The Translation and Interpreting Institute (TII) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is now accepting submissions for the eighth annual International Translation Conference. The conference will be held on March 27 and 28.
Submissions of abstracts should be between 250 to 300 words, in either English or Arabic with the applicant’s institutional affiliation, contact information and a short biography of no more than 100 words. The deadline for submission of papers is October 30 and applicants will be notified by November 27.
TII anticipates submissions from academics, practitioners and community members who are invested, through theory or practice, in addressing the theme of this year’s conference, “21st Century Demands: Translators and Interpreters toward Human and Social Responsibilities.”
This year’s conference seeks to highlight the crucial role translators and interpreters play in building capacity within contemporary society with a focus on Qatari society and other societies in the Arab world more broadly.
Dr Amal al-Malki, founding dean of CHSS, noted, “Translators and interpreters are often unsung heroes. Their dedication and professionalism enables, and has historically enabled, people, society and nations to achieve success over the centuries. Only recently have we begun to understand the significance of good translation and interpretation, and this year’s conference seeks to highlight the role it plays in preserving knowledge, transferring ideas, shaping historical events and bridging communities in the past, present and future.”
The thematic areas for the conference include, but are not limited to, the role of translators and interpreters in the community; achievements in history, linguistic innovation and language policies, and translator and interpreter education and training.
Suggested sub-topics to explore include the role of interpreters and translators in conflict zones, political, ethical, and economic facets of narration, community interpreters in healthcare, legal, and activist settings, technology as challenge and opportunity, and assessment of terminology tools such as databases, and AVT and interpreting technology.
Papers submitted that highlight the contributions of translators and interpreters in enhancing human and social development in Qatar and the region will be given a special focus.