The UK is a thriving multicultural, and multilingual society. In this insightful session, Raisa McNab, CEO of the Association of Translation Companies, explores the nation’s linguistic and cultural heritage alongside its current demographics, highlighting linguistic diversity, multi-ethnic communities, and the delivery of multilingual services in today’s society.

In this thought-provoking talk, explore the ongoing efforts to elevate Sylheti from a regional dialect to a recognised language with its own literary and academic standing. It will highlight the cultural, social, and linguistic significance of this movement, and how these initiatives contribute to the broader global effort to preserve and promote linguistic diversity.

When children and adolescents are relocated from the environment where their mother tongue is spoken, their language development can be disrupted, often leading to rapid language loss. This deterioration can be made worse by trauma and sudden changes in surroundings. Refugee children tend to assimilate quickly into their new culture and language, often without realising that they are forgetting their home language until communication with family members becomes difficult or impossible. In this talk, Professor Schmid will share insights from her research on German-Jewish Holocaust survivors and refugees from Ukraine, exploring how migration and trauma affect language retention and what the loss of a mother tongue means for identity, family bonds, and the possibility of return.

This engaging 40-minute session will help linguists master the art of compelling, credible and effective communication, both in person and over video calls. Learn how to present yourself effectively, avoid distracting looks, and perfect your background, lighting, camera and sound setup. The session will also cover how to craft clear key messages and structure presentations for maximum impact. By the end, you’ll understand how to use tone, pace, and body language to enhance your professional presence, connect with diverse audiences and communicate confidently while interpreting in public settings and accurately deliver the meaning of the message.

Many people regret not maintaining their study and use of languages later in life, but it is worth remembering that more people worldwide are bilingual or multilingual rather than monolingual. At any level, all languages are valuable for personal and professional growth. They help build stronger relationships, foster cultural understanding, create meaningful connections and provide significant cultural and personal benefits. Even a few words can show genuine interest and respect, while broader language skills open doors to new people and opportunities. Since language learning takes time and practice, valuing the languages we already have through upbringing, work, and life experience is essential. At the LC Conference and IMLD Celebration 2026, John Worne will showcase why every language and every level of ability is worth nurturing.

In this reflective session, Mark Thompson shares his late-blooming passion for languages and the rewarding journey it led him on. Drawing on 17 years of experience in translation, interpreting, and project management, he offers fascinating anecdotes and valuable lessons from the language industry. He’ll discuss how networking opened doors to new opportunities and how adaptability and diversification remain essential skills in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Writing and literacy are crucial to language maintenance, yet literacy in minoritised languages remains marginalised, particularly where a distinct script is used whether heritage or newly developed. Communities with minority writing traditions face many challenges including limited educational resources, digital disadvantages, lack of acceptance and political hostility. New efforts are beginning to address these commonly overlooked problems through new theoretical research on minority, endangered and indigenous language and writing traditions and through practical community support. This talk will explore the challenges surrounding writing and literacy, examining how they relate to broader issues of language endangerment, including limited structural support and digital inclusion. It will also introduce the ongoing work of the Endangered Writing Research Network and Script Keepers Network.

In this presentation, Dr. Al-Alami examines how stylistic choices influence the quality and effectiveness of translated prose fiction. She discusses how the unnecessary inclusion of words from the original language, when clear equivalents exist in the target language, can weaken both the stylistic flow and the linguistic authenticity of a translated text. Drawing on her research involving university students, instructors, and readers, Dr. Al-Alami highlights how such choices not only affect the aesthetic quality of the translation but may also hinder target language acquisition. Her talk offers valuable insights for translators and language educators on maintaining stylistic integrity and linguistic clarity when translating literary texts.