Cfp: Training and Assessing Translators’ Intercultural Competence

Special Issue of The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, Volume 10, Number 3

For the purposes of this special issue we define intercultural competence as the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to successfully operate across cultural differences in communicative situations. In recent models of translator competences (e.g. the EMT), intercultural competence has been recognized as a key component of translators’ professional practice. Translation trainers and students share a conviction that this is an important area of training (see [url=http://www.pictllp.eu/en/archive]http://www.pictllp.eu/en/archive[/url]). However, it is not always clear what this competence is understood to consist of, what are the particular characteristics of this competence for translators, and how it should be taught and assessed.

The last decade has seen a growing interrelation between translation and intercultural communication (IC), as research and pedagogical areas. This engagement has been shaped by a number of publications (for example, Katan’s2004 “Translating Cultures”) and curriculum development projects (for example, PICT [url=http://www.pictllp.eu]http://www.pictllp.eu[/url]). The work done in this area highlights both its relevance and its complexity, and indicates the need for further research-based explorations.

We welcome papers on, but not limited to, the following topics:

- The current state of affairs in training intercultural competence for translators
- The potential gap between translators’ intercultural competence needs and current provisions
- Examples of pedagogical approaches to this area of teaching/training
- Curriculum and syllabus design (e.g. the pros and cons of mainstreaming intercultural competence in training)
- The role of formal, informal and non-formal learning in acquiring intercultural competence
- Assessment and accreditation of translators’ intercultural competences
- Trainer training provisions

All submissions will need to have a clear training focus in line with the ITT brief: [url=http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=ritt20]http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=ritt20[/url]

24.05.2015 Submission of abstracts

Abstracts and inquiries to be sent to Daniel Tomozeiu (d.tomozeiu@westminster.ac.uk) with “ITT 2016” mentioned in the e-mail subject.

08.06.2015 Notification of acceptance

25.10.2015 Submission of full papers to on-line submission platform at [url=http://www.edmgr.com/ritt/]http://www.edmgr.com/ritt/[/url] (for accepted abstracts)

23.11.2015 Notification of acceptance for refereeing

29.02.2016 Results of the referee process

29.05.2016 Submission of final versions (for accepted paper)

Target publication date: late 2016