Within a heritage context, interpretation is understood as ‘an educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by first-hand experience, and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information’ (Tilden 1957, p.8). As such, heritage interpretation is geared towards engaging a diverse range of visitors on a cognitive and emotional level in ways that enhance their experience of a given site, whether built or natural. And yet, despite a shared interest in questions of meaning-making, multimodality, and communication across time and across different target groups, dialogue between Heritage Studies and Translation & Interpreting Studies has been surprisingly limited. Research into interlingual and intersemiotic museum translation has been burgeoning in recent years, alongside work on museum accessibility through sign language interpreting, audio description and subtitling. But there remains much potential to strengthen, expand and better coordinate these interdisciplinary points of contact. Similarly, there has been little opportunity for professionals and stakeholders working in and with heritage, translation, interpreting and accessibility to have a multilateral conversation about their respective challenges and visions for the future.

The aim of this conference is thus to bring together researchers, practitioners, policy makers and other interested parties, and facilitate a meaningful exploration of heritage translation, in all its forms. In particular, we seek to gain a fuller understanding of how and to what (pedagogical, ideological etc.) effect heritage is mediated, where are the gaps in knowledge and practice around heritage translation commissioning and evaluation, and what are the priorities for future research and training. 

We welcome 20 min papers that address issues of heritage translation (understood broadly) from theoretical, empirical, exploratory and/or practical perspectives. 

Deadline for submissions: 27 March 2020

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