Chartered Institute
of Linguists
NEWS & VOICES
By Ignaty Dyakov MCIL, CL, MSoA
Prologue
Can I say that I have always loved languages? Not sure, but if one believes in the law of attraction, then - I suppose - I have always been attracted to languages, as I have studied quite a few. When somebody asks me how many languages I know, I usually respond, ‘None, however I have studied a variety of them throughout the years’. Having...
By Anita van Adelsbergen
Anita van Adelsbergen considers the many challenges of specialising in canine and equine translation
When you are working on a translation and can’t find a certain word, Google will usually find your answer. But as an interpreter in the middle of a field, arena or paddock, that is a bit more difficult. And when it comes to equine interpreting, just...
By Gordon Southwood
Gordon Southwood ACIL German to English
This story explains my motivation to learn French and German, subjects in which I have never taken any exams, but have made my way up to conducting business at boardroom level, in both languages, in the world of manufacturing. It was on this basis that CIOL awarded me membership at Associate level...
By Karine Chevalier-Watts
Karine Chevalier-Watts, MCIL Chartered Linguist
Director of “KLAS Languages”
Chair & Treasurer of the CIOL Translating Division
Ever since I was a little girl growing up in France in the 1970s listening to my elder brother’s Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elton John and David Bowie records, I was...
Quality and standards are the badge of honour and core characteristics of all who call themselves a “professional”. Disregarding economic argument, the value of a professional is embedded in their knowledge and expertise and their ability to apply both to a purposeful endeavour in pursuit of success.
Founded over 100 years ago, long before it became a chartered body, the Institute of...
By Dr Susanne Meyer-Abich
Dr Susanne Meyer-Abich (MCIL) English/German
In 2016 I started as an editor for a new publication: the Journal for Art Market Studies, an English-language Open Access journal at the art history institute at Technische Universität Berlin.
By Sue O'Connell
Sue O'Connell MCIL Spanish to English
After a major multiple sclerosis relapse, I found myself retired. I had to ask myself, what was I going to do with the rest of my life?
I needed something that would keep me busy, but was within the capacity of my ever-decreasing mobility. After a little thought...
By Hiba Bayyat
These questions may seem absurd to established linguists, but are often asked by many bilingual and multilingual individuals seeking to invest in their language skills with no prior industry knowledge.
Do you recall the initial steps taken in your career as a professional interpreter and/or translator? How easy or how difficult was it for you? Did you feel that the...
By Rob Beswick
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It looks at the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that you gain both formally and informally as you work, beyond any initial training (according to Google). For many CIOL members, training and self-improvement can be tough. Many are freelancers, which, while it offers a...
By Nicole Fenwick
Nicole Fenwick BA MA MCIL French to English Legal Translator / Editor / Proofreader
I have always loved languages and while my English and French law degree initially steered me into the mainstream legal profession, I always sought out every opportunity to use my languages. After pursuing an MA in Translation Studies, I decided it was time to...