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Torture, Language and Culture

In 2006 in New Orleans, I attended the annual conference of the American Translators Association (ATA). Members there held a hot debate on an "anti-torture resolution." The original resolution would have barred ATA members from participating in torture, but that resolution was watered down. At least a resolution passed.

Since then, the U.S. role in torture has been widely condemned, both here and abroad. Yet today we are hearing that torture "works" (despite all research to the contrary) and that we "should" do it.

As many know, I've spent years of my volunteer life developing specialized training on how to interpret for survivors of torture and war trauma.

Language matters. Language builds culture. A language of tolerance to torture breeds tolerance to torture.

I hope that all of us who support interpreting and translation can agree on facts. Torture doesn't work, undermines national security and most importantly violates our most fundamental values as a nation.

Not sure? Consider this: Twenty-six of the nation's most respected interrogation and intelligence professionals released a letter (sent to presidential candidates) rejecting the use of torture as it is illegal, counterproductive, and detrimental to national security. And so did forty-two of the nation's most respected retired generals and admirals.

I thank them.

What do All Human Languages Have in Common?

A new study looked at 81 languages. What did these languages share? A common underlying semantic structure.

In other words, how we conceptualize meaning seems to be encoded in our languages in startling and similar ways.

Don't get too excited. The research is preliminary. But it looked at 22 different concepts denoting basic "geographic" features like mountain, sea, sun and moon and used semantic "maps" to find out how these concepts are connected to each other through words. For example, the words ocean and salt are much more closely connected to each other than either word is to sun.

Still, it's intriguing research.

February 19, 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

What do All Human Languages Have in Common?

On the Calendar

What Do YOU Know About EU Language Laws?

CCC Corner

Culture & Language Press

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CCC News and Events

The Voice of Love

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Columbia, MD 21046

Phone: 410.312.5599

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BOOK(S) OF THE WEEK

El misterio de la desaparici�n de la letra � (A trav�s del macroscopio)

Angel Lozano
2d ed, Roncal, 2016.

We apologize for offering a Spanish novel, but this one is short and hilarious. You might even want to try out your college Spanish on this one.

The story starts out with the directors of CPSPSD (which stands roughly for Community of Nations That Are Similar in Spite of Their Differences). They launch a madcap project: they decide to get rid of the letter "�" in Spanish because of the computer problems it causes. Not the regular letter "n" mind you, just the "n" with the tilde on top.

Well, little did they imagine the furor they would unleash, resulting in chaos that rocks the world. What a bit of fun for those of us in the northern hemisphere enduring a dreary February!

ON THE CALENDAR

Support Research on Medical Interpreting

Quality research on medical interpreting is invaluable. It supports professional training and testing for interpreters, which can help save lives. A researcher at Kent State University is seeking participation in semi-structured interviews for a new study.

Are you a medical interpreter hired within the last 12 months? Or do you have 5 or more years of interpreting experience in the hospital setting and receive some or all of your income from the language industry?

If not, can you pass this information on?

To participate or get more information about the study, contact Indira Sultanic at Kent State University by email or by calling 330-931-8440.

What Do YOU Know About EU Language Laws?

It is fascinating just how many countries now have language laws, language policies and/or language access laws (mandating that steps be taken to provide language assistance to reduce discrimination in access to public services).

Laws vary from country to country. Among the most important such laws in the world are those of the European Union.

And now, someone has written a whole book about them. Don't have time for the book? The author, Stefaan Van der Jeught, has summarized key points from his book in a post he put up this month.

Some of his findings on EU language laws are a bit controversial, but the post is a must-read.

CCC CORNER

What Mischief Are We Up to at CCC?

It's a busy year ahead for Culture & Language Press, our publishing imprint at CCC. And the focus this year is on medical interpreting.

Culture & Language Press is establishing its first "series" devoted to that topic. In the pipeline for 2016 are a foundation textbook, an amazing advanced training manual by Suzanna Reiss-Koncar (with knockout hospital role plays and in-depth exercises on ethics and standards)--and the fourth edition of our "stellar seller," Medical Terminology for Interpreters.

Stay tuned!

Plan Ahead--Attend the Next Training of Trainers for "TCI"

It's not too early--July is tomorrow if you're making travel plans to attend the next Training of Trainers (TOT) for The Community Interpreter�.

Our next public session is July 11-16 in Columbia, Maryland. Why develop your own 40-hour program? This one comes with the most amazing textbook and workbook in the world for medical, educational and social services interpreting. It offers you a professionally designed PPT slide kit. You have all the materials for an engaging, lively one-day workshop on medical terminology. You get templates for instructional materials, handouts and more. There is even a special licensed-trainers website.

The Community Interpreter� is the only national program for community interpreting. It has more than 150 licensed trainers in 31 U.S. states, Washington, DC, Guam and six other countries. Join the team. Join the adventure!

P.S. A private TOT session starts next week in Santa Maria, California. My co-trainer Katharine Allen and I are off to a county by the sea where the highs this coming week range from 70 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit--in February. Can't wait!

CULTURE & LANGUAGE PRESS

For a LOOK INSIDE all our publications visit our sister website: thecommunityinterpreter.com and go to Books and Products.

For more information about Cross-Cultural Communications, please go to our website at: www.cultureandlanguage.net

For more information about The Community Interpreter�, please go to our website at: www.thecommunityinterpreter.com

Sincerely,

Marjory A. Bancroft

Marjory A. Bancroft, Director

Cross-Cultural Communications, LLC

10015 Old Columbia Road, Suite B-215

Columbia, MD 21046

Phone: 410.312.5599, Fax: 410.750.0332

www.cultureandlanguage.net