The 3rd Semmelweis Medical Linguistics Conference (SMLC) was held from May 23–24 in Budapest, focusing on “Inclusivity and Diversity in Healthcare Communication Research.” Organized by the Institute of Languages for Specific Purposes, the event further boosted Semmelweis University’s international academic visibility and its role in advancing interdisciplinary research connecting language and medicine.
With 185 participants from around the world, the conference served as a hub for innovative research in medical linguistics and healthcare communication. Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Zoltán Benyó, President of the Doctoral Council, and Dr. Katalin Fogarasi, Director of the organizing institute, who also announced the launch of the new Semmelweis Medical Linguistics Investigations book series, to be published by Peter Lang Verlag (Switzerland).
Four plenary lectures headlined the event, featuring prominent experts from institutions such as Columbia University (USA), Lancaster University (UK), and the University of Hamburg (Germany). Topics ranged from metaphor in vaccination discourse to multilingual interpretation challenges and the use of simulated participants for medical training.
Across nineteen parallel sessions, researchers explored AI-driven medical translation, terminology evolution, doctor-patient interaction, and communication with marginalized groups. Special attention was given to the impact of neural machine translation (NMT) and large language models (LLMs) in clinical contexts.
Workshops and poster sessions added a practical dimension, addressing everything from ESP pedagogy and cross-cultural communication to storytelling in healthcare and Latin medical texts. A standout feature was a hands-on session led by Dr. Anthony Young (Columbia University) and actress Tara Novie, simulating patient interactions for medical students.
This year’s conference also marked the beginning of a new academic partnership between Semmelweis University and Columbia University, aimed at future teaching and research collaborations.
Supported by partners including Occupational English Test (OET), Peter Lang Verlag, Klett Publishing, Libra Books, and Leonardo Hotel Budapest, the event blended academic depth with international networking opportunities.
Plans for the 4th Semmelweis Medical Linguistics Conference in 2026 are already underway, continuing the university’s commitment to empathetic, effective, and inclusive healthcare communication.
Source: Semmelweis University
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