In light of University guidance regarding large gatherings and the coronavirus, CALA has cancelled all Spring 2020 events. We will resume programming as soon as we are able to do so safely.
Subtitles or Dubbing? “Parasite” Reignites Debate Over Translation and Film
Which is superior, subtitles or dubbing? This contentious and politically thorny question, familiar to translators and those with an interest in non-English media, has returned to prominence surrounding the Best Picture Academy Award win of the Korean film Parasite.
Defenders of both sides of the “subs or dubs” debate have recently sparred in print and social media. Dubbing advocates, including Kevin Drum of Mother Jones, have claimed that subtitles can intimidate or distract viewers, rendering subtitled material inaccessible. Those favoring subtitles argue that their approach is necessary to preserve artistic and cultural integrity. Parasite director Bong Joon-ho addressed the perceived American aversion to subtitled films directly, stating that “once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”
The market for both subtitled and dubbed media is booming, with content providers like Netflix investing in both areas. Programs including CALA’s MS in Translation (MST) are responding to this demand with focused course offerings. At SPS, Students with an interest in translating for film can learn more about subtitling, dubbing, and other applications of translation and interpreting skills by enrolling in Translation for New Media and Audiovisual Translation. Both courses are electives open to all MST students.
Such training can help students prepare for the delicate work of film translation. In an interview with Korea.net, Parasite subtitler Darcy Paquet described the challenges of aligning punchlines and selecting comparable cultural references to create a translation that would engage the audience without altering the meaning of the original text. “The biggest challenge is writing in a very compact way,” Paquet says of subtitling. “I’d recommend reading a lot and being conscious of language as you go through life. Listen to the language that people use.”
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Interested in studying subtitling, dubbing, or script translation? Apply for CALA’s M.S. in Translation, a fully online, 36-credit graduate degree.
Professional Writer at Work: Interview with Kathleen Fischer, Assistant Director of Communications & Engagement for the Americas Financial Services Organization, EY
Kathleen Fischer is a communications professional with over 15 years of experience. Fischer graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Professional Writing, honing her skills as a communications strategist. In her current role at the professional services firm EY, Fischer is a manager of an executive communications and employee engagement team. She also contributes to the development of new workflows. Her responses to our interview questions, below, highlight the importance of well-rounded communication skills and social media engagement.
Q: Describe your current role and your daily professional tasks and responsibilities
A: I’m an Assistant Director of Communications & Engagement for the Americas Financial Services Organization within EY. I oversee two communications professionals and report to the Communications & Engagement Leader, who reports to the Chief Communications Officer for EY Americas.
I provide executive communications support for the managing partners, ranging from writing and editing emails to drafting and producing video webcasts. I’m constantly looking for ways to leverage metrics to influence change and form best practices in how we communicate. At EY, change happens quickly, creating new opportunities for communications professionals. For example, with the recent announcement of EY’s commitment to be carbon neutral by the end of 2020, I joined a workstream focused on the change management and communications to help our people support sustainability.
In addition, I am in constant communication with my direct reports, providing them guidance and coaching as needed (I learn plenty from them too!).
Q: What made you realize that writing was something you wanted to pursue professionally?
A: I always wanted to write. I never wanted to do anything else. I just didn’t realize how many possible career paths exist for someone who’s passionate about communications until I got into college.
Q: Talk about a book, mentor, or experience that helps shape who you are as a writing professional.
A: I had a lot of jobs and internships in college and graduate school that exposed me to the wide variety of potential career paths for someone interested in writing. In particular, the summer before I graduated I had a pretty informal internship at a marketing company that gave me exposure to leadership. I was very challenged by the project, which required me to do research and create a report that would be submitted to the FCC. It was energizing (and a little scary!) to work on something real – that the CEO would eventually review my report and it could really impact the company’s future. I also realized that the key to effective communication in the workplace is getting a message across clearly and concisely – and that’s actually paramount to perfect grammar!
Q: In your role/industry, how important is collaboration? With whom do you collaborate?
A: Throughout my writing career, I have had great teammates who help my creative juices flow. But I also work closely with subject matter experts and stakeholders, where our knowledge and strengths are completely different. It’s a great feeling when we can collaborate on a project and produce a piece of work that neither party could’ve done on our own.
Q: What advice would you give to a professional writer interested in a career like yours?
A: Get real-world work experience! It’s eye-opening to take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it. You will probably also be very surprised at the wide variety of career possibilities for professional writers!
On a related note, LinkedIn is a great tool, no matter where you are in your career. Connect with friends and colleagues, but also follow thought leaders, companies that interest you, communications experts, etc. Start your day by spending a couple of minutes on LinkedIn to help you stay on top of the latest news that’s influencing your professional life. (By the way, I got my current job and my previous job through LinkedIn!)
Q: What do you look for when assessing potential new hires?
A: First, do your homework. Come with thoughtful questions. Bring samples of your work and be able to explain why you picked these samples. Beyond the interview, we want a well-rounded communicator, not just someone who’s awesome at writing. I want to see someone who’s passionate and excited about writing for sure, but a candidate who can also show a comfort with or interest in technology and metrics is important to this field.
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Thank you to Kathleen Fischer for sharing her professional writing journey with us.
To learn more about the MS in Professional Writing program at NYU School of Professional Studies, visit sps.nyu.edu/mspw
See Hangmen on Broadway, March 11! Follow CALA on Twitter for a chance to win
Enter our Broadway ticket raffle for a chance to see Hangmen, by Martin McDonagh, on March 11 at 2pm! Follow CALA on Twitter @NYUSPSCALA and retweet the raffle announcement for a chance to win! http://bit.ly/3ariu53
PEN America Translation Prize, Judged by MS in Translation Faculty Members Elizabeth Lowe and Jenny McPhee, Awarded to Allison Markin Powell
On the evening of March 2, the 2020 PEN America Literary Awards were announced at a Radio City Music Hall ceremony hosted by Seth Myers. PEN is an international non-profit committed to fostering and perpetuating the ideal of freedom of expression. This year, two members of the CALA MS in Translation (MST) faculty, Elizabeth Lowe and Jenny McPhee, participated in judging the Translation Prize for a book-length work of prose published in 2019. The award went to The Ten Loves of Nishino by Hiromi Kawakami, translated from the Japanese by Allison Markin Powell.
In a joint reflection, Lowe and McPhee shed light on their experience as judges of this prestigious competition.“We were given a total of about 192 books in translation from all over the world to review among the six-person jury,” Lowe and McPhee explained. “The first challenge was to decide on a process, since we had a short timeline to come up with first a longlist of ten books, then a shortlist of five and finally, a nomination for the winner.” The judges communicated regularly via Zoom and a Google doc, comparing impressions of the submissions as they read. They were pleasantly surprised to find how easily this simple process yielded consensus.
While the judging process went smoothly, it also raised interesting questions about the contemporary field of translation. Lowe and McPhee discussed “the importance of translation prizes in bringing greater exposure to translation and translators, the ethical responsibility of judges, and the question of whether there is a contemporary aesthetics of translation” with their fellow judges. “We noticed we were all drawn to translations which preserved something of the original language and culture.”
Overall, both Lowe and McPhee found the judging process to be intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding. “It was a great experience that allowed us to share the importance of translation with the world,” they said, “and also to get to know colleagues who are deeply committed to the field.”
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A translation degree can help you to take charge of your career, whether you are new to the field or already working in the language professions. Apply for CALA’s M.S. in Translation & Interpreting, a fully online, 36-credit graduate degree.
MS in Professional Writing student, Suzanne El Khechen, publishes “The Power of Pronouns” in Medium
Suzanne El Khechen, a student in the MS in Professional Writing program (MSPW), recently published “The Power of Pronouns: “He” Versus the Rest of Us” in Medium. The article is a personal reflection about the impact of pronouns on readers. Suzanne explores the history of debate over third person pronouns and interrogates options for modern writers, ultimately advocating for the use of “they” as the optimal choice.
Suzanne developed “The Power of Pronouns” as part of her Style and Rhetoric course, a core course she completed last spring. “At the end of the Style and Rhetoric course, Dr. Gerben asked us to write two articles about subjects of interest that were covered in the class,” Suzanne recalls. The assignment led her to think about pronouns, and the dynamics of inclusion/exclusion that pronoun selection can create or reinforce.
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To learn more about the MS in Professional Writing, visit sps.nyu.edu/mspw or email sps.mspw@nyu.edu.
CALA MS in Translation and SPS Wasserman Partner with TransPerfect for a Virtual Resume Review Day
CALA’s MS in Translation and the SPS Wasserman Center recently partnered with the global employer TransPerfect for a virtual resume review event open to students interested in careers in translation, marketing, and project management. TransPerfect is among the largest language services companies in the world, with offices in over 100 cities and specialities including translation, media localization, and e-discovery. Representatives of the company spoke with 12 SPS students on Friday, February 21, to discuss their resumes and career goals.
“The SPS Wasserman Center had been working with TransPerfect for a number of years,” says Stephanie Cziczo of Wasserman, who helped to spearhead the event. Cziczo and her contacts at TransPerfect devised the virtual resume review session “to deepen relationships with students in Translation and Project Management, but also other SPS programs.” Each student submitted a resume in advance of the event and spent 15 minutes with a TransPerfect representative receiving feedback and discussing relevant roles at the company.
“I was really excited when Stephanie told me that TransPerfect was going to hold a resume review day with us,” recalls Lu Liu, a Translation Society member who helped to coordinate the event. “I had a great time talking with Darya and she gave me valuable feedback on my resume. She also shared with me the translator’s daily responsibility and how different departments work together as a team at TransPerfect.”
Given the high level of student interest in the first resume review day, Cziczo is hoping to set up another session in the coming months. “Lu and the Translation Society jumped on the opportunity and really brought the event together,” she says. “The feedback I have received from both the employer and the students was that the event was very beneficial, and we hope to hold another in the future!”
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A translation degree can help you to take charge of your career, whether you are new to the field or already working in the language professions. Apply for CALA’s M.S. in Translation, a fully online, 36-credit graduate degree.
MS in Professional Writing Student, Christinne Govereau, Selected as 2020 Judge for the Center of Plain Language
Christinne Govereau, a student in the MS in Professional Writing Program (MSPW), will serve as a judge and evaluator for two programs at the Center for Plain Language in 2020. Christinne will be returning as a judge for the ClearMark awards. Last year, she judged the Digital: Apps and Microsites competition. This year, Christine will also serve an evaluator for the Federal Plain Language Report Card.
In addition to being a part-time MSPW student, Christinne currently works as the Senior Technical Editor for the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), a sub-agency of the US Department of Energy. In her full-time role at EIA, Christinne works with subject matter experts on energy-related forecasts and projections. She also manages a team of two editors, working to oversee all agency communications. She built her career in government communications after 11 years as a stay-at-home parent.
“I have learned so much about digital content in the MSPW” writes Christinne. “I also appreciate how well the classes are preparing technical writers for what they will face in the ‘real’ world…the professors at NYU are doing a fantastic job of preparing MSPW students to deliver right out of the gate.”
To learn more about the MS in Professional Writing, visit sps.nyu.edu/mspw or email sps.mspw@nyu.edu.
Winner of the Caption Contest!
We have a winner! Thank you to everyone who entered the caption contest to celebrate the release of The King’s Highway, by CALA’s own Andrew Dicus. Here is the winning caption, submitted by Brett Hall via Instagram:
Thanks again to all who participated.
Order The King’s Highway through Indiebound.com or your local bookseller of choice
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There’s still time to enroll in many of CALA’s Spring 2020 Writing Courses! Click links below for details.
CALA to Host TV Writing Today, Featuring Peabody and Emmy Winner Timothy Greenberg, on March 24
Join CALA on Tuesday, March 24, for TV Writing Today: A Conversation with Timothy Greenberg, Writer/Director of Living With Yourself. Greenberg is a Peabody and Emmy winner who was Executive Producer of The Daily Show. NYU adjunct professor and television producer Jonathan Grupper will host Greenberg for a conversation and Q&A on writing strategies and the TV industry today. Free with RSVP to: tinyurl.com/calatvtoday
Interested in developing a creative project this Spring semester? Sign up for Beginning Screenwriting, Advanced Television Writing, or Multimedia Storytelling to take the next steps.