7th International Conference on Non-Professional Interpreting and Translation (NPIT7)

The 7th International Conference on Non-Professional Interpreting and Translation (NPIT7) invites exploration of multilingual practices in a diversity of spaces and times within migratory, diasporic, and globalized contexts. Non-professional translation and interpreting take place in varied urban and rural spaces, both public and private, such as schools, hospitals, museums, public service departments, as well as political, religious, or cultural institutions. In almost every region of the world, NGOs and state departments often rely upon multilingual agents who are not necessarily professional(ised) translators and/or interpreters to enable communication.

Historically, multilingual practices have been inherent in most empires since antiquity, whether forced, tacit, or openly fostered. In today’s globalised world, acts and products of nonprofessional translation, interpreting, mediation, or any other type of multilingual practice enable communication across diverse expertise fields—from public administration, trade, economy, industry, healthcare, social services, education and science to arts, music, and literature.

In these contexts, multilingual agents occupy varying positions and reputations depending on the cultural, social, and political frameworks surrounding nonprofessional interpreting and translation. They may face discrimination, marginalization, neglect, or suppression, but can also receive acknowledgment, celebration, and respect. However, it should not be forgotten that today human translators and interpreters, professional or non-professional, are often no longer engaged and multilingual communication is managed via translation apps and similar tools, assisting or even replacing human agents. The reasons are manifold, spanning a political denial of human translation and interpreting to a widespread, sometimes naive and illusory, but often politically and economically supported, technological faith.

This conference would certainly benefit from a closer analysis of these reasons.

Registration to the conference is mandatory, and ends on 24 April.

For more information and registration.