Special Issue Proposal ITT: Languages of low diffusion and low resources: translation research and training challenges

For the purposes of this special issue, the term ‘language of low diffusion’ is understood to include not only vulnerable or endangered languages but also those, usually but not necessarily small in the number of native speakers, that are rarely learned by non-native speakers. On the other hand, ‘low-resource languages’ are those that, regardless of their diffusion, have scarce resources for the development of language technology. The two conditions, overlapping or otherwise, create many specific challenges when it comes to translation and interpreting training.

In settings involving a language of low diffusion, people have traditionally invested considerable effort in learning foreign languages and translation has played a crucial role in cultural, social, technological and economic growth. Such cultures, in which translation remains a necessity when communicating with the world, are therefore ‘translation cultures par excellence’ (Cronin 2003). In such settings, a large amount of translation and interpreting for international purposes is done into the translator’s foreign language (L2 or B language), most frequently, but not exclusively, English. This makes L2 translation – and translation directionality in general – a burning issue for research and training, despite its apparently controversial status. Another issue is indirect translation between low-diffusion languages, that is, translation that is done via a third, usually major, language. Although often stigmatized, it is far from rare in practice and deserves further research and new training approaches. The role of translation and localization with regard to vulnerable and endangered languages is equally under-researched. Regardless of its motivation, localization may prove helpful in preserving an endangered language by allowing it to enter into electronic communication (Pym 2010: 137). The availability of resources necessary for the development of language technology may play an important role in determining on which side of the digital divide the speakers of a language end up. Many translator training programmes in low-diffusion and low-resource settings are still inadequately equipped to benefit from translation technology or tackle the challenges new technologies bring forth.

In this special issue we want to bring to the fore these and other translation-related issues resulting from the imbalance in the status and prestige of languages that need to be addressed by translation trainers, translation researchers and technology providers. We are particularly interested in the way in which they impact on the future of translator (and interpreter) research-informed education.

Themes that may be addressed include (but are not restricted to) the following:

Translator and/or interpreter training for languages of low diffusion;

Training for bidirectional translation and other kinds of versatility required in small translation markets;

Transfer of research findings regarding the impact of translation direction on the translation process and product into translator and/or interpreter training;

Incorporating insights from other disciplines (e.g. bilingualism research, intercultural studies, SLA studies) to prepare future translators to cope with the asymmetrical language proficiency in their working languages;

Training for translation and/or localization as a tool for revitalization of endangered languages;

Indirect translation in practice and in training;

Curriculum and syllabus design for the future: good practices in training and research collaboration among translation scholars/trainers, computational linguists and IT experts in low-resource settings.

General guidelines

We invite original, up-to-date, research-based contributions that do not exceed 8000 words (tables, captions, references, footnotes and endnotes included) and that reach out to an international readership. Although there is room for exploratory research, contributions that report on completed research will be given priority. All papers will be subject to double-blind peer review. The focus of all submissions should be in line with the ITT aims and scope:

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For more information, visit https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750399X.2019.1572991