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Abstract

Modern Foreign Language (MFL) learning is essential for the growth of the UK economy. However, over the last two decades, there has been a steep decline in uptake of MFL in education in the UK. The decline in MFL uptake post-14 has negatively impacted universities, diplomacy, businesses, and the availability of MFL teachers and interpreters. To meet the global demand for ‘into-English’ translation, it is imperative the UK has access to native English translators. However, the impact of the decline in MFL uptake on the availability of native English translators is unknown. Therefore, this qualitative study explored the impact the decline in MFL learning was having on the availability of native English translators to Language Service Companies (LSCs) in the UK.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight translator recruiters in managerial or directorial positions. All participants were working for, or owned, companies which were members of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC). Interviews were analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA).
Four main themes were interpreted: “There’s definitely not enough of those”; Supply and demand (challenges and strategies); An industry overlooked:

Course: Translation Studies (DL) - MA - C2114P

Date Deposited: 2022-11-23

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14078.html