[CFP] CULTUS 12 : Training mediators: the future
CULTUS 12 : Training mediators: the future
Call for Abstracts: 28 December, 2018
Call for papers: 1 April, 2019
Submission info at: www.cultusjournal.com
Cultus 12 will focus on the training of the language and cultural mediator. To what extent are traditional translator/interpreter roles and training relevant to real world employment in the near future?
One particular issue is the “zone of uncertainty” (Inghilleri 2005) under which many mediators work. Should they be trained to be impartial messengers, to be cultural mediators or to be advocates/committed activists/helpers? What needs to be (re)thought in terms of programmes and likely roles for the world of 2025 and beyond? And what relationship can we imagine the mediator should have with technology, which is promising (or threatening) to take over much of the linguistic side of mediation.
As to the training, how necessary is it? Who actually provides it? To what extent should Universities be involved? We know that University training for translators has become academised. But to what extent has this investment in undergraduate and graduate training resulted in increased status for the profession? And for that matter, to what extent is the European Union’s “Master in Translation” a way forward?
As to the training itself, much has changed from the days of the “performance magistrale”, where students remain passive spectators. But how much have we moved on to organize training that delivers what either the clients or the market require. Another training question is directionality. The traditional paradigm is that translation should only be into one’s native language, though in reality at least 50% (Katan, forthcoming) also translate into a second or even third language. There is also the problem of language provision itself, when, for example even communities with languages of limited diffusion have their own distinct languages.
And, for that matter, how much agreement is there over what “mediation” actually is?
Contributions must be sent to: submission@cultusjournal.com
Cultus: The journal of intercultural of communication and mediation:
double-blind review, MLA/IATIS/TSB indexed ; “A” quality rated by ANVUR
EDITORS: David Katan (University of Salento, Italy) Cinzia Spinzi (University of Palermo, Italy)