Author: Lingua Media Connect LTD
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Before Setting New Year’s Resolutions: Beware the Trap of CPD for Precarious Workers (AKA Freelancers)
Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in equality and political economy As the festive season approaches, a time meant to be joyful can often feel like a storm of financial stress, social anxiety, and forced cheerfulness. For freelancers, especially those in exploitive sectors like the outsourced public service interpreting, this time of year brings additional pressures. Family…
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Professionalism vs Indentured Labour
I just had a difficult conversation with the gentleman who cleans our windows. He was quite unreasonable, but I managed to stay firm and calm. Usually, he cleans windows for several buildings on our street in one go. He charges me £11 for about half an hour’s work—just the exteriors. I told him our needs…
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4 Ethical Reasons Why the UK Should Not ‘Import’ Court Interpreters from Abroad
In a recent session of the House of Lords inquiry into court interpreting, the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) lamented their inability to “import” interpreters from abroad when local professionals refused to accept shockingly low pay and challenging working conditions. It was concerning to see the committee expressing interest in exploring the idea further. Such…
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Outsourced Then Screwed
The United Nations reported that, despite being the world’s fifth-largest economy, one-fifth of the UK’s population—14 million people—lived in poverty, with 1.5 million experiencing destitution in 2018. Fast forward to 2024, and while the UK remains a wealthy nation, it continues to grapple with “unacceptably high levels of poverty,” which disproportionately impact women and individuals…
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An Open Letter to Baroness Morris of Yardley, Chair of the Public Service Committee: Concerns Regarding Interpreters’ Representation
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Dear Baroness Morris, I hope this message finds you well. I want to express my deep gratitude for your considerable efforts in leading the House of Lords inquiry into court interpreting—I greatly appreciate it. I am writing to convey my serious concerns about the lack…
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Reevaluating Public Service Interpreting and Translation: An Ethical, Economic, and Policy Analysis.
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion This slightly modifies analysis was submitted to the House of Lords Inquiry into court interpreting and translation and published on their website. I welcome the House of Lords Public Services Committee’s decision to conduct this much-needed inquiry into interpreting and translation services in the courts.…
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Whodunit? A Ethical Question Inspired by a True Story
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Leeds. Linda’s story began with hope! She had journeyed with her husband, Mike, to Libertyland, a little island nation on planet Bureaucratopia. They were eagerly anticipating the birth of their second child. Linda went to hospital thinking it was for a…
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Inequality, Exploitation and Problematic Power Dynamics in the Outsourced Public Service Interpreting in the UK
By Fardous Bahbouh, Equity PhD researcher (work in progress) Abstract Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest nations, the UK continues to grapple with widespread poverty. In 2018, one-fifth of the population lived in poverty, with 1.5 million experiencing destitution (United Nations, 2019a). By 2024, poverty persists, disproportionately impacting women and ethnic minorities, including many…
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Debunking the Myth of Modern Standard Arabic as a Lingua Franca Among Arabic Speakers
Arabic is a fascinating rich language with beautiful calligraphy and distinct sounds that are less common in other languages. It is the official language of 22 countries and one of the six official languages of the United Nations. It is estimated that there are over 300 million Arabic speakers across the world. Despite these facts,…
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Navigating the Rich Diversity of Arabic: Tips for Translation Projects
Arabic is a rich and diverse language with over 400 million speakers across the globe, making it one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. However, it is important to note that Arabic is a diglossic language, meaning that the formal written language, known as Modern Standard Arabic, differs from the spoken Arabic…
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