NZSTI is pleased to announce the 2026 NZSTI Conference is to be held in Ōtautahi
Christchurch City on 11-13 September 2026.
Language is not static. It moves between people, across bodies, cultures, technologies, and
systems. It carries emotion, power, responsibility, and connection. This year's theme,
Language and (E)motion - Interaffectivity and embodiment in the T&I practice, invites us to
explore translation and interpreting as a deeply human, embodied, and relational practice in
a time of rapid technological and social change.
The theme Language and (e)motion brings together two ideas. Emotion speaks to the
affective, ethical, and interpersonal dimensions of our work. It recognises how meaning is
shaped not just by what is said, but how it is said, felt, and received. (E)motion also points to
movement: the constant evolution of language, the shifting role of translators and
interpreters, and the growing presence of artificial intelligence in our profession.
Drawing on concepts of interaffectivity and embodiment, the conference invites participants
to reflect on how translators and interpreters engage with clients, communities,
technologies, and each other as embodied humans. From community and court interpreting
to literary translation, from te reo Māori and other Indigenous language futures to
AI-assisted workflows, we ask: What does it mean to practise ethically, sustainably, and
humanly in an industry in motion?
We want the 2026 NZSTI conference to create space for critical discussion, practical tools,
and shared reflection. It acknowledges the pressures facing the profession while affirming
the irreplaceable value of human judgement, cultural knowledge, emotional intelligence, and
relational trust. Whether you are navigating AI, supporting rare language communities,
running a freelance practice, or shaping the future of language work in Aotearoa, this theme
centres people at the heart of T&I.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 NZSTI Conference.