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

SEPTEMBER'LANGUAGE ANDECOLOGY'Saturday 22September Holiday Inn Express,Edinburgh, 2.15 pmProfessor M K Verma onlanguage extinction anddeforestation.Holiday Inn Express, 16-22 Picardy Place,Edinburgh EH1 3JT.OCTOBERSTUDY WEEKEND5-7 October Brixen/Bressanone(South Tyrol)Learn about the languageand culture of the Ladinpeoples. For details, emailGuglielmo Fittante 'WORKSHOP Saturday 27 October Frankfurt am MainFor details, email Gabriele Matthey & 'SCOTSLANGUAGE'Saturday 17NovemberQueens Hotel, Perth,1.45pmDr Caroline Macafee willtalk on aspects of Scots. Best Western QueensHotel, Leonard Street,Perth PH2 8HB.NETWORKINGLUNCH Saturday 24NovemberWig & Mitre, Lincoln,midday-4pm To attend, call CandiaHillier on 01522 526695by 17 November.Steep Hill Room, Wigand Mitre, Steep Hill,Lincoln LN2 1TL.CONTACT DETAILSJudith Ridgway,@googlemail.comHeather Fulford, Ray, Matthey, Lee,, Candia Hillier, Sharma, Katrin Hiietam, Withers, Caine,/51 No/4 2012AUGUST/SEPTEMBERTheLinguist33INSTITUTE MATTERSKEYDIVISIONSBusiness, Professions & Government: Education: Interpreting:Translating: SOCIETIESCambridge: German: Hong Kong: Lincolnshire: London: North West: Scottish: Spanish: BPGEDUTDCAMGERLINCNWSCOTLONSPHKIDBasque in GlasgowAN INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGEAND CULTURE FOR THE SCOTTISH SOCIETYOn 8 June, members of the LondonSociety were given a guided tour of theHouses of Parliament, passing throughWestminster Hall, where The Queenhad attended a Diamond Jubilee luncha few days earlier. The 11th-century Hallhas a magnificent hammer-beam roofand is the oldest part of the building.Rebuilt after the fire of 1834, thePalace of Westminster has a number ofhighly decorated rooms with some veryornate ceilings. We followed the routetaken by The Queen during the StateOpening of Parliament. Our guideprovided fascinating historical andprocedural details throughout the tourof both houses. We then went across the road to theJewel Tower, which survived the fire.The winding staircase is a challenge, butworth the effort to really get a feel ofthe place. Seat of powerTHE LONDON SOCIETY VISITS THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENTAt their meeting in Glasgow on 12 May, members of theScottish Society were treated to an informative andrichly illustrated presentation on Basque (or Euskarian).Dr Bernar Morote, a native Spanish speaker brought upin the Basque homeland, discussed the origins, identity,language and culture of the Basques and touched onissues of conflict with the Spanish and French authorities.To illustrate his talk he used films depicting the historyof his home region and aspects of daily life, especiallysport, music and food. The audience was impressed bythe beauty of the area and the vitality of his countrymen.The Basque homeland today consists of three Frenchdépartementsand four Spanish provincias. Palaeolithicinhabitants included the Vascones, who were mentionedby both Strabo and Pliny. During the Roman occupationmost tribes became linguistically assimilated, but theBasques retained their own language. The origins of Basque remain a mystery because ithas not yet been linked to another language, but theBasques have their own legends to explain its history,variously involving the Tower of Babel, Noah's grandsonand even the devil. There are many dialects of Basque,all with a rich oral tradition. Euskara Batua acts as alingua franca throughout the region and enjoys officiallanguage status in Spain. An Euskaldun is a person,regardless of race or residence, who speaks Basque.The lecture was both enjoyable and interesting. The Spanish Society celebrated its 25th anniversaryon Saturday 12 May, with a meeting and lunch. JackSellen, CIOL Professional Development andMembership Services Officer, travelled from SaxonHouse to join a group of 27 members in Madrid.The event started with a talk by Andrea Manfrinatoon the European pensions crisis. Using a videopresentation, he argued that the falling birth rate andhigher life expectancy in Europe necessitate raisingthe retirement age, and that the cost of treating theinfirm in the last ten years of their lives is bankruptinghealth services. A lively discussion followed.The group then enjoyed lunch at a nearbyrestaurant, where Spanish Society President, BillRobinson, made a speech welcoming our guest andremembering past members.Jonathan Beattie MCILA SILVER JUBILEE