Dr Amal Al Malki, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Science, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), addressing at the opening of the Ninth Annual International Translation Conference at the QNCC in Doha yesterday. Others seated from left are, Mic
Doha: To discuss ways to take the translation profession to new heights, the Ninth Annual International Translation Conference with the participation of more than 150 experts opened yesterday at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC).
The two-day conference being organised by the Translation and Interpreting Institute, part of the College of Humanities and Social Science within Hamad Bin Khalifa University, under the theme of “Translation in the Digital Age: From Translation Tools to Shifting Paradigms”.
The conference provides a platform to discuss the role of the translation profession and the challenges it faces in addition to ways to raise it to new heights through a series of workshops, seminars, main lectures focusing on translation in the digital age and the great changes in linguistic, social tools and concepts that change and grow with the technology development and the exchange of ideas and knowledge.
The Conference, which discusses the “Translation in the Digital Age: From Translation Tools to Shifting Paradigms”, synchronizes with the college’s launch of the Master’s Program in Translation Studies, and the Master of Arts in Audiovisual Translation, said Amal Al Malki, founding Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences while speaking in her inaugural speech.
She pointed out the impact of these two disciplines on different fields. “In addition, the college with such disciplines expand the boundaries related to these studies so that there are innovative opportunities in research and different approaches,” she added.
The opening panel hosted experts in the digital and translation field, including Dr. Michaël Oustinoff from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis who discussed the optimistic future of translation. Additionally, Dr. Maeve Olohan from the University of Manchester shed light on critical approaches to translation technologies.
Joining the experts was Dr Jan-Louis Kruger from Macquarie University, who delved into the cognitive side of translation and interpretation. Finally, Dr. Yaser Bishr, the executive director of digital at Al Jazeera Media Network, also partook in this year’s inaugural panel and shed an industry insider’s perspective on translation.
Illustrating the impact of digital media advancements on translation, Dr. Yaser Bishr said, “I think the important message here is that the use of technology and artificial intelligence is becoming growingly integral to newsrooms around the world.
“Moving forward, we have to be truly cognizant of any related-ethical implications of that technology – as one of the most trusted media companies in the world, we will always remain careful to maintain that trust we have with our stakeholders as we find new ways to apply artificial intelligence in the newsrooms.”
