ITI Olympics

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Presented by Jane Collis Regional Language Network London Manager

Regional Language Network London: 

Regional Language Network London Regional Language Network London is part of a UK-wide programme supported by CILT, the National Centre for Languages. Our work is funded by the London Development Agency A one-stop shop for language and culture expertise. www.rln-london.com

Some background statistics: 

Some background statistics The 2006 annual schools census reveals that 39.1% of children in London primary schools speak a first language other than English. In 2006 GCSE entries in French and German fell by 13.2% and 14.2% respectively. The Federation of Small Business Membership Survey 2004 reported foreign languages as one of the three key skills areas where businesses felt dissatisfaction.[

More background statistics: 

More background statistics Only one third of UK graduates are confident enough to go abroad to work, compared to the two-thirds of their European counterparts. From 2001 to 2004 there was a decline in the numbers of GCSE entries in each of the ‘top twelve’ community languages from schools in England. 80% of British export managers cannot competently conduct dealings in even one foreign language.

Aspirations: 

Aspirations ‘inspire a generation’ ‘reinvent ourselves as a tourist destination’ ‘upgrade our skills base in customer services’ ‘to harness the power of our creative and cultural industries’ ‘to throw the greatest party the world has ever seen’

Lord Coe: 

Lord Coe ‘London is the most cosmopolitan city in the world, constantly renewing itself and now home to 200 ethnic communities, who speak a total of 300 languages. We want to involve all of these people and communities in delivering our Games’

Language skills: 

Language skills For overcoming communication barriers at the Games For achieving the higher aspirations for the legacy of the Games: *Customer service *Tourism *Boosting ambition of young people

Opportunities for languages: 

Opportunities for languages Professional linguists Other professionals Volunteers Training camps Business Tourism Customer service Cultural Olympiad

Using the talent we have : 

Using the talent we have 129 languages spoken in Manchester 106 in Scotland 41 in Dorset Concentration of language professionals

Food for thought: 

Food for thought 1. Over 200 countries will be represented in 2012. 2. Over 5,000 officials, 15,000 accredited media personnel and a further 15,000 non-accredited media representatives will attend. 3. Over 1400 volunteer interpreters worked inside the venues for the Sydney Games. 4.At the Barcelona Games, besides the four official languages, fifteen others were used. 5. At the Seoul Games 5,890 personnel for all languages were designated for duty assignments

More food for thought: 

More food for thought 6. The Multilingual Switchboard operated in over 50 languages at the Sydney Games. 7. The quality of French translation is paramount, as “in the case of divergence between the French and English … the French text shall prevail ….” 8. The ‘working languages’ of the Olympic movement as set out in the Olympic Charter, are Arabic, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish. 9. At the Atlanta Games 32 issues of the Olympic Village newspaper were translated 10. Translation of street signs etc is taking place in Beijing on a massive scale

The 2012 London Games: some language issues: 

The 2012 London Games: some language issues Official languages: interpreting and translation Games-time official communication 70,000 volunteers New partnerships Testing and training Technologies Media and communications Signage, wayfinding and public information Creating a buzz Badging

Where next?: 

Where next? Your (R)LN website National and regional strategies New CILT publication Business opportunities at http://www.london2012.com/en/gettinginvolved/business Sign up for the RLN London newsletter at www.rln-london.com

Getting ready to welcome the world: 

Getting ready to welcome the world www.rln-london.com Jane Collis