Ewandro Magalhães
Ewandro Magalhães is a conference interpreter, former chief interpreter in the United Nations system, interpreter trainer, and language technology advocate.
He is a TEDx speaker and the author of three books, including The Language Game.
Influence: A Word That Moves the World
“Influence” is broader than metrics, encompassing natural forces, intellectual authority, and procedural changes. The author traces the word's meaning from its Latin origin (influentia, a flowing in) and cosmological roots to its modern, monetized definition as "influencer."
A Fourth Type of Translation
Prompted by his own experience of co-authoring an article with artificial intelligence (AI), the author explores a “fourth type of translation” — that between human and machine. He considers the protocols for AI collaboration: At what point does assistance cross into ghostwriting? When does augmentation become abdication?
Stick-Joy and Joysticks
The author shares his impressions on how games travel across language and culture, drawing comparisons among make-believe games, board games, and video games. He asserts that game localization is not duplication, but rather a strategic reenactment and even a form of diplomacy.
A Voice Beyond the Microphone
The author discusses the often misunderstood profession of interpreting, focusing on the psychological landscape of interpreters, the pressures they face, and why they may be perceived as difficult, unresponsive, or even arrogant.
The Golden Voice of Humanity
The Voyager space probes’ Golden Records — which carry the voices and sounds of Earth into space for any extraterrestrial who might one day find them — exemplify the ultimate edge case in translation and localization. How do you convey meaning when you can’t assume anything about your audience — not their language, their cognitive processes, or even their sensory capabilities?
Thawing the Glacier of Interpretation
The author reflects on the slow pace of technological progress in the interpretation space, from the advent of simultaneous interpreting in 1945 to the dawn of remote work in 2020. Now, with the emergence of AI-based machine interpreting, he urges both individual interpreters and language service providers to embrace these new, innovative solutions.
Collateral Damage
The Mayan civilization may have vanished, but its linguistic heritage endures. Today, up to 22 ancient Mayan languages are still spoken in Guatemala and beyond, though their survival remains precarious. Ewandro Magalhães describes the challenges facing native speakers and efforts to provide language services to those in need.
Talk Like a Bot
When it comes to adopting AI, Ewandro Magalhães advises a balanced approach: taking it slow to avoid overpromising, but also keeping an open mind to possibilities. He argues that, ultimately, speaking openly about our fears and hopes will help us determine ethical ways to move forward with AI.
The Real Memory Lane
In the annals of interpretation, few names shine as brightly as Andre Kaminker. Savant, trailblazer, and linchpin in the world of international communication, Kaminker’s life was a testament to the art and science of language — a craft he mastered with a blend of genius and unmatched techniques.
Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Using three examples of poor translations that changed the course of history, Ewandro Magalhães illustrates the tough job of interpreters in the arena of international diplomacy and how they can also serve as catalysts for understanding and reconciliation.
Ewandro Magalhães
"Being voted a top influencer in language services is perhaps the greatest distinction I have received in the 30+ years I have been in this space."
A Tale of Pigs Wolves and Ostriches
Magalhães draws a connection between the Big Bad Wolf character in fairy tales and the language industry’s fear of change. What better way for the protagonist to triumph than to confront those fears head-on?
The Silent Exodus
On Jan. 21, 2008, the body of Mrs. Mary Jones was committed to the earth. She was the last speaker of Eyak, once a traditional language spoken in Alaska. Her language was buried with her.
The Rosetta Effect
Fiona Broome vividly remembered watching video reports of Nelson Mandela’s death in a South African prison back in 1980. She also recalled a painful interview by his widow in the wake of that tragedy. Several of Fiona’s acquaintances had the same exact recollections. Only Mandela did not die in 1980, but rather in 2013. By then, he had been out of jail for 20 years and served a full term as president of South Africa.
l9Ng69g1: The secret to encryption
Are you a code talker? If you’re not, that might change after reading Ewandro Magalhães’ most recent piece for MultiLingual. Here, KUDO’s chief language officer takes a look at how ciphers work and the fascinating history of cryptography.
The Pen and the Voice: Language and the voyage of Magellan
Upon setting sail from the Spanish port of Seville in 1519, at the head of his Armada of the Moluccas, Ferdinand Magellan was unsure of just what to expect.
He had a hunch that sailing west would take him to the Spice Islands. He was also confident he could find the fabled maritime passage through the continents claimed by the two competing seafaring superpowers of the time.