More than two hundred participants explore recent advances in translation and interpreting

The Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII), part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), today concluded its 10th Annual International Translation Conference, held at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) on March 26 and 27. 

In attendance were His Excellency Mr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, State Minister; His Excellency Mr. Li Chen, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Qatar; His Excellency Mr. Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador to the State of Qatar, and senior representatives of the Qatar Foundation and HBKU.

Forty-three speakers from more than 20 countries converged in Doha to explore topics on translation and interpreting under the theme Translation Beyond the Margins. Dr. Amal Al-Malki, founding dean of CHSS, delivered the opening speech. As part of her inaugural remarks, she showcased the advanced speech translation system developed by HBKU’s Qatar Computing Research Institute.

Dr. Joselia Neves, a professor at TII, chaired the opening panel, Sparking the Discussion, with panelists Rytis Martikonis, Director General for Translation at the European Commission, Dr. Sofía García-Beyaert, Founder of Arcos Institute, and Dr. Miguel Á. Bernal-Merino, Senior Lecturer in Translation in the University of Roehampton. The panelists spoke on Framing the Societal Value of Community Interpreting; Translation and Localization of Multimedia Interactive Entertainment Software; and European Public Service Translation: Care, Be Aware, and Dare, respectively.

Dr. Amal Al-Malki said: “Translation is an attempt to make sense of the world beyond the linearity that the pages of a book might suggest. Like writing, translation is an act of agency, a choice, a decision and an ideology. You cannot discuss translation in isolation of ideology and power relations. In TII’s 10th conference, we have taken the challenge to go beyond the margins by celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity and breaking down barriers. We also go beyond the margins by fostering collaboration and supporting innovation."

Related to this year's conference, Dr. Al-Malki also said: "Translation beyond the margin goes beyond boarders and territories and beyond imposed mental and physical divisions to build common grounds for exchange and discussion. Translation here switches into an agent of change in the globalization era with the power to set the rules of cultural engagement. Academia and profession intersect to shape and define the experiences around us that require mediation, and the translator becomes at the heart of this as a cultural mediator."

Topics covered during the two-day event included translation, crossovers in interpreting, audiovisual translation, transcreation and self-translation; innovation and transgression in researching translation and related areas; translator training beyond the classroom; translation norms and transgressions; translation for active citizenship; and translation beyond the word.

Panel sessions on the first day of the conference included The Old, The New, The Local, and The Global in Literature; The Translation and Interpreting Profession; Translation Technology Bridging Disciplines; Approaches to Linguistics from New Perspectives; Highlighting Difference through Literature; Activism in Translation and Translation for Activism.

On the final day, panel discussions explored Writers in Translation; Audiovisual Translation, Mainstream and Beyond; Translation Studies and Profession; and Cultural Transadaptation in New Context; and Synthesis and Future Horizon.

Meanwhile, two workshops held during the conference enabled translation students and translators to advance skills in areas that are critical within the field.

TII regularly hosts a breadth of local and international events to advance the study of translation, interpreting and foreign languages. Since its establishment, the institute's mandate has been geared towards supporting a growing community of translators, linguists, and professionals in Qatar and the region. TII delivers two master’s programs, each accredited and validated by the University of Geneva.

For more information on TII and its events, please visit tii.qa