Category Archives: Articles

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} It seems that by all accounts the New York Circle of Translators saw a comeback in 2012. The currentContinue reading “Report from the President”

As we enter an age of unprecedented intercultural communication, the promise of translation and interpretation as professions stands nearly unrivalled.[1] But what will it take to be a language professional in these uncharted waters? As our professional literature including this publication amply informs us, linguists will have to adjust to the changing landscape and proactivelyContinue reading “Crisis in the Language Services Industry?”

Bilingualism is a term in common use. In fact, one hears it more and more. But do we actually know what we mean by being bilingual? Does it imply native command or just fluency in two languages? What level of fluency does bilingualism entail? The following are my reflections on the topic from the perspectiveContinue reading “Bilingualism and the Linguist”

A colleague and member of the Circle who is relatively new to the field suggested to me that she and others starting out could find it useful to hear the professional stories of those of us who have been translating for a few years. This article is my response to that request. When I wasContinue reading “The Outline of a Career in Translation and Interpreting”

Translation industry pundits often extol the virtues of specialization. They argue that translators or interpreters who find the right niche can hone their skill in areas where demand for competent linguists exceeds supply. This theme is the crux of Chris Durban’s book The Prosperous Translator.[1] More precisely, she argues that plenty of work and moneyContinue reading “On Specialization”

Based on a presentation given to the membership of the New York Circle of Translators at the group’s February 2012 meeting Before I go into the substance of this essay, which admittedly is somewhat pessimistic, I think it is important to reflect on the fact that translation and interpreting are beautiful professions. They require aContinue reading “Market Inefficiencies in the Language Services Sector”

How cosmopolitan is New York City? Apparently more languages are spoken in London, but New York is still the multicultural mecca. To what degree do communities of different cultures that live and work geographically close to one another in the Big Apple actually communicate with each other? In this essay, I take a closer lookContinue reading “Gotham’s Many Cities | Language Across Communities in New York”