Program
Main building, Innrain 52, A-6020 Innsbruck, Conference Room: Aula, 1st floor
27.11.2025 Registration
27.11.2025 Opening
- Prof. Astrid Schmidhofer, Coordinator of Studies of the Department of Translation Studies of the University of Innsbruck
- Henrik Nilsson, EAFT President
- Rossella Resi and Frieda Steurs, Editors of the 4th Volume of the Handbook of Terminology on Terminology Planning in Europe
27.11.2025 Panel: The foundation of language planning: Integrating terminology strategies
The Panel will discuss terminology planning and language planning in general (e.g. corpus and status planning), its activities, actors, and various perspectives. What are the strategies for integrating terminology work with many other activities at a large language institution when it comes to e.g. priorities, coordination, funding and distribution of means? How does this differ from a situation where terminology work is the main concern of a separate institution?
Moderation: Henrik Nilsson, EAFT President, CAG Consoden/Terminologifrämjandet
Panelists:
- Albina Auksoriūtė, Terminology Center of the Institute of the Lithuanian Language (Lithuanian)
- Marita Kristiansen, University of Bergen (Overview on the Nordic case)
- Besim Kabashi, University of Tübingen (Albanian)
- Ewelina Kwiatek, Pedagogical University of Kraków (Polish)
- Maksym Vakulenko, Institute of Artificial Intelligence Problems (Ukrainian)
- Viktoria Ivashchenko, Borys Grinchenko Metropolitan Kyiv University (Ukrainian)
27.11.2025 Coffee break
27.11.2025 Klaus Fleischmann, Kaleidoscope GmbH. The RenAIssance of Terminology
As the dust of the Generative AI hype settles, terminology is emerging as one of the clear winners. For the first time, stakeholders outside the language industry are discovering the value of structured, human-grade, validated, and multilingual data contained in terminologies as well as their importance as a guardrail for GenAI applications. At the same time, AI can help us scale up and streamline tedious terminology tasks, giving an enormous boost to the entire terminology business model. This presentation gives a short introduction into the technologies, approaches, and initiatives combining terminology with GenAI, from the corporate world to the respective new ISO workgroup.
27.11.2025 Panel: Feeding AI with the right language. Are we still on time?
The Panel will discuss the importance of AI training and the need for high-quality, domain-specific sources for training data. In particular, the focus will be on the authoritativeness of the underlying data sources, the accessibility of sources to end users, the application of particular training methods, the consistency of terminological data and the role of institutions in coordinating joint efforts to preserve correct terminology.
Moderation: Laura Giacomini, University of Innsbruck
Panelists:
- Pilar León Araúz, University of Granada (Spanish)
- Lynne Bowker, University of Laval (English)
- Rossella Resi, University of Innsbruck (Italian)
- Ana Ostroški Anić, Institute of Croatian Language (Croatian)
- Nicole Keller, University of Heidelberg (German in Austria and Germany)
27.11.2025 Lunch break
27.11.2025 Simon Krek, Centre for Language Resources and Technologies at the University of Ljubljana; Department for Artificial Intelligence at the Jožef Stefan Institute. Mapping the Language Infrastructure Landscape in Europe
The presentation will outline the complementary roles of ELRA and CLARIN in supporting the European ecosystem for language resources and technologies. ELRA focuses on the identification, validation, and distribution of language data and tools, facilitating collaboration between research and industry. CLARIN, as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium, ensures open and interoperable access to such resources through its federated network of repositories and services. Examples of their dissemination strategies—metadata standards, catalogues, and licensing frameworks—will highlight how these organizations foster accessibility and data sharing. Briefly, the talk will also reflect on their relevance to large language model development within the ALT-EDIC EU projects.
27.11.2025 Panel: Mastering public outreach: Disseminating terminology
In the past, terminology dissemination depended largely on government support, as illustrated by aménagement terminologique, with its official centralizing agency. Now, the changing media landscape and the dilution of government involvement has meant that the former canals of dissemination have been seriously compromised. After appraising the continued effectiveness of traditional canals, the debate could centre on new means of disseminating terminology. One of these could be crowdsourcing initiatives, which have proved game-changing for, say, encyclopedias: think Wikipedia. Others may be simply exploring new ways of investing traditional channels.
Moderation: John Humbley, Paris Cité University
Panelists:
- Dirk Kinable, Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal (Dutch)
- Mateja Jemec Tomazin, ZRC SAZU Fran Ramovš Institute of the Slovenian Language (Slovenian)
- Catrin Owen, Bangor University [on behalf of Tegau Andrews, Delyth Prys and Gruffudd Prys] (Welsh)
- Kairi Janson, Institute of Estonian Language (Estonian)
27.11.2025 International Terminology Awards
27.11.2025 Coffee break
27.11.2025 Panel: Striking a balance between descriptive and prescriptive approaches to terminology
The Panel will discuss the possibility of balancing top-down and bottom-up approaches to terminology work and terminology standardisation. We will examine how different countries and language communities strive to accommodate the need for terminological guidance while allowing for flexibility in different contexts and use cases.
Introduction: Natascia Ralli, Eurac Research (German in South Tyrol). Bottom-up vs. Top-down approaches: an introduction to striking a balance
Moderation: Elena Chiocchetti, Eurac Research (German in South Tyrol)
Panelists:
- Izaskun Aldezabal, University of the Basque Country (Basque)
- Sandra Weber, Ministry of the German-speaking Community of Belgium (German in Belgium)
- Veronika Lipp, Hungarian Research Centre for Linguistics (Hungarian)
- Úna Bhreathnach, Dublin City University (Irish)
- Mojca Žagar Karer, ZRC SAZU Fran Ramovš Institute of the Slovenian Language (Slovenian)
- John Humbley, Paris Cité University (French)
27.11.2025 EAFT General Assembly
27.11.2025 Strings & Cheers
Aperitif Sounds with Violin and Guitar
27.11.2025 Buffet Dinner
Ágnes-Heller-Haus, Innrain 52a, 6020 Innsbruck, Conference room: Audimax, floor -1
Simultaneous Interpreting FR<>ENG available
28.11.2025 Registration
28.11.2025 Opening
- Sabine Kirchmeier, EFNIL President
- Claudio Grimaldi, REALITER President
28.11.2025 Panel: Coordination challenge: Terminology efforts in co-official languages
How do we plan terminology when faced with two, three, or more co-offical languages? What, if any, are the effects of code-switching and translanguaging on terminology provision and use? Is multilingual terminology provision and use complementary or competitive? What solutions have been found in bilingual and diglossic communities?
Moderation: Úna Bhreathnach, Dublin City University
Panelists:
- Elena Chiocchetti, Eurac Research (German in South Tyrol)
- Caroline Döhmer, Université du Luxembourg (Luxembourgish)
- Johan Myking, University of Bergen (Norwegian)
28.11.2025 Coffee break (with terminology game)
28.11.2025 Panel: The role of terminology training: Building capacity across Europe
Terminology is a crucial factor in efficient communication in all professional domains. The efficient and effective use of specialised language is a prerequisite for successful communication in business, education, scientific communities and the industry sector. Specialised communication is not only an important economic factor, but also crucial to basic functions of society: health, safety, democracy and the rule of law. How do we reach out to students in order to give them insights in terminology, ontology, etc.? In this panel we want to discuss what can be successful models of training for different target groups such as translators and interpreters, lawyers, engineers, etc.
Introduction: Rute Costa, University of Lisbon (Portuguese)
Moderation: Frieda Steurs, KU Leuven & Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal
Panelists:
- Hanne Erdman Thomsen, Independent Researcher (Danish)
- Klaus-Dirk Schmitz, TH Köln (German in Austria and Germany)
- Nikolche Mickoski, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (Macedonian)
- Rute Costa, University of Lisbon (Portuguese)
- Elena Isabelle Tamba, Romanian Academy (Romanian)
- Claudio Grimaldi, REALITER President [on behalf of Maria Teresa Zanola, Università Cattolica Milano] (Italian)
28.11.2025 Nina Nissilä. Presentation of TSR Journal and announcement of call for papers.
28.11.2025 Lunch break
28.11.2025 Lynne Bowker, University of Laval (English). Decentralised and expert-driven with a global reach
English’s global reach in various specialised communication contexts (e.g., business, education, research, legislation) sets it apart from other languages as regards terminology planning. The English case is decentralised: multiple well-established varieties of English co-exist and no overarching body has taken charge of terminology planning. Instead, individual corporations, grassroots movements, and large supranational organisations all participate in terminology planning in English, with subject experts taking a leading role. Another notable feature of its global reach is that English is often a starting point for terminology planning in other languages. However, the lack of a single standardised version of English can lead to inconsistencies, both within terminology planning efforts in English and when other languages adopt different varieties as a starting point.
28.11.2025 Panel: Neologisms and word formation in modern Europe
New terms are necessary whenever new concepts arise in a domain. Languages generally have word formation rules, sense extension mechanisms and, if there is a word in another language, borrowing at their disposal to form neologisms. In terminology, also standardized descriptive phrases, usually resulting in an abbreviation, can be used. The attitude to these mechanisms in a particular language depends on the culture of language care in the speech community.
Moderation: Pius ten Hacken, University of Innsbruck
Panelists:
- Maria Koliopoulou, University of Athens (Greek)
- Renáta Panocová, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (Slovak)
- Ari Páll Kristinsson, The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies (Icelandic)
- Lynne Bowker, University of Laval (English)
28.11.2025 Coffee break (with terminology game)
28.11.2025 Panel: The impact of EU membership in terminology planning
Joining the EU has not only political and financial implications but also a significant impact on language status. Becoming an official EU language represents an opportunity. So-called "less widely spoken languages" have gained importance following EU accession, such as Maltese and Irish. Languages that were historically suppressed, like Lithuanian or Estonian, have found their place within the European multilingual community. The preparation for accession, including the translation of the acquis communautaire, allows the candidate country's language to reorganise its institutions and education system while enriching its terminology. This process prepares it to become an equal part of the world's largest multilingual terminology management system, IATE
Moderation: Rodolfo Maslias, Vice-President of TermNet (Head of TermCoord at the European Parliament 2008-2022)
Panelists:
- Sergio Portelli, University of Malta (Maltese)
- İlknur Eker, Translator in Public Sector (Turkish)
- Gábor Prószéky, Hungarian Research Centre for Linguistics (Hungarian)
- Jelena Anđelković, University of Belgrade (Serbian)
- Arturs Krastiņš, State Language Centre of Latvia (Latvian)
- Mari Vaus, Institute of Estonian Language (Estonian)
28.11.2025 Concluding remarks
28.11.2025 Walk to the Christmas Market and Glühwein
29.11.2025 Guided city tour of Innsbruck
Christmas Legends, History and Sights: Learn more about Krampus, Berchten and spooky or sometimes original customs at Christmas time. During a walk through the medieval alleys of Innsbruck you will learn many interesting facts about these mystical customs but also about the exciting and varied history of Innsbruck including the visit of the most important sights, such as the Golden Roof.
Meeting point: in front of the Tourist Information Office, Burggraben 3, 6020 Innsbruck