Thai lecture offers new vision for translating and interpreting

Titled “Vision Towards Professional Translation and Interpretation”, the lecture at the House of Representatives was attended by 70 participants - mostly linguists from the Bureau of Foreign Languages.

The session was opened by Bureau Director Sirawasa Testhomsap.

“Foreign Affairs Staff linguists in English and other languages provide a critical service in the parliament, helping communication with foreign governments and institutions,” Testhomsap said.

“We are aware of the need to upgrade their skills and knowledge and we are committed to further training.

“We thank RMIT Translating and Interpreting for cooperating with us to deliver this very first session - and we look forward to working with the University in long-term training initiatives for our staff.”

The session was attended by staff who are employed in the Parliament and have a wealth of professional experience in language services - including translating and interpreting.

Participants acknowledged there was a need for customised training to build on their practical experience, and to help them move towards professionalisation.

“Thailand is fairly open to links with other countries and is fast emerging as a hub for economic activities in the region, with a strong manufacturing industry and export-orientation - not to mention millions of tourists,” Mulayim said.

“The ASEAN Economic Community by 2020 Project - which is intended to be the ‘EU of Asia’ - is also expected to increase international contacts, travel of people and trade and employment activities.

“Australia already has very close political security, economy, energy and socio-cultural links with ASEAN and these are expected to further grow.

“This will, no doubt, further increase demand for highly qualified translators and interpreters at all levels of government and industry in ASEAN countries as well as in Australian public agencies and private companies working in the region.

“We are keen to explore opportunities overseas, and especially to meet the training needs - through either short courses or more extended training - in Thailand and south-east Asia.”

RMIT has offered interpreter and translator training since 1975 in Victoria and increasingly nationally using innovative ways of delivery through online resources.

The University has the capacity to offer training in many of the languages spoken in the region including Chinese, Indonesian, Malay, Thai, Vietnamese, Khmer, and Burmese.

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