Vol/51 No/4 2012AUGUST/SEPTEMBERTheLinguist31INSTITUTE MATTERSThe first examinations of the Institute wereheld in 1910 to 'test a practical knowledgeof the spoken language, the ability of thecandidate to read at sight and understandthe language offered, whether written orspoken, and to express himself or herselfboth orally and in writing'. The examinationswere, to begin with, membership qualifyingtests. This purpose has been retained but,over the years, the examinations havebroadened into professional qualifications intheir own right. The first record of a trophy is the ThrelfordChallenge Cup, presented to the Institute in1934 by Sir Lacon Threlford, founder of theInstitute. It was awarded annually to theschool or college whose students performedbest in the examinations of the Institute.Described as 'the world's greatest trophy forfostering the study of languages' and 'ofmarvellous beauty', it contains 280 oz ofsilver-gilt and stands over a metre high. The next addition to the trophies was theDeakin Rose Bowl, presented in 1952.However, there is no record of anyonedeliberately starting a collection of prizes tobe awarded to candidates or centres whoperform well in the examinations. Rather,and this is part of its charm, the collectionhas grown organically and now comprisesdifferent trophies that include cups, shields,bowls and a globe, all of which have theirown particular history. Prizes have been donated in memory ofFellows, for example the Fred BrandeisTrophy (best Diploma in Translation, Englishto German candidate), and the SchlappsOliver Shield (best group DipTrans entry),presented in memory of Mr G SchlappsOliver, a generous donor to the Institute'slibrary. Organisations such as the NuffieldFoundation have given prizes (best Diplomain Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) groupentry), as have individuals: in 1965 the widowof Mikhail Youhotsky, one of the few top-leveltranslators in Russian in the late 1950s andearly 1960s, presented a Cup to the Institute(best Certificate in Bilingual Skills group entry). In recent years, the IoL Educational Trusthas received three monetary gifts, which hasenabled it to offer annual CPD prizes. Therecipients are asked to use the award forNominations for the 2012 ThrelfordMemorial Cup for the person or institution who has done most to 'fosterthe study of languages' should be madeby 1 September 2012. For details ofhow to nominate see www.iol.org.uk.NOMINATIONSsomething to do with languages, such asdictionaries, software or travel. Receipts arenot requested, but an article for the Trust'snewsletter is. Examinations come and go, so someprizes have been re-allocated, always, wherepossible, with the permission of the originaldonor. Since the ending of the ELICexamination, the Threlford Challenge Cup,now known as the Threlford Memorial Cup,has been awarded to an institution orindividual who has done the most to 'fosterthe study of languages'. Recent winners haveincluded Annie Bannerman for her work withAston University's Languages for Life project,the Mary Glasgow Trust, and ArnotCommunity Primary School. There is also aspecial commendation trophy in connectionwith this award, donated by Professor DavidCrystal, a Vice-President of the Institute.The Trust continues to receive prizes. Lastyear, the Hong Kong Society created a prizenamed after its outgoing Chairman, Dr K C Li,for the best candidate taking DipTrans Englishinto Chinese in Hong Kong. Earlier this yearwe received a bequest from the royalties ofbooks written by Simeon Potter, the Threlfordlecturer in 1973, which will be awarded as aCPD prize for the first time this year. Also in time for this year's prizes, theTranslating Division is donating a trophy inmemory of Professor Peter Newmark whodied in July 2011. A leading light in the fieldof translation theory and practice, and a Vice-President of the Institute, Peter was involvedboth with the Trust, as a Board member, andwith the DipTrans examination itself, as amarker. After consultation with Peter's family,it has been agreed that the prize will begiven to the candidate with the highest markin the DipTrans Literature option.The prizes themselves are presented eachyear in Central London, sometimes by ourRoyal Patron, HRH Prince Michael of KentGCVO. The winners are photographed withthe prizes, but they are theirs for the eveningonly. A medal is given to each winner as amemento, together with a certificate.It seems unlikely that anyone enters our examinations with the intention ofwinning one of the prizes, and indeed whenprizewinners are contacted with the news, itis often received with delighted disbelief. But the tradition of awarding prizes is well-received, and the nature and type of prizeswill continue to evolve. It is a positive way forus to be able to acknowledge and celebrateexcellence in the field of languages, asentiment with which the 12 or soprizewinners each year would surely agree. Hilary Maxwell-Hysloplooks atthe Institute's awards, old and newPrize perfect© OLYDENJOHNSON

32 TheLinguistAUGUST/SEPTEMBERwww.iol.org.ukINSTITUTE MATTERSA successful yearTHE TRANSLATING DIVISION WELCOMES AREINVIGORATED PROGRAMME AT ITS AGMDIVISIONS & SOCIETIESAt the Translating Division AGM on 19 May, membersof the TD Committee reported on their efforts, overthe last year, to reinvigorate its programme of activities,including the organisation of professional developmentsessions for translators, literary and cultural events, andsocial and professional networking occasions. In November 2011, the Committee organised ahighly successful one-day professional developmentevent based on the factsheets contained in theTranslator's Pack, including sessions on translation tools,business issues, continuing professional development(CPD), and internet search strategies. In January 2012,Professor Donald White gave a reading of histranslation of Albert Vigoleis Thelen's book Die Inseldes zweiten Gesichts, followed by a wine reception. In a new development, the Committee organised aseries of smaller-scale CPD events, 'The Translators'Arms', in different parts of the UK, including London,Durham and Manchester. A joint event on Clear Writingwith the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting),and supported by the EU, was planned for July 2012.TransNet, coordinated by Erika Baker, continued tobe a valuable benefit: the general group had some960 members over the year, generating many livelydiscussions on translation-related topics. A newChinese group had been set up.Members attending the AGM elected the Committeefor 2012-13: Michael Cunningham, Karen Stokes, NigelGoffe, Keir Hartley, Ana Luiza Iaria and Heather Fulford.The AGM concluded with a lively discussion aboutdivision activities and translation-related matters. Therewas then time for networking over a sandwich lunch,served in the Garden Room ofthe Museum of London.Member Kevin Lam has set up a Chinese languagegroup for TransNet. CIoLChineseNet is intended to'form a strong professional forum which offers aplatform for translators of Chinese to share theirexperience and expertise, keep themselvesinformed of the latest developments in theindustry, and serve as a smart way of networking'.Postings are welcome in Chinese or English. Members of the Translating Division who wishto join the group should contact Kevin Lam : CHINESE FORUMAbout 20 Business, Professions andGovernment Division members visitedSutton's Hospital in Charterhouse for amusical tour in May. As we made our wayacross Charterhouse Square, many of usrecognised Florin Court as the apartmentblock where Hercule Poirot lives in thepopular TV series starring David Suchet. One enters the Charterhouse itself viaa small but impressive gatehouse, onthe other side of which is a very specialcomplex of buildings. We were receivedin the Old Library by the Master,Brigadier Charlie Hobson RM, andseveral of the Brothers. Following afinger buffet, there was a brief talkabout the origins of the Charterhouse. It was completed in 1372, but fell ondark days at the Dissolution of theMonasteries under King Henry VIII: PriorJohn Houghton's defiance of the Kingcost him his life. Early in the nextcentury, an almshouse for 80 elderlymen (known as Brothers) and a schoolfor 40 foundation scholars or 'gown-boys' were established. The latterbecame known as Charterhouse School,which moved to its present site inGodalming in 1872. That part of theCharterhouse site is now the MedicalSchool of St Bartholomew's Hospital.After the talk, we were guided via theNorfolk Cloister, Chapel Court andChapel Cloister into the Chapel. Ateach stop we were entertained by theThomas Sutton Singers, who sang sacredmusic from the 14th-18th centuries.Graham Matthews, the organist, playedto us in the Chapel itself. We then moved to the splendidGreat Hall, where the Brothers take theirmeals. Here, the singers regaled us witha song composed by King Henry VIII,no less. Entitled Pastime with GoodCompany, it seemed very apt for oursmall group. We continued via theQueen's Walk and the impressive GreatChamber back to our starting point inthe Old Library. At each point theSutton Singers performed songs,finishing with Linden Lea, composed byVaughan Williams, a former pupil ofCharterhouse School. This was a thoroughly memorable visit,which allowed for plenty of networking. Itwas good to see Peter Melville-Smith, aformer CIOL Chair of Council. All thanksgo to Lucy Eratt for organising the trip,to the Masters, Brothers and staff of theCharterhouse for their warm welcome,and last, but not least, to the ThomasSutton Singers for their lovely singing.Musical history tourJAMES FARMER JOINS THE BPG DIVISION AS THEY ARESERENADED ON A TOUR OF THE CHARTERHOUSE IN LONDON