Just before the turn of the 21st century, Mikhail Epstein called for a return of the human into the humanities, proposing a Bakhtinian turn from the paradigms of the 20th century, which ascribed “the source of our activity to some non-human, impersonal structures speaking through us” (1999; 113), to a rehumanisation which would help us reappropriate the “alienated sources of our activity and understand them as an indispensable otherness inherent in the nature of human self-awareness” (113). The vision of such humanity-centred research would incorporate the knowledge gained from such systems of thought as psychoanalysis, semiotics and (post)structuralism, while also attempting to transgress the structural determination of action. The kind of rehumanisation translation and interpreting studies now seeks is not a return to a self-endorsing anthropocentrism, but an approach which would make the human agency in translation and interpreting visible as an active force with the potential to shape the social and natural world.
The challenges of globalisation cannot be reduced to debates about the future of translation and interpreting, but this unprecedented movement of people and ideas requires an urgent response from our community, and our particular ability to connect cultures and carry over thoughts and ideas.
The conference strives to bring together scholars from various fields of translation and interpreting studies to share their perspectives on the human factor in their studies. We believe that the human factor in translation technology, literary translation, audiovisual translation, technical translation, conference interpreting, community interpreting and in the education of future translators and interpreters is fundamental. That is why we are asking scholars from around the world to share their experiences. We will pay particular attention to the sociological factors of these professions and the role of “theory” in improving translators’ visibility and social standing. When talking about translators, we refer to “people with flesh-and-blood bodies. If you prick them, they bleed” (Pym, 2014, p. 161). We want to talk about translators and interpreters not as if they were “linguistic machines”, but as they are: human beings. We are also interested in the effects of non-translation, such as the lack of (mainly) community interpreters and the problems it poses for the integration of people seeking refuge. We would like to hear well-structured, data-based presentations, but also sound case and qualitative studies. Together, we will take a closer look at how the human factor (institutional or personal) affects translation and interpreting.
Perspectives from which to address the conference topic may include, but are not limited to:
Deadline for submissions: 30 September 2020
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Call for papers:Event: Conference on Translation and Religion: Multilingual Practices, Materialities and Lived Experiences.Date: May 2027.Place: University of Galway, Ireland. Potential topics:Multilingual communication in places of worshipDigital religion, technological mediation and translationVolunteer and paraprofessional translation and interpreting in religious contextsRitual, performance, and multimodal translationTranslation infrastructure in religious organisationsAccessibility and inclusion in religious communicationPositionality, access, and research ethics in religious fieldworkTranslation, religion and globalisationGender in religious translationCensorship and authorityRetranslation and religious changeChildren, education and religious translationMigration, diaspora and multilingual religious communitiesTranslation across religious/secular boundariesMaterial religion, objects and translational practicesMinority and heritage in religious contextsSacred space, place and linguistic landscapesPilgrimage, mobility and translationMissionary translation and language documentationFaith, ethics, and translator/interpreter agencyTranslation and religious conversionImportant Dates Abstract submission deadline: 15th December 2026 Notification of acceptance: 15th January 2027 Registration deadline: Feb 2027 Conference dates: May 2027Read more: https://lnkd.in/p/dQZuxrWp
Call for papers:Journal: Linguistica Antverpiensia, New Series – Themes in Translation Studies, Vol. 27, 2028About: This journal invites proposals for a guest-edited thematic issue exploring innovative and internationally relevant topics in Translation and Interpreting Studies. Proposals should present a clearly defined theme, research topics or questions, their relevance and originality, and the guest editors’ expertise in the proposed research area.Deadline for submissions: 8 November 2026.Read more: https://lans-tts.uantwerpen.be/index.php/LANS-TTS/announcement/view/29
Call for Papers:Journal: Special issue of Translation Studies on Translation as Post-occupational Practice? Guest editors: Lynne Bowker & Luis Pérez González. Theme: Contributions are invited for this special issue to critically engage with the themes of expertise, labour, and the post-economy. Deadline for abstracts: 31 October 2026Read more: https://cfp-translationstudies.my.canva.site/
Call for Papers:The Institute of Translation and Interpreting Studies (ITRI) at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies will virtually host its 26th International Conference on Thursday, January 21, 2027.Theme: “Shifting Paradigms in the T&I Research Ecosystem.”With the advent of the generative AI era, significant changes are taking place across the research ecosystem of translation and interpreting. Research topics are expanding, and research methodologies are becoming increasingly diverse.Now is the time for translation and interpreting scholars to take stock of these ongoing changes in the research ecosystem and to explore how we can adapt to this evolving environment and help shape its development in a human-centered direction.Keynote Speaker: Ralph Krüger (TH Köln)Title: AI Literacy and Language AI Projects in EuropeSubmissions addressing a wide range of topics related to human and machine translation and interpreting are welcome, including but not limited to:Diversification of Research Topics and MethodologiesChanges in Research EthicsShifting Roles and Status of Translators and Interpreters·Changing Work Paradigms in Translation and InterpretingTranslator and Interpreter Education and Training·Translation/Interpreting and TechnologySubmitting a proposalIndividual proposals should be a minimum of 300 words.Proposal(s)may be submitted in English or Korean.All proposals should be accompanied by short bios (approx. 100 words) of the presenters.Please send all proposals via email to itri@hufs.ac.krDatesDecember 6, 2026: Proposal submission deadlineDecember 8, 2026: Proposal acceptance notificationJanuary 8, 2027: Paper submission (Microsoft Word or PowerPoint slides)For any inquiries, please email ITRI at itri@hufs.ac.kr.How to register as a participantConference registration is free.The online conference link will be posted on the ITRI homepage before the conference: http://itri.hufs.ac.krIf you wish to present, please check the information above and let us know of your intention to present in advance using the link below.https://forms.gle/gHeRWpyUDKGGfoZdA
Call for Translations (2026-2027):Journal: Society for Cinema & Media Studies (SCMS) – Translation/Publication Committee In collaboration with JCMS: Journal of Cinema and Media Studies The SCMS Translation/Publication Standing Committee welcomes two types of proposals: (1) a single text such as a journal article, book chapter, or self-contained section of a book that focuses on a particular topic in a unified, coherent way, or (2) a group of smaller texts that are linked thematically, regionally, or otherwise.Deadline:Proposals are due by October 23, 2026. Submissions should be sent to the Standing Committee Coordinator (committees@scmstudies.org) and cc: the SCMS Translation/Publication Committee Chair, Catherine Benamou (cbenamou@uci.edu).More details: https://www.cmstudies.org/page/comm_translation
