Genealogies of Knowledge I
Translating Political and Scientific Thought across Time and Space
7-9 December 2017
Two Calls for Panel Submissions
Call for Panel Papers: The Magic of ‘Classical’ Languages Script, Sound and Sense in the Translation of Sacred Concepts
Convenor: Hephzibah Israel University of Edinburgh
What is the nature of a ‘sacred’ language? When we examine the translation of key concepts and texts across the spectrum of the so-called ‘World Religions’ we find that much of the nature of their transfer or circulation depends on certain conceptions of languages as sign systems. A minority of key languages are ascribed both ‘classical’ and ‘sacred’ status, while the majority are mostly assigned neither. The most obvious that come to mind are Arabic, Greek, Latin and Sanskrit, which at different historical points and to different degrees have been associated both with classical literature and sacred texts. This twinning of the classical and sacred informs the ontologies of these languages, elevating them to a status far above those designated mundane languages. And yet through human history, translations have continuously been undertaken from such ‘languages of the gods’ (Pollock 2006) into the languages of mortals. How can we study the transfer of sacred concepts between linguistic sign systems that have been conceptualised and deliberately maintained as immensely disparate systems? How does such a classical-sacred ontological make-up of these languages help to construct, diminish, expand, or transform sacred concepts in translation?
This panel seeks to explore the specific links between translation, knowledge construction and modes of signalling the sacred. Contributions to the panel are invited to address translations of concepts from any religious tradition and in any historical period but must focus on translations in the Arabic, Greek, Latin and Sanskrit contexts. Papers should examine the interface between script, sound, orality and textuality in the conception and the reception of the sacred in translation: to what extent do translators rely on the ocular, the aural, the textual and oral to reconstruct key sacred concepts in new contexts? A list of sub themes below is given as a starting point to stimulate discussion on this topic but contributors are invited to explore further:
1. The relationship between ‘classical’ and ‘sacred’ in the conception of one of the four languages of the panel and its function in translation
2. Does translation between two classical languages work differently to translation between a ‘classical’ and a ‘vernacular’ in conveying the sacred?
3. Genealogies of classical usage and translations of key sacred concepts: religion, scripture, faith, conversion, worship etc.
4. Translating the ‘sounds’ of the sacred
5. The role of sacred scripts in sacralising translations
6. Translating the magic and mantra of sacred words
7. Ideas of aesthetics in the translation of sacred concepts: practices of art and practices of the sacred
8. Communities of interpreters: speakers, listeners, translators and readers
9. Challenging translations: power, authority and questioning
Submission of Paper Proposals
Abstracts of 300-500 words should be sent by 15 February 2017 to:
Dr. Hepzibah Israel, H.Israel@ed.ac.uk
Notification of acceptance will be given by 31 March 2017.
Call for Panel Papers: Lingua Francas of Knowledge
Convenor: Karen Bennett Universidade Nova, Lisbon
http://genealogiesofknowledge.net/2016/12/09/call-panel-papers-lingua-francas-knowledge/
English is today the unrivalled vehicle for the transmission of knowledge, the language in which most scholarship is published, conferences are held, reading is done and lessons taught. However, its rise to prominence is a relatively recent development in the broad sweep of human history. From the middle of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th, English, French and German enjoyed a roughly equal status as languages of scientific publication, with others, such as Russian and Japanese, occupying niches in particular geographic areas. In the Medieval and Early Modern period, Latin was of course the lingua franca (LF) of learning, once so indispensable that it had to be mastered before any formal education could take place; and before that the prime position was held by Greek, the koiné of the Hellenistic world. Meanwhile, in the East, Arabic, Sanskrit and Chinese were also playing formidable roles in channelling learning through the centuries.
There have also been projects to develop artificial languages to serve as neutral universal vehicles of knowledge. The 17th century a priori philosophical languages of John Wilkins, George Dalgarno and Gottfried Leibniz failed to gain much traction, due to intrinsic weaknesses; but the a posteriori auxiliary languages of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Volapük, Esperanto and Ido, fared better, acquiring considerable numbers of followers in their heyday.
This panel seeks to stimulate reflection about the role played by different vehicular languages in the transmission of knowledge over the centuries, and the philosophical, political and commercial implications of a lingua franca culture (as opposed to a translation culture). Proposals are welcome from scholars working in fields such as linguistics, translation studies, history of science/philosophy, cultural history and epistemology, as well as specialists in particular languages and cultures.
Possible themes:
§ The rise and fall of any of the historical LFs of knowledge and their relationship with the vernaculars
§ Artificial languages: a priori philosophical languages; a posteriori auxiliary languages;
§ Mathematical and computer languages
§ The construction of scientific registers in natural languages: grammatical/lexical requirements; the role of translation; patrons and institutions
§ Issues of power and equity: struggles for dominance between rival LFs; the role of institutions and individuals in promoting and consolidating a LF; the influence of the political and economic context
§ Education in LF cultures: language policies in schools and universities; dissemination to the broader public
§ Language and epistemology: the ‘suitability’ of certain languages to particular kinds of knowledge; the universality/translatability of knowledge
§ Strategies used by non-native speakers to produce knowledge in a lingua franca culture
§ The future of English as academic lingua franca: hegemony, fragmentation, the rise of a rival LF or a return to a (computer-mediated) translation culture?
Selected References:
Gordin, M.D (2015) Scientific Babel: How Science was done before and after Global English Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press.
Harrison, K.D. (2007) When Languages Die: The Extinction of the World’s Languages and the Erosion of Human Knowledge Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
Ostler, N. (2005) Empires of the Word: A Language History of the World New York and London: HarperCollins.
Osler, N. (2011) The Last Lingua Franca: The Rise and Fall of World Languages London and New York: Penguin.
Submission of Paper Proposals
Abstracts of 300-500 words should be sent by 15 February 2017 to:
Dr Karen Bennett, karen.bennett@netcabo.pt
Notification of acceptance will be given by 31 March 2017.
CfP: Edited volume “Translation, Religion and Technology” (Routledge Research in Translation and Religion series)Editor: Prof. Anne O’ConnorAbout: While it is acknowledged that in a digitally linked world, religious experience can travel at speed and globally, the challenges of the linguistic dimensions of this communication, and the role played by translation have not been adequately considered. As religious content, rituals, and interactions become increasingly present online, attention to translation becomes crucial in the global digital space. The modes of communication of digital religion oƯer exciting new opportunities for translation scholars which have heretofore been untapped (Blumczynski and Israel 2018). Interaction with technology can encompass religious communities engaging with digital tools—whether through online sermons, virtual worship services, or religious apps—with translation becoming a key factor in ensuring that these practices remain meaningful and accessible across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Much study on digital religion has considered the new opportunities opened up for religion by the internet and user interaction with web-based technologies and social media. For religion online (Helland 2000), organisations and institutions use digital spaces and technological tools to enable a presence that reaches beyond a local or national borders and thereby encounter many translational issues. However, religions also make use of translation technologies in contexts other than digital spaces and it is important to acknowledge the presence of translation technology in physical religious spaces. Where a religious group has a multilingual community, technologies can enable religious practice and communication, especially in the absence of a common language. Moreover, interpreting in religious contexts (Furmanek 2022, Downie 2024), is primed for innovative uses of technologies to enable communication and understanding. Audiovisual translation, ad hoc interpreting devices, and volunteer-led technical innovations can all be present in religious spaces as communities seek to overcome linguistic barriers to enable religious practices.Themes: Chapters will focus on the intersection of translation, religion and technology in the diverse religious spaces mentioned above with topics including a selection of the following: The use of translation technologies in religious contexts AI-assisted translation and its use in religious communication Translation and online religion/religion online Institutional religious translation practices and technological change Volunteer religious translation activities incorporating technology Religious translation in informal, low-resource settings Translation, religion and social media Interpreting in religious settings and translation toolsThe intersection of religious practice, belief, and community with digital technologies Balancing between innovation and tradition, between technological advancement and historical sacred practices and texts Alternative discourses and their presence in digital religious spaces Enabling religious practice through translation technologies Adapting religious content for new digital environments The digital realm as both a space for innovation and a challenge for maintaining religious (and linguistic) authenticity and continuity AI, ethics and religious translation Issues of gender in religion, translation and technology Canonical religious texts and technical/digital change Untranslatability and religion in digital contexts Technology and sustainable futures for religious translationDeadlines and submission:The volume will be published by Routledge. Deadline for abstracts: 27 February 2026 Notification of acceptance: March 2026 Deadline for chapters: September 2026 Review process: September - December 2026 Publication: 2027 Abstracts of 300 words and author bio to be sent to anne.oconnor@universityofgalway.ie
Translation and interpreting are increasingly shaped by complex, real-world technological, institutional, and socio-cultural contexts. Yet, research that emerges from direct engagement with these contexts often remains underrepresented in scholarly publishing. Collaborative research, understood as research conducted by or with practitioners, offers a vital corrective: it brings to light the lived realities, adaptive strategies, and situated expertise of professionals working within and alongside evolving systems. Academia-industry collaboration is the cornerstone of future-facing and impactful translation and interpreting education and research. This special issue aims to showcase how collaborative research and educational partnerships with the professional world advance theory, push disciplinary boundaries, and deepen our understanding of translation and interpreting as practices shaped by social, cultural, and pedagogical contexts.Synergising professional experience and field research has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in certain areas such as audiovisual translation (Tuominen & Silvester, 2025) and language automation technology (Rodríguez de Céspedes & Bawa Mason, 2022). Although perhaps rare in other fields within the arts and humanities, academics who also professionally involved in the industry are relatively common in translation and interpreting. This has logically led to certain research outputs focusing on aspects such as working conditions and translation rates (Carreira, 2023; Lambert & Walker, 2022, 2024) and trust in translation project management (Olohan & Davitti, 2015), among many other areas of scholarly interest that can be found in recent publications on the translation industry (Angelone, Massey & Ehrensberger-Dow, 2019; Walker & Lambert, 2025).ThemesThe journal invites manuscripts that engage with one or more of the following key themes, while also welcoming fresh perspectives that expand the conversation:Wellbeing, resilience, and soft skills in translation and interpreting practice;Employability and career pathways for graduates entering the language professions;Situated learning and work placements as bridges between academia and industry;Embedding professional practice in teaching through practitioner involvement and industry-informed curricula;Networks, support systems, and alumni engagement for sustainable career development;Diversity, equity, and inclusion: embracing difference in collaborative contexts;Educating clients, companies, and end users about translation and interpreting, including AI/MT-mediated content;Ethical collaborations and responsible partnerships between academia and industry;Innovation, co-creation, and participatory research methods;Enjoyment and rewards of the language professions (slow translation);Ways in which academia-industry synergies generate new knowledge, foster innovation, and support inclusive, context-sensitive scholarship.Practical informationSelected papers will be submitted to a double-blind peer review.Submission of paper proposals (including a title and an abstract of approximately 300 words, excluding references) should be sent to all three guest editors:Xiaochun Zhang (xiaochun.zhang@ucl.ac.uk)Alejandro Bolanos-Garcia-Escribano (a.bolanos@ucl.ac.uk)Olivia Cockburn (o.cockburn@ucl.ac.uk) DeadlinesAbstract deadline: 1 May 2026Acceptance of abstract proposals: 1 July 2026Submission of papers: 1 December 2026Acceptance of papers: March 2027Submission of final versions of papers: 1 June 2027Editorial work (proofreading, APA, layout): September – October 2027Publication: December 2027
CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR A SPECIAL ISSUE Submitting Proposals are open for a special guest-edited issue of Translation Studies 21(2) to be published in May 2028 Translation Studies aims to extend the discipline’s methodologies, areas of interest and conceptual frameworks while testing the traditional boundaries of the notion of “translation” and offering a forum for debate focusing on historical, social, institutional and cultural facets of translation.The editors are inviting proposals for a special issue that engages with cutting-edge debates, critical questions, and innovative directions in translation studies with relevance for a global scholarly audience. Please note that in line with the aims and scope of the journal, we will not consider submissions dealing with translator and interpreter training.Guest editor(s) will be responsible for curating the content of the issue, overseeing the review process in consultation with the journal editors, and copy editing the accepted submissions. The Editorial Team will provide guidance and support to ensure the highest level of quality for the guest-edited special issue.Submission You can submit your proposal to the Editorial Team (translationstudiesjournal@gmail.com), with “Translation Studies 21 Special Issue” in the subject line, by 31 March 2026, for consideration in Volume 21 (2028). Decisions will be communicated by 30 April 2026. Each proposal should include:- A title- A call for papers outlining the thematic focus, rationale, and significance (up to 750 words)- A list of indicative topics- The names and contact details of the guest editors, along with brief bio notes highlighting their editorial experience (up to 150 words)
The inaugural issue, on the theme of Community, will be published in the autumn of 2026.Only ONE submission per Call can be accepted from the same contributor, and all submissions must follow the Style Guidelines. Submissions are invited in the following categories: Translations, Research Articles and Reviewes.Key datesDeadline for submitting your contribution: Friday 10 April 2026Authors notified of publication decision: by Friday 12 June 2026Authors to submit revised contributions: Friday 21 August 2026Publication: Autumn 2026
Guest editors: Xany Jansen Van Vuuren, Helen-Mary Cawood, & James Kelly. Deadline for submissions: 31 August 2026 More details here.
