[Discussion] CFP: Translation and Intercultural Studies 12th-14th July 2006

[gpultar@cstgroup.org]

2nd IATIS Conference
SPECIAL PANEL 1
CALL FOR PAPERS


2nd Conference of the International Association for
Translation and Intercultural Studies

Intervention in Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Encounters

University of the Western Cape, South Africa
12th-14th July 2006

http://www.iatis.org/content/iatis2006/call-general.php



SPECIAL PANEL 1:
Translating/interpreting for/in grassroots movements and NGOs

Chair: Ŝebnem Susam-Sarajeva,
University of Edinburgh, UK


Presentation and Themes

Intervention is the rationale of grassroots movements and NGOs (non-governmental
organisations) – or more recently and accurately, PVOs (private voluntary
organisations) – and both grassroots movements and NGOs rely heavily on
translation and interpreting in order to function, improve their effectiveness,
network, and spread their influence. In their efforts to bring about global
change the international NGOs are by definition bound up with translation
– of documents as diverse as newsletters, minutes, reports, statutes,
transcripts of speeches, accounting and financial results, press releases,
posters and advertising, and web pages. Even local NGOs require translation in
order to reach out to international organizations looking for local partners,
and to donors who can fund services directly.

Yet little is known about the specificities of ‘NGO translation’.
The proposed panel intends to raise several questions on the matter: How are the
vast translation and interpreting needs of international NGOs met? What are the
profiles of the translators and interpreters? What are the various institutional
contexts? Do the strategies used differ from those in more conventional
translation and interpreting tasks?

Specific issues which may generate particular interest include the following:

      The ‘agency’ of the translator/interpreter within the wider
context of ‘citizenship’, ‘activism’, ‘global
aid’, and ‘reform’.

      Translating/interpreting for major international humanitarian aid
organisations.

      Volunteer non-professional translators/interpreters; professional
translators/ interpreters volunteering.

      Differences between ‘resistance’, ‘activism’,
‘commitment’ and ‘volunteerism’ within the context of
translation/interpreting.

      Intervening malgré eux – what happens when the translators’
attitudes towards translating are not that interventionist?

      Subject-matter related stress on translators/interpreters.

      Refusing to translate; avoiding translating; giving up translating.

      Translating/interpreting against one’s own formative
state/school/religious upbringing. What happens when the loyalties have to be
reconsidered?

      Translating web-based material within the context of grassroots movements.

      Translating literary works which have become part of global grassroots
movements (e.g. Vagina Monologues).

      The possible effects of the ‘free’ use of the services of
translators’/intrepreters’ on a profession which has traditionally
suffered from underpayment.


Submission of abstracts

Abstracts (maximum 300 words, in English) can be sent:

      either by e-mail to [s.susam-sarajeva@ed.ac.uk].

      or by post to

      Ŝebnem Susam-Sarajeva
      Translation Studies Graduate Programme
      LLC Graduate School, 19 George Square
      University of Edinburgh
      Edinburgh EH8 9LD
      U.K.
      Tel: ++44  (0)131 651 1373



Key dates

      Deadline for submitting abstracts: October 31st 2005.

      Notification of acceptance of abstracts: January 15th 2006.