INVITED SPEAKERS
Plenary 1 Istvan Kecskes (University at Albany, USA)
Plenary 2 Mona Baker (University of Manchester, UK)
Plenary 3 Lynda Yates (Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia) (TBC)
Plenary 4 Minako O’Hagan (Dublin City University, Ireland)
Plenary 5 Ana Rojo (Universidad de Murcia, Spain)
Plenary 6 Christine Béal and Véronique Traverso ( (Université Paul Valéry, Montptellier and Lyon 2, France)
(provisional order)
Outreach Event Special Guest contributor
Makiko Mizuno (Kinjo Gakuin University, Nagoya) (public and community interpreting)
CALL FOR PAPERS
The conference builds on the success of two prior Cross-cultural Pragmatics at a Crossroads conferences at the UEA - Speech Frames and Cultural Perceptions in 2006, and its larger-scale follow-up Linguistic and Cultural Representations across Media in 2011 -, this time with an even more ambitious agenda.
Like its forerunners, CCP III will be interdisciplinary, and aims to bring together, under the umbrella of cross-cultural pragmatics, researchers from domains which are particularly sensitive to cross-cultural issues, to promote the cross-fertilization of practises, ideas and theoretical approaches, and explore key concerns associated with communication across language and culture boundaries, in practice and theory.
Making a difference, the impact theme of this third meeting, will tap into, and confront, two closely related spheres of research activity in intercultural communication:
Conflict and conflict resolution, negotiation at all levels (local, national, global) across languages, cultures and contexts (political, business, welfare, media, culture), and attendant failures, breakdowns and also successes, feed the news with headlines and affect our lives on an everyday basis. How do we, and how can we, make the difference?
→ How can the theories of cross-/intercultural communication be applied to solve communicative conflicts in multicultural/globalised settings, for example? Such conflicts can be triggered not just by prejudiced or overtly ethnocentric inputs but also by uninspected assumptions that, with English as lingua franca, acquisition and knowledge of languages other than English is no longer necessary, that “cultural” contrasts can be neatly separated from communicative and linguistic issues, that avoidance of potentially conflict-laden topics/terminologies (e.g. faith-related communication, political-historical evaluations) will guarantee conflict-free communication, or that a strictly “plain” or formally defined language use will avoid misunderstanding and miscommunication.
→ How can the theories of cross-/intercultural communication be applied to promote understanding and respect for otherness in all its richness, and pre-empt communicative conflict in multicultural/globalized settings?
→ How can the theories of cross-/intercultural communication be further developed? Miscommunication between individuals and groups leads to dire consequences and on a global international level the outcomes of breakdowns or misrepresentations have a decisive and often devastating impact on whole communities and nations. The investigation into the reasons why this may occur, as well as how to solve problems and prevent them in the first place are a priority in today’s world. Parallels at local or interpersonal levels or in other contexts can be no less dramatic, and are equally in urgent need of exploration.
CCP III will provide a platform for open dialogue on the multiple factors that play a role in both success and failure to communicate at all levels and highlight the ways forward where failure will no longer be an option, and tolerance to otherness not just an aspiration. Our understanding of IMPACT is grounded in the belief that research outcomes should reach beyond the realm of pure academia and have an impact themselves across linguistic, cultural, political or economic borders. We are also mindful of the need to recognise that research outcomes are not all equally tangible in their impact and of the need therefore constantly to challenge institutional and public understandings of the concept.
With these goals in mind, we invite researchers from various disciplines to offer theoretically reliable and practically applicable frameworks for raising awareness of the fundamental importance that cross-cultural communication has today and will have in the future. Domains of application that CCP III will be particularly interested in include:
The general framework for the conference will be provided by plenary papers delivered by distinguished scholars representing different languages and complementary perspectives: intercultural communication, intercultural and socio-pragmatics, translation and globalisation, translation and contrastive rhetoric, contrastive translation and psycholinguistics, discourse analysis and professional discourse.
By virtue of the conference theme and of the inbuilt inter-disciplinarity of cross-cultural pragmatics generally, proceedings will be informed by different methodological paradigms (e.g. cross- and intercultural pragmatics, socio-pragmatics, translation studies, interactional and critical discourse analysis, conversation analysis, linguistic typology, psycholinguistics, systemic functional linguistics, cognitive linguistics, sociolinguistics). Proposals, for individual papers (20 minutes) or proposer-led panels on a particular theme (90 to 150 minutes), will be expected clearly to identify their theoretical frame(s) of reference and methodological approach.
Outreach Event
Like its predecessor, CCP III will seek to foster the partnership between the University, its local host community and communities beyond with an end-of-conference Outreach Event that will bring together representatives from all these groups to share their views on the challenges of communication across languages and cultures. Details will be posted on the conference website.
Special Guests
In the world of Translation Studies and Intercultural Communication, the past few years have seen the rise of the idea of ‘otherness’, and attempts to understand how to build bridges to the ‘other’ worlds beyond Europe, such as Asia or Africa. Listening to the voices from other parts of the world can be an antidote not only to Anglocentrism, but also to the increasing risk of Eurocentrism. For this event, we are therefore delighted and honoured to count among our invited speakers two outstanding Japanese scholars, Makiko Mizuno and Minako O’Hagan, and to celebrate with them and with our new Centre for Japanese Studies at the UEA our commitment to promoting Japanese and Japanese Studies at the highest level.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Abstract deadline: 15 November 2012
Language: English, French, Spanish
Proposal: 400-word anonymous abstract (800 words for panels) to be submitted through the Linguist List at http://linguistlist.org/confcustom/ccpIII2013. Titles should give an indication of the main question/s addressed, of the data and methodology used and of the language/s of application.
Organisers: Marie-Noëlle Guillot with Roger Baines, Jo Drugan, Luna Filipovìc, Clive Matthews, Andreas Musolff, Carlos de Pablos-Ortega, Alberto Hijazo-Gascon, Giulio Pagani, Gabrina Pounds, Nana Sato-Rossberg, Alain Wolf
m.guillot@uea.ac.uk, r.w.baines@uea.ac.uk, j.drugan@uea.ac.uk; l.filipovic@uea.ac.uk, clive.matthews@uea,ac,uk, a.musolff@uea.ac.uk, c.de-pablos@uea.ac.uk, A.Hijazo-Gascon@uea.ac.uk, g.pounds@uea.ac.uk,g.pagani@uea.ac.uk, N.Sato-Rossberg@uea.ac.uk, a.wolf@uea.ac.uk
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.
