statistical MT system Moses and its usability in teaching translation technologies in the English into Arabic combination. Her research involves both extensive study of linguistics, translation and knowledge of principles of education. Miss Al Sharou is currently involved in a number of cross-disciplinary research projects focusing on the linguistic and communication integration of adult refugees and refugee doctors in Europe and the UK as well as on translation services in crisis scenarios.

Simultaneous Translation

The event will be delivered in the medium of English. You are welcome to ask questions in the medium of Welsh during the Q&A session. If you intend to do this, please contact mlang-events@cardiff.ac.uk by Wednesday 30 January to request simultaneous translation. Please note that 10% or more of those planning to attend will need to request this provision in order for it to be sourced and will be subject to resource availability.