LATEST ISSUE

September 2024

Hidden Gems: Brilliant Language Professionals Operating Behind the Scenes

The industry's “hidden gems” are the project managers, freelancers, team leaders, and consultants whose bright ideas and extraordinary work ethic lead to more efficient organizations, higher-quality products, and farther-reaching services.

Post Editing

eptember 30th is International Translation Day, established by the United Nations to celebrate the vital role of language professionals around the world. That makes this month a fitting time to shine a much-deserved spotlight on some of our industry’s most dedicated and skilled workers who often go unrecognized. In our “Hidden Gems” feature, we highlight ten linguists quietly pushing boundaries and enabling success every day, according to their colleagues and clients. They remind us that real impact comes from the passion and creativity that you bring to your job, no matter your role or background.

This issue of MultiLingual also examines the small but crucial field of diplomatic interpreting through an interview with seasoned US State Department interpreter Lefteris Kafatos. Plus, an op-ed by translator Pham Hoa Hiep addresses the overlooked issue of vicarious trauma, offering strategies for maintaining emotional well-being when dealing with distressing subject matter.

Finally, language preservation efforts call for an appreciation of the link between indigenous languages and cultural identity. This issue features not only Tim Brookes’ usual column on endangered scripts, but also a review of his newest book, Writing Beyond Writing.

Happy reading, everyone!

Column: Unscripted

Writing Joyfully

The Endangered Nepal Lipi Scripts

By Tim Brookes

While the traditional Ranjana script is recognized and respected in Nepal, most people can’t read or write it due to centuries of restriction and oppression. Now, thanks to local efforts at teaching calligraphy, it’s making a comeback.

PERSPECTIVES

Developing Emotional Resilience in Translation and Interpretation

By Pham Hoa Hiep

In the course of their work, translators and interpreters often encounter tragic situations that cause them emotional distress. Pham Hoa Hiep discusses adaptive coping strategies and calls for better support mechanisms for language professionals.

interpreting

The Language of Diplomacy

Insights From Diplomatic Interpreter Lefteris Kafatos

By Mimi Moore

We often think of international diplomacy during crises, but diplomats and their interpreters quietly work on a daily basis to maintain peaceful and productive international partnerships. To gain insight into this little-known field of interpreting, MultiLingual spoke with American diplomatic interpreter Lefteris Kafatos.

The Quest for Genuine Intelligence

Supported by RWS

In the midst of a tech-induced fog where differing information can create a bewildering environment for organizations simply looking to future-proof their businesses, a new study by RWS cuts through the noise by providing some cold, hard numbers about what members of the C suite are feeling vis-à-vis AI.

Overcoming the Limitations of LLMs

Pangeanic’s New RAG-Based Approach

Supported by Pangeanic

Can large language models (LLMs) truly bridge the gap between languages and cultures? Recent research by Pangeanic and others suggests that we might be closer to this goal than we think, despite the well-known limitations of LLMs.

Generative AI is Reshaping the Loc Teams

Supported by Translated

Alessandro Cattelan, COO of Translated, discusses the new skills that language professionals will need to adapt to the era of generative AI.

Community

Hidden Gems

Brilliant Language Professionals Operating Behind the Scenes

Compiled by Eddie Arrieta and Cathy Martin

Here, we feature ten individuals from around the globe who were nominated by their colleagues in recognition of their exceptional talent and dedication. We asked them to discuss their career choices, skill development, and what drives them to make a difference every day.

Ahmed Abdulmajeed

Strategic Solutions Executive at MasterWord

Daniele Cocozza

Director of Enterprise Operations at Translated

Mohamed Hussein

CEO at PGLS

Masehlabaka Mokose

Freelance Translator and French Curriculum Specialist at Lesotho’s Ministry of Education and Training

Smith Nord

Freelance Translator at Creole Solutions

Marco Russo

AI Language Specialist at Creative Words

Merlindia A. Romelus

Freelance Translator at Creole Solutions and Clear Words Translation

Richard Sikes

Senior Consultant, Business Services at memoQ

Lize Spies

Senior Project Manager at Folio Online

Jorgelina Venturi

Business Development Manager and Talent Strategist at tbotalent

Book Review

Writing Beyond Writing

By Tim Brookes

Reviewed by Erik Shonstrom

Tim Brookes’ book, Writing Beyond Writing, is at once an historical overview of scripts, a memoir about carving endangered scripts, a manifesto that takes aim at the dominance of the Latin script, and — perhaps most vitally — a clarion call to save the scripts used by marginalized peoples around the world.