Dr. Tomasz Rozmyslowicz

Has been interested in human differentiation in contexts of heterolingual communication since his doctorate. His book Übersetzungsmaschinen [translation machines] deals with the human/machine distinction in practices and theories of translation. Publications on translation as a marker of difference in the 'Third Reich' and in academic exile continue this line of interest. 

In the CRC, he investigates the connection between translation, politics and human differentiation. Using the example of local authorities in Germany,he examines the connection between the category of 'migrant' and the state administration of interpreter pools, which are set up to manage heterolingual communication in government agencies, schools and other institutions. In doing so, he traces a change that can currently be observed in this field: It is no longer the 'migrants' themselves or welfare organisations that have to organise interpreting. Instead, state institutions are increasingly taking this task into their own hands. Why? Does this have to do with changes in the category of 'migrant'? What role do semantics of ‚diversity‘ play in this regard? How does translation management by the state affect the perception of language and belonging?

Foto: Stephanie Füssenich