Qualifications and Memberships Karen Stokes BA (Hons) Oxon, Dip Trans IoL, MITI, MCIL, CL (Translator)

What do all the letters mean?

BA (Hons) Oxon

I studied Modern Languages at Balliol College (www.balliol.ox.ac.uk), University of Oxford, from 1982 to 1986 and was awarded my BA with first-class honours.

Dip Trans IoL

I was awarded the Dip Trans or Diploma in Translation (French to English) by the Institute of Linguists Educational Trust in 2001.

MITI

I joined the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (www.iti.org.uk) as an associate member in 2002 and was awarded "qualified" membership (MITI) by taking the ITI examination in 2007.

One of my subject areas and interests is food, and I have been coordinating the ITI Food and Drink network – an e-group for ITI translators and interpreters working in these areas to help each other out with queries about terminology and resources – since 2004.

I have run workshops on the problems of translating menus and recipes for both the ITI and one of its regional groups, the Yorkshire Translators and Interpreters, and spoke at the ITI’s event on Starting Work as a Translator or Interpreter at the University of Westminster in June 2008.

I also write the occasional article for the ITI’s journal, the Bulletin.

MCIL

I was admitted to the Institute of Linguists (www.iol.org.uk) – before it was awarded its Charter in 2005 – as an associate member in 2001 and was promoted to full membership (MCIL) in 2004.

I am a member of the management committee of the Translating Division of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, which means I’m involved in helping to run training and social events for both established and potential translators. I also wrote the division’s Translators’ Pack, a set of fact sheets aimed at people starting out in the profession. (Non-members can purchase a copy of the pack from the Institute’s website.)

I am a member of the Editorial Board of the Institute’s journal, The Linguist, and also contribute articles and reviews.

In November 2007 I gave a presentation on behalf of the Institute at The Language Show (www.thelanguageshow.co.uk) in London on "Career Development for Translators: a route map to success".

CL (Translator)

CL stands for Chartered Linguist.

The Chartered Linguist scheme was set up by the Chartered Institute of Linguists in 2007, in conjunction with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (www.iti.org.uk) and AIIC (www.aiic.net) the international conference interpreters’ association.

I was honoured to be one of the first five translators in the UK to be awarded Chartered Linguist (Translator) status, in May 2008.

More about the Chartered Linguist scheme:

Chartered Linguists are qualified language practitioners with extensive experience in their discipline (i.e. in translation, interpreting or education, or as linguists working in business, the professions and government). The following designations are used:

  • Translation: CL (Translator)
  • Interpreting: CL (Interpreter)
  • Education and Business, Professions and Government: CL

To qualify for Chartered Linguist status practitioners must be a member or fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) or Association Internationale d'Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC) and provide evidence of:

  • Substantial experience in their discipline over a minimum of five years
  • A commitment to Continuing Professional Development
  • Knowledge of the relevant language or languages to honours degree level or above

They must also:

  • Provide referees for both the quality of their work and their professional standing
  • Agree to adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct applicable to Chartered Linguists
  • Consent to their data being held on the online Register of Chartered Linguists

Chartered Linguists are selected on the basis of a rigorous process that includes an interview by their professional peers, exploring, amongst other things, their understanding of professional ethics and applying the Code of Conduct in practice.

Language practitioners who qualify for Chartered Linguist status are issued with a practising certificate, which is valid for one year. Their certificate is then renewed on an annual basis, as long as they can provide evidence that they are still a member of an appropriate professional body and:

  • Continuing in professional practice at an appropriate level of volume
  • Actively participating in Continuing Professional Development to enhance their skills and knowledge