Linguists Collective Conference & International Mother Language Day IMLD Celebration
Linguists Collective Conference & International Mother
Language Day Celebration
Saturday, 21st February 2026
Interpreters in film: an insight into the training of diplomatic interpreters
This talk introduces the emerging pedagogical research area of ‘Interpreters in Film’, which uses film material as case studies to simulate real-life professional contexts for diplomatic interpreting. Participants will explore three key learning areas: language acquisition and cultural competence, interpreting in specialised contexts, and ethical issues and professional conduct. The session highlights the challenges of training interpreters in confidential and specialised settings, demonstrates how films can provide authentic scenarios from diplomatic meetings, crisis situations, and international settings, and offers practical guidance on using these materials to examine professional, linguistic, and ethical challenges commonly faced by interpreters.
About Gamal
Dr. Muhammad Y. Gamal is a distinguished applied linguist and translation expert with over 35 years of experience across diverse cultural and professional settings. Born in Alexandria, he graduated from Egypt’s Faculty of Al-Alsun before pursuing postgraduate studies in applied linguistics and Egyptology in Australia, culminating in a PhD in Translation Studies from UNSW, Sydney. Dr. Gamal has taught interpreting studies at several academic institutions, developed training programs for police and court interpreting in Australia and the Arab region, and served as a UN and diplomatic interpreter for over 30 years. A researcher, mentor, and reviewer for leading translation journals, his scholarly interests include the philosophy of translation, diplomatic interpreting, travelling theory, and translation in museums. His expertise in the intricate relationship between language, culture, and heritage has made him a sought-after consultant for museums and heritage sites.