METM24 presentation

Translate and edit like it’s 2024

Lloyd Bingham, Cardiff, Wales

Prince partied like it was 1999. But are you still translating or editing like it’s 1999? The English language has come a long way in recent decades, but do we reflect contemporary styles in our work in 2024? Providing examples from written references including Forbes, The Independent, United International Journal for Research & Technology, and the Canadian Center of Science and Education, I’ll look at some of the latest trends in English grammar, determining whether any new rules or styles have emerged and whether any have fallen by the wayside. We’ll also see how Generation Z is changing the language, how language is used to get through to demographics like Gen Z and Millennials, and whether any of these changes are likely to stick around.

I’ll also talk about what I do in my own practice as a millennial translator/editor, specifically what kind of edits I would make to a text to make it more inclusive of younger generations, and how we need to adapt our communications in order to appeal to them – not trivial things like using text speak or emojis, but different grammatical techniques, such as the singular they, flat adverbs and preposition stranding.

This session is intended to be generally applicable to into-English translators and editors working with day-to-day commercial texts. With the knowledge acquired in this session, attendees will have a modern linguistic toolbelt at their disposal and gain confidence in knowing they can carry on crafting copy that’s fit for all audiences today.

About the presenter

Lloyd Bingham is a millennial who runs Capital Translations, translating and editing from Dutch, German, French and Spanish into English. He specialises in marketing, business, technology and education. Lloyd is a board member of ITI and a member of MET and SENSE.