Freshmen from the Department of Translation Take a Leading Deliverance in Engaging Seminar on The Benefits of Being a Multilingual Translator and Speaker
On Sunday, February 9, 2025, first-year students from the Department of Translation at Cihan University-Erbil delivered an engaging seminar to students of various grade levels at the International Maarif Schools in Erbil. The seminar, titled The Benefits of Being a Multilingual Speaker, took place under the supervision of A. L. Zeena Mahmood. They were warmly welcomed by Inci Nehad Shukr, the High School Principal, and Mr. Idrees Muhsin, the Student Affairs Coordinator.
The seminar aimed to raise students’ awareness of the significance of multilingualism in personal, academic, and professional life. It commenced with A.L. Zeena introducing the Translation Department at Cihan University-Erbil, highlighting the crucial role of multilingual proficiency in translation studies and daily life. Following this introduction, the first-stage students showcased their expertise in various languages and shared their personal experiences. These included Trefa Auny Adnan and Nzar Azeez Ismael, who introduced Kurdish; Diana Samhar Rafea, who introduced Arabic; Zhilwan Yousif Rasool, who introduced Persian; Sarah Sardar Arif, who introduced Swedish and Turkish; and Maryam Abdulbari Hammoodi, who introduced Japanese.
The session was interactive, and all presenters conducted interesting activities in which participants translated phrases and sentences into different languages and practiced speaking the languages introduced to them. Corrective feedback was provided, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. The seminar continued with student Hajer Raood Samko, who discussed the advantages of knowing more than three languages, including cognitive benefits, career opportunities, cultural awareness, and enhanced communication skills.
The event concluded with a photo session, capturing the memorable moments of this cross-cultural exchange. The event was a great success, inspiring students to explore the world of languages and translation while appreciating their significance in both academic and personal growth. This was evident when the students expressed their interest in learning languages to become multilingual speakers.
