1. Rage Bait (English) 

The Oxford Word of the Year in 2025 refers to an online phenomenon that, in our modern age of AI, deepfakes and perennial misinformation, is only becoming more prevalent. According to data studied by the dictionary, the usage of this term tripled in the last three months of the year, marking it out  as an expression deserving of attention – and one that reflects how we continue to become more literate consumers of online content.

In the words of Casper Grathwohl, the President of Oxford Languages: “The fact that the word rage bait exists and has seen such a dramatic surge in usage means we’re increasingly aware of the manipulation tactics we can be drawn into online. Before, the internet was focused on grabbing our attention by sparking curiosity in exchange for clicks, but now we’ve seen a dramatic shift to it hijacking and influencing our emotions, and how we respond.”

Rage bait beat out two other shortlisted terms for the accolade – aura farming and biohack – the first of which also belongs at home in the digital sphere.

2. Al Desko (English)

The adverb al desko – adapted from the Italian borrowing al fresco, meaning to eat outside in the fresh air – first appeared in English in the Washington Post in 1981, but was only added officially to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2025 after an uptick in usage. It refers to the practice of consuming lunch at one’s desk, sometimes while continuing to type away, answer emails and perform other light duties.

The inclusion of this word in 2025 appears to bear witness to a sharp about-turn in working practices from the days of the COVID pandemic. Gone are the longer and often more leisurely lunches of the WFH-era as workers continue to flock back to the office and pack more productivity into every last working day – apparently, and unfortunately, at the expense of the all-important lunch break. It seems many of the lessons learned in early 2020 have been very quickly forgotten!

3. Jernmarker (Fields of Iron, Danish)

For the second year in a row, the word chosen by the Danish Language Council in conjunction with the radio programme Klog på Sprog as Denmark’s Word of the Year has been one relating to the environment – Jernmarker, or Fields of Iron. In 2025, this word became a widely used metaphor in Danish debates about solar cell installations. The term refers to the large areas of land covered with solar panels, conjuring up a very literal yet evocative image of the phenomenon it describes, and thereby drawing on our emotions to clearly convey the speaker’s opinion.

The jury noted that the word is very Danish in that it combines everyday imagery with a pressing national debate about energy and land use. It’s tongue-in-cheek, direct and fairly damning all at the same time, and thus an example of very efficient language use. Jernmarker was chosen from a shortlist of words that, in large part, also reflected political developments rather than cultural or social phenomena, such as skyggeflåde (shadow fleet) and drone.

4. Balkongkraftverk (Balcony Power Plant, Swedish)

This entry from Sweden also reflects a growing trend in Scandinavian terminology developments over the past few years – namely the coining of new words relating to the worsening security situation in Europe and the everyday implications that this has for citizens of all creeds and backgrounds. As Sweden continues to remilitarise and the possibility of a future conflict becomes increasingly commonplace within the national psyche, Swedes are growing more and more familiar with words that describe new practices in the nation’s new alignment era.

Balkongkraftverk is one such word. It describes a small-scale solar power installation mounted on a balcony, allowing households – especially those in apartments – to generate their own electricity directly from sunlight. It has been heard in everyday conversations, policy debates and even in marketing campaigns, as Swedes increasingly frame their balconies not just as leisure spaces but as potential nodes of resilience and self-sufficiency in uncertain times.

Another similar Swedish word added to the dictionary this year was Beredskapsodling – the practice of growing crops at home (in the garden or, yes, even on the balcony) that can provide sustenance in an emergency situation. Together, these two words paint a picture of a Sweden that has grown more accustomed to the idea of a turbulent future. 

5. Simpa (Dine & Dash, Spanish)

One of the words acknowledged by the Real Academia Española in 2025 is simpa, a colloquial term in Spain that refers to the act of leaving a bar, restaurant, or taxi without paying. The word comes from the phrase sin pagar (literally without paying) and has been in usage since the late twentieth century. Its inclusion in the dictionary reflects how informal expressions tied to social behaviour – sometimes humorous, sometimes critical – gain legitimacy once they are deeply embedded in popular culture.

In English, this phrase often gets translated as ‘doing a runner’ (in the UK) or as ‘dine and dash’ as the practice is often known in the US. It was one of several slang terms to receive acknowledgement from the RAE in 2025, alongside farlopa (a common term for cocaine of uncertain origin) and boca-chancla (a word that literally means flip-flop-mouth and refers to somebody who blurts things out without thinking first). In many cases, these are longstanding terms that are now finally receiving official recognition.

6. Turismofobia (Tourism Phobia, Spanish)

Turismofobia is another Spanish term added this year, describing the rejection or hostility towards mass tourism and its effects on local communities. It reflects growing concerns about overcrowding, rising housing costs due to short-term rentals, environmental strain and the erosion of cultural identity in popular destinations such as Barcelona or Mallorca. 

The word captures the tension between the economic benefits of tourism and the social and ecological challenges it creates, and its inclusion in the Real Academia Española’s dictionary highlights how language evolves to express contemporary social anxieties. Much like other neologisms tied to modern life, turismofobia shows how everyday vocabulary adapts to debates about globalisation, sustainability and urban change, giving voice to communities that feel overwhelmed by the pressures of mass tourism.

7. Ómjólk (Unmilk, Icelandic)

This year, the European Parliament voted to restrict the use of meat-related words such as sausage or burger to describe plant-based alternatives to traditional meat products – like patties made from beans, potatoes and other vegetable products, for example. This followed on from a previous decision to do the same thing for dairy substitutes, and so it is interesting, therefore, that one of the words gaining traction this year in Icelandic is ómjólk – literally unmilk. This short and simple word can refer to any kind of milk substitute, whether derived from almonds, soya, oats or something else entirely.

The kind of lexical flexibility illustrated by the word ómjólk is useful in a context in which the aim is to describe what something is not rather than what it is – making it possible to group together disparate products on the basis of their function or shared qualities, even if they are very different in many ways. It is also interesting to note how the nature of Icelandic has allowed for such an elegant solution to emerge organically, while other languages struggle with clunkier phrases that add further fuel to the political debate. Could there be a correlation between the ease with which such new words can be adopted and spread and the outcomes of the wider political discourse?

8. Dinguerie (Madness, French)

Dinguerie is originally a French word that meant madness or folly, derived from dingue (crazy) plus the suffix -erie. In its earliest usage, it was used to describe irrational behaviour, reckless acts, or absurd situations – for example, “C’est une dinguerie de partir sans argent” (It’s madness to leave without money). This negative sense emphasised foolishness and extravagance, and for a long time this was the dominant meaning of the word recorded in dictionaries.

In recent years, however, youth slang and social media have reshaped the word. Dinguerie is now often used positively to describe something extraordinary, impressive, or surprising – like a daring stunt, a new fashion trend, or an amazing event. In that sense, it has followed a similar trajectory to English words like sick or wicked – words that once had negative connotations but now also describe things that are trendy or cool.

9. Sumud (Steadfastness, Italian)

Sumud, an Arabic word meaning steadfastness or resilience, entered Italian vocabulary in 2025 through Treccani’s Libro dell’anno. Its arrival was linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international solidarity initiative with several Italian participants, that brought the concept into Italian public debate. In this context, sumud came to symbolise the values of endurance, hope and cultural identity associated with the Palestinian struggle, and its inclusion in the dictionary reflects how global political movements can leave a linguistic imprint.

In the same update, Treccani also added Pro-Pal, a shorthand for pro-Palestinian. The pairing of these two terms shows how the Israel-Palestine conflict is shaping Italian politics and culture, not only through activism and media coverage but also through the very words Italians use. Their recognition in the national lexicon underscores how deeply the issue resonates in Italy, with language itself becoming a marker of solidarity, division and engagement in global debates.

10. Sneukelspijt (Snacking Regret, Dutch)

Sneukelspijt is a playful Dutch compound word that literally translates to snacking regret. Far from being a uniquely Dutch phenomenon, it captures a feeling we can all relate to in the modern age – especially at the end of December, after the indulgence of Christmas and right before those new years’ resolutions kick in. The word itself is a portmanteau of sneukelen (to nibble or snack) with spijt (regret), creating a humorous yet relatable term that resonates with everyday life.

In 2025, sneukelspijt gained recognition in Dutch dictionaries and media as part of a wave of neologisms tied to lifestyle and culture. Unlike more serious additions such as hallucineren in the AI sense or manosfeer (manosphere) for online communities, sneukelspijt shows the lighter side of linguistic creativity. It’s a word that blends humour with self-awareness, acknowledging the small guilty pleasures that shape daily routines. Its inclusion highlights how Dutch continues to evolve by embracing both global influences and local quirks, ensuring that even the most ordinary moments – like regretting a snack binge – can find their place in the national lexicon.

Up to the Minute at All Times

We hope you’ve enjoyed this year’s round-up of new words not just in English, but across many of Europe’s most important and widely spoken tongues. We like to compile these lists each year not just because we find them to be fun and insightful, but because we think language can teach us a lot about the world we live in and where it’s headed – and because, as language experts, it’s important that we are always up-to-the-minute on how different languages evolve and change with time.

Curious to read more? Check out our round-up from 2024 for more neologisms and insight.

Or if you’re more interested in the future than the past, explore our range of services and find out how our language knowledge can work for you and your brand: Our Services.

The post Ten New Words in 2025 appeared first on Comunica.

In this article, I thought I’d take a look at the phenomenon that is language learning and acquisition – how exactly do we learn languages and what is the process? Is it really possible to pick up a language in mere months? And when exactly does the process end – how do we achieve true fluency, if such a thing even exists?

Languages Are Alive

The first thing to get straight is this: languages are not fixed entities. They are living phenomena which expand and contract, shapeshift, morph and evolve as time goes by. Old words slip away into oblivion and new word enter our lexicons to describe new inventions or problems. In that sense, languages are a bit like our own brains and memories, which are constantly assessing and reassessing what information we need to retain, how quickly we should be able to recall certain words, and what can be filed away into the archives.

The combination of these two facts means that languages are not simply something we can pick up off the shelf and take away with us. No matter what a crash course or a brand new app might promise, and much to the dismay of many a young language learner which aspirations to become a polyglot who can speak six or seven languages. The frustrating reality is that each language we learn needs to be constantly updated, practised and refined. Just like how an athlete loses their skills if they don’t train every day, or how computer programmes become obsolete if they don’t keep up to date with new developments.

Take for example the case of a linguist I once knew who moved from the UK to France at a young age in the mid-90s. By the time he got to university, he was proficiently bilingual, but his English had ossified. He used quintessential 90s slang words like wicked or dope, and half his vocabulary was lifted straight from shows like Friends or The Simpsons. His speech was clunky and cumbersome, too, and he realised that it now took more mental energy to speak what was once his native language than it did to speak his adopted French. So it is clear that language learning is not a cut-and-dried process, but what does this mean for learners of a second language?

Learning at a Young Age

It has long been thought that children are much better at learning languages than adults, and this is largely true. Young brains soak up new words like a sponge as part of an almost automatic acquisition process that requires little concerted effort. Kids are more attuned to different accents and find it easier to mimic and pick up new sounds. Many studies suggest that in order to become truly fluent in a second language, we need to begin learning before the age of ten. Somewhere between ten and eighteen, our natural flair tapers off and language learning becomes a more difficult and demanding process.

This is one of the reasons why Scandinavian speakers have a reputation for being particularly good at English and languages in general. We begin learning at a young age and spend our childhoods absorbing vocabulary from American music and culture. Even despite the unique phonology of Danish, which is notoriously difficult even for kids to acquire, growing up in Denmark gave me some key skills and a good foundation for a lifetime of language learning.

However, language learning does not end in childhood. A recent study found that people do not fully master the grammar of their own native language until around the age of thirty, and that on average we learn one new word – in our native language – each and every day. The same study also found that adults have different tools for learning foreign languages, like better attention spans and crucial literacy skills, but that picking up and retaining new words and grammatical constructions now takes a great deal more effort and dedication – and that it may take full immersion in order to really make progress.

Cultivating & Nurturing Skills

What the above means in practice is that people who speak multiple languages need to constantly cultivate and nurture the skills they have in order to keep them alive. Again, this is a two-pronged process – it is a matter of both telling our brains we still need certain words or grammatical skills, but also checking in with the cultures within which our other languages exist and take shape, so that we can keep abreast of how they change and evolve.

For a professional translator who works with multiple languages, this means constantly finding ways to engage and use all the languages they speak. Perhaps starting the day with a newspaper in Swedish, listening to a podcast in Spanish on the commute to work and phoning a friend in English at lunch time. Many linguists are constantly putting out their cultural tentacles in search of new media to consume and new people to connect with.

That is also one of the major advantages we have at Comunica – our office is a vibrant multicultural space packed to the brim with opportunities to share and connect in different languages all through the day. But for some of our linguists who live in their native countries, keeping their skills fresh can require a great deal of extracurricular effort.

A Rewarding Pursuit

Returning to my question from the beginning it seems clear that, yes, language learning really is a life-long pursuit. Many people who begin the process later in life may never feel able to call themselves truly fluent, while even our native languages can falter over time if we live abroad and lose contact with home. This makes fluency a slippery concept and means that multilingual individuals need to constantly toil and graft so as not to lose what they have learned and acquired.

But despite all that, language learning is a thoroughly rewarding process. Speaking multiple languages means being able to connect with people from all corners of the world, to access and follow developments from certain parts of the globe in greater detail, and to enjoy a broader range of culture and entertainment. So while speaking multiple languages may require continuous effort, it quickly becomes a core part of our lives – and one that we would not soon be without.

The post Language Learning Is A Life-Long Pursuit appeared first on Comunica.

One of the benefits is the option of taking workcations or becoming a fully-fledged digital nomad. That is to say, combining work with travel in order to go beyond the standard four-five weeks of vacation time a salaried employee in Europe can expect. The lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but given that translators are necessarily interested in culture, language and alternative ways of seeing the world, it’s fairly safe to say that most have tried it out or at least considered giving it a go.

But what do workcationers and digital nomads need to keep in mind? What are some of the challenges, and what are some best practices to help make the experience a success? All that and more is what we’ll be covering in this month’s edition of the blog – so read on to find out!

Adopt An Adaptable Mindset

The first rule for success as a freelancer is that you need to be available and responsive – especially in the translation industry. Project managers sometimes need to find linguists for multiple languages to meet tight deadlines, and so if you’re not answering your emails, chances are you’ll miss out on the work. This is one thing that doesn’t always go hand in hand with travel, though. What if you’re touring around temples in Vietnam, or chilling on the beach? Checking emails can be a bit of a buzzkill when you’re sipping on piña coladas, getting lost in labyrinthine old towns or exploring the masters of European impressionism.

The key thing here is to adopt the right mindset from the start – workcations are not normal vacations. You need to forget the idea of a two-week recharge and reconceptualise what it means to travel. A workcation does not mean a normal vacation but with your laptop propped up on the sun lounger next to you, ticking away as you ignore it for hours on end. The work still happens, and we need to be more or less as responsive as we would be during an ordinary day at the home office.

The key to success here is to remember – this isn’t a bad thing! After all, most of us love what we do, and having creative tasks to focus on and think about can also help break up the monotony of travel – because as great as it is being on the beach with a cocktail in hand, our brains do eventually begin to crave a challenge. As long as you can be adaptable to both the needs of your working life and the goals of your travel, you can make a success of your new workcation lifestyle.

Consider Time Zones

You might have gathered from the above that the normal rhythms of the 9–5 aren’t exactly compatible with workcationing. If you want to visit a museum that only opens during the day, for example, then that mean working in the evening to compensate. That’s all part of what it means to be adaptable – and time zones are another part of that equation we need to keep in mind.

If you’re based in Europe and planning a workcation in another European country, then you might not even have to adjust your clocks at all. But the farther you go, the more out of sync you get with your home market – and the more compromises you will have to make to keep things working smoothly.

Let’s say your clients are based in the UK and you plan on spending some time in Thailand – that’s a difference of seven hours. You can do your work whenever suits, but keep in mind that your clients will be active from around 14:00 until 22:00. That means you need to keep your phone on you while you go out for dinner, and if you need to schedule any meetings or ask any questions, you’ll have to do it during those hours. Perhaps not ideal, but far from impossible.

But now let’s say it’s San Francisco you’re off to instead – that’s a time difference of eight hours in the opposite direction, meaning that your clients’ business hours are now entirely when you would normally be asleep. This makes it extra challenging to make yourself available and while it’s not an impossible task, the accommodations may feel too demanding. 

Really, it all depends on your normal rhythms and preferences, but this is something that you need to consider carefully before jetting off. If the idea of sitting up at 03:00 and hammering away on your keyboard from an all-night diner or a hotel lobby sounds like your idea of a living nightmare, then maybe consider another destination. We need to be realistic about what we can cope with and what we’ll enjoy, and if we’re not happy, then we might as well be at home.

Research the Cost of Living

Again, as digital workers with clients in different economies, many of us already understand that an hour’s earnings in one country will carry different weight depending on where we spend them. This can be one of the great advantages of working remotely as the money we can earn from a company in Europe will likely stretch very far in a country like Peru or Colombia. But naturally, this equation works in both directions – if your clients are based in Russia or India, then a workcation in the US or Japan may feel very financially strained indeed.

And these are just the obvious examples – in many cases, it might not be so clear how prices will differ from what we’re used to. It’s therefore important to do some thorough research before setting off to get a clear idea of what you can expect to spend on all kinds of costs – from meals out in restaurants and taxis around town to more unexpected costs like getting your laundry done or paying for tours. There are some great websites available to help with this kind of research, such as Numbeo, for example, which includes data on the cost of all sorts of sundries, from a bottle of water or a summer dress to a month of rent or the average electricity bill.

Plan Where You Will Work

Another good idea is to have a clear idea about where you will work from and how you will make sure you have all the tools and utilities you need. Prefer working in silence? Then consider renting an Airbnb to yourself. Otherwise, do a little bit of research into the range of cafés and co-working spaces you will find in your destination and be sure to check things such as opening hours, whether or not the Wi-Fi is reliable and what they will cost you. Are these compatible with some of the other considerations above, like time zones and costs, or will they put a strain on things?

Having a plan in mind can help you avoid mishaps – like saying yes to a rush job and then realising there doesn’t seem to be a working Wi-Fi router within a five-mile radius of your current location. It can also be a huge source of opportunities. Working from co-working spots, for example, is a great way to meet fellow travellers and professionals, and to make meaningful connections in both a private and working capacity.

And Much, Much More

These are just a few of the most crucial considerations to make when considering a workcation or the lifestyle of a digital nomad. If you’ve ever given this a go yourself, then you might have different observations? Feel free to share your thoughts with us and let us know.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for new opportunities, check out our language expert page here for information about the kind of linguists we partner with and the conditions we offer. Or, if you’re in the early stages of your career and want to dive straight into the nomadic lifestyle, why not learn about our internship opportunities on the Costa del Sol?

The post Workcations appeared first on Comunica.

But how should translators deploy inclusive language? What happens, for example, if the conventions around inclusive language in the source language are not as developed as those in the target? Or say, for example, that a translator is working on a text that uses non-inclusive language – when is it appropriate to change the language in translation, and can this ever cause problems? These are some of the questions we will be exploring in today’s edition of the blog!

What Is Inclusive Language?

Let’s start by clearly defining what we mean by inclusive language. According to Collins, inclusive language is: ‘language that avoids the use of certain expressions or words that might be considered to exclude particular groups of people, especially gender-specific words, such as “man”, ” mankind”, and masculine pronouns, the use of which might be considered to exclude women.’

In addition, it also includes other practices such as people-first language, which is a writing style that emphasises the person before their disability – i.e. ‘person who is blind’ instead of ‘blind person’, and the avoidance of terms which may reflect inherent biases or inaccuracies, such as ‘sexual preference’ instead of ‘sexual orientation’. Some proponents of inclusive language also advocate avoiding niche idioms and expressions that may exclude people without specific knowledge, and taking a history-conscious approach which eschews terms rooted in oppressive practices such as colonialism, the slave trade or segregation.

There is no one single agreed-upon set of practices for writing inclusively, and conventions are changing all the time. However, the general idea is to try and make all readers feel included and reflected, and to avoid promoting one societal group over others.

Inclusive Writing in Different Languages

In English, perhaps the most prominent change has been the shift away from using he/him pronouns by default when the gender is not known towards using they/them instead, or deploying other strategies to avoid mentioning gender.

For example, instead of writing ‘when an employee attends a meeting, he should prepare a detailed report,’ the Council of Europe recommends either using the plural pronoun in the singular (‘they should prepare a detailed report’), or putting the entire sentence into the plural (‘when employees attend a meeting, they should prepare a detailed report’). Omitting the pronoun entirely can also be an option in certain cases.

In other languages, different strategies have evolved. The challenge of gender inclusivity is greater in romance languages, as gender markers are much more common. In Spanish, one solution has been to replace the gender-identifying noun-endings O and A with X or E instead. For example, ‘nosotros somos muy altos’ would become ‘nosotres somos muy altes’. This is a rather contentious practice, however, given that it advocates breaking established grammar rules. Instead, many writers prefer to use both the masculine and feminine forms (‘nosotros y nosotras’). This solution is not perfect either, as it does not include people who identify as non-binary, for example.

In Swedish, the gender-neutral pronoun hen, instead of han (he) or hon (she), has gained broad acceptance over time. It was first coined in the 1960s by feminist groups and sparked broad debate at the time. The Swedish Language Council initially ruled against its use but later changed its mind, and in 2015 the pronoun was added to the Swedish Academy’s dictionary. The term has also made its way into the other Scandinavian languages, but may be considered less acceptable. In Norway, for example, it is recommended only when referring to those people who prefer to be identified with this pronoun, but not to refer to people whose gender is not known.

Policies vary greatly from country to country and language to language. The French government, for example, has banned the use of certain inclusive-language practices in public documents. In Germany, on the other hand, the city of Hanover mandates the use of gender-neutral terms in official communications. These disparities mean that practices and expectations are unequal from context to context.

Translating Inclusive Language

There are many cases when translators need to reflect carefully on how to translate inclusive or non-inclusive language, and there is no single approach that will be right in every case. Consider the following examples:

• Eliminating gender-markers in English is much easier than it is in Spanish. Imagine, then, that a linguist is translating a document from English into Spanish. The text is very careful in its use of gender-inclusive language, and so the translator faces a set of decisions in how to respond. If the translator uses -e endings, they might alienate certain aspects of their readership, but if they do not, they may risk failing to accurately convey the intention of the source. They also need to ensure consistency in whatever approach they choose.
• Studies have shown that racial colour blindness is a prevalent phenomenon in the Nordics, meaning race is typically not mentioned unless it is absolutely relevant. In the US and the UK, however, it is more common to mention race, and conventions are changing all the time. For example, in the UK, the term BAME was once widespread to refer to people from minority ethnic backgrounds, but it is now increasingly seen as unacceptable. How should a translator working into Danish, then, deal with such a loaded term, in a way that conveys its meaning both comprehensively and respectfully?
• Imagine a translator comes across a document that uses non-inclusive language, perhaps in a way that is out of step with conventions in its source context. Is it the translator’s job to ‘correct’ this use of language, or are they duty-bound to reflect the lack of inclusive terminology in their translation? If a text might be considered offensive or alienating to some in its home context, is the translator obliged to retain these qualities in their translation, or can they ‘improve’ the text on their own accord?

Take An Expert Approach!

As you can see, translating inclusive language is not always straight-forward, and making the wrong choice could inadvertently alienate or even offend the target readership. It is therefore important to always work with language-service providers who understand the subtleties and nuances involved, and who will always make sure to take a considered approach to the language they encounter.

At Comunica, we work with qualified and experienced linguists who are highly familiar with the latest conventions and practices in both their source and target languages. Rather than deploy a quick, one-size-fits-all approach, they carefully consider the target context and make sure to pick the solution that is most appropriate in each case. So, for translations you can trust, get in touch with us today or visit our website. We will be very happy to talk through any concerns you might have about inclusivity in translation and provide you with a no-obligation quote.

The post Inclusive Language & Translation appeared first on Comunica.

This year’s event in Malmö was yet another insightful and inspiring occasion, with talks on interesting topics stretching from technology and new services to how we can support Ukraine and design accessible terminology. So for this edition of my blog, I thought I would talk a little about my experiences at the NTIF over the years, the 2022 edition and my hopes for its future.

Early Inspiration

I have attended the NTIF so many times over the years that I have lost count of the number or even when I went for the very first time, but I do know that the conference has brought me to cities such as Copenhagen, Helsingør, Stockholm, and most recently, Malmö. Not forgetting one virtual edition in late 2020, after the pandemic put paid to all kinds of physical gatherings for at least a year.

It was curiosity that drew me to my first NTIF – that and a desire to find some guidance in my journey towards establishing COMUNICA as a boutique translation agency specialising in the Nordics. I soon found that my instincts had not led me astray, and those early visits led to meetings and links that would help put me on the path to where I am today.

Two very inspiring and generous women in particular proved to be pivotal connections brokered through the NTIF. Cecilia Enbäck, CEO of Translator Scandinavia, and Anne-Marie Colliander Lind, CEO of Inkrease Consulting AB. Both have become business partners of mine, and they taught me the value of attending international gatherings and making connections across our industry.

Malmö 2022

This year’s edition was held in Sweden’s third city, Malmö, between the 16 and 18 November, just before that first heavy snowfall of the year swept in across Scandinavia, grinding the traffic and city life to a halt. The venue was the Clarion Hotel at Malmö Live, a vibrant and modern facility in the heart of this bustling harbour city.

Over the course of the event, we heard from a number of interesting speakers. These included keynote speaker Andreas Ekström who spoke about the Power of & – in his words: “a new mode of thinking that goes against many people’s ideas of strong leadership and harks back to methods used successfully for years before digitalisation.”

AV translator Tiina Kinnunen spoke to us about the chemistry required in matching companies and LSPs, with insightful and tongue-in-cheek references to dating platforms like Tinder.

And finally, Brona Nilsson spoke to us passionately about how the Ingka Group has worked to implement machine translation tools and processes within the IKEA group to increase capabilities for reuse and to boost workflow automation.

Think Tanks

Another key aspect of the conference was its innovative use of think tanks which were held in the so-called unconference style, meaning they are participant-driven rather than based around a presentation or talk.

I attended a very interesting think tank on integration in which we brought our different perspectives (end clients, LSPs, TMS providers) to bear on the challenges of automation and the integration of tools. The other think tanks touched on subjects such as interpreting, terminology, industry associations and end clients.

The idea of the think tanks was a very fruitful and insightful addition to the programme, offering an opportunity and a space for us all to put our heads together and discuss some of the most pressing issues and challenges that we share.

As has been the case at previous editions, I made the journey back to Spain feeling inspired and abuzz with fresh insights and news ideas – eager and ready to return to the winter sunshine in Fuengirola, where I live, and continue our journey here at COMUNICA.

What Makes the NTIF Special?

Ever since those early days, the NTIF has been a central fulcrum in my working year and an event which I always strive and endeavour to attend. There are many reasons for this.

Firstly, it is because the NTIF represents a unique opportunity to network with peers and also to meet potential clients and grow my business. It is a platform for idea incubation but also an opportunity to reach out and create links with others that can help drive us all forward.

Secondly, it is a great way to keep abreast of new trends and developments in the industry. Other LSPs are able to present new ventures and technologies and this allows me to get a sense of where the industry is at and where it is going. The importance of this cannot be underestimated, as it means we can keep ahead of client expectations and remain at the cutting edge of new developments.

Thirdly, it is also a great social occasion that allows me to meet new people and create new connections within the industry, whether over a cup of coffee during the day or a glass of wine in the evening as we dine, chat and explore all that our host city has to offer.

I feel confident that I will return to the NTIF once more in 2023, and I hope that the conference will only continue to grow and develop in the future. Long live the NTIF!

The post Why I Keep Returning to the Nordic Translation & interpreting Forum appeared first on Comunica.