Alternative futures for a National Institute of Translation
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Roger T. Bell
Abstract
Governments, worldwide, face a paradoxical situation. National development depends on reliable information (often only initially available in a foreign language) but there are, normally, no mechanisms in place for assessing the quality of translated and interpreted information. The response has frequently been to attempt to control the typically chaotic market through a state-appointed regulator with power to accredit training programmes and monitor both the suitability of the product and the behaviour of the service providers. Malaysia has had such a de jure regulator – the Malaysia National Institute of Translation – since 1993 but progress towards de facto regulation and control has been slow. In this paper use is made of “systems thinking” to describe the Institute as a problematic “human activity system” moving uncertainly towards a number of as yet ill-defined alternative futures which are evaluated and used as a source of suggestions for improving the present problem situation.
Abstract
Governments, worldwide, face a paradoxical situation. National development depends on reliable information (often only initially available in a foreign language) but there are, normally, no mechanisms in place for assessing the quality of translated and interpreted information. The response has frequently been to attempt to control the typically chaotic market through a state-appointed regulator with power to accredit training programmes and monitor both the suitability of the product and the behaviour of the service providers. Malaysia has had such a de jure regulator – the Malaysia National Institute of Translation – since 1993 but progress towards de facto regulation and control has been slow. In this paper use is made of “systems thinking” to describe the Institute as a problematic “human activity system” moving uncertainly towards a number of as yet ill-defined alternative futures which are evaluated and used as a source of suggestions for improving the present problem situation.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements ix
- Foreword: Interpreting professions, professionalisation and professionalism 1
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Critical linking up
- Critical linking up 11
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Interpreters on duty in Interaction: Studies of micro dynamics
- The interpreter in multi-party medical encounters 27
- Interpreting in asylum hearings 39
- Conversational dynamics as an instructional resource in interpreter-mediated technical settings 53
- A data driven analysis of telephone interpreting 65
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Interpreters in the community: Studies of macro dynamics
- Interpreter-mediated police interviews 79
- Community interpreting in Poland 95
- Alternative futures for a National Institute of Translation 107
- The interpreter’s ‘third client’ 121
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Developing local standards
- The Swedish system of authorizing interpreters 135
- Establishment, maintenance and development of a national register 139
- From Aequitas to Aequalitas 151
- The California standards for healthcare interpreters 167
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Professional ideology: Food for thought
- Professionalisation of interpreting with the community 181
- Why bother? Institutionalisation, interpreter decisions and power relations 193
- The interpreter as advocate 205
- Professionalisation on interpreters 215
- Professional stocks of interactional knowledge in the interpreter’s profession 227
- Aristotelian ethics and modern professional interpreting 241
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Improving and assessing professional skills: Training initiatives and programmes
- Formative assessment 253
- Interpreter internship program 263
- On-line and between the lines 273
- A bachelor programme in interpreting 283
- From helpers to professionals 297
- Index 311
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements ix
- Foreword: Interpreting professions, professionalisation and professionalism 1
-
Critical linking up
- Critical linking up 11
-
Interpreters on duty in Interaction: Studies of micro dynamics
- The interpreter in multi-party medical encounters 27
- Interpreting in asylum hearings 39
- Conversational dynamics as an instructional resource in interpreter-mediated technical settings 53
- A data driven analysis of telephone interpreting 65
-
Interpreters in the community: Studies of macro dynamics
- Interpreter-mediated police interviews 79
- Community interpreting in Poland 95
- Alternative futures for a National Institute of Translation 107
- The interpreter’s ‘third client’ 121
-
Developing local standards
- The Swedish system of authorizing interpreters 135
- Establishment, maintenance and development of a national register 139
- From Aequitas to Aequalitas 151
- The California standards for healthcare interpreters 167
-
Professional ideology: Food for thought
- Professionalisation of interpreting with the community 181
- Why bother? Institutionalisation, interpreter decisions and power relations 193
- The interpreter as advocate 205
- Professionalisation on interpreters 215
- Professional stocks of interactional knowledge in the interpreter’s profession 227
- Aristotelian ethics and modern professional interpreting 241
-
Improving and assessing professional skills: Training initiatives and programmes
- Formative assessment 253
- Interpreter internship program 263
- On-line and between the lines 273
- A bachelor programme in interpreting 283
- From helpers to professionals 297
- Index 311
