Joint Translation and Interpreting Development Effort inThailand and the ASEAN Region (TIDE)
At a glance
- Project leader : Prof. Dr. Michaela Albl-Mikasa, Prof. Dr. Maneeratana Sawasdiwat Na Ayutthaya
- Project budget : CHF 10'700
- Project status : completed
- Funding partner : Federal government (Swiss Seed Money project, ETH Zurich mandated by SERI)
- Project partner : Thailand, Thanyabui, Rajamangala University of Technology
Description
Demand for translation and interpreting services in the ASEAN
countries is rising rapidly. Meanwhile, there are too few
translators and interpreters, translation and interpreting quality
is insufficient and training opportunities are inadequate. Headed
up by the Thai President of the Association of Asian Translation
Industry (AATI), a task force has grouped, involving the US
National Council for Language and International Studies and the
Professorship in Interpreting Studies of the Zurich University of
Applied Sciences (ZHAW). This initiative, which has the express
support of Thailand's Prime Minister and Foreign Ministry, aims to
bring to life the ASEAN Center for Multlingualism, Translation and
Interpretation (ASEAN MTI) along lines comparable to those of the
European Commission's Directorates-General for Translation and
Interpreting. Initially, the centre will perform an advisory role
in the introduction of study programmes, training and further
education courses, as well as quality assurance concepts. Joint
research activities will also be on its agenda.
As a "Swiss Leading House for bilateral cooperation with South-East
Asia", ETH Zurich is supporting the project with travel funds as
part of the seed-money programme assigned by the State Secretariat
for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).