Need To Focus On Employability Of Foreign Language Translators 

Share this News:

Pune, September 28, 2021: Though the use of internet and technology has streamlined the process of foreign language translation and language learning, it may have caused minor reduction in the jobs for language translators.  However, there is still lot of scope for translating, sub-titling, localizing and interpreting foreign language documents for students who would want to make a career in the field opined language experts during a panel discussion on ‘Language Learning in the Era of Translation Technology’ organized by the Alliance Française de Pune and the Goethe-Institut Pune over the 20th anniversary celebration of European Day of Languages (EDL) on September 26.

The Institutes had partnered with Savitribai Phule Pune University, the Italian Cultural Institute of Mumbai, the Polish Institute New Delhi, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai, The Language Portal in Goa and the Delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan to bring a cultural programme centred on the importance of language learning and cultural exchange. The general objective of this celebration is to alert the public to the importance of language learning, to enhance intercultural understanding and encourage lifelong language learning.

Sandeep Nulkar, Founder and CEO, BITS Pvt. Ltd, Thierry Poibeau, CNRS director of research and head of the LATTICE laboratory, Adèle Spieser, Director of the Alliance Française de Pune, Prof. Ralph Kruger, Institute of Translation and Multilingual Communication, Germany, Richard Simcott, a language expert, Chiara La Sala, Deputy Director of the Leeds Centre for Excellence in Language Teaching and Kshama Dharwadkar, French – English translator and interpreter were present during the discussions. ·

“We have made significant progress in Voice and Translation Technology, which otherwise has reduced job opportunities for students. Our focus should be on a basic overview of skills set by industry experts, communication skills and inter-cultural programs to make students employable. We have to make language learning fun and do away with conventional methods of teaching,” said Sandeep Nulkar.

“European languages are not studied outside Europe as there is a gap between academics, businesses and institutions. To study one language we need to know its foundation and plug into all networks to study the region’s culture and expand our knowledge,” said Richard Simcott.

Kshama Dharwadkar said, “The emphasis should be on the importance of technology in language learning and translation. One should know the CAT tools while using technology in translation and should be able to use different resources on the internet to learn and teach languages.”