Welcome to the blog of Lingua Media Connect, a leading Arabic language service provider. We are passionate about delivering accurate and culturally appropriate translations that help our clients communicate effectively with their target audience. Here we share insights and tips about the world of translation, language, and culture. Join us on this exciting journey, explore our blog, share your thoughts in the comment area, and share our stories on social media. Thank you!”
Ethical Tensions and Power Asymmetries in Industry–Academic Collaboration: A Reflexive Account
Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in equality and political economy Industry–academic collaboration is often framed as mutually beneficial, offering impact, stakeholder engagement, and practical relevance. Yet such collaborations are rarely neutral exchanges of expertise. Drawing on my experience as a publicly funded doctoral researcher, awarded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) through the White…
The Precariat: Critical Insights for Translators and Interpreters in an Age of Insecurity
Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in equality and political economy In today’s fast-changing labour market, translators and interpreters are increasingly facing precarious working conditions and intensifying insecurities. The Precariat (2021) is an excellent book by economist Guy Standing that captures the lived realities of workers who experience unstable employment, fluctuating incomes, and weakened labour protections. Understanding…
On the Ethical Risks of Translation Academics “Collaborating” with the Industry Without Adequate Critical Engagement and Objective Analysis
Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher on equality and political economy This critique reflects the author’s independent analysis and should not be understood as representing any institutional position. It is not connected to, commissioned by, or endorsed by the University at which the author is currently completing doctoral studies. (Work in progress). Abstract This article critically examines…
Public services rendered
Fardous Bahbouh investigates the progress – or lack of it – towards equitable pay for public service interpreting. This article was first published by the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) Consider this. The UK language services market is currently worth around £2.2 billion. Some translation companies have self-reported gross margins of up to 77…
On the ethical importance of recognising the lived realities of interpreters and translators: My letter to Baroness Jean Coussins, the Honorary President of the Chartered Institute of Linguists
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher specialising in equality and political economy Dear Baroness Coussins, Thank you for your previous correspondence in response to my concerns about the poor pay and working conditions of public service interpreters. I was honoured to receive your replies at the time. I write today with a heavy heart. While I…
What Is the Real Cost of Outsourcing? My Letter to the House of Lords Public Services Committee
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher specialising in equality and political economy Dear Baroness Morris, I am truly grateful to you and the members of the Public Services Committee for your recent report on interpreting services in the courts. Your inquiry came at a critical time for justice—for interpreters and court users alike. The report’s conclusion—that…
Talent Pipelines or Precarity Pipelines? Setting the Narrative Straight on the UK Language Industry
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Like many, I was saddened to read about the closure of the Modern Languages department at Cardiff University. This represents a lost opportunity for global understanding, cross-cultural communication, economic development, and the continuous progress of humanity. However, I was deeply concerned by the letter from…
The Night I Confronted Diane Abbott About Silencing Syrians’ Voices
By: Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion On 15 September 2017, I attended the Diversity in Media Awards at the Waldorf Hilton. My teacher at the London College of Communication, Vivienne Francis, had been nominated for an award, and I was there to celebrate her incredible achievement. Among the attendees were many…
Equitable Distribution of Risks, Responsibilities and Rewards Could Be the Solution to Court Interpreting
By: Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion In a recent article, economist Mariana Mazzucato argues that achieving good economic growth in the UK requires getting public-private partnerships right by ensuring fair sharing of both risks and rewards. Mazzucato highlights the historical problem in the UK, where public-private partnerships often lead to the…
Labour Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services Insist on Allowing ‘the Market’ to determine Interpreters Fees, Ignoring Evidence from the House of Lords Inquiry
By Fardous Bahbouh, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion researcher, specialised in the UK outsourced public service interpreting. The Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman, spoke at the House of Lords on Wednesday. Instead of acknowledging the inquiry’s published evidence, the minister shamelessly reiterated false statements based on clearly flawed data. She even…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Do You Know Which Language Has Invisible Vowels?
Languages are full of unique features that make them fascinating to learn and explore. From complex grammar to unusual vocabulary, each language has its own distinct characteristics. One interesting feature that many people may not be aware of is invisible vowels. In certain languages, some vowels are not always written out, but they still play…
Why Arabic Script Keep shifting In Posters And Videos?
The Arabic script is one of the most beautiful and complex writing systems in the world. It is widely used across the Middle East and North Africa, and its calligraphic style has been admired for centuries. However, one common issue that arises when using the Arabic script in design is the tendency for the letters…
Yes, Professional Translation Is Still Worth It!
Translation is the art of transferring meaning from one language to another. It has been an essential aspect of communication since the dawn of civilization. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for translation is only growing. Despite the development of advanced language technology, translation remains a critical tool for global communication, and it…
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