International Conference_The Translator’s Profession

[ahmed_allaithy]

International Conference*: Call for papers

We translate all the time. Translating is* an absolute, an essential part of any human interaction. It* is a cultural, political, economic, technical, scientific and social necessity whenever we engage with others. Translating is also a profession.

For the last 50 years, ESIT has undertaken to train* translators and conference interpreters who are vital agents in the exchange of science and affect in contemporary society.

Hence the choice of the following generic (but no less precise) title of the translation studies conference to be organised by ESIT on November 9 and 10 2007 on the occasion of its 50^th anniversary:

*********************************************** The Translator’s Profession

You are invited to attend the three half-day sessions of discussions which will address major aspects of translating as a profession. The various types of presentation planned should provide ample opportunity to share our thoughts, knowledge and skills.

In order to structure the discussions the following directions have been outlined. You are invited to submit a contribution under one of these headings:

A/ The translating and interpreting professions:

-******** status and perception of these professions

*-*** factors determining the degree of professionalization in different* translation and interpretation* sectors (economic considerations, political decisions, professional associations’ input , cultural and historical factors, role of clients.

-******** professional ethics and the role(s) of translators

-******** the impact of new technologies on professional practice

-******** the range of translation needs and quality expectations.

B/ Translation questions – responses from Translation Studies

-******** does translation reside in confronting two languages or in keeping them apart?

-******** Are there distinct domain-specific and language-specific theories or a single theory with specific techniques?

-******** Deverbalisation questioned.

2/* The impact on translation of the emergence of globalized knowledge and the assertion of cultural identities

-******** Does the emergence of a form of global culture help or hinder the translating process?

-******** Cultural identities and translation methods.

C/ Translator training

-******** Criteria for professional training.

-******** Do students need some basic grounding in translation theory?

-******** How to teach translation skills?

Presentations should last about 20 minutes leaving ten minutes for questions and answers.
The working languages of the conference are English and French.

Abstracts (about 500 words) should be submitted to the following address by 15 May 2007 : jeanine.tharaud@univ-paris3.fr

Authors will be informed of the scientific committee’s decision by June 30.