Going beyond translation
McGill holds international colloquium for language professionals
Not only are computer technologists vital for keeping the Internet up-to-date, so are a specialized branch of translators called localizers. This group translates website material from one language to another, ensuring that it is linguistically and culturally appropriate. Starting Monday, October 18, McGill University will host an international colloquium of these specialists, who will look at policies, strategies and practices used in cyberspace localization.
"The task of the translator is slowly evolving toward that of a localizer," says McGill director of Translation Studies James Archibald. "Translators-localizers need to draw on a new skill set to translate and adapt software and website information. Colloquiums such as this are important to address the current and future issues in this field."
Studies of institutional sites governed by French-speaking, bilingual and multilingual public sector organizations will be presented, as will analyses of commercial sites developed by multinationals. Presenters will choose examples from e-commerce and web-based advertising in their papers. Emphasis will be put on language, translation and communication policies which currently influence the co-presence of various languages on the web. A special accent will be put on the use of the French language on the web and the relationship between that language and others found in this new virtual marketplace.
The Localization Colloquium will take place at the McGill University Faculty Club Ballroom, 3450 McTavish St., on October 18 and 19. The language of the colloquium will be French. Media wishing to attend should contact Christine Zeindler at 514-398-6754.