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Critical Link International (CLI) is pleased to announce that it has teamed up with the Medical Interpreting and Translation Institute Online (MITIO), an international educational institution based in the United States, to provide 100 scholarships for a remote interpreting course free of charge for members until the end of the year 2020. In COVID-19 times, remote interpreting has become essential. COVID-19 has demonstrated the need for agility and adaptability when it comes to providing essential interpreting services. This 25-hour course has a monetary value of up to US$250.00, a tangible benefit to CLI members when they need it most. Enrollment […]

Click here to see or share original Press Release Critical Link International (CLI) is pleased to announce the new Board of Directors. This new board will serve a term of three years and is composed of the following individuals: Angela Sasso (Canada), Maria Aguilar Solano (Spain), Izabel Souza (USA), Kiran Malli (Canada), Carmen Valero-Garcés (Spain), Naomi Morita (Japan), and Maria Wattne (Norway). “Critical Link International’s 9th Conference (CLI9), held in Tokyo last year was a huge success. ‘Interpreting in the Age of AI’ highlighted what human interpreters can provide and what AI is good at. We must take advantage of […]

University of Massachusetts Amherst Access these important webinars offered by the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “Funded by the Five College Consortium, this seminar aims at bringing together Five College faculty, researchers from other institutions, and community members working with and researching interpreting. The idea is to provide more visibility to the important academic and practical work of spoken language interpreters, and include non-academics in the conversation (people working in the industry and the community), thus bridging the gap between theory and practice. The lectures are recorded and made available to everyone. If you have any questions, please contact Cristiano Mazzei.” […]

7th International Conference on Public Services Interpreting and Translation (PSIT7): The Human Factor in PSIT The FITISPos Group, committed since its beginning to the challenges posed by cultural diversity, multilingualism, migratory movements and technological advances in the configuration of 21st century societies aim to contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives set by the 2030 Agenda. These are related to the development of egalitarian and inclusive societies. The 7th International Conference on Public Services Interpreting and Translation (PSIT7), with The Human Factor in PSIT theme, will be held in the context of these premises at the University of Alcalá (Madrid) on the 26th and 27th of March 2020. […]

Critical Link International, a Canada-based, international non-profit organization, is looking for a contract Coordinator to support its mission and activities. The Coordinator plays an important role in the implementation of strategic action plans, policy development and committee support. The Coordinator utilizes research and writing skills to contribute to the knowledge base of CLI and demonstrates good organizational and project management skills to coordinate a wide range of activities in a quality and timely manner. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively, as well as establish positive networks and relationships with diverse stakeholder groups is essential. The Coordinator is tasked with […]

Publish or Post Your Papers Critical Link International will publish a thematic manuscript of the conference papers presented. If you presented at the CLI9 Conference in Tokyo, Japan and want to submit your paper for publication OR if you simply wish to disseminate your slide presentation or a short paper in PDF form via the CLI website, please see details and information below. Critical Link is committed to ensuring that a publication of thematic papers arising from the CLI9 conference, together with papers presented at previous conferences and not previously published, will be achieved. We ask our members and colleagues […]

Dear CLI Member, Notice is hereby given for the CLI Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on October 17th. Call for Nominations to the Board of Directors now open – CLOSES OCTOBER 3, 2019.  More details below.

Dear members and supporters, Following the CLI9 Conference, CLI will disseminate papers, poster presentations and slide presentations to CLI members in one of two ways, as detailed below. All presenters are invited to submit their presentations or papers to one or both venues. CL Conference Proceedings 1) KnowledgeLinkIC (KLIC) – Critical Link International Website 2) CL Thematic Volume READ MORE: Conference Proceedings for CLI9 – Note to Presenters

Re: World Language Community and Its Human Rights Partners Seek a UN Resolution for the Protection of Civilian Translators/Interpreters in Conflict Situations Your Excellency, It is with extreme interest and pleasure that we have observed your prioritization of multilingualism as a core value of the United Nations, both for internal and external operations. We were encouraged by your most recent report on Multilingualism (A/73/761) and commend you for spearheading this reform. Language is integral to the four pillars of your disarmament agenda, and translators and interpreters are critical to realizing much of this work. READ MORE:  OL_UN_Secretary-General_May2019    

Thank you for your ongoing support of Critical Link International to those members that have renewed their membership. We now have a new system that allows you to create your own login profile. Your new membership login will also permit you access to papers and other resources that we are currently building in our Knowledge Link (KLIC) database. Ensure that your profile and data is correct. If you have not yet updated your membership, please visit our Membership page to create your online profile. If you are having any problems, please contact us at contact@criticallink.org or our president at asasso@criticallink.org

UN Declares 30 September World Translation Day

Protecting Interpreters and Translators Worldwide

CLI President Angela Sasso presents the opening plenary session I was honoured with an invitation to present the opening plenary session at the 6th International Conference on PSIT/Community Interpreting and Translation at the Universidad de Alcalá in Alcalá de Henares Spain this past March. The conference ran from March 6th to March 8th and as usual involved excellent presentations, wonderful opportunities to network in the historic city of Alcalá de Henares – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a chance to share discussions on the topic we most love to discuss – public service interpreting and translation. Invited by our […]

Critical Link International is still advocating for better outcomes The UN theme for International Women’s Day this year is Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.  Although community interpreting is a professional field where women already make up more than half of the workforce, the work is not done. Community interpreters fill a vital role in a society, ensuring that women who are not proficient in the official language can access public institutions, social services, healthcare, emergency response and legal services within their communities. Current issues in this profession affect both the women who work as […]

The war against ISIS cannot be won without Translators or Interpreters

A Question of Communication: The Role of Public Service Interpreting in the Migrant Crisis  The editors of The European Legacy have expressed their interest in publishing a Special Issue on A Question of Communication: The Role of Public Service Interpreting in the Migrant Crisis, guest edited by Dr. Michal Schuster, the University of the Free State, Republic of South Africa and Dr. Lluís Baixauli-Olmos, University of Louisville (USA). The Special Issue will be dedicated to the memory of Professor Miriam Shlesinger (1947-2012). Topics Current challenges of language accessibility in Europe Language policy for accessibility and integration of migrants and asylum […]

Appeal for Necmiye Alpay 

An Open Letter to The Hon. John McCallum, P.C., M.P. The Hon. John McCallum, P.C., M.P.Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 365 Laurier Avenue WestOttawa, OntarioK1A 1L1Canada Dear Minister McCallum, Protective Asylum for Endangered Afghan Host Nation Linguists The undersigned, representing over 120,000 translators and interpreters in Canada and across the globe, are deeply concerned about the fate of our colleagues who served the Canadian forces in Afghanistan at great personal risk. A number of these linguists now find themselves left behind or stranded in European refugee camps fearing deportation to a homeland […]

Beyond Limits in Public Service Interpreting and Translating (Community Interpreting & Translation)6-8 March 2017   The University of Alcalá (UAH) (Madrid, Spain) through the FITISPos (Training and Research in Public Service Interpreting and Translation) Research Group, are pleased to announce 6th International Conference on Public Service Interpreting and Translating (PSIT6) which will be held from 6th to 8th of March 2017. The main objective of this international conference is to continue the work of dialogue and exchange of experiences and projects carried out in previous conferences. The Beyond Limits in Public Service Interpreting and Translation theme aims to reflect on […]

CLI moves into an exciting time as we celebrate the past 3 years and look forward to the next… On June 30th, Critical Link International will be voting in their new Board of Directors for 2016 – 2019. As we are excited to bring together the next phase of motivated Directors, we would like to thank our amazing and dedicated team from 2013 – 2016. Over the past 3 years, we have been able to bring together a pool of talent and skill to move the vision of Critical Link International forward. Without their work, vision and dedication, we would […]

For the first time in history, the global interpreting community can view a CLI Conference session For the first time in the history of Critical Link, one of its conference sessions will be streamed live. The session chosen is the final panel discussion of the Critical Link 8 Conference (“Future- proofing interpreting and translating: The road ahead”), which will be chaired by Prof. Franz Pochhacker, of the University of Vienna. CLI8 live streaming time Between 15:45 and 17:15 (GMT+1) on Friday, 1st July, people from all over the world who did not have the chance to attend the conference will […]

President Angela Sasso gives a special thank you to our Board Members It’s just around the corner! Before you know it, we will have all gathered for CLI8. Close to 400 attendees will be present in Edinburgh, Scotland for 4 days of stimulating presentations, conversation and learning. As President of Critical Link International, I want to thank the two Board members that have represented CLI on the CLI8 organizing committee – Elizabeth Abraham and Bonnie Heath. Both Elizabeth and Bonnie will be stepping down from the CLI Board of Directors this year after having dedicated their time and energy for […]

Congratulations to Young Joe, a Korean/English interpreter working in Community and Healthcare settings Young Joe has become the first in Canada to become a Certified Medical Interpreter. She has worked as an interpreter, primarily in healthcare, for over 10 years and is a passionate advocate of access to healthcare and the professionalization of community and healthcare interpreting. Young Joe founded Bilinguals International as a vehicle to champion the continued professionalization of the profession. She is currently working on a campaign for a Federal e-petition that would be tabled in the House of Commons. She has the full support and backing […]

Dear Friends and Colleagues, We will soon meet again and catch up on all of the exciting new initiatives and projects we have been involved in since we were last together in Toronto. CLI conferences are the foremost, globally relevant, community/public service interpreting events. All of us coming together to share ideas, learn and shape the future. Very exciting! In 1992 Critical Link began with a mandate that it still holds dearly today, to promote and advance the field and profession of community interpreting. Over the years, that commitment has worn different hats; at times focusing on research and study […]

Exciting initiatives are under way. Come join the CLI team as we review the work of the past 3 years Since 1995, Critical Link has been fundamental to the evolution and advancement of the community/public service interpreting sector. Through our Annual General Meeting, CLI members celebrate our successes from the last few years, discuss current projects, future initiatives and announce our Board of Directors for 2016 – 2019. We cordially invite you to attend our AGM held on June 30th, 2016 at the Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland at 12:00pm. President’s Address Review committee minutes from the previous Annual General […]

In interpreter-mediated interaction, the issue of attribution and acknowledgment of rights to express knowledge is a rather complex and important one. By Laura Gavioli (Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia) In interpreter-mediated interaction, the issue of attribution and acknowledgment of rights to express knowledge is a rather complex and important one. Interpreters possess knowledge acquired from participants in talk during preliminary briefings, during the encounter or from their experience in participating in other similar events; such access to knowledge gives them the possibility to interpret contents which are not fully explicated and render them explicitly (Mason 2006). So, the necessity […]

Join a team that is making a difference. Learn about the unique opportunities to become a Director or Member with Critical Link International. Critical Link International thanks you for your ongoing support. Your membership has enabled CLI to continue doing the important work that began at Critical Link 1 in 1995: work that has been fundamental to the evolution and advancement of the community/public service interpreting sector. In the recent years, our organization has worked consistently to raise the profile of community interpreting: CLI has been an active member on ISO committees, providing their expertise and contributing to the development […]

Why was this group created and what is their purpose?   By Anne Carlisle The ENPSIT (European Network for Public Service Interpreting and Translation) conference in Paris, June 2015, brought together a number of testing and accreditation authorities from different parts of the world.  Of these, representatives from the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Canada and Australia sat down following the conference at an informal meeting to address and discuss issues arising around testing, recognition and accreditation of translators and interpreters working in the public services. All the bodies represented were seeking to signal competence to practice and although operating differently […]

Discover the amazing experiences that await when you atttend the Critical Link International Conference in a few weeks. By Vicki Grant. Edinburgh is a city with a unique combination of heritage, colour, culture and breathtaking beauty. The quaint corners and alleyways of the Old Town, the Georgian splendour of the New Town, the cobbled courtyards and old tenements of the Royal Mile, and the dominating presence of the Castle: all different, all unforgettable and all essentially Edinburgh. As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh has been a seat of learning and culture since the middle ages. Historic associations with the monarchy […]

Critical Link S – A new generation Future-proofing interpreting and translating Only a few days left before Critical Link 8 Early Bird Registration closes on May 29th! For information and registration information, please visit the Critical Link 8 website. If you are interested in interpreting in medical settings or in legal settings, or policy, practice, plus new technology and approaches, you will find sessions of interest every day. Although the following topics may also feature on other days, see the following days of the conference programme, if you are particularly interested in the themes below: CLI 8 conference themes Gender-based violence (Day […]

Acting with honor toward linguist allies is crucial to future recruiting efforts May 2016 Sen. Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority LeaderSen. Harry Reid, Senate Minority LeaderSen. John McCain, Chairman, Senate Armed Services Committee Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the HouseRep. Mac Thornberry, Chairman, House Armed Services Committee Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Chairman, House Judiciary Committee Dear Senators and Representatives, Translators and interpreters are critical to national security. They are the first line of defense against domestic dangers and foreign threats – whether translating terrorism chatter pulled from the airwaves or interpreting for troops in conflict zones. The work of these linguists, however, […]

Angela Sasso addresses Critical Link International Members and Friends As we head into our 8th International Conference I feel inspired and energized by all the good work that has been done over the last 3 years since our last conference in Toronto. At the time, Critical Link International was still a “new” organization having just reincorporated with an international mandate in 2010. At CLI7 we voted in a new Board comprised of members from across the globe and subsequently eased into our new identity by focusing on some key organizational areas in need of updating. We rebranded, completely revamped our […]

Only 2 months to go until CLI touches down in Scotland Edinburgh has a growing buzz spreading from the Centre for Translation & Interpreting Studies in Scotland, in LINCS, at Heriot-Watt University, as Critical Link 8 grows larger on the horizon and takes shape. With CL8 just 2 months away, preparations are gathering momentum.  With over 280 abstracts received from 30 different countries and 6 sub-continents, we are preparing a program that is wide in scope and reflective of the international interests and will be available on our website shortly. A scholarship application form for PhD students and early career […]

Help us spread the news by sharing our announcement with your online network Critical Link International (CLI) is committed to promoting and fostering the development of community/public service interpreting in the social, legal and health care sectors. In 2013 CLI struck a Research and Development Committee in an effort to extend the scope of our work and create meaningful activities for all of our stakeholders – policy makers, practitioners, service providers and researchers. To this end, the CLI R&D has launched the KnowledgeLinkIC (KLIC) Initiative. KLIC is a dedicated section on the CLI website that functions as a hub for […]

Learn how you can get involved and join our leadership team The nominating committee for Critical Link International is looking for dedicated and motivated new Board members to fill the following positions in the organization: Vice-President Treasurer Members at Large with the following expertise: Membership Engagement, Fund Raising/Organizational Sustainability, Communication and Social Media Critical Link International is dedicated to the advancement of community interpreting in the social, legal and health sectors. Critical Link works to reflect and connect both the visual and spoken language communities. The CLI mandate is accomplished through: Promoting the establishment of standards that guide the practice of community interpreters […]

Find out what’s included with your CLI8 registration – including accommodation, delegate bag and more…  We’re excited to announce registration for Critical Link 8 is open! Early bird pricing has been extended through until May 29th. The theme for the conference is Critical LinkS – A new generation. The aim is to explore future-proofing community/public service Interpreting and translating: to investigate working together across professional, geographic, user-group and language communities (spoken and signed), through technology, and coping with current and emerging constraints. To learn more about CLI8, how to register, and what’s included with your registration package, click on the button below. […]

Director of the Provincial Language Service for British Columbia, Canada, speaks about the training process for interpreters with Pamela McCall on CFAX 1070.  Listen to the full length radio interview:

A recent paper by Naoko Ono – Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan. Published in The Journal of Translation Studies by The Korean Association of Translation Studies (KATS) There is a particular need in medical settings to use English to communicate, especially as Tokyo has been selected as the host city of the 2020 Summer Olympics, and medical tourism has emerged as a new area of business (Nishimura 2011).  Read the publication here.

An Erratum on the recent controversy surrounding Able Translations Last month, Mississauga-based translations company Able Translations was under a media firestorm after allegations that the company does not pay (or slow to pay) professional interpreters.  The article makes reference to new Canadians that have become “certified interpreters.” This is incorrect. Interpreters working in public service settings, also known as Community Interpreters, are not regulated by Ontario’s Association of Translators and Interpreters Act (1989). Only translators, terminologists, conference interpreters and court interpreters are certified language professionals under the legislation. Many of us interpreting in hospitals, with Children’s Aid, police, at parole hearings, […]

Remembering interpreters who served alongside military forces According to Veterans Affairs Canada, November 11th is a date of “remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.”  Today, let us remember also the interpreters who have served alongside members of the military forces; those interpreters who have fallen and those who too often have been left behind in conflict zones and targeted by insurgents in the region. 

Critical LinkS – A new generation. Future-proofing interpreting and translating.  The Organising Committee has now opened the second round of the Call for Papers for the Critical Link 8 conference. This Call includes submissions for papers, posters, panels, round tables, and workshops. Innovative ideas for sessions in other formats will be welcomed. Proposals may also be submitted for pre- conference workshops and demonstrations. The conference will bring together all community/public service interpreting and translation stakeholders: community and public sector representatives, employers, developers of tools and technologies, policy makers, practitioners, professional bodies, researchers, service users, trainers and educators, TICS (translation, interpreting […]

Did you know? They are not protected by international legislation We need your help generating awareness on protecting translators and interpreters worldwide – because they are at risk. Language professionals working with military are often kidnapped or tortured, experience death threats, incarcerated for their work, or even lose their lives. What you can do Please assist with urging the UN to protect translators and interpreters around the world, by joining the movement to sign the petition to End The Targeting of Translators and Interpreters. > Learn more about the cause, and sign the petition

Please join Red T and the world’s five major language associations: International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) International Federation of Translators (FIT) International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters Critical Link International (CLI) World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) in this Open Letter campaign by disseminating this letter and/or writing a letter of your own. Share this Open Letter to Prime Minister Tsipras  – an appeal for Protective Asylum for Afghan Interpreters.

Recognizing St. Jerome, Patron Saint of Translators and Interpreters September 30, all over the world, is a day of celebration for Translators and Interpreters. We have our Patron Saint, St. Jerome, to thank: he was one of the few who achieved sainthood for his work rather than for an eminent sanctity or miracles.  Born circa 347 CE, St. Jerome was recognized for his scholarly work, particularly his translations of the Bible. Previous translations used the Septuagint (also known as the Old Greek Testament) as the source text. Jerome went back to the original source in Hebrew to translate the Old and […]

Please join Red T and the world’s four major language associations: International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) International Federation of Translators (FIT) International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters Critical Link International (CLI) in this Open Letter campaign by disseminating this letter and/or writing a letter of your own. Share this Open Letter to President Erdoğan – an appeal for Mohammed Ismael Rasool.

A report by Michal Schuster From 2006 – 2012 people from Eritrea entered Israel through its border with Egypt. They escaped the military dictatorship in their country, and many had to face a long and difficult journey. Some were kidnapped, tortured and raped.  Today, about 45,000 Eritreans are seeking asylum in Israel. They get temporary protection from deportation, but have only few social and health rights and access to services. The cultural and language barriers make it even more difficult to provide them with proper medical care.  In view of that, there was a joint initiative for a medical interpreting […]

October 1st – 2nd  2015, Call for papers Mobility and immigration leads to more diversity in countries’ population. Since integration is a two-way process, the receiving side must organize to ensure everyone’s access to human rights, so that newcomers can participate and consequently enjoy their rights and fulfil their duties. Public service interpreting and translation (PSIT) (Community Interpreting) closes the communication gap that can arise when newcomers do not speak the language of their new country. Cooperation between the main stakeholders and representatives of all parties is fundamental to go a step further in the recognition of PSIT as a profession. The University […]

Future-proofing interpreting and translating  The Organising Committee has now opened the Call for Papers for the Critical Link 8 Conference. This Call includes submissions for papers, posters, panels, round tables, and workshops. Innovative ideas for sessions in other formats will be welcomed. Proposals may also be submitted for pre-conference workshops and demonstrations. The conference will bring together all community/public service interpreting and translation stakeholders: community and public sector representatives, employers, developers of tools and technologies, policy makers, practitioners, professional bodies, researchers, service users, trainers and educators, TICS (translation, interpreting & communication support) service providers, and other interested parties to build […]

 On behalf of endangered translators and interpreters worldwide Please join Red T and the world’s four major language associations: International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) International Federation of Translators (FIT) International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters Critical Link International In this Open Letter campaign by disseminating this letter and/or writing a letter of your own. Share this Open Letter to His Holiness, Pope Francis, asking him to take up the cause of endangered translators and interpreters across the world.

Uniting our voices to continue advocating for the safety and recognition of interpreters around the world   Critical Link International has joined forces with the Red T coalition. Together our united voices will continue to advocate for the safety and recognition of interpreters world wide.   Translators and interpreters have been increasingly subject to unjust persecution, prosecution, and imprisonment in countries across the world. To publicize and combat this critical state of affairs, Critical Link International has joined Red T, the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), the International Federation of Translators (FIT) and the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI) […]

A peek into the high-stress world of court interpreters In a recent article in the South China Morning Post, Tsang Man-sang, a former interpreter, discusses how the stress of the job forced him to leave the sector.  Tsang said the pressure on interpreters, especially in high profile criminal cases, is enormous. He recalls sleepless nights before a day of work in criminal court. Tsang says interpreters get nervous and anxious under the intense scrutiny of lawyers, judges and the media. Another challenge in criminal cases is not being able to predict what witnesses will say, and having to scramble to […]

ISO 13611:2014 Interpreting – Guidelines for Community Interpreting In November 2014, ISO published ISO 13611:2014 Interpreting – Guidelines for Community Interpreting. The first standard to directly address community interpreting, ISO 13611:2014 involved the contribution of 27 countries and many international experts working together over the course of several years. Canada was a leading figure in the development of this standard that now provides a framework that enhances the ongoing efforts of professionalization and international cooperation. “ISO 113611:2014 addresses community interpreting as a profession, not as an informal practice such as interpreting performed by friends, family members, children, or other persons who do not have […]

Press release: 01.06.2015 CLI is pleased to support the work of Paola Gentile, a Ph.D. student in Interpreting Studies at the University of Trieste, (Italy) under the supervision of Professor Maurizio Viezzi. Paola is conducting the first international study on community interpreting. The survey*, available in 5 languages, will research the conditions and status of community interpreters (also known as public service interpreters in some regions). This valuable work can provide for a better, global, understanding of community interpreting, and set the stage for the continued professionalization and recognition – which has been the work of CLI since 1992. Take the survey Click on your preferred language to participate in the survey: English French German Spanish […]

Introducing a once-a-year renewal system We are only as strong as the sum of our parts, and becoming part of Critical Link has never been easier. We have streamlined our sign up and renewal procedure with active links on the website. Please note we have moved to a once-a-year April renewal for everyone. Mark your calendars and click to renew in April. Spread the word! 5 membership advantages Access to our newsletter Connection to the international community interpreting movement News of upcoming conferences and events Support and advocacy from a global network of colleagues A private place to share your […]