Tag: history
-
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 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…
-
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…
-
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…
Lingua Media Connect 