Multilingualism and Professional Communication
Led by: Merja Koskela (U. of Vaasa) and Liisa Tiittula (U. of Tampere)
During the period 2012-2015 led by: Kaisa Koskinen (UEF) and Nina
Pilke (U of Vaasa)

1. Programme description

The multilingualism and professional communication programme focuses on professional mono-, bi- and multilingual interaction processes and products.

Academically the programme is built around Translation Studies and the research of professional communication. Research in Translation Studies includes both written and spoken communication. One can research: first, the products of communication (translations, interpreting), which often exist in a multimodal context (e.g., localisation, audiovisual translation); second, translation and interpreting processes; third, the social contexts where these activities take place (e.g., cultural conventions, norms, values, ideologies), as well as the professional roles of those involved in them.

Research in professional communication produces new knowledge on how communication is constructed among experts on the one hand, and between experts and laymen on the other hand, and what its main characteristics are. Among its objects of study are, for example, popularisation discourses, terminology, technical communication, legal language, institutional interaction, and the rhetoric of economics and politics.

The concept of multilingualism is in many ways central for the programme. In Translation Studies, two or more languages are always present in terms of linguistic and cultural comparisons. In professional communication research, multilingualism is linked with the internationalisation and multiculturalization of working life, and it can be studied from the perspectives of individuals, groups, institutions, communities and societies. Multilingualism, as it is understood in the programme, also covers the pragmatic solutions for dealing with official bilingualism in Finland, as well as for example bi- or multilingualism in literature and in workplace training.

2. New areas for research

Research in Translation Studies has been particularly active in recent years, both in Finland and internationally, and a number of new interesting areas of research have emerged. The usability of translation technology (e.g., translation memories) and its effects on translation processes have not been researched widely yet, nor has localisation industry, although they have had a great impact on the professional field of translation. Changes in working life and in information and communication technology offer several fresh viewpoints in both Translation Studies and the research of professional communication. Process research and cognitive translation studies have developed numerous new directions for research. Various empirical methods for researching both the production and reception processes of texts are bringing new light on the object of study, and the same can be said of combining sociological and cognitive approaches in researching the working life of professional text producers.

In researching professional communication, novel, compelling areas include the concept of language proficiency and its adequacy in multilingual and multicultural contexts as well as the meaning and nature of language strategies and language principles in Finnish organisational culture. Another topical theme is co-operation between different authorities and the challenges and opportunities related to the restructuring of government units.

In Finland, which is officially bilingual and rapidly internationalising, textual practices related to governance is a theme that is relevant for both Translation Studies and the research of professional communication. Actual themes include digitization, clarity, readability and usability of official communication, as well as catering for the communication needs of different special groups. Another relevant object of research is community and court interpreting, where there are presently new developments both in legislation, practices and training, and thus an acute need for new research. Similarly, the recently renewed system of authorised translation would be an interesting and relevant object of study.