Joss Moorkens (transation scholar)

TL;DR

From drumming in bands to becoming a lecturer in Translation studies, Jos Morins shares his unconventional career path.

Transcript

we're in uh Brussels actually with Jos juice J J Morin morins anglicized it how do you pronounce how do you pronounce your name Jos morkin Jos morins yeah your second go had a good Irish accent to the I was going to say so you must be Irish right yeah yeah you are Irish yeah the the the Belgian bit is two generations back oh okay all right yeah so ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍💻 Jos Morins transitioned from a tech support role to becoming a lecturer in Translation studies, inspired by a musician who was also a translator.
• 👨‍🔬 His interest in the interaction of people and technology in translation drives his research pursuits, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human agency and ethical considerations.
• 🧑‍🎓 Despite the challenges of academia, Jos finds satisfaction in teaching and shaping the perspectives of his students, recognizing the influence he can have on the next generation of translators and researchers.
• 🍳 Ireland's focus on attracting foreign direct investment and providing tax breaks has made it a hub for localization and translation activities in Europe.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Jos Morins transition from a tech support role to academia?

Jos Morins shifted from working in tech support during the dot-com boom to pursuing a degree inspired by a translator musician, eventually leading him to become a lecturer in Translation studies.

Q: What motivated Jos Morins to pursue a degree later in life?

Jos Morins was encouraged to pursue higher education not only out of dissatisfaction with his career but also to break away from the trend of no higher education in his family and to challenge himself personally.

Q: What research interests does Jos Morins have in Translation studies?

Jos Morins is particularly focused on researching the interaction between people and technology in translation, aiming to maintain human agency, prevent technological determinism, and ensure satisfaction in the translation process.

Q: How does Jos Morins view the impact of his research and teaching in academia?

While Jos Morins acknowledges that his research may have limited reach, he finds fulfillment in teaching students who carry forward the knowledge and ethical considerations instilled in them, acting as a more direct influencer in their education and careers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jos Morins started his working life in tech support during the dot-com boom before transitioning to a lecturer in Translation studies.

• He pursued a degree later in life, inspired by a translator musician, and eventually delved into research on translation technology.

• Despite his unconventional career path, Jos finds satisfaction in teaching and shaping the next generation of translators and researchers.