Call for Papers

 Credit: Natalie Sappier-Samaqani Cocahq (The Water Spirit), Wolastoqiyik Indigenous Artist from Tobique First Nation 

We are delighted to announce the Call for Papers for the Fourth International Conference on Community Translation (ICCT4), which will be held at the Université de Moncton (Canada) on October 1–3, 2026, at Université de Moncton (Canada). This conference is an initiative of the International Community Translation Research Group (ICTRG). It builds on the successes of previous editions, including those held at Western Sydney University (2014), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (2019), and the University of Warsaw (2023).

FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMMUNITY TRANSLATION (ICCT4) 

1-3 October 2026

Université de Moncton (Canada) 

We enthusiastically invite anyone involved in research, translation, or advocacy in any field to submit a proposal. Proposals can address a wide range of issues, challenges, emerging scenarios, and opportunities for research and development in Community Translation, which is defined as: “a service offered at a national or local level to ensure that the members of multilingual societies have access to information and active participation” (Taibi, 2016). Community translation is all about fostering fairness, diversity and inclusion among the people it serves. ICCT4 embraces this same mission.  

We hope that this event will provide a forum for scholars, grassroots organizations, language service providers and community members to discuss global realities and highlight the unique aspects of local contexts. 

The fourth edition of the ICCT will be held in Canada. Despite Canada’s deep understanding of the needs of translation services, thanks to its bilingualism, and of integration services for new immigrants, community translation (CT) remains underappreciated. This conference aims to shed light on the varied realities and perspectives of CT in Canada, helping to build a better understanding of its potential role in the country. Reflecting on the realities of CT in Canada also raises questions surrounding the status, perceptions and dynamics of languages in the country. 

Potential questions include, but are not limited to:

• Can official language translation be considered community translation if the official language is highly underrepresented (ex. French in Alberta)?

• How does community translation apply to indigenous languages?

• How do community translation services differ from official language translation services in underserved settings?

• What are the implications of recognizing indigenous languages or minority official languages as languages of community translation services? Could this change the status of these languages? 

These questions can also apply to other countries who are facing similar challenges. 

The ICCT4 seeks to explore and (re)define the reality of community translation and language dynamics worldwide, with a particular focus on Canada. 

Key Themes:

• Community Translation in Canada and Around the World

• Community Translation in NGOs and Grassroots Organizations

• Community Translation Providers

• Community Translation and Indigenous Peoples (Canada and Elsewhere)

• Community Translation and Minority Languages

• Community Translation and Volunteer Formation

• Community Translation and Higher Education Formation

• Community Translation and Language Barriers/Access

• Community Translation for Vulnerable Patients/Medical Circumstances

• Community Translation Amid Crisis and Conflict

• Community Translation in Varied Settings (Legal, Immigration, Healthcare, Education, Non-Profits, Religious Services)

• Community Translation and Innovative Technologies/Localization

• Community Translation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Community Translation and Professional Networks

• Community Translation: Ethics and Quality Maintenance

• Community Translation Theory

• Community Translation and Emotional Labour

• Community Translation and Language Dynamics

Contribution Formats (Please Select One):

INDIVIDUAL:

• 20-minute Presentation + 10-minute Q&A

• 10-minute Presentation + 20-minute Q&A

COLLECTIVE:

• 1-hour Roundtable + Q&A (3-4 Presenters)

• 2-hour Workshop (Teams of up to 3 members)

Submission Procedure & Deadline:

We enthusiastically invite anyone involved in research, translation, or advocacy in any field to submit a proposal. We kindly ask that you submit your abstract by October 31, 2025. Submissions are welcome in English, French or a Canadian Indigenous Language. 

All submissions MUST include the following:

• Preferred presentation formation and presentation language

• English Abstract 

• Proposals (200/250-word for individual; 500-word for roundtable/workshops)

We encourage those interested in giving a workshop to submit a proposal for the following topics:

• Advancement of Community Translation Best Practices

• Development of Training Programs for Professional and Volunteer Translators

• Applied Learning Approaches in Community Translation (Experiential/Collaborative Leaning; Peer Review Learning; Project-Based/Task-Based/Problem-Based Learning; Social Justice Learning, etc.)

Workshop proposals should include the outline, objectives, methods and outcomes. 

Click here to submit your proposal through Oxford Abstracts. 

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