Every historical period produces and reconfigures knowledge, depending on which of its elements are valued or repressed, in ways that can often seem arbitrary. What are the reasons behind choosing specific texts and authors, and how are these texts translated? How is the way we conceptualize and grasp the world transmitted from one culture to the next, from one generation to the next? How does translation contribute to paradigm shifts in various sciences and technologies? Does it contribute to scientific revolutions (Kuhn)? What distinguishes the different historical contexts that have facilitated or blocked the importation or exportation of scientific or technical texts? Lastly, to what extent is translation intertwined with the history of science and ideas?
Scientific and technical knowledge is not homogenous, nor are writing practices. Hence, editing standards and the value attributed to certain discursive forms vary from one domain to the next: one does not publish and write the same way in physics, biomedicine or computer science. Furthermore, the type of scientific discourse and the target readership impose functional restrictions: how does translation deal with these? What role does it play in the transmission of technoscientific codes originating from dominant language-cultures? Is there a resistance? Does translation have an influence on writing conventions? As concerns terminology, the last 20 years have brought to light its dynamic aspects and its various influences. There are in fact economic advantages linked to mastering scientific terminology and lexicons, but questions of identity can also be at stake. What are the consequences of linguistic interference? Can translation still pass on knowledge to different social strata when scientific and technical training is given in a language other than the vernacular?
Following the victory of positivism at the beginning of the 20th century, the universality of scientific knowledge and its truth value came under close scrutiny, kindling a major debate. Between Lyotard (The Postmodern Condition) and Sokal (Intellectual Impostures), where do we stand now? What legitimacy should be given to scientific discourse? And to its translation? Do we translate objective accounts of scientific facts or merely hypotheses considered to be true by the scientific or even non-scientific community? Which rhetorical and discursive devices are used not only by scientists but also, and especially, by those who exploit science for their own ends? How does translation contribute to the strategies used in the supposedly neutral and objective texts that it disseminates?
Lastly, the social role of translators as well as their relationship with different social actors have sparked strong interest these last few years. Who sponsors the translation of scientific books and technical texts? For whom do translation firms and freelance translators work and what are their standards? What are the working conditions in various contexts where translation is practised? Through which structures are texts published and circulated? To what extent does translation contribute to the scientific establishment and to the popularization of science?
Must one be a scientist or an engineer to translate scientific or technical texts? How does one become a specialized translator? Though these questions are classic, they can be revisited in original ways. What role is played by Internet—part blessing, part curse—in helping learners? Are there new ways of teaching? And last but not least, how can the old dichotomy between practice and theory find a fruitful outcome in order to better equip the entire profession and help its members to promote their expertise?
Presentations should not exceed 20 minutes in length. Your proposal must contain the following documents:
1) An abstract in Word format not exceeding 300 words, to be included in the conference program.
2) The following form duly filled out. The information it contains will be incorporated in the grant application that CATS will submit to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and will not be used as evaluation criteria for your proposal.
Please submit your proposal to the organizers, Pier-Pascale Boulanger and Sylvie Vandaele, at actcats2013@gmail.com no later than September 14, 2012.
Family name First name
Affiliation country
Affiliation
Degrees (starting with the most recent and specify the discipline)
MAXIMUM 4 LINES
Recent positions and those relevant to the event (starting with the most recent)
MAXIMUM 5 LINES
Recent publications and those relevant to the event (starting with the most recent)
MAXIMUM 10 LINES
Title and outline of the presentation (100 to 150 words)
Explain why your presentation is relevant to the Conference theme (100 to 150 words)
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For more information, please contact Pier-Pascale Boulanger or Sylvie Vendaele at actcats2013@gmail.com.
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
