Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters News

ATA Letter on Wisconsin SB 357 – Take Action Now

Meghan McCallum — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 20:18:07 GMT

Professional human interpreters belong in Wisconsin courts, not artificial intelligence. Read ATA’s letter to lawmakers and take action.

In response to Wisconsin Senate Bill 357, the American Translators Association (ATA) and other organizations have written letters to lawmakers warning that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in lieu of qualified professional human interpreters in Wisconsin’s courts poses a serious threat to the fair and efficient administration of justice, which is fundamental to our judicial system, due to the inherent deficiencies of AI-powered translation and interpreting platforms. This will lead to a host of unintended negative consequences for Wisconsin’s courts. To learn more about the risks of replacing expert interpreters with AI, read ATA’s article Think AI Should Replace Interpreters? Think Again.

Email and call Wisconsin legislators now.

Read ATA’s letter:

https://www.atanet.org/advocacy-outreach/ata-letter-on-wisconsin-sb-357-take-action-now/

RE: Opposition to SB 357

Dear Lawmaker:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we respectfully urge the withdrawal of SB 357, which proposes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in place of qualified professional human interpreters in Wisconsin’s courts. If enacted, this bill could result in a host of unintended negative consequences for Wisconsin’s courts.

SB 357 poses a serious threat to the fair and efficient administration of justice, which is fundamental to our judicial system, due to the inherent deficiencies of AI-powered translation and interpreting platforms. While we recognize the potential of technology to assist human interpreters in specific contexts, we are extremely concerned about the consequences of a broad interpretation and application of SB 357, as it will undermine the quality, accuracy, and accountability that court interpreting services demand. In addition, it jeopardizes the rights of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and compromises Wisconsin’s ability to uphold justice.

Firstly, generative AI models, including large language models (LLMs), do not think, “speak,” use human language, or understand cultural nuances and differences. They transcribe and generate text according to statistical patterns, and the algorithm’s best estimation is based on information retrieved in large part from untrusted and unvalidated online sources. As we have seen in many instances, such models frequently generate false statements, known as “hallucinations.” Numerous attorneys around the country have been sanctioned in recent years for submitting briefs written with AI that include defective citations, invented precedents, and other misstatements, and these have all only dealt with English. In interpreting, inaccurate or misleading output violates defendants’ rights, distorts evidence, and endangers the integrity of judicial proceedings. Furthermore, many AI tools are programmed to produce output that aligns with users’ prompts. The result is AI-generated responses that compromise informed decision-making, spread misinformation, improperly inform court users of their rights, or inadvertently advise parties to violate court orders or break the law. A comprehensive review by the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that a leading AI interpreting tool was not even fit for informational public-facing meetings where the organization’s image or reputation are at stake, much less important matters of justice.

Secondly, AI tools may be capable of processing and generating plausible translations under limited and controlled circumstances in a handful of languages with large training datasets, such as English. The same cannot be said for languages for which there is relatively little reliable bilingual data online. For the purposes of language access in U.S. courts, these are often called “languages of lesser diffusion” (LLDs), even though they may still represent millions of speakers worldwide and tens of thousands of speakers in Wisconsin, including Hmong, Burmese, Karen, and others. AI performance in these languages is deficient, significantly increasing the risk of errors. The court’s use of AI in matters involving LLDs disproportionately impacts all who rely on interpreting services for equal access to justice, including the courts themselves.

Finally, judicial interpreters are highly trained professionals who adhere to codes of ethics, take an oath, place their name and credentials on the record, and are accountable for their work. The story of José María Rodríguez Uriarte, a father mistakenly blamed for the accidental death of his son in Dane County due to improper interpreting, is just one example of the consequences of not using qualified judicial interpreters. The National Center for State Courts (NSCS) is unequivocal in its guidance on the use of AI to replace human interpreters: “AI should not be used to replace human interpreters for real-time spoken interpretation in court proceedings due to the high risks associated with context, nuance, and potential errors. Human oversight remains critical.” Trying to replace professional judicial interpreters with AI will not solve the most pressing challenges to meaningful language access in Wisconsin’s courts, namely that the budget allocated is insufficient to cover current needs, making qualified interpreters difficult to find for certain languages. AI solutions, in addition to having many flaws, consist of both software and hardware that are extremely expensive to acquire, operate, maintain, and update. Machines also cannot be held accountable for the inevitable lack of performance. AI is frequently incorrect without ever notifying the user that it lacks needed information, which would lead to mistrials and overturned cases. Who would bear responsibility for such errors?

Wisconsin’s commitment to equal access to justice requires a robust standard for language services. SB 357, as currently drafted, undermines the prospect of fair court proceedings, may increase costs to the courts, and places the state’s interests at risk. We urge you to please oppose SB 357. Numerous standards, including ISO 18841:2018, ASTM 2089-24, and ethical guidance from the SAFE-AI task force provide useful guardrails for any future legislation. We are able to offer our assistance in drafting any proposed bills that address the use of AI tools in court with a view of mitigating risks to the interests of justice for all.

Thank you for your consideration. We stand ready to provide assistance to help ensure that all those who use Wisconsin courts receive meaningful, accurate, and professional language access.

Call for Proposals: MATI Annual Conference 2025

Meghan McCallum — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 20:09:37 GMT

Submission deadline: 5:00 p.m. on August 18, 2025

The Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI), a Chapter of the American Translators Association, will hold its Annual Conference on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Racine, Wisconsin. The purpose of the conference is to present topics that deal with translation, interpreting or language issues. We invite proposals for panels and individual presentations. We are interested in receiving proposals for keynote speakers, panel discussions, one-hour presentations, and skill building workshops.

Guidelines for conference proposals:

Include a 500-word description of the content of your proposal
Indicate the type of session being proposed
Bios of presenters and/or panelists

Criteria for selection of proposals:

Be of value to those of differing interest, i.e., referee committee will consider variety, such as a topic in translation, a topic in interpreting, or cross-cultural topic regarding translation and interpreting
Respond to the needs and requests of the diversity of interests among the fields in translating and interpreting
Demonstrate originality and value to the intended audience
Preference given to interactive participation and focus on applicable practice in translation and/or interpreting.

Registration fee for presenters will be waived, but all presenters must register for the conference.

Please submit your completed proposals electronically as a Microsoft Word attachment to email address amytolen@gmail.com. Attention: Amy Olen by 5:00 p.m. on August 18, 2025. Notification of acceptance will be sent by August 31, 2025.

ATA CEUs are available for conference participants and attendees.

Call for Proposals | 20th Annual MATI Conference on September 30, 2023

Kelley Salas — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 19:17:57 GMT

The Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters welcomes proposals for presentations at our 20th Annual Conference, to be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

All proposals are due by Wednesday, May 17 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

We are looking for presentations from all areas of translation and interpreting, including finance, law, government, medicine, literature, science and technology, education and training, terminology, independent contracting, and business management. Presentations should provide timely, innovative content and encourage lively discussion.

Presentations should be approximately one hour in length. Each presenter will receive an honorarium of $200; MATI may also be able to offer a stipend to defray travel expenses.

Proposals should consist of an abstract (summary of presentation content) of up to 200 words and a speaker bio of up to 100 words.

You do not need to be a MATI member to submit a proposal. If you know someone who would be a great presenter this September, please encourage them to submit a proposal before the May 17 deadline!

Click here to submit a proposal.

Resource Review: The ATA Savvy Newcomer Blog

Kelley Salas — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 20:46:04 GMT

ATA’s Savvy Newcomer Blog: A Great Resource

Whether you’re new to the profession or not, there’s a lot to learn from the ATA Savvy Newcomer blog. The posts are written by fellow ATA members, and they cover everything from marketing and pricing to study resources to work-life balance. At the start of this year, I took a quick look through the Savvy Newcomer archives, and found several posts to inspire and support me in my goals around work-life balance, social media, and professional development.

Daniela Guanipa’s post, Keeping a Steady Pace: Balancing Work, Volunteering, and Family Life, offered great suggestions for work-life balance. I needed this reminder to identify what my priorities are right now, and to use routines and time-tracking to stay focused on them. I also liked Tess Whitty’s piece, All Work and No Play?, which lists ten tips for achieving balance and avoiding overwork.

I sometimes avoid social media under the guise of “productivity,” even though it’s connected me with some amazing clients and projects. But I’d like to become much more intentional in my use of LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Marion Rhodes’s post, Creating a Social Media Plan for Busy Translators, inspired me. She designed a daily “power hour,” set specific goals for posting, and ultimately doubled her Twitter following and tripled traffic to her website. If I can do a fraction of what she describes, I’ll be off to a great start!

I often get asked about the ATA certification exam, and so much has changed since I took the handwritten test and was certified for Spanish to English in 2008. I’m considering pursuing English to Spanish certification, too, and I found Emily Moorlach’s post on Taking and Preparing for ATA’s Online Certification Exam very helpful. There’s also a mega-list compiled by Helen Eby titled Study Resources for Translation Certification. Both resources are well worth bookmarking!

Regardless of your goals for the new year, you’re likely to find support, inspiration, and ideas at the Savvy Newcomer. Even though the blog is geared toward students and newbies to the profession, there’s a lot of great material for those of us who are mid-career and beyond.

Kelley D. Salas is an ATA-certified Spanish>English translator and editor specializing in nonfiction and children’s literature. She is an experienced medical interpreter and a certified court interpreter in Wisconsin and Illinois. Salas serves on the MATI board of directors. www.salastranslations.wordpress.com

Call for Conference Proposals - MICATA

Kelley Salas — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 20:28:26 GMT

MICATA, the Mid America Chapter of the American Translators Association, invites MATI members to propose a session or workshop for the upcoming MICATA Conference, scheduled to take place on April 14-15, 2023, at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS. Proposals on all topics relevant to our profession are welcome.Click here for more information and to submit a proposal for a session, panel, or workshop.

http://www.micata.org/annual-conference/call-for-conferenceproposals

Write for the MATI newsletter, InforMATIon

Kelley Salas — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 20:18:55 GMT

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

We encourage our members to write for our blog and newsletter, InforMATIon. Please submit stories in the fields of translation, interpretation, and languages. The following submission types are welcome:

· Commentary on translation and interpreting issues

· Letters to the editor

· Book reviews

· Reviews (of technology, resources, etc.)

· Translator/interpreter profiles or interviews

· Announcements (awards, jobs, events, etc.)

· Reprints (with permission from original publisher)

Suggested length is 300-800 words. Occasionally we will consider longer, feature-length articles of 2,000-2,500 words. Photographs and graphics in the form of .gif or .jpeg are also accepted.

Upcoming submission deadlines:

· March 1, 2023 for Summer 2023 issue

· June 1, 2023 for Fall 2023 issue

· October 15, 2023 for Winter 2023 issue

· Jan 1, 2024 for Spring 2024 issue

Submit files in Microsoft Word format to kelleydsalas[at]gmail[dot]com, with the subject line “InforMATIon Article Submission.” Please include the author’s name and contact information in the e-mail. Add 3-4 lines of biographical information at the end of the article. Articles may be edited for clarity and length.

Letter from MATI president Meghan McCallum

Kelley Salas — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 22:27:00 GMT

Dear MATI members,

On behalf of the MATI Board of Directors, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all MATI members a happy new year! May 2023 bring you many opportunities to connect with others in the translation and interpreting community while growing your skills as language professionals.

The 2022 MATI Elections marked the start of new terms for a few folks serving on the MATI Board, including myself. The 2022-2023 MATI Board is as follows:

President: Meghan McCallum
Vice President: Kate Breckenridge
Secretary: Laura Salcido
Treasurer: Kate Jankowski
Directors: Reme Bashi, Marina Ilari, Kelley Salas, Alexandra Wirth

Please join me in welcoming all new board members, and thanking this entire group for their dedication to serving our association!

In case you missed it, MATI held its 19^th Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in September. We were delighted to once again bring together our local T&I community for a day of learning and networking—this was the first in-person MATI conference since 2019! A big thanks to our speakers: Daniel Tamayo (Keynote: A Successful Career in Translation and/or Interpreting), Robert Sette (Overcoming the Discomfort of Self-Promotion), Saul Arteaga (911 Telecommunication Interpreting), Allison Bryant (Taxes for the Taxed), and Daniela Guanipa (Navigating the Waters of Change) for providing this incredible lineup of educational sessions for attendees.

A number of MATI members also attended ATA’s 63^rd Annual Conference, held in Los Angeles, California, in October. Again, this was a much-anticipated opportunity for our members to connect with other translators, interpreters, clients, educators, and more from the world of T&I. ATA’s Audiovisual Division was especially active, with several sessions bringing us into the exciting world of subtitling. We also saw an exhibitor table from the ATA Literary Division displaying many works translated by ATA members. The ATA Awards Ceremony recognized several colleagues for their various accomplishments in and services to the translation and interpreting professions.

If you are an ATA member, please be sure to indicate on your ATA membership renewal form that you are also a member of MATI, your local chapter. MATI receives funding from ATA based on the number of members that indicate their chapter membership. We appreciate your support and look forward to using this funding to continue serving you through educational programming, networking opportunities, and more throughout the year.

Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for MATI’s 20^th Annual Conference, which will take place in Indiana in September 2023. Stay tuned for updates on the exact date and location. Event planning is underway and the MATI Board looks forward to sharing more details soon.

MATI’s programs and events are powered by volunteers, and there are plenty of ways you can participate! If you’d like to volunteer your time to serve MATI, whether it’s through social media support, writing for this newsletter, conference planning, hosting a networking event, or presenting a webinar, please get in touch with us and let us know you’d like to get involved. You can contact the MATI Board at matiemail@gmail.com.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023,

Meghan McCallum

MATI President

meghan@fr-en.com

Remote Interpreting (RI): Professional Standards and Self-Care for Interpreters

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 08:43:36 GMT

By Adjo Mireille Agbossoumonde, Founder and CEO of Le Pont Translations LLC

This post was originally published in ATA-TCD News . It is re-posted with permission.

In this article we will focus on the importance of following professional standards even in remote interpreting settings, self-care for remote interpreters and interpreters at large, and tips to help you deal with interpreter trauma.

Now more than ever before, language service companies are providing language solutions that empower companies to communicate with their clients wherever they may be and/or do business globally, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic by bridging the gap of language barrier through remote interpreting (RI) in various settings.

THREE MAIN TYPES OF RI
To provide an understanding of what types of interpreting fall under this umbrella term, and how they differ from one another, the next sections will discuss the three ways in which virtual interpreting can be performed or delivered: over-the-phone interpreting (OPI), video remote interpreting (VRI), and remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI).

It is worth noting that there has been more demand for RSI (on different platforms) since the beginning of the current pandemic with the cancellations of conferences. It is used for virtual meetings such as Multilingual conferences, corporate events, meetings, workshops, training and/or daily briefings. For more details see this Nimdzi article on the subject: The Virtual Interpreting Landscape.

Telephone & Video Remote Interpreting (OPI & VRI): Consecutive
Mostly used in these main settings:

Medical (telemedicine and in person health care)
Legal/Court (depositions or general court proceedings & Immigration)
Educational: Parent-Teacher conferences, other IP meetings, and more
Business: customer service, meeting and more

WHY ARE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IMPORTANT EVEN IN REMOTE SETTING?

The main reason is that, like in any other profession, professional interpreters are required to abide by the standards governing their profession whether they are working on-site (face-to-face) or remotely.

Observation: During this pandemic, we have noticed a new trend of different actors in our industry relegating standards to the sidelines or completely ignoring them, including language companies, interpreters and clients. We should always uphold them. For reference, check out the following links:

National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care
NAJIT Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibilities
AIIC Guidelines for Distance Interpreting,
published: January 11, 2019. Last updated:March 17, 2020
Code of Ethics and Professional Practice of the American Translators Association

WHY OPT FOR TEAM INTERPRETING IN LEGAL SETTINGS?

Practical (helps with interpreter fatigue): We know that conference and sign language interpreters work in pairs, taking turns every 20-30 minutes to relieve one another. Team interpreting is also used in court proceedings—notably trials and depositions—but not all courts use it.
Essential to accuracy and completeness of the message: The quality of the interpretation depends on it. Given the responsibilities associated with performing this complex task of interpreting that leads to fatigue, it is crucial that both interpreters work as a team to deliver the message accurately. See the recent NAJIT Position Paper on Team Interpreting In Court-Related Proceedings.
Advocacy and client education:Interpreters need to advocate for themselves when needed, and inform the clients or end users of the benefits of team interpreting. They also need to follow the relevant code of ethics for the best outcome possible for all parties.

SELF-CARE FOR REMOTE INTERPRETERS

FAQ: Do remote interpreters experience trauma while performing their duties?
A: Yes, they do, and so do all interpreters. Thus, the importance of self-care.

Workspace

Generally remote interpreters work with one or more language services companies. They log into their servers or take calls using a landline (recommended) or a mobile phone.

Tip: Have water with you. You will need it! If you need water while on a long call or if you start coughing and choking for some reason, inform the client: “This is the interpreter, and the interpreter needs a water break” or “The interpreter needs to be excused,” if you need to relieve yourself.

TRAUMA: Tips to cope with work related trauma

As we all deal with the anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we want to take a moment and acknowledge all the brave interpreters who help ensure equal access to vital community services such as health care, justice, and education. Interpreters are essential workers too. You can download the safety tips for Providing Interpreting Services During COVID-19.

I trained professional interpreters to be neutral, impartial, strong emotionally, and not to be attached to the story they are interpreting. Still, interpreters are human like everybody else, so these stories can affect them emotionally and even physically at times.

Tips for Coping with Interpreter Trauma

Breathing: Take a deep breath (you can stop and breath even on a call).
Debriefing: Talking to a professional or another colleague can be extremely helpful. Note that some companies have debriefing protocols in place, but they are very few.
Exercise: Studies have shown that exercise is good for our emotional wellbeing and
balance.
Laughter therapy: Humor is good for you.See this article on the topic: Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke.
Breaking the isolation: “Physical distancing is not social distancing.” Make the call! You might consider joining a professional organization if you do not belong to one yet, which affords you the opportunity to network. Safely spend time with others, friends and families.
Anything else (cooking, dancing, singing, yoga, meditation, mindfulness) that works for you.

Learn critical self-care techniques for remote interpreters in this webinar. You’re Worth it! Self-care for Remote Interpreters: An Urgent Priority by Marjory Bancroft.

Adjo aka Mireille Agbossoumonde dreamed of becoming a Journalist because she admired a native Ewe Journalist growing up in Togo. Because of her love of languages, she went on and graduated from Université de Lomé, Togo, with a Bachelor in English and Linguistics and a Master’s degree in Translation English-French and became a Sworn (Certified) Translator and Interpreter in 2000. She also obtained a Certificate in Pedagogy from the National Institute of Education Sciences (INSE) and a Professional Development Certificate/Badge for Simultaneous Interpreting from NYU, New York university in 2016. Before moving to the US, she was a high school teacher and taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for 6 years and here in the US, she taught French as a Second Language in Atlanta Public Schools, GA-USA for 4 years. She is currently an experienced French Conference/RSI and remote interpreter (French, Ewe & Mina) and has been a full time interpreter since 2009 specializing in medical, legal and immigration court interpreting. She is also a federal Language Consultant as a Member of the NLSC, National Language Service Corps. She also served as Contract Interpreter Monitor for USCIS (2010-2017).

Adjo likes singing, dancing and cooking for her family and friends (now for friends impacted by COVID-19) when she is translating, interpreting or running her company, Le Pont Translations LLC (Founder and CEO) based in Atlanta where she resides.

Email: info@leponttranslations.net

Three (Surprising) Reasons for Poor Quality Translations

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 08:34:50 GMT

By Val Swisher, Founder and CEO of Content Rules, Inc.

This post was originally published in ATA TCD News. It is re-posted with permission.

Usually, when someone tells you that your translations are poor, the first tendency is to blame the translators. Blaming the people doing the work might make sense. However, in my experience, the cause of poor translation is often not the person trying their best to translate the content. The problem lies every place else.

Here are three reasons your translations might be of poor quality:

1. Your source content is poor.

2. Your workflow isn’t working.

3. Your translation memories are a mess.

Poor Quality Translations Reason 1: Source Content

Often, when a translation is of poor quality, you don’t need to look any farther than the source content itself. There are many things that can be wrong with the source content. My examples are for English source content, but you can find similar issues in other source languages. Here are some source English issues I run into all the time:

Long Sentences

Do you know how long we’ve been (I’ve been) talking about the scourge of the long sentence? Gosh, it’s been years. Yet, time and again, I still find source content riddled with sentences that are 30, 40, 50, and even 95 words. Yes, 95 words is my new all-time high. And I wish I was joking, but I’m not. Long sentences are difficult to understand in English. They become impossible to translate.

Let me state it again – with feeling…

Your sentences should contain fewer than 26 words.

Grammar Errors

If your source content has grammar and style errors in it, translating that content can be a real challenge. Do everyone a favor and keep those (short) sentences grammatically correct.

Tone of Voice

The nature of our content conversations with our customers has become very chummy. A chummy tone of voice is often grammatically incorrect and usually full of colloquialisms. When we create content in this way, we often use sentence fragments, made up words, and all sorts of punctuation. Very friendly may be your brand’s tone of voice. But, remember that chummy doesn’t necessarily translate.

Poor Quality Translations Reason 2: Workflow Issues

There are many places in the content life cycle for the workflow to fail. Sometimes, the hiccup is in the hand-off between the content creators and the localization team. Even more often, the problem is in the hand-off between the localization team and the translators.

I once worked with a customer that continued to send new and revised content to the translators up to, and including, the day that the translations were due to be returned. At this company, the notion of “freezing” the content was as foreign as the languages they were using. It seemed that every day, new and revised content was forwarded to translation. And every day, there was some type of translation crisis. No surprise! This customer wanted my advice on changing translation companies. Clearly, changing vendors was not going to solve the problem. Changing the workflow and the unrealistic demands on the translators were needed.

Another problem with workflow is the lack of in-country review (ICR). It continues to amaze me that there are companies that do not do a review of every language. In some languages, content is simply tossed out to the public without a second set of trained eyes evaluating it first. Don’t let this happen to you. If you are going to go through the time, effort, and expense of translating your content, you need to have someone – preferably an employee who is a native speaker – review the content. Otherwise, you risk having inaccurate or poorly translated content floating around.

[Tweet “It continues to amaze me that there are companies that do not do a review of every language. #xl8”]

Poor Quality Translations Reason 3: Translation Memories

I recently did a multilingual content quality evaluation for a customer. As part of the evaluation, we took a close look at their translation memories (TM). What we found was surprising (but not too surprising):

Multiple translations for the exact same segment.
The exact same translation for the exact same segment listed 30+ times.
The source and translation pair mismatched – in other words, the source and target no longer lined up in the TM. This resulted in an incorrect translation being paired with the source segment – for a huge number of translation units.

Translating content from bloated or corrupted TMs makes the task difficult, if not impossible. The quality of the translation suffers and the cost to you rises quickly. To keep your TMs in working order, someone should clean up the TMs after each translation is complete. If that’s not possible, then the TMs should be scrubbed on a timed and consistent basis. If not, the TM is likely to end up being marginally usable. Sometimes, that is worse than not having a TM at all.

What About the Translators?

It is possible that the problem with your translation is the fault of the translator. There are people in the field who are less adept at their job. It does happen. However, if you see a systemic issue with your translations, for example, all or most of the translations are problematic, I suggest you look elsewhere than the people doing the work. The problem could lie in what you provide, how you provide it, or the resources the translators have to do their job.

Val Swisher is the Founder and CEO of Content Rules, Inc. Val enjoys helping companies solve complex content problems. She is a well-known expert in content strategy, structured authoring, global content, content development, and terminology management. Val believes content should be easy to read, cost-effective to create and translate, and efficient to manage. Her customers include industry giants such as Google, Cisco, Visa, Facebook, Roche, and IBM. Her fourth book, “The Personalization Paradox: Why Companies Fail (and How to Succeed) at Creating Personalized Experiences at Scale,” was published in 2021 by XML Press.

Val is on the Advisory Board for the Technical Communications Program at the University of North Texas. When not working with customers or students, Val can be found sitting behind her sewing machine working on her latest quilt. She also makes a mean hummus.

A Conversation with Saul Arteaga

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 08:31:08 GMT

MATI President Christina Green connected with Saul Arteaga, Director SWITS, Ltd. to discuss some big challenges LSPs face when trying to hire quality interpreters.

1. One of the challenges many language companies face is finding quality interpreters. As a seasoned language professional and as a business owner. Can you explain why that is?

We interpreters are as good as our last interpreting assignment. I can answer from my experience as a language company owner for almost 20 years, and still learning along the way, that finding quality interpreters, when needed, at an agreement rate and terms that a contract allows, is one of the main challenges because interpreting is a profession that has been built by different levels of credentials, aptitudes, skills and expectations.

You have interpreters for specific languages, such as ASL, that you need to be licensed in your state to work in specific settings, like schools and courts. Then, you have some language interpreters who are working on the command of their second language, in the same exact settings. And to make things more complicated, professionals who have been hired under good intentions are not understanding the role of the interpreter. Many times the demands dictate how much an interpreter can get paid. Furthermore, professional standards vary from location to location. I also feel that there is an existing sentiment of “anti-company” that may affect the decision of some qualified interpreters to collaborate with language companies.

2. How difficult is it finding interpreters for Languages of Lesser Diffusion (LLDs) in today's market, why do you think that is?

I think that we can divide the answer by separating large language companies and smaller ones. The former may have the ability to offer many hours, a variety of modalities, and settings that attract LLD interpreters. The latter may not have as much volume and modalities to keep the interpreter busy enough to reach their professional goals. As a result, the interpreters may try to find more consistent employment with other language companies or organizations that hire interpreters directly such as hospitals or businesses. In a way, it is just a shift of limited resources and puts the interpreter and language company in a situation that may be more difficult to manage and causing language companies to struggle to fill appointments. Let us keep in mind that most interpreters hired by language companies are freelancers; however, because of the IRS classification guidelines, some language companies hire interpreters as staff; this is clearly another big topic in the industry. The current labor market for interpreters has significant new realities. The pandemic has put us all in unprecedented situations that we are still learning to navigate. There are other options outside interpreting in the general labor market, and hey, this is America, the land of opportunities and dreams. We generally must work hard to accomplish our goals.

Spanish is the main language requested for most language companies making LLD requests come in at less volume. It is difficult for LLD interpreters to make a living solely on interpreting. Many times, they have to add translations to the mix, hold second jobs or rely on other income. There are great LLD interpreters in the profession. Sometimes one is fortunate to find them and believe me, language companies try to hold on to them as much as possible. Another factor is that language skills are only a part of the whole service, and reliability and professionalism needs to be included for the service to be premier.

3. How can a language company staff assess interpreters of other languages understanding what your customers and the market demands?

This is a difficult situation especially for LLD, since there are so many languages that do not have any available certification or assessments. Thankfully, we have some certifications available by the NCSC and certification for medical interpreters. The United States is a huge melting pot and the laws mandate language access to LEP persons for many settings. Companies generally rely mainly on the interpreter's resumes, affiliations to language organizations, reputable national rosters and interviews. As a company, SWITS has developed some commonly used language assessments that give us an idea of the level of skills of the candidate we are going to hire. This is not a psychometric test. These assessments do not always happen since having assessments for all languages would be a huge task. The assessments are reviewed by more seasoned and credentialed interpreters when possible. The assessment can be taken in person or remotely. SWITS has also put together a 60-hour training accredited by the IMIA Accreditation Commission for Medical Interpreting Educational Program and one of the requirements is passing language fluency tests. The market is very demanding and sometimes the buyers of language services do not understand the interpreters are not just sitting in a room waiting for a call to take or to go to an assignment. There are fewer requests for LLD compared to Spanish. The amount of work they receive many times does not encourage them, or justify the expense, to seek further training, certification or be part of interpreter associations. The other part to keep in mind is that LLD interpreters are a very diverse group, coming from different parts of the world, having different cultures, different perceptions about providing services, and speak some languages that may be more complicated to interpret into English and vice versa. There is also a wide generational and educational spectrum among interpreters of this language group.

4. How do you ensure that your staff and freelance professionals attend continued education programs? How difficult is it to make sure they improve their knowledge?

It is difficult to pinpoint what motivates people in a workplace. There is a common denominator that could be the pay and benefits, but ultimately people can sit at conferences or trainings and not pay attention. We cannot force them to be attentive. One can see who are the motivated interpreters that are willing to learn on their own and/or seek training opportunities. We must be careful what we demand from interpreters because if they are independent contractors, they are responsible to keep up with the standards of the industry. When interpreters are staff, the employer has to ensure they are trained and keep up with the standards. We offered free training opportunities but some interpreters do not find the time to attend or feel they already know the subject matter. However, there are others who take the opportunity and run with it, and those are the ones willing to accept constructive criticism and ask questions. Asking interpreting related questions is a great practice in regard to language and assignment situations. Otherwise, how do we learn? The internet has made it possible to learn a great deal about our profession. I remember the days where one had to carry dictionaries to our assignments, now we bring our phones as a consultation tool. In the past, we have had to drive or fly to conferences and now we can learn from the comfort of our home. In order to be a committed interpreter you must think about interpreting in your daily life, use your surroundings and interactions to challenge yourself to learn the best way of communicating concepts in different languages, listen to people who use their native language and read in your working languages if there is material available. It is a rewarding career from the standpoint that we can use all learned skills in edifying our lives. At least that is how I view it. Certifications and credentials are an excellent way to ensure that the interpreters are improving their knowledge. Certification and credentials are hard things to achieve but it is not the end all, or reaching the summit of Mt. Everest, and remember, you still have to keep up with your skills for the rest of the journey.

5. What do you think language company owners and trainers should consider when working with LLD interpreters?

Language Company Owners need to make sure that they are communicating effectively with all their interpreters, which can be a difficult task because people in general communicate differently and when communicating interculturally it can be even more challenging. So finding a way to pass information and expectations is paramount. That also involves training your operations staff about the different ways that people communicate and making sure your operations staff are aware of the possible challenges. It is an extra step of check and balance in a very diverse workforce. We cannot spell out every aspect of an interpreting job or what it entails. Having LLD of materials to read is not always the answer. Some people do not read much. You can incorporate short videos in your communication training tools and simplify the process as much as possible. I heard one time that interpreting is a professional practice. Interpreters practice their own service with some variations and they must be responsible at all times to manage the flow of the interpreting assignment and foster good professional relationships with their clients. For the trainers, I would say that we have to present things in a simple, clear way, not so academically, because not all interpreters are interested in that or at that level of learning, especially when the material is presented in their second, third, or fourth language. The trainers have to be open-minded interpreters with experience because while training there are many what ifs and the instructors will have to provide a sounding response or guidance. The instructors will not be there when the interpreters are performing the assignment. I always ask the participants of my training, if you do not subscribe to any of the standards that I am presenting or discussing, I want you to challenge me because you must believe in the concepts to be able to practice them naturally.

I want to thank you for the interview. It has been a pleasure and has given me the opportunity to share my observations with my colleagues. I think that all interpreters share different challenges but at the same time we have a common goal which is to be as accurate and professional as possible with our interpretations; no more, no less. Many times we allow the clients to dictate the speed, the setting or terms and conditions, and sometimes we have to educate the clients that there will be some adjustments in the agreement for the interpretation to happen or discuss this after it has happened. We have to respect everyone involved in the interpreting assignment. Being flexible is also a big factor when it comes to interpreting. Many times we have to work with the interpreting service stakeholders and find a common ground.

Saul Arteaga was born and raised in Lima, Peru. At 19 years old, he immigrated to the US where he worked while attending a community college. He further pursued his academic career by receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and completing classes toward a Master’s Degree in Translation Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 2002, Mr. Arteaga established SWITS, Ltd., a language service provider based in Delavan, Wisconsin which provides all language services, including signed languages, to healthcare organizations, law enforcement, circuit and municipal courts, and educational institutions.

In 2004, Mr. Arteaga passed the Wisconsin Certified Court Interpreter examination. Soon after, he became a member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Committee to Improve Court Interpretation and Translation in Wisconsin Courtrooms.

In addition to legal interpreting, Mr. Arteaga also pursued medical and community interpreting, passing the Medical Interpreter Competency Examination offered by the National Center of Interpretation at the University of Arizona and attending classes at the Agnese Haury Summer Institute for Court Interpretation and Medical Interpretation at the University of Arizona in Tucson in 2004 and 2008, respectively.

To further demonstrate his commitment to providing high-quality interpretation services, Mr. Arteaga passed the National Board of Certified Medical Interpreters and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters examinations. He also completed the Leadership in Language Access in Healthcare advanced certificate program offered by the IMIA Language Access Leadership Academy.

As a believer in interpreter education, Mr. Arteaga acted as an adviser for several community college interpreter programs in Wisconsin and Illinois. He originally developed Equal Footing to ensure SWITS interpreters had a better understanding of the role of the interpreter as well as best practices. This seminar grew into the 60-hour medical and community interpreter training that is now offered.

Why Joining the ATA Will Help Your Career

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 08:24:49 GMT

In the past two years, we have seen the importance of being connected to others. As your ATA Chapter Vice-President, I would like to share why being a member of a professional organization is worth your while.

Whether you are a translator or an interpreter, a membership in ATA has many benefits, from having access to a wide network of colleagues, job opportunities, and educational and financial resources.

ATA member benefits, include:

ATA online directory profile*
The ATA Chronicle
ATA certification exam option
Professional networking
Business discussion forums
ATA division membership
Mentoring and Masterminds Programs
Professional affiliation
Credit union financial services
Professional insurance services
Professional development, including free and discounted CPD opportunities
Discounts on tools and software
And much more!

*One of the most tangible benefits, the directory allows both purchasers of language services and colleagues to search for you by language, credentials, expertise, location, and more. Many ATA members report that their ATA directory profile results in new projects with new clients year after year.

Learn more about the benefits you'll enjoy as an ATA member.

Hear what ATA members like best about their ATA membership.

“ATA is a huge source of information for me. I feel much better informed about the state of the industry, about technology, about standards, about educational opportunities, about the marketplace, and about ethics in the marketplace because of my ATA membership.” - Jennifer G.

What's more, your ATA membership can financially benefit MATI.

One of the most attractive benefits of chapter status is ATA's dues rebate. When chapter members renew their ATA membership, they may instruct ATA to pay a 10% dues rebate to a chapter of their choice. In 2021, ATA provided over $28,000 in rebates to its chapters!

ATA helps you grow on a national level—and on a regional level—by supporting MATI’s programs and your professional development.

Learn more about what ATA membership can do for you and join ATA today!

Race, Power and Privilege: Building Social Justice and Racial Equity in the Professions of Interpreting and Translation

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 07:54:39 GMT

by Michelle M. Pinzl, MATI Member

Even as COVID-19 has brought light to historic racial and class disparities that exist across the world, spring of 2022 invites us to be hopeful that we are turning a corner on this global pandemic. Though history repeats itself when it comes to power, privilege and oppression, communities around the world continue to call us to action via social movements. Feminist grassroots campaigns like ni una menos in Latin America, protest gender-based violence. The Black Lives Matter movement struggles to eradicate the omnipresent white supremacy of our systems and societies. Most recently, communities around the world have come together to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Within this context, interpreters and translators as both cultural brokers and facilitators of language access, also inspire action for racial and social equity in our professional work.

When power and privilege manifest in the world around us, what is palpable in terms of injustice for some, can appear mysterious or invisible to others. How many times have upper administrators, legislators, and others in positions of power (usually White, usually male, usually straight, usually middle or upper class…) write policies and protocols for those who never got the chance to be a part of the conversation? Those policies and protocols, in turn, most often negatively affect those with less power (often Black and Brown, often Indigenous, often limited English proficient, often LGBTQ+, often poor…). What is clear about privilege and power, is that when we have it, we often don’t see it or notice it; can scarcely imagine that it exists. And when we are not the holders of privilege and power, we cannot forget that our voice is always diminished, we remain unseen and go unvalidated.

So how do we come together as professionals and professional organizations to continue to advocate for more social justice and equity in our daily work? Talking about these themes within our professional circles, as part of the work that we do, is a start. Developing an action plan is a next step. It is for these reasons that MATI is providing the three-part webinar series in coming weeks: Race, Power and Privilege: Building Social Justice and Racial Equity in the Professions of Interpreting and Translation. The series consists of three 90-minute sessions with the following titles: (1) Exploring Intersecting Identities; (2) Our Privilege. Our Power.; (3) Plans for Social Justice and Equity in Our Work as Interpreters and Translators.

Participants of this three-part webinar series will reflect on their personal identities in varying social contexts. They will also examine how privilege works to normalize some identities and cultural practices over others. By identifying the intersectionality of shared and diverse identities, facilitators will encourage community and empathy within interpreting and translation circles. After becoming familiar with vocabulary and terminology related to social justice and equity, attendees will be encouraged to identify instances where privilege manifests as racist behavior or has been established in racist policies in our professional lives. Through identity building exercises, personal reflection, and both small and large group discussion, participants will gain a deeper understanding of identity politics and privilege as they manifest. Finally, participants will work to develop a personal plan for interrupting systemic racism and developing transformative policy change in the interpreter and/or translator workplace. All language pairs and identities are welcome. Minorities are encouraged to participate.

In essence, the aim of such work and such conversations is to positioninterpreters and translators as powerful professionals. We can spark cultural, ideological, and political change because ours lived experiences and intersectional identities serve as direct contributions to linguistic justice. Our voices are essential in identifying where privilege reproduces or perpetuates privileged and oppressive frameworks. Interpreters must be empowered to continue advancing the profession, mitigate the intersectional failures of language policy, and center minoritized voices in social justice and equity. We look forward to more talk about this in with you and our professional organizations this year!

Michelle M. Pinzl (she/her/ella) is the Coordinator of the Community Interpreting Certificate and Assistant Professor at Viterbo University where she teaches Spanish, French and Interpreting Studies. She earned her Master’s degree in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Management from the Université de Limoges in France and is currently a PhD candidate at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, in Spain. She is a certified Spanish<>English Court Interpreter for the State of Wisconsin and a certified Medical Interpreter through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). Michelle frequently presents in the US and abroad to varied audiences on numerous topics in the field of translation and interpreting. She has been interpreting for healthcare, social service agencies, schools, businesses, as well as various sectors of the farming industry in Wisconsin since 2006.

ATA Membership: Support, Education, Networking and More for Translators and Interpreters

Catherine Breckenridge — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 20:03:03 GMT

By Meghan Konkol, ATA director and an ATA-certified French>English freelance translator

Have you been keeping up with professional development, networking, and the latest technology solutions for translators and interpreters? As a language professional, you can find all this and more through MATI’s parent organization, the American Translators Association (ATA). ATA offers several membership categories, with most individuals joining as an Associate or Student member. After joining, members can obtain Active (or voting) status through a quick and easy application process.

ATA is the largest professional association in the United States for translators and interpreters, counting over 9,000 members. ATA members need not be located in the US; they can be based anywhere in the world. There’s truly something for everyone in ATA, whether you’re a student or recent graduate of a T&I program, a career-changer, or a longtime translator or interpreter.

Below are some of the benefits you can enjoy when you join ATA. When you become a member, be sure to check out our member orientation session, a livestreamed event offered every few months, to learn more about these benefits and how to take advantage of them.

Division membership: ATA Divisions are groups of ATA members working in specific languages or areas of practice, such as the Italian Language Division and the Educators Division. ATA currently has 22 Divisions, and members can join as many as they wish. Divisions offer resources including message boards, social media groups, webinars, podcasts, and newsletters.
Language Services Directory: ATA members can set up a profile on the ATA Directory showing their language pairs, ATA certification, interpreting credentials, education, areas of expertise, and contact information. Clients seeking your services can find you here and send you requests.
Business Practices: The online Business Practices community, facilitated by the Business Practices Education Committee, provides a space for ATA members to discuss business questions and the latest technology and industry developments relevant to professional translators and interpreters.
Free and discounted webinars: ATA has an active webinar schedule, and many are offered for free or at discounted prices for ATA members. The Back to Business Basics series, free for members, provides business tips for translators and interpreters whether they are experienced or just starting out. ATA also releases a free on-demand webinar recording for ATA members each month. You can access the webinar anytime throughout the month and catch up on hot topics you may have missed.
Mentoring Program: ATA’s Mentoring Program offers matching services to members at different stages in their career. Mentees set their specific professional goals and work with their mentor over the course of six months, with the option of extending to one year.
Discounts on services, tools, and software: ATA members can enjoy discounts on essentials such as CAT tools, financial services, and professional liability insurance.

Your ATA membership pays back with direct local support to MATI, too. Remember to indicate that you are a MATI member on your ATA membership application. ATA calculates the number of members who have indicated membership in their local chapter and issues each chapter a rebate check.

With all these benefits and more at your fingertips, you’ll find a wide range of support, education, and networking within a community of thousands of other language professionals. We hope you’ll join us—and when you do, register for an upcoming member orientation and say hello!

Learn more about ATA membership: https://www.atanet.org/member-center/join-ata/

Hear directly from ATA members in this video: https://www.atanet.org/video/5-reasons-to-join-ata/

ATA’s mission is to promote the recognition of professional translators and interpreters, to facilitate communication among its members, to establish standards of competence and ethics, to provide its members with professional development opportunities, and to advocate on behalf of the profession.

Meghan Konkol, MA, CT is an ATA director and an ATA-certified French>English freelance translator specializing in international development, marketing and communications, and human resources. She received her MA in French>English translation from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 2010. She serves as chair of ATA’s Membership Committee, and also serves as the coordinator of ATA’s School Outreach Program. meghan@fr-en.com

Wisconsin Court Interpreters Go Remote: An Interview with Alexandra Wirth

Catherine Breckenridge — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 19:59:10 GMT

When Alexandra Wirth took over as Wisconsin Court Interpreter Program Manager in February 2021, she knew she was accepting a big responsibility at a critical moment. Courts around the state had recently begun using video remote interpreting (VRI) for hearings being held via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Judges, clerks, and interpreters needed training in how to provide high quality remote interpreting services to courts. MATI board member and inforMATIon contributor Kelley D. Salas spoke with Wirth recently to learn more about it.

inforMATIon: How did court interpreting change in Wisconsin in response to the pandemic, and what does it look like now?

Alexandra Wirth: Wisconsin had to act very fast to allow access to justice. The need for video remote interpreting had been recognized by the state, and a pilot program was underway in the northern counties of Wisconsin prior to the pandemic. The pandemic catapulted the idea, and Zoom became the easiest route to address the need for VRI. Though Zoom was not engineered for court use, it provides the means to do remote interpretation. By now, most interpreters who actively work in Wisconsin are very familiar with the nuances of Zoom and have gone above and beyond to adapt to the new conditions of work that are often very hard.

inforMATIon: With the use of more video remote interpreting, what steps did your office take to ensure high quality court interpreting services?

Alexandra Wirth: We started to train court staff in terms of best practices for VRI, technology troubleshooting, and walkthrough sessions. We offered demos to show clerks and judges how to use the simultaneous interpreting feature in Zoom, with interpreters who volunteered their time to train court staff. People are under the assumption that VRI is very easy, and that the interpreter perhaps works “less,” only because they are working from home. We needed to make sure that we established certain parameters so that the courts and staff understand that fatigue is still an issue, even if the interpreter is working from home. Zoom fatigue affects all participants, and interpreters have the added demands of VRI, such as toggling between languages, making sure transitions are smooth between partners, monitoring several devices during team interpreting, acoustic shock, and difficulties to interject and ask for clarifications. To protect against fatigue and preserve the accuracy of the interpretation, it’s important to staff two interpreters for longer hearings on Zoom, just like we would in the courtroom. The fact that I am a certified interpreter has helped tremendously in advocating for the right work conditions for interpreters across the state as we transitioned to VRI.

inforMATIon: What kind of preparation is required for video remote interpreting?

Wirth: VRI requires not only subject-matter preparation, but interpreters also have to take care of technical issues that were never part of their jobs before. Interpreters train on different VRI platforms, invest in headsets with noise cancelling and acoustic shock protection, and purchase faster internet connectivity to meet the demands of VRI and to make sure the conditions of work at home are met. For a freelancer, this is an investment that was not planned for.

inforMATIon: What would you say to someone who has just had a challenging experience with video remote interpreting in court?

Wirth: Don’t give up on it. Video remote interpreting is a must in today’s world. It’s not going away.

Interview conducted by Kelley D. Salas for inforMATIon. Kelley D. Salas is an ATA-certified Spanish>English translator and editor specializing in nonfiction and children’s literature. She is an experienced medical interpreter and a certified court interpreter in Wisconsin and Illinois. Salas serves on the MATI board of directors. www.salastranslations.wordpress.com

Translator Training with a Professional Purpose: IUPUI’s Undergraduate Students Participate at the MATI Annual Conference

Catherine Breckenridge — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 14:30:00 GMT

by Enric Mallorquí-Ruscalleda, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Board Director, Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters

This fall, 28 of my students in the undergraduate translation studies course I teach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) attended the annual MATI conference. The idea to have students participate was something we had discussed with IUPUI Professor Emeritus Dr. Enrica Ardemagni. Dr. Ardemagni was a founder of MATI, and also helped establish the undergraduate translation certificate program at IUPUI. She deserves much of the credit for the healthy status of the translation profession in the Midwest, and for creating a bridge between the academy and the professional world of translation and interpreting.

Among the activities that we thought about with Dr. Ardemagni was student participation in the annual MATI conference. This was recently carried out with a total of 28 IUPUI’s undergraduate students, all of them students of Spanish 323: Introduction to Translating Spanish & English, which I have been teaching regularly at IUPUI for almost three years now.

In addition to the transfer of knowledge that I intend to provide students with in class, both on a theoretical and practical level, with this activity I also sought to train the students with the goal for them to achieve a higher translation competence and to make them aware of the importance of life-long learning and education in the field of translation studies; I also intended to use this practice, although not limited to the students' exposure, to further the following:

To offer them possibilities to hear about other perspectives and other practitioners, problems, solutions, and concerns among professional translators: daily challenges, management of a translation project, etc., which cannot always be best illustrated in class due to the amount of topics we cover in an introductory class and with only 15 weeks to do so.
Of particular interest has been to relate the above mentioned with the characteristics and specificities that the work of the translator/interpreter has acquired in this era of the Covid-19 pandemic.
To allow students to establish an always necessary professional networking.
To help students build up their respective resumés with meaningful professional activities even during their tenure as undergraduate students.
To make them aware of the importance of life-long learning and education in the field of translation studies.

More specifically, the task I asked them to complete with this participation at MATI’s annual conference was to attend at least one full session and write a critical report in which, after summarizing the content of the session, they would close it with a critical commentary on both what they had studied in class (the book used for the first part of the course, when they attended the conference, is Jeremy Munday's well-known book, Introducing Translation Studies: Theories and Applications).

Because my students are, after all, the real protagonists of the exercise, together with the speakers of the different sessions; it’s been interesting to read their opinions about what they have learned in the different sessions.

One student wrote: “Overall, I think that this conference was extremely helpful and insightful about what it is like to be a translator and what you can do to assure that you are being valued and appreciated in the workplace…I learned that you must always have the proper equipment for translating, create a contract for yourself, and never let anyone devalue your work. I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend this conference and look forward to using the information that I have learned in the future.”

My students’ comments on their respective experiences, considering it was the first time for them taking a translation class, and that the MATI conference was held during the first month of this particular class, could not be more positive, based on the enthusiastic feedback received from them. Without any doubt this will be an activity that I will keep implementing in my translation classes; I have been doing this for years in my literary classes, but this was the first time in a translation class.

The fact that I had the pleasure, honor, and privilege to be able to be part of the organizing committee of the conference this year with a group of outstanding translators/interpreters and even better human beings, helped me a lot to be able to open this opportunity to students. However, I would like to take this opportunity to thank MATI, and more particularly all the executive committee, with Christina Green as President, along with all of the rest of the MATI’s Executive Board. I am also grateful to my home department, World Languages and Cultures, my institution, IUPUI (through my research fund), and the Nuthiling Language School for having facilitated the economic resources to help my students participate by entirely covering the registration fees in this educational and transformational activity for them.

MATI 2020 Webinar Series – 60-Second Recap of the Year So Far

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 28 May 2020 04:19:32 GMT

It has been a busy year so far for the 2020 MATI Webinar Series. Here’s a 60-second recap of what we’ve learned so far -

January 23 – Joseph Wojowksi, ATA Language Technology Division Administrator, took pity on us luddites and walked us through Technology Basics for Those Who Have Always Been Curious.
February 19 – Lexi Budden and Michelle Pinzl presented a powerful conceptual tool for interpreters in The Study of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: Another Tool for the Interpreter’s Communicative Toolbox. Hofstede’s 6-Dimensional Cultural Framework in professional interpreting.
March 19 – Ana Soler, Founder & CEO of SeSo, Inc, unraveled some of the complicated expectations for interpreting psychoeducational assessments and provided tools to help prepare for this type of engagement in Preparing for Psychoeducational and Speech Pathology Interpretation Assignments in the Education Setting: What Medical Interpreters Need to Know.
April 16 – María Ester Capurro, sworn English-Spanish translator (Argentine Catholic University) and International Spanish Proofreader (Fundación Litterae), took a fascinating deep dive into the art of proofreading and why it is an essential step in the translation process, in Translation Proofreading: The Importance of an Accurate Revision. This webinar was presented in Spanish.
May 12 – Ernest Niño-Murcia, Iowa state and federally certified court interpreter, along with colleague Tamber Hilton, discussed the gamut of the technology strategies for interpreters including types of technology aids, tools for simultaneous interpretation and transcription translation, how to look and sound professional while remote interpreting, and other technology tips in Interpreting Gear 101.

All webinars are available for on-demand viewing at the MATI Webinar Archive. $30 Members / $40 Non-Members.

MATI also hosted two special webinar events that were free to MATI Members:

April 2 – Tony Rosado, a U.S. State Department and federally certified court interpreter, encouraged us to embrace our linguist community for support, education, and assistance in this difficult time in How to survive COVID-19 and get ready for what’s next.
April 23 – Helen Eby, Administrator of the ATA Interpreting Division, helped us do something that is not always easy, consider our professional practice from a business perspective by walking us through creating a business plan, approach marketing to distinguish ourselves from competition, and client relationship management best practices in How to be an interpreter or translator and not go broke.

What's Coming Up?

June 18, 7:30pm – 8:30pm CT | Interpreting in the world of Dermatology presented by Maria Barajas
July 13, 7:30pm – 8:30pm CT | Circumlocution in Educational Settings: Finding Meaning-for-Meaning Equivalents presented by Faustina Zertler and Lisa Anderson
August 20, 7:30pm – 8:30pm CT | Los Marielitos: Interpreting the Voices of Cuban Refugees presented by Ashley Rowin and Jade Baumgartner
September 15, 7:30pm – 8:30pm CT | Multiple Meanings and Misused Cognates: Pitfalls of Spanish Financial and Legal Translation presented by Abigail Wright
October 20, 7:30pm – 8:30pm CT | An Interpreter’s Survival Guide: A Proactive Approach to Navigating Work as a Subcontractor presented by Liz Essary
November 18, 7:30pm – 8:30pm CT | Reduced Nerve Conduction Velocity – Decoding Lead Exposure Language for Interpreters presented by Bryce Dorff
December 14, 7:30pm – 8:30pm CT | Test Your English Fluency presented by Colleen Keating

We hope you'll join us for one of these future offerings or take advantage of the recorded webinars in our archive.

All live webinars are eligible for 1 CEU toward maintaining your ATA and WI Court Interpreter certification. CEUs from CCHI and RID are pending approval.

What’s new in Viterbo University’s Community Interpreting Certificate?

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 28 May 2020 04:00:40 GMT

High School Heritage Speakers, Action Research and Interpreting Symposium

By Sierra Wilcox, Faustina Zertler, and Michelle Pinzl

It has been awhile since community interpreting students at Viterbo have reported in inforMATIon about the ways they are working to advance both their skills through practice and their knowledge through theory. Since their last publication in April 2016, three major developments have propelled their studies and professional development forward and into local communities throughout the Midwest. Read on to learn more!

Early College Credit Program (ECCP)

In 2019, the Community Interpreting Certificate began working with area high schools, to include heritage speakers of Spanish into interpreting courses at Viterbo. The Early College Credit Program, through Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction, permits high school students to take courses at institutions of higher education for high school and/or college credit -- all of this funded through the State of Wisconsin and the students’ school district. Currently, twelve students attending Arcadia High School are enrolled in Viterbo’s Interpreting Program.

While some have found it challenging to balance obligations between high school and college, five high school seniors are expected to successfully graduate from the program this spring semester. Overall, these students feel positive about their experience in the program and hope to use the skills they have gained in their future as interpreters or in other professional contexts. As one student, Diego Gonzalez-Diaz, from Arcadia High School reports, “I plan to one day work in the government... My dream is to work at an embassy in Spain or Mexico.” It has been infinitely enriching to have the hopes and dreams of this nation’s youth mingle with the wealth of wisdom that non-traditional students’ experience brings to the classroom. In the end, we have learned that we are all working toward common goals.

Carrying out Action Research and Training in the Community

To hone their skills as professionals, both high school students and non-traditional students enrolled in this program have worked on a variety of undergraduate action research projects and training opportunities in recent years. Students of the 2018 and 2019 cohorts, for example, carried out a total of seven undergraduate research projects. First, they read literature about the state of community interpreting both in the US and internationally. Then, working independently or in groups, they formulated research questions about language access in their own communities. After writing a research proposal, creating and distributing surveys and finally analyzing the results, they disseminated their data. In the process, they were able to identify tangible realities around interpreting services in their local communities and potential areas for improvement.

The action research that students engaged in between 2018-2019 included topics related to language access in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the La Crosse Police Department, real estate agencies, pharmacies, libraries, dental offices, and area dairy farms. At the 2018 and 2019 Ramp Up the Conversation Interpreter and ISP Conferences, organized by Bilingual Training Consultants LLC, students presented the results of their studies to practicing interpreters from around the state and region. By sparking conversations with practitioners, aspiring interpreters were able to form relationships with experienced professionals in the field. At the same time, interpreters with years of practice, were inspired by the freshness and enthusiasm with which students strived to change language access for the better.

In November 2019, students built on gained research skills, in the course Interpreting for Business and Legal Contexts by responding to MATI’s 2020 Webinar Series. They wrote their proposals based on their life experiences as related to community interpreting, projects related to their action research, or their 40-hour internships. Based on the accepted webinar proposals, seven students hope to prepare round-table presentations for the Viterbo Community Interpreting Symposium to be held and hosted by Viterbo, for interpreting professionals in the region. Founded in research and experience, these sessions will be engaging opportunities for practicing interpreters who seek continuing education credits. The diverse topic areas of these presentations are reflected in their well-chosen titles and speak to themes that revolve around language access in varied settings:

The Study of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions: Another Tool for the Interpreter's Communicative Toolbox (by Lexi Budden and Michelle Pinzl)
Interpreting in the World of Dermatology (by María Barajas)
Circumlocution in Educational Settings: Finding Meaning-for-Meaning Equivalents (by Lisa Anderson and Faustina Zertler)
Los Marielitos: Interpreting the Voices of Cuban Refugees (by Ashley Rowin and Jade Baumgartner)
'Reduced Nerve Conduction Velocity' - Decoding Lead Exposure Language for Interpreters (by Bryce Dorff)

Abstracts describing these presentations can be found on the MATI Webinar Series 2020 webpage here: https://www.matiata.org/page-1829479.

Indeed, students have been working hard to engage in their communities and connect with the booming field of interpreting in the United States. As one future presenter at the 2020 interpreting symposium, Bryce Dorff, states, “I have learned many things from the Community Interpreting Certificate including the history of interpreting, modes and techniques for interpreting, and ... about my own biases that I bring into an interpreting session. Beyond the academics, I learned about interpreting as a service, and a community that is passionate about equality, justice, and client rights.” The hard work of these students will culminate for 16 graduates in a ceremony held as soon as it is safe to do so in-person, given the stakes of our current worldwide pandemic.

---------------

First Annual Community Interpreting Symposium: Date and Format to be Determined!

As for out first annual Community Interpreting Symposium, Viterbo’s Interpreting Program would be honored if you would join us for the event and celebration! Organization, marketing and event themes will be student-led, but the target audience will be interpreting practitioners. We are hoping to share with you, as well as learn from you!

The objectives of this event are threefold: to create a continuing education opportunity for practicing interpreters in the Midwest, to encourage the link between theory and practice in the fields of translation and interpreting and to deepen conversation and understanding in our communities about the importance of language access. The day will consist of several break-out sessions and workshops facilitated by current Community Interpreting Certificate students, recent graduates, and other practicing interpreters and translators on various topics related to language access.

Please stand by for more information on the Symposium date, time and place, as we continue to support one another in the best ways we know how through the COVID-19 pandemic!

Tentative agenda:

Welcome: 7:50am

Break-out sessions: 8:00-9:30am

30-minute Roundtables

Break-out Workshops: 9:45-10:45am

One workshop for each modality (sight translation, consecutive (carried out in the simulation lab) or simultaneous)

Break-out sessions: 11:00-12:30pm

30-minute Roundtables

Lunch: Panel with Marielitos 12:30-1:30pm

Interpreting at Fort McCoy in 1980: The Struggle of Language Access for Cuban Refugees

State of the Field: Current and Future in La Crosse and Surrounding Areas: 1:45-2:45

Closing Remarks

Interpreting Certificate Graduation Ceremony: 3-4:30pm

Wisconsin Court interpreters, CCHI and IMIA/NBCMI. We look forward to seeing you there!

A final thought from Sierra Wilcox, current student of the program:

In conclusion, I would like to assert, as a current student of the program and co-author of this publication, that being a student in Viterbo University’s Community Interpreting program has been an excellent investment in my future. I’ve learned a great amount on a variety of topics including language, diversity, health care, laws, culture and so much more. This program allows people who are interested in interpreting or translating the tools needed to do so in a professional and productive manner. Even if interpreting or translating isn’t your end goal, I would recommend the program to everyone interested in languages or cultures.

On behalf of the program and the students who will help to organize the upcoming Community Interpreting Symposium, we look forward to welcoming you to Viterbo soon (whether in person or online)!

______________________________________________________________________

Bio: Sierra Wilcox expects to finish her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in December 2020. In addition, she will earn a Certificate in Community Interpreting from Viterbo University by the end of this year. Her main interests regarding language access lie in community interpreting, particularly in educational and medical contexts. Sierra also volunteers weekly at the Language Resource Center at UW-La Crosse where she serves as a conversation partner for students learning Spanish.

Bio: Faustina Zertler graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a B.A. in Spanish in 2019. In December of 2019, she earned a 13-credit Community Interpreting Certificate from Viterbo University. As a researcher, Faustina has presented research in both language access within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and patient compliance to breast cancer follow-up. Faustina now works as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Gundersen Health System and a Spanish-English Community Interpreter for school districts in Southwest Wisconsin.

Bio: Michelle Pinzl is the Coordinator of the Community Interpreting Certificate and Assistant Professor at Viterbo University where she teaches Spanish, French and Interpreting Studies. She earned her Master’s degree in Foreign Languages and Intercultural Management from the Université de Limoges in France and is currently a PhD candidate at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, in Spain. She is a certified Spanish<>English Court Interpreter for the State of Wisconsin and a certified Medical Interpreter through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI). Michelle has been interpreting for social service agencies, schools, businesses, as well as various sectors of the farming industry in Wisconsin since 2006.

Acoustic Shock: What Interpreters Need to Know

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 28 May 2020 03:46:29 GMT

By Maha El-Metwally

Acoustic shock can have very serious implications for interpreters but we are not paying enough attention to it. This issue gained more awareness in the context of remote interpreting but also in the context of colleagues who got acoustic shock while working in Canada, Paris and other places. As interpreters, we need to educate ourselves about what is an acoustic shock.

Let’s start with a definition. There are several definitions out there and one of the definitions is: "exposure to a sudden, loud, shocking or startling noises, usually in one ear, which may subsequently develop into painful symptoms"(1). Acoustic shock can have many symptoms. It could have physical symptoms like headaches, tinnitus, nausea, hyperacusis, muffled hearing, and vertigo. Other symptoms include numbness or burning sensations around the ear. If the symptoms persist, it could even lead to psychological symptoms including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and even depression.

So what can you do in order to protect yourself against an acoustic shock and against its consequences? You could start by purchasing a limiter. Limiters are not widely spread in the world of interpreting but they are widely used in the world of TV and the music industry. They are small pieces of equipment that act as a middleman between your headphone and your console or computer. They inhibit any sudden surge in sound from reaching dangerous levels. The manufacturers calibrate the limiters to suit the make and model of your own headphones. You may want to check brands like AdaptEar or LimitEar.

There are some consoles that have built-in limiters. It is good practice to ask questions about the equipment you are asked to use when you work in a meeting. Conference technicians would be able to tell you more information about the equipment. Being educated about the equipment that we are using is a good idea. There are also headphones with built in limiters. They may not offer 100% protection against acoustic shock but they go part of the way. The brands and specifications are in the link to Naomi Bowman’s article at the end of this article.

Some colleagues suffered an acoustic shock and they had to go through a long treatment. During the treatment period, they could not work. At the risk of stating the obvious, our hearing is essential to our livelihoods as interpreters. You may want to look at an occupational accident insurance. There are types that could cover any periods of unemployment that you may have as a result of an occupational accident and acoustic shock may qualify as one. This way, if you suffer an acoustic shock, you do not suffer a loss of income.

Our busy lives involve a lot of air travel and some types of aeroplanes can be very noisy. Using noise-cancelling headphones when travelling can help protect your ears. It is also a good idea to have regular hearing checks as we may not be aware that our hearing is deteriorating.

When we do in-person interpreting, we often rely on others to ensure that the equipment functions properly. However, under the current circumstances when we have to work from home, we need to take responsibility for that part as it is not feasible for somebody else to do that for us.

Footnotes:

1. https://www.bc-legal.co.uk/bcdn/502-226-acoustic-shock-an-update

Resources:

Naomi Bowman’s article on how to choose a headset: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-choose-headset-rsi-remote-simultaneous-naomi-bowman/?trackingId=qZtuMWfcZjNG8%2FiDYFIsAQ%3D%3D

Cyril Flerov’s article on decibels:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-every-interpreter-must-know-decibels-cyril-flerov/

Maha El-Metwally is a conference interpreter for the languages: Arabic (A), English (B), French and Dutch (C). She works for a wide range of international organizations, including the European Institutions and the United Nations. She is a member of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL) and the American Translators Association (ATA) where she serves on the Leadership Council of the Interpreting Division. She is also a Board member and member of the Admissions Committee of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) where she was recently made fellow.

Maha has an MA in interpreter training from the University of Geneva. She is associated with a number of universities both in the UK and abroad where she contributes to the curriculum. She is passionate about technology in the field of interpreting and offers courses on the subject internationally.

A Letter from Christina Green, MATI President

Catherine Breckenridge — Thu, 28 May 2020 03:42:51 GMT

Dear Members,

The year 2020 has brought some unexpected changes, and at MATI we have been trying to keep up with new developments as they happen. The pandemic has redefined and rearranged the way we communicate with others and do business. Just the other day I was thinking that blowing out the candles on a cake will no longer be possible. That is, unless we want to eat the whole cake!

MATI has increased its offerings in continuing education opportunities for our members. The board has been quite busy planning and adapting to the new normal, as yet still undefined. We offer a monthly lineup for professional development that can be checked on our website, and that also includes some free webinars for our members.

The social distancing norms also pushed us to postpone the MATI 17th Annual Conference planned to take place in Milwaukee this year. We understand that due to the crisis, many professionals will choose to spend money on more essential things, and that a conference may not be their main focus.

However, we are planning to offer a half-day training on September 12, the same day we had scheduled our original conference. We expect this to be a virtual event. More information will be posted soon.

We are revamping our website, and with that, we will have a much-needed fresh look and easy to navigate features, which will allow external consumers to find professionals among our members more easily through our membership directory.

Last, we just concluded our elections and we have a new group of officers. This year, Ghada Shakir, Enrica Ardemagni, Daina Jauntirans, and Manuela Francavilla will be leaving us. Their terms have come to an end, and on behalf of the board, I cannot thank them enough for their contributions. I know they will continue assisting our association through our committees and will still be actively involved in our activities.

I also want to welcome to the board Kate Jankowski, Amy Polenske, Kelley Salas, Maggie Hong, and Enric Mallorquí Ruscalleda. Our virtual board installation and board retreat will take place on June 27. Details will be posted on our website and will follow via email as well. I encourage all of you to participate. Last, I want to thank the members who participated in the elections, who expressed interest and who assisted in making this a smooth process.

Please stay safe and cherish your family and loved ones. We have learned the hard way how essential we are as professionals and how fragile we are as humans.

Cordially, Christina Green, MATI President

MATI 16th Annual Conference

Catherine Breckenridge — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 07:08:26 GMT

MATI 16th Annual Conference

By Catherine Breckenridge

Over 100 language service professionals gathered together at the MATI 16th Annual Conference on Saturday, September 7, 2019 in Chicago, IL at Conference Chicago at University Center, to enjoy a day of great education and networking with colleagues.

MATI was very pleased to welcome Dr. Bill Rivers as the 16^th Annual Conference Keynote Speaker. Dr. Rivers spoke about coalition-based efforts to bring greater visibility to language services. He encouraged all attendees to become advocates for their profession.

Elizabeth Colón led an engaging plenary session, guiding attendees through the steps to transition from freelancer to entrepreneur by shifting our perspective to think of ourselves as business owners and by self-incorporating as a business.

In the afternoon, education was themed along two tracks – interpreter and translator. The interpreter room focused on healthy practices, both personally and professionally.

Erika Shell Castro helped us learn to recognize the signs of burnout and secondary traumatization in interpreters, as well as strategies for self-care and best practices in providing support for those experiencing burnout. Takeaways include protecting work/life balance, developing and deepening professional and social relationships for support and personal growth, and recognizing, listening to, and acting on the warning signs of burnout before they begin to affect our lives and our work.

Moving from healthy mind and body, to healthy business practices, Tony Rosado asked us to carefully consider and value the factors that distinguish us as linguists when setting professional fees. These include professional experience, education, and other types of life experiences that contribute to our expertise. He urged us to see ourselves as a profession, not an industry, and to set sustainable fees that reflect our status as professionals.

In the translator room, Jill Sommer spoke about contingency planning and crisis management, asking those of us in the audience to consider what actually happens in an emergency, what can be done to prepare for unforeseen events and disasters, and how to protect our business and ourselves.

Audiovisual linguist and manager, Deborah Wexler demystified the roles and work of an audiovisual linguist. She broke down technical components of subtitling and dubbing/re-voicing, distinguished between the different uses for this work, such as entertainment or accessibility, and discussed different team roles for each type of work.

In addition to some great professional development, attendees enjoyed connecting with friends and colleagues at breaks and even sharing a drink or two with colleagues during the hors d’oeuvres and happy hour event following the educational program. A few lucky attendees even took home fun raffle prizes.

MATI would like to thank our attendees and our sponsors for making this such a great day! We had a blast. We hope you did too, and we hope to see you in Milwaukee in 2020!

Reflections from ATA60 in Palm Springs, California

Catherine Breckenridge — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 07:05:28 GMT

Reflections from ATA60 in Palm Springs, California

By Amy Polenske

A few weeks ago, I headed to Palm Springs, California, for what I was certain would be another enriching conference experience at ATA60. I joined roughly 1,400 other translation and interpreting professionals seeking to take advantage of all the professional development and networking opportunities that the annual ATA conference has to offer.

Conference Venue

This year, the conference was held at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Past conferences have been hosted at large hotels, so this was a new model for ATA. Personally, I enjoyed the setup. I stayed at a hotel adjoining the convention center so most events were a short walk away and all meetings and sessions were on the same floor so it was easy to find where you needed to be. For those staying at other nearby hotels, the beautiful weather made traversing a few blocks to the venue an added bonus. The Welcome Celebration, Closing Reception, and daily breakfast were held outdoors, allowing conference-goers to enjoy the mountain landscape as we caught up with colleagues and introduced ourselves to new faces.

Session Highlights

The conference sessions offer a vast array professional development learning opportunities. I sought to learn more on a variety of topics, with a particular interest in how technology is playing a role in our industry. In Can Machine Translation Boost Your Productivity? An Experiment, speaker Johanna Klemm explained how she incorporated MT into her freelance translation workflow (after discussing with her client) to increase her productivity about 10% compared to non-MT workflows this past year. This approach is an interesting contrast to how translations agencies are employing MT in-house and then seeking post-editing services from freelance translators. Seeing a freelancer successfully leverage MT in particular settings on her own gave me a new view of MT’s possibilities for the future.

Another session, Why Translation Technology Still Matters, brought together representatives from SDL, Wordfast, and MemoQ to discuss current technology trends in the industry such as cloud-based platforms, speech-to-text functionality in CAT tools, and the increasing number of features packed into traditional desktop CAT tools. The speakers also offered insight into how they see translation technology evolving in the future.

I also attended an interpreting session presented by Odilia Romero called Indigenous Migration to the U.S.: Historical Perspective, Contemporary Problems, and the Struggle for the Recognition of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. While I do not work in interpreting myself, the topics covered were highly relevant to the current debate surrounding immigration in the U.S. and I enjoyed gaining insight on the particular struggles that indigenous peoples face due to language barriers, in addition to the growing need for trained interpreters of indigenous languages.

Networking and Catching Up with Colleagues

Networking opportunities were abundant through structured events, such as Brainstorm Networking and the Job Fair, but they are also easy to experience spontaneously when you’re surrounded by 1,000+ industry professionals. I was happy to run into a number of fellow MATI members in Palm Springs. I also had the chance to reconnect with fellow volunteer translators from micro-lending platform Kiva, former co-workers, and MALLT alumni. Finally, I made new connections with students, translators, and Project Managers. I always find it inspiring to hear about other people’s careers and the diversity of work present in our industry.

I left ATA’s Annual Conference feeling rejuvenated and motivated to take on new challenges in my professional life, and would recommend the experience to anyone seeking a different perspective or new opportunities in translation and interpreting.

Presenting Core Competencies of the Localization Manager

Catherine Breckenridge — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 06:31:38 GMT

Presenting Core Competencies of the Localization Manager

By Alaina Brandt

I entered the field of localization while completing my Master of Arts in Language, Literature, and Translation at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In my first role as a quality reviewer, I proofread translated content in languages I couldn’t read at various stages of localization production. My job was to check that correct punctuation was used in target content, for instance, and to this day, I cannot stand to see a straight apostrophe where a curly apostrophe should be used! At the time the work seemed mundane, but reviewing translated content helped me build an understanding of issues common for romance, character, and script languages. When I went on to become a project manager, I used this experience to ensure the efficient processing of thousands of localization projects in eighty-plus languages.

I began advocating for the project manager after attending my first conferences as a director of the Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters. What stood out to me then was the conflictual nature of the relationship between project managers and translators. Translators told war stories of working with LPMs with a “file pusher” mentality. These translators weren’t being provided with necessary instructions like style guides or termbases. They couldn’t get answers to critical queries.

On the employment side, I noticed that my responsibilities far exceeded what seemed to be the messaging about my role. My experience in project management includes work at three localization firms of varying organizational maturity. In one of my jobs, I carried a project load of nearly 50 daily projects with 48-hour turnarounds while also establishing the infrastructure for a lucrative new client. In another role, I shifted our model from outsourcing to a single LSP to outsourcing to independent contractors. In that role, I established company-wide price lists for purchasing translation services while cutting out a middleman who was not providing value for the PM fees they were charging.

While my duties were often more characteristic of program management, my role was undervalued. I often operated without the authority that would have allowed me to move strategy forward quickly and create the bandwidth for a greater client load. I observed burn-and-turn hiring cycles in which project managers with no background in translation or localization were hired and worked around the clock until they quit, taking important institutional knowledge with them. As a PM with training in translation, I knew that localization management required an advanced, broad skill set obtained through higher education or years of experience. I also knew that as an industry we could do so much better. This context prompted my research in localization management competencies.

The LMCC typology

My research began in the spring of 2018 when I started teaching localization management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. I collected around 70 job descriptions for localization project managers and studied those descriptions to identify the wide range of skills employers need. In the fall of 2018, I received funding for a Graduate Research Assistant, and GRA Cheng Qian joined the project. She used memoQ to tag the job descriptions in a localization competency termbase, in which unique skills were classified according to competency area. Students in the fall 2018 rendition of my Localization Project Management course at MIIS participated in this tagging as well. From the 70 job descriptions, we collectively identified nearly 1000 skills that we later boiled down into the typology of Localization Management Core Competencies (LMCC) that is found on our Core Competencies of the Localization Manager website (sites.miis.edu/lmcc). Our typology was also built based on research in education programs in localization, international standards of best practice, and other resources. This typology is under ongoing development.

Stakeholder Engagement on Localization Competencies

As our typology became solidified into 7 dimensions with over 300 associated skills, we prepared to conduct stakeholder engagement on the topic. In the spring of 2019, we prepared an industry survey which was piloted on students in my Advanced Localization Project Management course at MIIS. In the summer of 2019, I traveled to Xi’an China to give the keynote address at the WITTA-TTES forum 2019, where I introduced our typology to the industry for the first time. I then published the Core Competencies of the Localization Manager website to educate the industry on our research. In the fall of 2019, two additional GRAs were added to the project: Vanessa Prolow and Xiaofu ‘Rick’ Dong. At the beginning of the semester, I took Dr. Netta Avineri’s Survey Design course at MIIS, and we polished our industry survey based on the knowledge gained in that course. We launched our industry survey of 35 questions shortly thereafter which collected respondents’ perspectives on localization competencies and training. Our thanks to the 62 respondents who took our survey!

LMCC Industry Survey Results

According to broad estimates on the number of localization practitioners in the United States, we would have needed around 400 responses for our survey results to be conclusive. While are results are not conclusive, they do give a good temperature check on the reception of our localization competencies within the industry. Our survey enjoyed global participation: Around 60% of respondents self-identified as being from the United States, and around 20% self-identified as being from Asia. We also had participants from Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Our survey was taken by experienced professionals as well. Around 40% of our respondents had over 10 years of experience, and around 65% of our respondents had over 5 years of experience.

Xiaofu ‘Rick’ Dong conducted the initial analysis of survey responses that I presented at the ATA’s 60^th Annual Conference in Palm Springs; and forthcoming publications will dive more deeply into the nuance of our survey results. For the time being, major takeaways from our survey are as follows:

In terms of management competencies, terminology management ranked 11^th for importance of the 15 competencies we presented to respondents. According to international standards of best practice, if you are not managing terminology, you do not have a quality product. This ranking therefore demonstrates that terminology management is an area where much stakeholder education is needed. From a practical standpoint, managing terminology when carrying out multilingual projects with multiple translators per language prevents unnecessary rework. From a marketing standpoint, terminology management should be viewed as perception design… As translators are aware, words elicit complex emotions tied to concept relations within the brain. Localizers would do well to be aware of the emotions their terminology evokes to avoid product failures in global markets
In term of technological competencies, despite the fear with which machine translation is viewed, MT ranked 4^th for importance of the 15 competencies we presented to respondents. (CAT and TMS tied for first place. General technological literacy and project management applications tied for second place.) Our survey demonstrates that ongoing stakeholder education on the skills required for such services as PEMT is needed for MT to be accepted by translators. For instance, according to ISO standards on human translation and PEMT, the latter actually requires more skills and competencies that traditional human translation, despite the undervaluing of PEMT in terms of perception and rates.
Just over 55% of respondents agreed that bilingualism is necessary for the professional practice of localization management. This takeaway has important implications for bilingual education in the United States, where the promotion of monolingualism threatens our country’s ability to complete on a global level.

Moving Forward with Localization Competency Research

The work of the LMCC research team is ongoing, and our existing typology benefits the industry in a number of ways. Employers can use our typology to identify the competencies they have in house to make more strategic hiring decisions when adding talent to their teams. Localization practitioners can use our typology to identify the competencies they have and the competencies they need further development in. Trainers can use our typology to determine the what should be the core of their training programs and where nuance can be added. For more information on our research, please see our Core Competencies of the Localization Manager website (sites.miis.edu/lmcc/), which presents further information on the context for our research and our methodology. We also welcome feedback on version 4 of our typology, which is under ongoing development.

Biography

Alaina Brandt is Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Translation and Localization Management (TLM) program of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She is on the board of directors of the American Translators Association, and she’s the Assistant Administrator of the Translation Company Division of ATA. She is a member of Committee F43 on Language Services and Products of ASTM International. Brandt is CEO and founder of Afterwords Translations. She holds a Master of Arts in Language, Literature, and Translation from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

Board Member Spotlight: Edmund Asare

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 01:12:38 GMT

MATI Mini-Member Spotlight

Name: Edmund Asare

Language Pair(s): French-English

Any Degree(s)/Certification(s):

PhD (Translation Studies), Kent State Ohio

MA Translation/MLIS UW-Milwaukee

MA (French) Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

What is your career?

Foreign language professor

Why did you decide to join MATI?

I joined MATI because I was seeking an opportunity to contribute directly to the work of the association. I also wanted to meet and network with other translators and interpreters.

What is your favorite part of the workday?

Teaching and working with students in the classroom and on projects.

What do you do in your free time?

I read and I enjoy outdoor activities as the weather permits.

What do you enjoy most about your participation on the MATI Board?

The privilege of meeting regularly, planning and collaborating with a terrific team, made up of highly talented and energetic individuals. I cherish the opportunity to contribute to the work of MATI.

Call for Proposals - MATI 15th Annual Conference, September 29, 2018, Indianapolis, IN

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:44:07 GMT

Call for Proposals for MATI’s 15th Annual Conference, September 29, 2018

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Campus Center, Indianapolis, IN

The Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters is now accepting presentation proposals for their Annual Conference.

We are looking for proposals that provide up-to-date and innovative content, promise to stimulate audience engagement and discussion, and will have a lasting impact on attendees. Presentations should be approximately one hour in length. Each presenter will receive an honorarium from MATI of $100.

Proposals must be received by April 16, 2018.

Proposals are invited from all areas of translation and interpreting, including finance, law, government, medicine, literature, science and technology, education and training, terminology, independent contracting, and business management.

Your proposal should include an abstract (summary of presentation content) of up to 200 words and a speaker bio of up to 100 words. It may also be accompanied by a video of a previous presentation.

You do not need to be a MATI member to submit a proposal. If you know someone who would make a great presentation, please encourage them to submit today!

Please submit your proposal via this link: https://matiata.org/Conference-Proposal

MATI 2018 Webinar Schedule

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:31:37 GMT

MATI 2018 Webinar Schedule

All webinars are presented from 7:00pm – 8:00pm Central Standard Time

March 29, 2018 – Paula Penovi;

Transitioning from Translator to Interpreter: Everything You Need to Know about Healthcare Interpreting

Abstract: This webinar focuses on discovering the world of medical interpreters through the eyes of a professional translator who recently decided to venture into this field. We will be debunking common misconceptions about the profession and exploring everyday challenges faced by interpreters, the national certification process, and all the necessary skills to be successful at this job.

April 26, 2018 – Cynthia Penovi;

Translator in Disguise: An Insider's Guide to Finding Trustworthy Translation Agencies, Contacting them, and Building a Lasting Business Relationship

Abstract: In this webinar, we will discuss how to find good translation agencies, the best way to approach them, and what to do after receiving a job. We will also discuss what Project Managers look for in translators and the key to becoming one of their preferred vendors.

May 24, 2018 – Anna Enright;

VRI as a New Trend/On the Screen

Abstract: VRI industry is getting more popular and expanding into different aspects of our life.
The medical industry is already taking advantage of this easy-to-access, user-friendly service in helping thousands of LEP patients on a daily basis in achieving their healthcare goals.
In this presentation, I share my experience as a Medical VRI who applies knowledge and passion to help LEP patients in my everyday VRI work, while I also provide some education on how to be successful in this growing career.

August 14, 2018 – Meghan McCallum; Top Tips from My First Three Years as a Freelance Translator

Abstract: Calling all newbies: congratulations on taking the plunge into freelancing! You’ve got a good foundation of translation skills to get started, but what about everything else? What should you do to ensure your new business is successful—and not just a leap of faith? In this session, Meghan McCallum will teach new freelance translators a variety of tips gleaned from her first three years in freelance translation. She will share simple but effective strategies that freelancers can implement into their routines to ensure long-term success. This session will focus on organization, essential investments, productivity, making the most of non-billable time, and more.

October 26, 2018 – Alejandra Patricia Karamanian;

Copyediting and Proofreading as Part of the Translation Process

Abstract: The presentation concerns the challenge of twenty-first-century translators, who must be nonstop learners of new skills, ready to succeed in an increasingly competitive, demanding society. Copyediting and proofreading have become two additional skills—among others, such as CAT tools, Internet search, online reference material, time management , and cultural sensitivity—that translators should acquire in order to render clear, consistent, error-free, and fluent translated texts.

NOTE: The first webinar of the year was on March 1, 2018 -- Olga Shostachuk; Is an Emoji Worth 1,000 Words? Abstract: The attendees learned cross-cultural pitfalls and technological divides in vastly different interpretations of emojis and how to figure out the best way to accurately convey an emoji’s meaning. The participants also learned about research and legal discourse pertaining to emojis and improved their emoji terminology management and research skills.

Would you like to receive information on our 2018 Webinar Series and other MATI events? Send us an email at matiemail@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list.

MATI members can attend our webinars and other events at a discounted rate. Individual memberships start at just $35/year.

Become a member here: Membership

MATI 2018 Elections - Call for Nominations - Join Us on the Board of Directors!

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:17:55 GMT

MATI 2018 Elections - Call for Nominations - Join Us on the Board of Directors!

MATI's Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the offices of President and at least three (3) Board Members. All positions serve a two-year term of office on the board. Below please find a description of the duties for each of these positions, according to the MATI bylaws.

President. The President chairs the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and shall represent MATI at regional, national and international events where possible. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. The President is responsible for supervising the general affairs of MATI and may delegate functions as approved by the Board of Directors. The President shall execute on behalf of MATI all documents, obligations, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors have authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors, or by MATI bylaws, or by statute to some other officer or agent of MATI. The President shall have the right with the Treasurer to sign checks and other documents that pertain to the use of MATI funds. The President shall be responsible for writing the Annual Activities Report and disseminating it to MATI members through electronic correspondence, surface mail, or MATI publications. The President shall also present the Annual Activities Report, as well as a Financial Statement, to the ATA Board.

Director (Board Member). As a tri-state organization, the MATI Nominations Committee has the additional task of seeking candidates that reflect our geographical distribution. We hope our members will give serious consideration to running or nominate other members they think have a lot to contribute.

The terms of office for the Board officers/members elected in the 2018 elections will run from our Annual General Membership Meeting in July of this year until approximately June 2020.

The deadline for submission of candidate names is Friday, APRIL 6 at 5:00 PM, and ballots with a complete list of candidates will be sent to MATI members with voting instructions on or around Monday, April 16. All candidates must specify the position for which they are running and submit a short biographical statement indicating why they are running for that position. Candidates may be nominated or self-nominate. Announcement of the elected board members will be made in time for the new board members to observe the Annual Membership Meeting held this summer. Those who have been elected to a position on the MATI board will be expected to attend the Annual Business Meeting at a date and place to be determined when installation of board members will take place. The Annual Business Meeting is followed immediately by a yearly Board Retreat.

Please send nominations to the Nominating Committee (mati5@wildapricot.org) no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on APRIL 6.

Sincerely,
The Nominating Committee

Tyann Zehms, Alaina Brantner, Edmund Asare, and Amy Polenske.

Evanston's Language Access Policy

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:13:28 GMT

Evanston's Language Access Policy

By Daina Jauntirans, MATI Treasurer

"Think globally, act locally," goes the old adage. And last November, the global translation community alerted me to an issue in my own backyard. In November 2017, I was sitting at my computer typing away as usual. Like many of us, I had Facebook open, since I follow several translation groups on that platform. Before long, I noticed several notifications and private messages from colleagues popping up. As it turns out, a fellow translator halfway across the world in Berlin had read an article entitled "Panel Learns Translation Isn't Cheap" in a small, local online publication. The article outlined a municipal government's difficulties in deciding how to provide translation and interpretation services to non-English speakers. The town? Evanston, Illinois: my hometown.

After reading the article, I understood the outcry from fellow translators and interpreters. A city staff member had apparently been quoted a price found by many professionals who read the story to be exorbitant for a three-page Spanish translation. The participants in the Human Services Committee meeting to discuss language access knew that the city's commitment to equity required them to extend language services to refugees and other non-native speakers, but seemed unsure of how to do so. Which documents should be translated? How should the cost be determined? Should interpreting be provided? By phone or in person? Should city staff be asked to interpret? In addition, citizen comments on the various articles about the meeting included a "greatest hits" of translation don'ts: high school students could translate, college students could interpret, Google Translate would save the city money...

Clearly, some education and advice from our industry was needed. Several professional translators from all over the country both commented on the articles and wrote letters to the city offering corrections ranging from the use of the terms "translation" and "interpretation" to the importance of using qualified language service providers. City staff was also alerted to the existence of professional organizations like MATI.

I was among those to contact Evanston's city government. In speaking to our town's Equity Coordinator, I learned that work on a language access policy was already underway by a committee composed of staff who deal with the public and have dealt with translation and interpretation issues in some way. The first step was to determine need, although it was pretty clear from the information available that the front runner in terms of languages was Spanish. Community partners such as educational institutions, hospitals, the library, and a community health center - institutions that already provide language services - were being contacted to determine how they provide those services and whether resources could be pooled.

Fortunately, it was my impression that my city is very interested in having professional translators and interpreters contribute their expertise to the process of determining Evanston's language policies. The industry can be a resource, not just in terms of language knowledge and translation and interpretation skills, but on issues such as QA, the role of technology, and others. I look forward to following this process in my town and will be happy to provide updates as progress is made.

---

A native speaker of English and Latvian, Daina Jauntirans (through her business, Mozaika Language Services, Inc.) specializes in German-to-English translation of corporate communications, financial reporting, marketing and related material. She has an MA in Translation from Monterey (now Middlebury) Institute of International Studies and currently holds several non-profit volunteer positions, including serving as treasurer on the MATI board. Contact: daina@mozaikalanguage.com.

Madison Civil Rights Department Takes on the Language Barrier

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:09:29 GMT

Madison Civil Rights Department Takes on the Language Barrier

By Manuela Francavilla, MATI Secretary

On November 6, 2017, at MG&E headquarters in Madison, the Civil Rights Department of the City of Madison and Mario García Sierra, a community advocate and Community Services Manager at MG&E, organized a meeting where translators and interpreters from the community engaged in a discussion of the city’s Language Access Plan (LAP).

Because “all ‘Public’ and ‘Private Entities’ receiving Federal financial assistance are obligated under Title VI” (City of Madison, Civil Rights Dept. website) to offer free translation and interpreting services to their patrons, and also because community advocates had expressed their concerns about the full accessibility of Limited English Proficient (LEP) residents to city services, the City of Madison has been working on the foreign language issue for some time.

In fall 2016, the city’s Common Council adopted Resolution No. 34666, which not only prohibited the use of translation machines but also assigned the Civil Rights Department the task of developing a plan to address the language barrier problem. Since then, the department has been working on the draft of the LAP. During these months, they met and talked with many interested groups and also decided to host the November 6 event in order to introduce the draft to language professionals in the community and get their feedback “before the city moves forward to the next phase,” as García Sierra stated in his invitation.

At the meeting, all participants were supportive of the initiatives described in the 30-page document, including: training all city employees about existing translation and interpretation services; prohibiting city staff from relying on minors, friends, and volunteers “whose competence [in translation and/or interpreting] has not been assessed”; and calling for the future hiring of a pool of full-time translators and interpreters.

During the discussion, language professionals eagerly shared their thoughts, comments, and advice, all well received by city representatives. For example, in order to evaluate the language skills and knowledge of translators and interpreters, some suggested looking into the many Master’s programs in translation and interpretation offered by universities all over the country, as well as the certifications issued by associations such as the American Translators Association and language assessments by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. In order to ensure the use of consistent, exact vocabulary throughout the city website and in city documents, speakers underlined the importance of preparing glossaries with technical terminology specific to each department. Lastly, in order to track the progress of the LAP, others recommended including a detailed timeline of its goals and phases (the plan has no timeline to date).

For more information on City of Madison and Civil Rights Department efforts on this matter, please go to http://www.cityofmadison.com/dcr/aaFAQ.cfm#LANGUAGE

Manuela Francavilla is an Italian native speaker, translator, and language instructor living in Madison, WI. She has been a member of the Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters since 2011 and in June 2017 was elected Secretary.

Social Media Tips & Tricks from MATI Conference Keynote

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sat, 10 Mar 2018 04:03:03 GMT

Social Media Tips & Tricks from MATI Conference Keynote

By Kristy Brown Lust, MATI Director

How does the general public know what you do? MATI Conference keynote speaker Sabrina Madison posed this question to the audience during the 2017 event and encouraged attendees to harness social media’s power to raise awareness of their work and expand their reach. She said this tool is an excellent method for educating potential clients and the general public about the important contributions translators and interpreters make.

If you attended, what tips from the conference have you implemented? What new things can you try in 2018? This article summarizes some of Ms. Madison’s key points. See which things you might want to work into your 2018 plans.

Why Should I Use Social Media Professionally?

Share regular content to show up in more search results
Use a consistent hashtag when sharing content to create community
Show people you’re an expert in your areas of specialization
Educate potential clients and general public about importance of translation and interpretatio

What Makes a Great Professional Profile?

Simple mantra: one-sentence description of who you are
Good profile photo: with just you in the photo
Consistent across all platforms: use same name/handle on all sites and use the same or very similar photo

What Tools Can I Use?

Aviary: free photo editor app
#womenintech, Pixaby and CreateHER Stock: stock photo websites
Word Swag: app for adding quotes to photos
Google Alerts: sign up for news on industries you work in

Tell us how you’re using social media or give us your best social media tips for business and we’ll share your post with our followers. Just tag @MidwestMATI on Facebook or Twitter.

MATI’s 14th Annual Conference

Thais Passos Fonseca — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 14:35:25 GMT

MATI’s 14^th Annual Conference

MATI 14 will take place on September 23, 2017 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The keynote speaker, Sabrina Madison, will talk about how to “Expand Your Reach with Social Media.”

This is the first year we'll have two concurrent sets of workshops: one set of workshops focused on interpreting and another focused on translating!

Register now!

Presenters are as follows*:

Interpreting Sessions
     - Suzanne Couture: "Professional Development for Remote Interpreters”
     - Ana Soler: "Interpreting in Educational Settings: A Growing Profession"
     - Gloria Rivera: "Note-taking Strategies"
Translation Sessions
     - Olga Shostachuk: "Is an Emoji Worth 1,000 Words?"
     - Michelle Kang: "Metaphors as Reflected in Our Action, Thought, and Language"
     - Christina Green "Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity in Translation - Language Services for Community Agencies"

New this year, we’ll have a photographer at the conference capturing all the exciting moments of the day.

*Program subject to change

Thanks to our event sponsors

Gold Level

Silver Level

MATI14 Hotel and Parking Details

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 23:27:43 GMT

Downtown Madison Hotel Information

Visit the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce website. Here’s a map you can zoom in to find hotels in downtown Madison.

The Visitor’s Bureau has a list of recommended hotels on their website, visitmadison.com. Under Hotels you can choose the location you want by using the drop-down menu in the center of the purple area. Select “Central/Downtown” then click “Discover.”

Hotels in walking distance to/from the Monona Terrace Center are:

Hilton - adjacent to the Monona Terrace

Best Western Inn on the Park - one-two blocks from the Terrace

Hyatt Place - two-three blocks from the Terrace

The Madison Concourse Hotel - two-three block from the Terrace

Hotels somewhat in walking distance include:

Mansion Hill Inn - three-four blocks from the Terrace

The Edgewater Hotel (which includes a UW Alumni discount) - four-five blocks from Terrace

The Visitor’s Bureau also notes that there will be many events happening in town the weekend of the conference so there may be a limited amount of rooms available. If you book lodging outside of downtown, you can:

Drive to the Conference (see below for parking options)

Catch a cab or Uber

Use Madison public transportation

Many Madison public buses go to the Capitol Square, which is very close to the Monona Terrace. Here is a link to the City of Madison Metro Transit map, fares, and schedule (make sure to look at the weekends/holidays schedule)

o Rent a bike here and check Madison bike paths here

Parking

Monona Terrace has parking. Check here for pricing.

City parking in walking distance can be found in public parking ramps and lots (Keep in mind that lots tend to be smaller and fill sooner). Among the closest include:

Government East Garage, 215 S. Pinckney St. Rates, map, and availability

Lot 88, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Rates, map, and availability

Overture Center Garage, 318 W. Mifflin St. Rates, map, and availability

State Street Capitol Garage, 214 N. Carroll St. Rates, map, and availability

Brayton Lot, 1 S. Butler St. Rates, map, and availability

Restaurants are all around Monona Terrace and you can see the Chamber of Commerce website and downtown restaurants map or the Visitor’s Bureau website for more information. Also, weather permitting, you can eat at the Lake Vista Café (scroll down the page) on the rooftop of Monona Terrace.

To explore Madison the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce webpage has a lot of helpful information or the Visitor’s Bureau website. Some suggested highlights are within walking distance of the conference:

Monona Terrace which offers guided tours for a small fee

Capitol building on your own or with a free tourist guide

Wisconsin Historical Museum (free admission)

Wisconsin Veteran Museum (free admission)

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (Programs are FREE except where noted)

Or take a simple stroll up and down State Street or along the shores of Lake Monona or Lake Mendota

If you will stay for the weekend, other attractions include:

Overture Center

Orpheum Theater

The Majestic Theater

And if your family is with you…

Madison Children’s Museum

Why Translators and Interpreters Should Tackle Advocacy

Thais Passos Fonseca — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 15:21:04 GMT

Why Translators and Interpreters Should Tackle Advocacy

By Kristy Brown Lust, MATI Director

Local, state, and federal lawmakers are tasked with creating legislation that regulates hundreds of industries. They rely on professionals from those fields to provide context and help them understand what is at stake for professionals working in the industry and how laws impact the people and businesses who use our services. As experts whose field deals with every industry imaginable, translators and interpreters are ideally situated to provide this context to help lawmakers understand the challenges our clients face, as well as the value we provide as language professionals.

Civic engagement through advocacy is one way translators and interpreters can increase the visibility of our profession and, more importantly, assist lawmakers in crafting legislation that best serves and supports our various constituents. This includes everyone from patients in healthcare settings to military personnel working in other countries.

The Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters recently hosted a free webinar that outlined how language professionals could approach advocacy. One advocacy issue mentioned was meaningful language access requirements for patients with limited English proficiency in healthcare settings. While the specific focus was interpreters working in healthcare, their lessons are widely applicable for all language professionals. The session included presentations from Don Schinske with Cal Capitol Group and California Healthcare Interpreting Association and Bill Rivers with the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS).

Tips for getting started with advocacy:

Conduct research on current legislation related to your field. Often state and national organizations have legislative agendas that can help you quickly find what upcoming legislation will cover. For example, the JNCL-NCLIS website lists legislation they are tracking.
Get involved with local and national organizations by signing up for their advocacy action alerts.
If you’re attending the 2017 ATA Conference in Washington D.C. in October, plan to participate in the T&I Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.
Write letters to the editor or individual journalists when you see incomplete or misleading news coverage on translation or interpreting or when you want to share your perspective as a professional working in the field.

Visit CCHI’s website for links to the full presentation audio and other advocacy resources. And check out a recent ATA Chronicle article on the organization’s advocacy and business outreach efforts.

ATA Advocacy Day Screenshot

Doing Things Machines Can’t: How to Thrive in a Changing Industry

Thais Passos Fonseca — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 15:16:21 GMT

Doing Things Machines Can’t:

How to Thrive in a Changing Industry

By Kristy Brown Lust, MATI Director

Do you ever wonder how machine translation and other forms of artificial intelligence will impact your career prospects? Organizers of the On traduit à… series of conferences have a solution for translators—invest in improving skills at which only human beings excel. As the conference website states: “…your added value comes from doing things that machines cannot do. Things like detecting nuance of meaning. Navigating cross-cultural waters. Writing with simplicity and style. Those who hone their craft will flourish. Those who do not will be left behind.”

French <> English translators keen to take on this challenge gathered for the most recent conference in Quebec City from July 24 to 26, 2017. Over 120 professionals from around the world met for presentations, translation slams and hands-on workshops designed to improve their craft. Attendees learned ways to be creative under pressure, how to translate difficult words that often appear in French or English texts, how to make their translations sing, and much more.

Presenter Chris Durban, who led sessions on helping companies control their stories and working with journalists, said: “This conference isn’t focused on selling our services or raising prices, but on doing the hard work required to improve our language and writing skills.” This theme was echoed throughout the conference by presenters working in a range of fields.

Tips offered by presenters to improve skills included reading widely in your target language, subscribing to business press in your areas of specialization (in both source and target languages), exchanging proofreading services with a colleague, and attending events hosted by organizations in your area of specialization (e.g. insurance conferences, chamber of commerce receptions, etc.).

Photos taken at one of the "On traduit à..." conferences, in Quebec City, July 24-26, 2017.

Ultimately, although the translation industry is rapidly changing, attendees and organizers remain optimistic that translators who “improve their specialist knowledge and writing skills” will continue to find clients who need and value their services.

Looking for a local opportunity to invest in your career? MATI’s conference on September 23 is an excellent event where you can learn new skills to implement immediately and connect with other translation and interpreting professionals.

Upcoming MATI webinars

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 15:57:50 GMT

Upcoming MATI webinars

Date to be determined:

“Specialization. The context unknown for translators in technical translations. Case study in the mining industry”

Nora Fiorini, M.A., English-Spanish translator

In this webinar, Nora Fiorini will use a case study in mining industry translation to examine issues of context and implicit knowledge. She will discuss the main pros and cons of specialization in translation in general, and for the mining industry in particular. Translation examples/vocabulary and mining theory will be provided. Participants will practice examples of English to Spanish mining texts.

Design and Implementation of Translation Testing Procedures

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 15:33:02 GMT

Design and Implementation of Translation Testing Procedures

By Alaina Brantner, MATI Member

Regardless of their size, for translation firms providing services in multiple languages, the likelihood that none of the professionals in the organization or department read the language of many of the target deliverables is great. Firms therefore rely on translators from around the world—most of whom their vendor and project managers will never meet in person—for a translation product in a language that no one within their organization can read. When the product is in a language that no one can read, developing well-designed processes to mitigate against the risks associated with working with unqualified providers is critical. These risks include (but are not limited to):

expensive rework on live projects causing delays and missed deliveries;
ruined translation memory resources affecting the quality and costs of all future projects;
lawsuits resulting from translation errors;
injury and death resulting from mistranslations;
uncontrolled client intellectual property in the form of source content, translation memories, and glossaries found with unknown providers.

Ultimately, these risks bear on the reputations of firms (not to mention the health and safety of end users) and their ability to protect their relationships with all their clients. A deliberate translator onboarding process is designed to prevent these kinds of outcomes, with layers of preventions in place to ensure the quality of the product for a firm and its clients. A well-developed translator testing procedure is an essential component of that overall preventative process.

Translator Testing – The Cost Not to Test

Collectively, any system for translator onboarding consists of three main stages: initial screening, testing, and a probationary period. (For more on the initial screening stage that takes place prior to testing, see my article, “Key Components of Successful Translator Recruitment” in The ATA Chronicle.) Firms invest a significant amount of time and money at the initial screen stage to pass qualified candidates on to testing, and testing represents the next level of investment made by firms in the onboarding process. Not only an additional layer of protection safeguarding the integrity of the product, testing also helps firms ensure that future investments of time and resources are allocated toward developing mutually beneficial relationships with the best talent available. Any candidate’s movement through the overall onboarding process correlates to increasing investments of time and resources that a firm makes in onboarding and training that candidate. The farther candidates have progressed, the greater the losses for firms when they are determined to not meet organizational requirements. Any candidates who do not meet these requirements during live jobs represent the greatest potential losses to firms, not only in the investments made to date in that candidate, but in terms of rework on live jobs and the resulting risks to client relationships.

The testing phase does not eliminate the risks associated with selling a product that has been contracted for in an online environment in a language the professionals in an organization do not read. Testing does, however, help prevent firms from making great investments of time and resources in candidates that threaten the well being of firms, through lack of subject-matter knowledge, or neglect of best practices. Testing increases the likelihood that the finite resource investments of a firm are being allocated to building relationships and training the candidates that best meet an organization’s needs.

Strategies for Translation Test Design

The primary focus of any translation test is the verification of a translator’s language and subject-matter capabilities. Content for translation testing is developed based on the domain in which a firm provides translation services. For example, within the technical fields, tests might include a variety of specialized terminology, while organizations that focus on marketing might utilize texts with idioms and other turns of phrase for a sample of translators’ creative problem-solving strategies. Beyond language and subject-matter-related verifications, the most successful tests will draw upon the experiences of the various stakeholders of the translation and production processes of a firm. For example, based on feedback from reviewers and desktop publishers on each of their respective stages, testing can be designed to account for recurring issues—such as the inconsistent translation of references to headers in the body of a manual, or the placement of formatting tags. This gives vendor managers the opportunity to gauge candidates’ abilities in a range of areas and to better learn if a candidate is a good fit for their organization.

While translation testing affords firms a valuable opportunity to check translators in a variety of areas, when establishing the grading structure for testing, language fluency and subject matter expertise are ultimately the most critical skills to test. As recommended in the ASTM's “Standard Guide for Quality Assurance in Translation,” organizations will ideally work with a trusted language lead when carrying out the native language editing of any translation samples or tests.[i] This editor checks the translation first and foremost for accuracy and completeness, and during this first pass review, any of certain categories of objective errors, such as mistranslations, automatically disqualify a candidate.

Once the translation has been determined to be accurate and complete, the editor and/or a non-native proofreader can proceed to check the target content for other stylistic issues. Depending on the field in which an organization provides translation services, consistency will be a major factor. The ability to follow instructions is also key, so reviewers need to check that candidates have adhered to guidelines for the treatment of proper nouns, abbreviations, and conversions. Language-specific conventions can also be verified, to ensure that non-breaking spaces have been used before colons in Canadian French, for example, or that titles are capitalized to meet target language norms.

Beyond style checks, translation testing is also a firm’s first opportunity to verify candidates’ technological capabilities, including work with more complex file formats and within the computer-assisted translation (CAT) environment. This technology component should not be overlooked. Often, to win work, less qualified providers make big claims about use of and comfort with CAT technology. By including something as simple as a CAT-compatible glossary of a few key terms, vendor managers can quickly determine if a candidate’s capabilities meet their technological claims.

Finally, budgets are an important factor to consider in the design of translation tests, and firms use a variety of strategies to manage the costs associated with testing. I personally argue against relying on free tests to make the crucial determinations on candidates’ capabilities outlined in this article. Firms that test potential translators by having them translate live jobs for free are advised to carefully consider the repercussions of this strategy. The adage “you get what you pay for” speaks volumes about the results one can reasonably expect from this sort of an approach. To adjust for the skewed results of this strategy, firms are either failing more candidates or lowering the quality expectations of their testing system. Either adjustment is detrimental to a firm’s well-being. The former fails to capitalize on a firm’s investments at the initial screening stage, which is especially costly assuming that for every translator passed on to linguistic testing, 12.5 must be contacted, as was true of my 2016 recruitment efforts.[ii] The latter introduces vulnerability into a firm’s onboarding processes, because unqualified candidates are given greater chances of passing. Overall, the expectation for free services is also an ineffective means through which to positively embark on the mutually-beneficial relationships with the highly-qualified professionals that help to safeguard the integrity of a firm’s product and reputation.

Translator Testing – A Controlled Environment

Deliberate testing is developed based on an understanding of a wide variety of factors, including industry standards, the circumstances under which translation is carried out, and the objectives that are met through strong testing procedures. Fundamental to the design of testing is an awareness that firms rely on recommendations made by outside providers for languages that often none of the professionals in their organization read. This awareness must be balanced with realistic expectations for the outcome of the overall onboarding process. No set of actions can account for every eventuality. Still, based on experience and knowledge, procedures can be established and updated to set firms up for the greatest chance of success in their onboarding efforts, and ultimately for the translation services they are able to provide as a result. Carefully designed translation testing is a key component of the overall preventative onboarding process, in which issues with great potential costs for live jobs are identified and overcome in a low-cost, controlled environment, before they can affect a firm’s reputation and its relationships with its end clients.

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Alaina Brantner is a translation consultant specializing in project, vendor, and translation memory management. A Spanish> English translator, she has an MA in language, literature and translation from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She served as a director of the Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (an ATA chapter) from 2012 to 2016. Contact: alaina.brantner@gmail.com.

[i] Brantner, Alaina. “Key Components of Successful Translator Recruitment.” The ATA Chronicle (American Translators Association), May/June 2017, 22.

[ii] ASTM International, F 2575-06, “Standard Guide for Quality Assurance in Translation” (June 2006), 6-7.

Group Study and the ATA Certification Exam

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 14:41:33 GMT

Group Practice and the ATA Certification Exam

By Erin Woodard, MATI Member

An August 2016 ATA Savvy Newcomer article by Juan Lizama described how a group of translators from the Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI) studied together for the ATA certification exam. A group of approximately twelve language professionals met weekly online, translated assignments, and reviewed translation strategies prior to taking their respective tests. The group used the ATA exam resources to review one another’s translations in order to provide themselves with a realistic grading experience. In addition, they had ATA exam graders review translations of past exams in order to obtain feedback.

This group practice approach to preparing for ATA’s certification exam is a helpful way for other linguists to prepare, as well. As translators, we often submit our work to private clients and translation agencies for onward transmission to the end user, however we don’t often have the opportunity to work together and review our translations with fellow professionals. An exam practice group allows translators to provide and receive feedback about their work in an effort to continuously improve the quality of their translations. In addition, it helps linguists prepare for the very specific and targeted grading scale of the ATA certification exam.

Local groups of MATI members may consider setting up practice groups with fellow translators from their area to prepare for the upcoming certification exam being held before the MATI conference or for future exams.

MATI members who want to form a practice group might consider meeting other interested members at upcoming charisMATIc events. Small groups might also consider reaching out to other MATI members via social media, phone or email to set up an online study group.

Members who want to participate in a practice group could source content from many locations, including current events, trade magazines, etc. In addition, the ATA offers a practice exam, which is an opportunity for study groups to not only review each other’s translations, but also to receive feedback directly from the ATA exam graders. This is a great way to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and exam-specific pitfalls you may be experiencing.

Best of luck to all linguists in the Midwest as you prepare for upcoming exam sittings, whether you choose to study individually or as a group!

MATI Member Spotlight: Erin Woodard

Thais Passos Fonseca — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 14:11:29 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Erin Woodard

Language Pair(s): French > English

Degree(s)/Certification(s): Master of Professional French Studies and Translations Studies Certificate

How long have you been a MATI member? Since 2015

How did you acquire your B language(s)?

I have my Master’s degree in French and I lived and worked in Grenoble and Paris, France.

How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

I started to work in the specific field of translation in 2015. Prior to that I worked for an international nonprofit that provides grant funding for international development initiatives. At the organization, I had the opportunity to work with people and languages from around the world.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I love foreign languages and have always been very passionate about them. I have found that the field of translation has allowed me to focus specifically on that passion, while continuing to work in an international field which I also truly enjoy.

Describe an especially memorable or fulfilling professional experience.

My favorite translating experience has been translating microcredit loans for the nonprofit Kiva. It is an organization that crowdsources funding for entrepreneurs outside of the traditional banking system. Online lenders can contribute to loans for individuals or groups who use the funding for their businesses and pay it back in installments. Once the loan is fully refunded, lenders can use those funds to support another individual. All of the foreign language loans are translated into English by Kiva’s team of volunteers and are posted online on the nonprofit’s website. I love seeing loans I’ve translated receive funding and knowing that entrepreneurs are benefiting as a result of a translation.

What program/tool/dictionary couldn’t you live without?

I really enjoy using memoQ. I learned to use it in school and am always excited when I learn new functionality or find a way for it to help me be more effective with my work.

Do you have a book, blog or methodology that you would like to recommend?

I try to read all of the ATA’s Savvy Newcomer blog posts, as it which covers a variety of different topics in the translation industry. I find it enlightening and it exposes me to new topics in the field.

Do you have any tips for those starting out in the field? For those who’ve been in the field?

I have found that meeting with other translators is particularly motivating. In Madison, there is a group that gathers to discuss translation on a monthly basis, and I find these meetings energizing and inspiring. I enjoy hearing other linguists’ stories and learning how they work. I would encourage translators who are starting out to look for fellow professionals, either in person or online, and to join in the conversation.

Why did you decide to join MATI?

I joined MATI because I wanted to meet other local linguistic professionals and to continue my professional growth in the field. I have enjoyed attending MATI events and reading the organizational newsletter. I was also interested in finding additional information about translating as a freelance career, as well as learning more about translation theories and practice.

Why do you think it’s important to belong to professional organizations like MATI?

I think that being a part of professional organizations demonstrates that one is serious about their field and serious about learning and developing their professional skillset.

Would you like feedback from your MATI colleagues on any challenges you have faced in the field?

I am always curious to hear how others differentiate themselves when reaching out to potential clients or translation agencies, and finding ways to stand out in the crowd of other translators.

What do you do in your free time?

I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and getting to the yoga studio.

Introducing charisMATIc: MATI’s Quarterly Social Gatherings

Sun, 07 May 2017 21:52:53 GMT

Introducing charisMATIc: MATI’s Quarterly Social Gatherings

By Meghan McCallum, MATI Vice President

As part of new member offerings in 2017, MATI is hosting quarterly social gatherings in metropolitan areas of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. These informal events, called charisMATIc, are an opportunity for MATI members to network with each other, meet their local board members, and learn more about how to get involved with the association.

charisMATIc Chicago took place on March 10 at Bar Louie River North. President Joseph Wojowski and Treasurer Kate Jankowski hosted the evening, which was well-attended by members from the Chicago area.

The second installment, charisMATIc Milwaukee, was held on March 24 at MOVIDA in Walker’s Point. Vice President Meghan McCallum, Secretary Amy Polenske, and Directors Marina Ilari, Ghada Shakir, and Tyann Zehms enjoyed seeing colleagues and meeting new members at the event.

charisMATIc Madison was held at Barriques West Wash on April 19. Directors Kristy Brown Lust and Thaís Passos welcomed members and invited them to share ideas for future training and networking events.

Please stay tuned for announcements of future charisMATIc events, including an Indianapolis installment! We look forward to meeting more of our members through these quarterly events. If you would like to help organize an upcoming charisMATIc event in your area, please contact us at matiemail@gmail.com.

MATI Members Receive ATA Certification

Sun, 07 May 2017 21:26:51 GMT

MATI Members Receive ATA Certification

Timothy Friese (Chicago, IL) passed the Spanish to English, Arabic to English, and Portuguese to English ATA certification exams.

Caitlin Jones (Rochester, MN) passed the Spanish to English ATA certification exam. Congratulations, Timothy and Caitlin!

Did you recently receive certification or complete a T&I-related training course or program? Share your member news with us! E-mail matiemail@gmail.com with the subject line Member news for inforMATIon.

Naming a “New” Reality: Span-USism

Fri, 05 May 2017 18:16:37 GMT

Naming a “New” Reality: Span-USism

By Alejandra Patricia Karamanian

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice

T.S. Eliot

Spanish is no longer a candidate. The word “candidate” comes from Latin candidatus, meaning “white,” and makes reference to ancient Roma, where those running for public office wore a white toga. The Spanish language has already taken off its toga to become one of the most used and studied languages worldwide. It is not surprising, then, that English to Spanish translators are increasingly interested in U.S. Spanish with its popular language on one hand, and its academic language, on the other.

In Spanish, we have the term estadounidismo to describe the words or phrases born out of the two languages in contact in the United States—English and Spanish. Inserted in a formal socio-cultural-language communication situation, these words or phrases (a) are fully Spanish as they meet the word-formation requirements while bearing the U.S. English language and cultural stamp, and (b) already exist in the Spanish language but now with a new meaning. Examples: Departamento (as a public entity), paralegal, elegible, copago, to name but a few.

Languages are constantly picking up neologisms to name new realities, and this is not the exception to the rule. In Spanish, the suffix –ismo equals –ism in English with the meaning of “indicating a characteristic usage, esp. of a language” (https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/ism_2), and thus forming argentinismo, chilenismo, colombianismo, and a long list of -ismos belonging to the 23 varieties of Spanish spoken in the world. The good news is that the 23^rd edition of Diccionario de la Lengua Española has included estadoundismo. By the way, the English dictionaries list words like Italianism, Gallicism, Briticism, Hellenism, etc., but not any –ism for the –ismos listed above.

At this point, my question was what English term would stand for estadounidismo. Browsing dictionaries, I found the following words that describe foreign words that initially seem to fit our search: Anglicism, Americanism, Anglo-Americanism. But when we compare them to their Spanish counterparts anglicismo, americanismo, and angloamericanismo, something is missing.

Let’s look at some definitions of these terms in English dictionaries:

Merriam Webster: Anglicism

1: a characteristic feature of English occurring in another language

2: adherence or attachment to English customs or ideas

Origin and Etymology of Anglicism

Medieval Latin anglicus English

First Known Use: 1642

Other dictionaries also show that this definition doesn’t incorporate the meaning of estadounidismo: See Oxford Dictionaries and Wikipedia.

Merriam Webster: Americanism

1: a characteristic feature of American English especially as contrasted with British English

2: attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests, or ideals of the U.S.

3: a: a custom or trait peculiar to America

b: the political principles and practices essential to American culture

The Oxford Dictionary definition for Americanism also does not include our desired definition.

Oxford Dictionaries: Anglo-Americanism

1. A characteristically American English word, phrase, or idiom, (now especially) one borrowed into another language.

2. Cooperation or integration between England (or Britain) and America; allegiance to or advocacy of this.
a. anglicismo

b. americanismo
c. angloamericanismo

Origin: Early 19th century; earliest use found in Christian Observer. From Anglo-American + -ism.

Along these lines, the translation of these three terms, Anglicism, Americanism, and Anglo-Americanism do not represent the full diglossic reality of an estadounidismo. Let’s make a proof to sustain this hypothesis by translating them back and looking up their definitions in Diccionario de la Lengua Española: anglicismo, americanismo, angloamericanismo.

a. anglicismo
De ánglico e -ismo.

1. m. Giro o modo de hablar propio de la lengua inglesa.

2. m. Vocablo o giro de la lengua inglesa empleado en otra.

3. m. Empleo de vocablos o giros ingleses en distintos idiomas.

b. americanismo

1. m. Cualidad o condición de americano.

2. m. Carácter genuinamente americano.

3. m. Amor o apego a lo americano.

4. m. americanística.

5. m. Vocablo, giro o rasgo fonético, gramatical o semántico que pertenece a alguna lengua indígena de América o proviene de ella.

6. m. Vocablo, giro o rasgo fonético, gramatical o semántico peculiar o procedente del español hablado en algún país de América.

c. angloamericanismo.

De angloamericano e -ismo.

1. m. Vocablo, giro o rasgo fonético, gramatical o semántico peculiar o procedente del ingléshablado en los Estados Unidos de América.

And now our star today and the definition included in the same dictionary:

estadounidismo

1. m. Palabra o uso propios del español hablado en los Estados Unidos de América.

At this crossroad, it is clear that neither Anglicism, nor Americanism or Anglo-Americanism can faithfully stand for our estadounidismo because none of definitions include its specific meaning.

With the goal of creating a neologism revealing the “new” socio-culture-language reality as well as incorporating “a word or use proper to U.S. Spanish,” I would propose translating estadounidismo using blending, which is one method of word formation, creating the blend or composite acronym: Span-USism.

Proposals of definitions for dictionaries’ entries:

Span-USism

1. a characteristic feature of the U.S. Spanish language.

2. a word, phrase or construction that is peculiar to the Spanish spoken in the United States of America.

3. a word, phrase or construction peculiar to the U.S. Spanish language.

Footnote: After all this analysis, it is worth noting that, unfortunately, just 6 estadounidismos have been included in the 23^rd issue of Diccionario de la Lengua Española: billón, congresional, guardavidas, sobador, trillón, and last but not least estadounidismo, of course! A long way to go…

---

Alejandra Patricia Karamanian is a Certified Sworn Translator, Copy Editor and Proofreader of the Spanish Language, and holds an M.A. in Teaching Spanish for Foreigners. She is an independent translator in legal, business, and international relations fields; online/onsite teacher at translation for national and international associations of translators, the New York University, and online Spanish courses for foreigners. She is a member of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language (ANLE). Languages: Spanish, English, French. Contact: apk@apktranslation.com, alejandrapatricia1717@gmail.com or www.apktranslation.com

MATI 14th Annual Conference: September 23, 2017

Fri, 05 May 2017 03:30:50 GMT

MATI 14th Annual Conference: September 23, 2017

Please join us for MATI’s 14th Annual Conference on Saturday, September 23, 2017, in Madison, WI! We are working hard to provide you with great, relevant presentations and networking opportunities.

For the ever-popular networking hour at the end of the conference, we will have themed tables for targeted conversations. Let us know what themes you would like to talk about by emailing the MATI board at matiemail@gmail.com.

The conference will be held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center . More information about registration and discounts will be provided soon.

Interested presenters may submit proposals online by May 15.

MATI 2017 Elections

Fri, 05 May 2017 03:26:26 GMT

MATI 2017 Elections

Would you like to help choose the next MATI representatives? Please make sure to vote in the upcoming elections!

This year the following MATI offices are up for election: President (1 year term), Vice President (2 year term), Treasurer (1 year term), Secretary (2 year term), Director A (2 year term), Director B (2 year term), Director C (1 year term).

Ballots with a complete list of candidates will be emailed to MATI members with voting instructions on or around May 15. To cast an online ballot, you will need to log on to your profile on the MATI website. The web pages containing the ballot instructions, candidate statements and the online ballot can only be viewed by MATI members.

The duties for each of these positions are as follows:

President. The President chairs the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and shall represent MATI at regional, national and international events where possible. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. The President is responsible for supervising the general affairs of MATI and may delegate functions as approved by the Board of Directors. The President shall execute on behalf of MATI all documents, obligations, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors have authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors, or by MATI bylaws, or by statute to some other officer or agent of MATI. The President shall have the right with the Treasurer to sign checks and other documents that pertain to the use of MATI funds. The President shall be responsible for writing the Annual Activities Report and disseminating it to MATI members through electronic correspondence, surface mail, or MATI publications. The President shall also present the Annual Activities Report, as well as a Financial Statement, to the ATA Board. The President shall be a voting member in good standing of ATA.

Vice President. The Vice President shall assist the President and perform his or her duties in the event of the President’s absence, incapacity or removal. The Vice President shall also be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. The Vice President shall be a voting member in good standing of ATA.

Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and collect all monies of the Association and give official receipts, keep records of all money transactions, and deposit all funds in a bank as designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have the right with the President to sign checks and other withdrawal documents that pertain to the use of the funds of the Association. The Treasurer shall be responsible for writing an annual financial report that will be disseminated to the members of the Association through electronic correspondence, surface mail, or Association publications. The Treasurer must be an individual member in good standing of ATA.

Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, and the bimonthly general meetings, for disseminating the minutes and keeping all records pertaining to all meetings, regular and emergency, and shall be in charge of correspondence and announcements of meetings of the Association. The Secretary must be an individual member in good standing of ATA.

Director. The Board of Directors is responsible for determining policies and proposing changes to the Bylaws of the Association. The Board shall review the work of the officers of the Association, and of all (other) committee chairs. The Board shall set the membership dues each year, and shall meet at least four times each year. Directors must be individual members in good standing of ATA.

Upcoming MATI Webinars

Fri, 05 May 2017 03:18:58 GMT

Upcoming MATI Webinars

MATI’s 2017 webinar series brings you two new seminars! Please plan on joining us for these valuable continuing education opportunities.

Saturday, May 27, 12:00 p.m. (CST)

"Interpreting culture: The cultural work of professional medical interpreters"

Izabel E. T. de V. Souza, Ph.D., English-Spanish interpreter and interpreter educator

In this workshop, Dr. Souza will help participants identify all the activities that are within the medical interpreter’s scope of practice, with respect to addressing cultural issues. You will learn about the challenges, disadvantages, advantages, timing, scope, limitations, and other aspects of addressing cultural issues as a medical interpreter. Dr. Souza will also discuss the latest interpreting research theories related to addressing culture while interpreting.

Saturday, June 24, 1:00 p.m. (CST)

"Specialization. The context unknown for translators in technical translations. Case study in the mining industry"

Nora Fiorini, M.A., English-Spanish translator

Registration is open for these sessions. Registration is $20 per session for MATI members ($30 for non-members). Webinars are scheduled to run for one hour, including time for Q&A. When attended live, each webinar is approved for 1 CEU toward ATA and WI Court Interpreter certification requirements. Certificates will be awarded upon completion. Webinar recordings will be available for registrants who are not able to attend the webinar live. Please stay tuned for more details and additional webinar announcements.

NEW! Recordings of past webinars are now up on the MATI website!

Through the new "Archived Webinar" function, you will have access to a year’s worth of webinars. Visit the archive page and let the retroactive online learning begin!

Advocating for Translators and Interpreters Affected by Immigration Changes

Fri, 05 May 2017 03:02:13 GMT

Join ATA in Advocating for Translators and Interpreters Affected by Immigration Changes

By Kristy Brown Lust MATI Director

As a chapter of the American Translators Association (ATA), the voice of over 10,000 interpreters and translators in the United States and abroad, MATI’s mission includes cooperating with the ATA and advocat[ing] for the rights and interests of professional translators and interpreters. We share the concerns raised by the ATA in its recent statement about President Trump’s executive order on immigration, and we invite our members to join us in advocating for interpreters and translators who are negatively impacted by this order.

ATA wrote that the President’s executive order, which suspends issuing visas to nationals from certain countries in the Middle East and northern Africa, will have a negative effect on interpreters and translators who are citizens of those countries.

The statement continues, ATA values the strengths and skills of its diverse membership, which includes a large number of immigrants to this country as well as overseas members in over 100 countries. The experience and expertise brought by these members benefits not only the association, but the nation at large.

Read the full statement and find links to join ATA in contacting your elected officials to advocate for translators and interpreters in the United States and around the world.

MATI Board Organizes for 2017

Fri, 05 May 2017 02:43:29 GMT

MATI Board Organizes for 2017

By Kristy Brown Lust, MATI Director

On February 25, the MATI board of directors met in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This half-day retreat gave us an opportunity to collaborate in person on a wide-ranging agenda of event planning and decision making. Here are the results:

We identified all open positions for the upcoming elections and appointed a nominating committee.
We set dates for nominations and board elections: nominate by April 28 and vote on or around May 15.
New board members will be installed at the July 8 business meeting.
We created the framework for the 2017 conference on September 23 at Monona Terrace in Madison, WI.
- It was decided to put out a call for speaker proposals.
- Honorariums were set for presenters.
We solidified plans to host an ATA certification exam sitting on September 22
We decided to host quarterly charisMATIc social hours in local MATI cities: Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison.
- Events are networking opportunities and a way for members to meet directors as well as share feedback on how to improve the organization.
We discussed potential webinar topics and presenters.
- If you have any idea of topics you would like to see covered, please contact us at MATIemail@gmail.com.
We appointed directors to the membership, communications, programs and webinar committees.

Check out the Get Involved article for ways to engage with the board of directors and MATI in general. We look forward to meeting many of you at upcoming MATI social hours and the conference in September. If you have a question or concern you would like to share with the board, please email us at MATIemail@gmail.com.

From left to right: Kate Jankowski, Thaís Passos, Marina Ilari, Joseph Wojowski, Kristy Brown Lust, Meghan McCallum, Ghada Shakir, Amy Polenske. Not pictured: Tyann Zehms

Q&A with Susan Schweigert, Recipient of UWM Award

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 22:32:18 GMT

Q&A with Susan Schweigert, Recipient of the UWM Graduate of the Last Decade Award

By Meghan McCallum, MATI Vice President

MATI member and former director Susan Schweigert received an MA in language, literature and translation from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 2011. Susan is a Spanish-English interpreter and translator based in Chicago specializing in law, international development and alternative energy.

Q: Last year, UWM named you the recipient of the Graduate of the Last Decade award. Congratulations! Can you tell us a little more about the award?

A: It is an award given every ten years by the UWM Alumni Association, in recognition of outstanding accomplishments in one’s field. My understanding is that you have to be nominated by someone at the university, and then they go through a thorough selection process, asking for letters of recommendation and calling references. I had no idea I had even been nominated when I received the phone call telling me I had been selected! It was a great honor. There was a lovely reception held at Discovery World in Milwaukee. The other honorees were also very impressive, and I was proud to be among them.

Q: How did the MA program at UWM prepare you for your career as an interpreter and translator?

A: The combination of theory and practice was very important. When working as a translator and interpreter day in and day out, you need to be able to make informed decisions and articulate those decisions in a convincing manner, but you also need to know how to invoice for jobs and pay your taxes.

Q: How did you get involved in your specializations? What kind of work are you most passionate about?

A: I specialize in the legal field, and that interest truly started at UWM when I took an Introduction to Interpreting course. We were exposed to court interpreting as part of the class, and I was hooked.

Q: What other special training and certification have you completed for your work? How have these impacted your career?

A: Since graduating UWM, I have become certified by the ATA to translate Spanish to English, and by the National Center for State Courts as a Spanish courtroom interpreter. I have also completed a certificate program at Loyola University in Paralegal Studies. Certifications are important elements in the efforts to continually standardize and professionalize the T&I industry, and are becoming increasingly important to clients. It has certainly helped me establish myself in my career to have both of these certifications.

Q: You’ve had some great travel experiences in your work as an interpreter. Can you tell us about your favorite travel assignment?

A: It’s hard to pick a favorite, but my recent trip to the Bahamas was particularly nice – especially since it helped me escape March in Chicago for a few days!

Q: You served on the MATI Board of Directors from 2012 to 2016. You played a key role in some exciting projects, such as MATI’s rebranding and website revamp and our webinar series. What did you enjoy most about this experience?

A: It was very exciting to step into the board of an organization like MATI and feel the support and freedom to realize my vision for what MATI could be. I think this is one of the real advantages to having a local ATA chapter that is as active as MATI. If you have an idea for developing and advancing our industry, and have the will and energy to put into making it happen, MATI can provide the perfect infrastructure to support you along the way. I truly encourage every one of you reading this to take me at my word, and use MATI to help make your visions a reality!

Q: What advice would you give recent graduates from translation/interpreting programs, or anyone who is new to the profession?

A: Professional organizations are indispensable. So are your colleagues. It is worth taking the time and energy to train and educate yourself in order to be a true professional in the field. Have fun .

MATI to hold ATA Exam Sitting in Madison

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 22:23:21 GMT

ATA Certification

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ATA Certification

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MATI to Hold ATA Exam Sitting in Madison

MATI is pleased to announce that it will offer a computerized ATA certification exam sitting on Friday, September 22, 2017 in Madison, WI. The MATI annual conference will be held in Madison the following day.

Advance registration and ATA membership are required.

For information about recent changes to the ATA Certification Program, please see “ATA Certification Exam Undergoes Changes” on the MATI blog.

To register for the exam, please visit http://www.atanet.org/certification/upcoming.php.

Help Us Build Our Translator and Interpreter Community

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 22:33:26 GMT

Help Us Build Our Translator and Interpreter Community

In 2017, the MATI board is focused on providing members with more opportunities to engage with one another and the organization. We want MATI to become a hub for connecting with like-minded linguists, finding help with a challenging business situations, providing educational resources, and promoting recognition and advancement of our professions. Here are a few ways to help us foster a vibrant translator and interpreter community.

Volunteer to assist a board committee (email us at MATIemail@gmail.com)
Follow us on social media (Facebook │ Twitter @MidwestMATI)
Join us at a quarterly charisMATIc happy hour (upcoming events are listed on Facebook and the MATI website)
Save the date for our 2017 conference: Saturday, September 23 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI
Register for the ATA exam sitting on September 22
Attend a MATI webinar
Watch the MATI podcast and share it with your network

MATI Announces First Round of 2017 Webinars

Meghan McCallum — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 16:41:43 GMT

MATI Announces First Round of 2017 Webinars

MATI’s Webinar Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the first three webinars for its 2017 series. Please plan on joining us for one or more of these valuable continuing education opportunities!

Thursday, February 16, 6:00 p.m. (CT):

“Getting (and Staying!) on your PMs’ Favorites List”

Meghan McCallum, French to English translator, MATI Vice President

In this webinar, Meghan McCallum will share some of what she learned having worked in-house for several years at a global language services provider, serving as a project manager and quality manager. She will address things a translator can do to ensure positive, long-lasting business relationships with project managers. From making a good first impression to turning down work without risking losing the project manager as a potential long-term client, participants will learn how to get the most out of their interactions with project managers in order to earn a high rate of repeat business.

Thursday, March 30, 6:00 p.m. (CT):

“Bilingual Patient Navigation: The Next Step in Language Access”

Cynthia Roat, International Consultant on Language Access in Health Care

In this webinar, Cynthia Roat will describe how Bilingual Patient Navigators can assist families with medically complex children in learning to navigate the U.S. healthcare system. She will discuss how interpreters and navigators together can provide a comprehensive service that both improves patient care and – perhaps – provides a “next step” for experienced healthcare interpreters in their career path.

Wednesday, April 26, 6:00 p.m. (CT):

“Resources to Avoid Syntax Transference: English to Spanish”

Alejandra Patricia Karamanian, Independent Translator, Proofreader and Instructor

In this webinar, Alejandra Patricia Karamanian will address the incorporation of English loanwords and loan syntax structures into Spanish. She will focus on syntax transference in regards to translating verb tenses, the gerund, as plus past participle, among others. Her objective is to produce texts that are written in Spanish but also read and said in Spanish.

Registration will open shortly at www.matiata.org. Registration is $20 for MATI members ($30 for non-members). Webinars are scheduled to run for one hour, including time for Q&A. Each webinar is approved for 1 CEU toward ATA and WI Court Interpreter certification requirements. Certificates will be awarded upon completion. Webinar recordings will be available for registrants who are not able to attend the webinar live. Please stay tuned for more details and additional webinar announcements.

Key Components of Successful Translator Recruitment

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:41:43 GMT

Key Components of Successful Translator Recruitment

By Alaina Brantner, MATI Member

A fundamental tenet of language services is that an organization’s translation product will only be as good as the translator who provides the target content. To provide culturally and technically appropriate translations, translators must have a wide range of knowledge and capabilities, reflected in the standards issued by such organizations as the ASTM and the European Committee for Standardization. As indicated in the “Standard Guide for Quality Assurance in Translation” of the ASTM, “Proficiency in two languages is important but does not necessarily guarantee translation competence” (6).

Source and target language, translation, subject matter and text types are among the competencies necessary to carry out translation, according to the ASTM, and firms can use such indicators as certifications and degrees, experience, references and sample translations to determine if a candidate has the required competencies (6-7). In European Standard prEN 15038, the European Committee for Standardization adds research, cultural and technical (translation technology) competencies to those listed by the ASTM. These competencies are obtained through “formal higher education in translation[,]… a university degree or equivalent plus a minimum of two years of documented experience in translating, or… at least five years of documented professional experience in translating” (European Committee for Standardization 6-7). ISO 17100 certification is based on the language of prEN 15038. Notably, firms maintaining this certification must have documented processes for the verification and maintenance of records of professional competence (Ballou). Further requirements include processes for recording ongoing updates to linguist and staff competencies, highlighting the importance of continuing education in language services (International Organization for Standardization 3.1.8).

Whether or not firms intend to pursue certification such as ISO’s, vendor managers can benefit from an awareness of the standards and certification requirements established by large standardization and certifying bodies. This information can be a great knowledge base for initiating recruitment efforts and designing vendor recruitment processes.

Translator Directories: An Essential Recruitment Tool

When recruiting translators in new language pairs or specializations, vendor managers have a variety of online directories at their disposal to identify candidates. Being aware of the characteristics, functionality and size of directories not only speeds up recruitment, but also aids in the design of language- or specialization-specific recruitment processes. This awareness also helps vendor managers put steps in place to mitigate the risks associated with carrying out recruitment primarily online, among them identifying the best talent available amongst hundreds and thousands of search results (in which all sorts of big claims are made about capabilities) and weeding out any translator scammers. (Joseph Wojowski’s article, “On ‘Lying Through Their Teeth: Identifying Translation Scams’,” offers great insights on translator scammers and precautions one can take to avoid them.)

As a vendor manager, I prefer to start my own recruitment activities at the ATA Directory for several reasons—the overall focus of which is to set my recruitment efforts up for the greatest chance of success. First, for recruiters, membership to a professional association such as the ATA demonstrates translators’ understanding of the business investments necessary to operate as professionals within the language services industry, and presumably, their commitment to the field. Second, membership also represents a greater potential for participating in legitimate ongoing professional development, through webinars, articles in The Chronicle, or the ATA’s annual conference. Members of professional associations are also more likely to have strong networks of other members of professional associations to whom they can turn with language-, process- or technology-related questions—and who they can recommend to vendor managers!

Other well-known translator directories include Proz.com and Translator’s Café (TC). These directories are good resources for languages of lesser diffusion, in particular; however, when recruiting through these directories, vendor managers should be aware that the free profiles available on these sites are more likely to attract translator scammers, and new translators who are more likely to misrepresent their translation and subject-matter qualifications. That is not to say that professionals cannot be found on directories such as Proz and TC, only that added efforts are recommended to verify that individuals’ actual training, background, tools, etc. correspond to any claims they have made in their directory profiles—advice that holds true no matter the directory through which one recruits. (Recruiters can also limit their searches on Proz to display only vendors who have had their credentials verified by Proz, a worthwhile parameter to put in place.)

While the ATA, Proz and TC directories are perhaps the best known, regional professional associations are excellent resources for recruitment efforts as well. For example, visiting the member directories of ATA chapters and affiliates (including MATI’s) is a great solution for recruiting US-based linguists for any projects with location or citizenship requirements. Vendor managers can also carry out simple internet searches to identify professional associations and their directories for specific target countries, such as the SFÖ for Swedish translators, ABRATES for Brazilian Portuguese linguists, and the ATIO for Canadian French. Beyond these online resources, there’s no substitute for meeting new candidates in person at local and national translation events and conferences. For vendor managers and all other translation professionals, it pays to get involved.

Basic Criteria for Identifying Suitable Vendors

An often-quoted statistic within the language services industry is that recruiters decide whether to pursue a candidate after spending just one minute scanning that candidate’s résumé, CV or profile. This is absolutely the case, and the speed with which this decision-making is carried out is based on the reality of recruitment. To illustrate, my own vendor management experience includes recruitment of talent in over fifty languages. To carry out that recruitment, I contacted 1,000 candidates in 2016 alone, and of these 1,000 initial contacts, approximately 40% of candidates responded to my request. Of the approximately 40% of candidates that responded, around 20% met the criteria established by my firm for experience, education, translation technology, payment capabilities, etc. That is to say, for every one translator who met the organizational requirements to be passed on to linguistic testing, 12.5 translators were contacted. That’s not to mention the countless profiles, résumés and CVs that were first screened to even establish a list of candidates to contact. Therefore, no matter the directory being used to identify candidates, vendor managers should have a well-defined list of basic criteria that will allow them to quickly determine (within one minute) if a translator’s profile meets their organizational needs.

Basic criteria are determined based on an organization’s specific circumstances; however, in general, providers of language services look for a minimum amount of translation experience, a minimum amount of experience in the subject matter, education and continuing education in translation and the subject matter, and translation technology. Minimum requirements are determined based on the verticals in which an organization works, and on its workflows, capabilities and clients’ needs. For example, the complexity of content intended for use at medical instrumentation trade shows means that recruiters will work based off much more stringent requirements to ensure that the translated material is both technically and culturally (marketing) appropriate. On the other hand, for human resources content with a limited audience and a strong translation memory and editor, recruitment parameters are more flexible.

Regardless of the specifics, vendor managers carefully develop organizations’ basic criteria for new partner translators. They carefully analyze the needs of their businesses to—once again—set up their recruitment efforts for the greatest chance of success. Carefully-determined criteria allow recruiters to quickly determine if a translator profile is a good fit. Being aware of red flags to avoid—such as potential candidates who list too many specializations or language pairs or who work into non-native languages—helps vendor managers ensure that their recruitment efforts establish relationships with qualified professionals whose experience and capabilities align with organizational needs.

Making Initial Contact

Initiating contact with candidates whose profiles seem to meet organizational requirements is another component of recruitment that requires a deliberate process. During initial contact, recruiters request the documentation that will allow them to verify that a translator’s background indeed aligns with organizational needs. Carrying out this verification is incredibly important in that it protects translation firms from working with individuals who do not have the necessary qualifications and training. This process also serves to elevate the field of translation as a whole, since requiring candidates to provide evidence of their qualifications (such as diplomas and certifications) is a check that allows vendor managers to avoid translator scammers and inexperienced translators who have misrepresented their capabilities. Bear in mind that checking documents like diplomas and certifications requires an understanding of degree equivalencies and the resources necessary to verify any target language documents submitted.

On the other hand, this initial request for documentation must also be carried out in a way that recognizes the administrative time investments being made by all participants. Any initial contact should therefore clearly define a firm’s basic requirements and the documents for submittal. Further, any forms the translator is required to fill out and submit should be designed in a way so as to capture all of the information the firm requires to establish a working relationship (i.e. experience, education, contact details, billing details, translation technology, etc.) in a single pass. Having a clear set of requirements eliminates the back and forth that results when these parameters are not defined, thereby promoting efficiency. It also allows both vendor managers and translators to determine as quickly as possible if a potential working relationship is a good fit, allowing all parties to focus limited resources to areas of greatest impact.

Aside from giving vendor managers the chance to verify credentials and collect necessary information, the initial contact and request for documentation is also an incredibly valuable opportunity to test candidates in a variety of other areas. For example, an initial contact email with a clearly defined list of required documents for submittal gives vendor managers an immediate opportunity to determine a candidate’s ability to follow directions. Any CVs or résumés submitted also serve as indicators of translators’ formatting capabilities and of their ability to organize and present information based on their audience’s needs (i.e. information should be presented based on the understanding that recruiters will spend no more than one minute scanning those documents). When a vendor manager requests samples and translators refuse based on non-disclosure agreements they have signed with other firms, the vendor manager can take this as an indication that any content translated for her or his organization will be handled with the same care. For any samples that are provided, vendor managers can also check that no client-identifying information is included in either the content or the file properties. Overall, the process for requesting documentation is therefore designed to allow vendor managers to carry out as much due diligence as possible at that stage. Like all the stages of vendor recruitment, having intentional processes in place allows vendor managers to ensure that their recruitment efforts will yield the greatest results, so that only the best talent available is passed on to any subsequent linguistic testing phases.

A Comprehensive Process

The design and implementation of successful recruitment processes requires substantial investments of time and resources, as evidenced by the descriptions of the stages outlined above—and this article does not even address the organizational parameters necessary for tracking recruitment efforts or the linguistic testing phase that follows recruitment. Still, since recruitment processes are designed to establish mutually beneficial relationships with professional candidates, organizations must approach recruitment with an understanding of what their investments will yield. For instance, communication between vendor managers and translators during recruitment sets the tone for the entire working relationship between a translator and a firm. A well-designed and efficient process not only accomplishes the explicit objectives of collecting information and verifying credentials, but also indicates a firm’s quality expectations to candidates, and the kind of approach they can expect when working with that organization. A well-designed process therefore aids in attracting the best talent available.

More importantly, front-end investments in recruitment processes allow firms to prevent the translation mishaps that result when working with untrained providers, which reflect poorly on an organization’s services and reputation and are exponentially more costly to repair on the back end than good preventative processes. A well thought out recruitment process contributes to providing firms and their clients and target users with the implicit peace of mind that comes with a consistent translation product. That product is the result of working with quality providers.

Vendor recruitment must therefore be counted among the most critical of processes for translation firms. After all, organizations can work with the most up-to-date technology and design the most intricate of production processes, yet even with the best supporting components in place, the translation product will only ever be as good as the translator who provides the target content.

Works Consulted

ASTM International, F 2575-06, “Standard Guide for Quality Assurance in Translation,” June 2006.

European Committee for Standardization, prEN 15038, “Translation services – Service requirements,” 2004.

International Organization for Standardization, ISO 17100, “Translation services – Requirements for translation services,” 2015.

Ballou, Gregory. “ISO 17100 Certification: Who, What, Why, and How?” ATA 57^th Annual Conference, American Translators Association, 03 November 2016, Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, CA. Conference Presentation.

MATI Reaches Out to Students

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:35:24 GMT

MATI Reaches Out to Students
By Meghan McCallum, MATI Vice President

MATI members are actively visiting schools (both in person and virtually!) to speak to students about the exciting careers of translating and interpreting. Read on for a few recent examples of MATI members’ School Outreach visits.

MATI Director Ghada Shakir, an English-Arabic translator and interpreter based in Mequon, WI, visited West Allis Central High School in March 2016 for the school’s career fair. She started with the basics, helping the students understand the differences between translation and interpreting. Next, Ghada explained potential career paths for these language skills, giving examples of translation and localization of websites, mobile apps, marketing materials and subtitling. She also provided examples of cultural differences and how important they are for translation. Finally, Ghada concluded her presentation with a demonstration of machine translation bloopers, showing the students the importance of professional human translators. Ghada reported that she thoroughly enjoyed her school visit. “It is my mission to pass on my expertise to the next generation of translators and interpreters,” she said.

MATI Director Marina Ilari, an English-Spanish translator based in Milwaukee, WI, gave a webinar on freelance translation to translation students at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. She told the students about lessons she’s learned from her many years of freelance translation, sharing resources and providing tips on running a freelance business. Her presentation included recommendations for marketing, attending professional conferences and networking events, continuing education and building a client base. Marina admits she was nervous to present the webinar, but in the end found the experience to be incredibly rewarding. Looking back, she said, “I wished my university had prepared something like this to help new translators enter the market more confidently!”

MATI member Amanda Bickel, a French-English translator based in Monona, WI, has offered her expertise to language students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison each semester since 2015, and has plans to visit the university again early this year to participate in another alumni mentoring event. She has also developed and given presentations on freelance translating as a career. Her goal is to offer students candid knowledge about the logistics of being a freelance translator, as opposed to language-specific translation instruction. “You can learn actual translation skills from taking classes, but many are remote,” she said. “I lacked a personal connection with someone in the industry when I was starting out. I could have really benefitted from that when I was in college or after. I’m hoping to give the students some tips and insight that I had to learn over time through trial and error.”

Are you interested in visiting a school to talk to students about translation and interpreting? Find out more about the ATA School Outreach program — and enter for a chance to win free registration to ATA’s 58th Annual Conference — at atanet.org/ata_school/.

MATI Translators Lead Workshops at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:28:29 GMT

MATI Translators Lead Workshops at University of Wisconsin-Madison

By Erin Woodard, MATI Member

Milwaukee- and Madison-based French into English translators Meghan McCallum and Erin Woodard each led workshops this fall for the Professional French Master’s Program (PFMP) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The PFMP is an interdisciplinary master’s degree program that allows students to study French alongside a specific concentration area including higher education, business, European Union affairs, international development, and media/arts/cultural production. Students complete graduate-level coursework before completing a professional internship abroad at a French-speaking organization whose work is related to the candidate’s associated concentration area.

The program recently restructured its concentration area coursework to incorporate professional skills workshops led by university faculty, staff, and outside professionals in the field. Adding the new workshops allows PFMP candidates to gain a deeper understanding of concepts required for their concentration-area learning, as well as provide them with specific professional skills.

Of the workshops offered in the fall semester, MATI Vice President Meghan McCallum led the Translation Techniques and Strategies workshop, and MATI member and PFMP alumna Erin Woodard led the Introduction to Budgeting and Forecasting workshop. Each workshop met for a total of 15 hours throughout the semester. Students were exposed to a variety of translation and budgeting concepts, respectively, and had the opportunity to hone their skills through project-based learning.

“The PFMP students were eager to apply their language skills to translation tasks as well as editing and critiquing exercises,” Meghan said. “This workshop was an opportunity to show them the important role translators play in global marketing and communications.”

Erin added, “The workshop was a wonderful opportunity to share my professional experiences with the PFMP students. I enjoyed exposing them to budgeting concepts and having the opportunity to discuss financial tools in the workplace.”

The PFMP candidates will be starting their second set of workshops and classes in the coming weeks as they return for their spring semester. Additional information about the PFMP can be found at http://pfmp.wisc.edu/welcome.

PFMP students and instructors at a social gathering at the beginning of the fall 2016 semester.

Madison Gatherings for Translators and Interpreters

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:23:08 GMT

Madison Gatherings for Translators and Interpreters

By Thaís Passos, MATI Director

For the past six years, a group of translators and interpreters in the Madison, WI, area have been meeting approximately every six weeks for informal get-togethers. The idea was hatched after MATI members Catherine Jagoe, Sasha Federiuk, and Diane Grosklaus Whitty met at an annual conference and decided to create a local space where they could gather with fellow professionals and “talk shop” without any specific agenda. The group remains unaffiliated and has no formal structure.

What started as mixed meetings of translators and interpreters later split into separate gatherings: one for translators and one for interpreters. The gatherings are attended by medical and legal interpreters as well as translators specialized in fields as diverse as law, veterinary medicine, health care, and literature. Represented languages include Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, French, German, Catalan, Farsi, Bengali, Hindi, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Russian, and Swedish. Conversations run the gamut from accounting issues and CAT tools to sharing both good and bad news on the professional and personal fronts.

Participants say that the major gain is a sense of belonging and support that helps them keep up their good work, encourages them to try new tools and approaches, and acknowledges their personal and professional achievements. Information on the meetings, which are open to all translators and interpreters, including students, are announced on the group’s Facebook page (Madison Area Interpreters & Translators). If you happen to be in the Madison area, you are cordially invited to attend!

Some participants of the Madison Area Interpreters and Translators group met in December 2016. From left to right: Sylvia Gilbertson, Alex Wills, Huan-Hua Chye, Erin Woodard, Thaís Passos, Diane Grosklaus Whitty, and Manuela Francavilla.

MATI Member Spotlight: Kelley D. Salas

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:10:54 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Kelley D. Salas

Language Pair(s): Spanish>English (Translation); Spanish<>English (Interpretation)

Degree(s)/Certification(s): ATA Certified for Spanish to English Translation since 2008; Graduate Certificate in Translation, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012

How long have you been a MATI member? Since August 2016

How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

I began studying translation and interpretation at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee about ten years ago, while I was on leave from my job as a bilingual elementary school teacher at La Escuela Fratney. While I started translation studies mainly as a way to maintain and expand my Spanish language skills, I quickly found that I loved the work. I began freelancing for several local clients and agencies, and also worked as a medical interpreter at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital.

My progress in the translation field was interrupted when I decided to return to a full time teaching job at Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School in 2009, and later accepted a job as communications director at the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association in 2012. Although I seldom had time for freelance work during these years, I continued to aspire to a career in translation and interpretation.

In February of 2016, I decided to go full time in this field, and I am now making up the bulk of my work week with freelance translating and interpreting work, specializing in the medical and legal fields. I am also a medical interpreter at Columbia St. Mary’s, and I’m working to get interpreter certification through the Wisconsin court system.

It’s exciting to put my degree and certification to use on a daily basis now! I have found that many of the things I learned in my role as communications director are helpful to my freelance work, including website design and maintenance, graphic design/desktop publishing, and coping with high work volumes and challenging deadlines.

What is your favorite thing about working in this field?

It’s important for people to have equal access to health care and the justice system regardless of their English abilities, and it’s gratifying to help make that happen. I also really appreciate the flexibility of freelance work. After working as a classroom teacher, where we commonly had to choose between eating lunch or going to the restroom, it’s wonderful to be able to schedule my own day, and vary my schedule throughout the week.

What is your favorite aspect of your profession?

One aspect of the profession that I really love is continuous learning. Every day I learn new terms and new concepts. Every day I am deepening my language skills and content knowledge in my areas of specialization. I also appreciate the variety. I love the quiet solitude of translation projects and the ability to work from home, and I also look forward to my shifts at the hospital, when I can connect on a human level with patients and colleagues. There was a time when I was quite intimidated by interpretation – I felt safer in translation, since you have more time to consult resources and double check your work. However, I have really grown to enjoy interpreting and the unique challenges and rewards it offers.

Why do you think it’s important to belong to professional organizations like MATI?

I’ve been an ATA member since 2007 and have learned so much during those years from the publications and emails. I joined MATI once I decided to work full time in the field. The ability to network face-to-face with local/regional colleagues is invaluable. I made some important connections at the MATI annual conference in September, and as I followed up throughout the fall, I was able to establish working relationships with two regular clients thanks to these connections. I will certainly continue to attend MATI events and annual conferences, and I also hope to attend the ATA conference in 2017.

Are there any questions you would like to pose to your MATI colleagues?

I’d love to hear my MATI colleagues’ thoughts on any/all of the following:

How do you feel about working for agencies vs. direct clients?
What are your preferred sources/forums for terminology queries (especially in the medical and legal fields)?
Do you have a specific colleague(s) that you go to for support while working on translation jobs, and what does this process look like for you?
Is there any specific agency or client that you would recommend I contact for work?

Thanks in advance for your responses! You can email me at kelleydsalas@gmail.com.

Happy New Year from MATI

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 18:06:49 GMT

Happy New Year from MATI

MATI would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our members a very happy 2017. Thank you for being part of our association!

2016 was another great year for MATI. We enjoyed seeing our members at several social events throughout the year. We held our board elections in the spring, and the association welcomed new directors Marina Ilari, Kristy Brown Lust, Thaís Passos and Ghada Shakir to the board.

We hosted our annual conference in September at the University Center in Chicago, drawing a number of attendees for a day of educational sessions and networking. MATI also had strong attendance at the ATA conference in San Francisco in November, with several members presenting sessions. Throughout the year, we also offered benefits such as our quarterly newsletter and a wide range of webinars open to both members and non-members.

In 2017, we look forward to continuing to offer you educational, networking and social events and resources. Plans are underway for our annual conference, and we are finalizing our webinar lineup for the year.

This spring we will hold our annual board elections. If you have been looking for an opportunity to get more involved with MATI, consider running for a position on our board!

Please stay tuned for announcements about upcoming events, webinars and elections. And if you haven’t done so already, please take the time to renew your membership for the year and make sure your directory listing at www.matiata.org is up to date.

We wish you a very happy and healthy 2017.

Best regards,

The MATI Board of Directors

Every Little Word Matters

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:58:46 GMT

Every Little Word Matters

By Kristy Brown Lust, MATI Director

As professional translators and interpreters, we know that one word can have many shades of meaning, depending on its context. We also know that even small errors can add up to big changes in meaning. However, when we’re facing the time crunch common in our industries, we sometimes forget the impact translation and interpretation errors can have. Let’s look at a couple examples.

Case 1: Japanese Red Army member trial

In October 2016, Tsutomu Shirosaki was on trial in Tokyo for alleged participation in a Japanese Embassy attack that occurred in 1968. Two interpreters were selected to interpret testimony from 11 Indonesians. After a review of the interpretations by the court found that one of the interpreters made more than 200 errors in interpreting testimony, the interpreter was removed from the case.

According to The Japan Times, “The court found that the interpreter skipped some words without translating them and made mistakes in translating some others. In one instance, the interpreter translated ‘forensic identification officer’ as simply ‘officer.’” Other reported errors: “the year 1983 mentioned by an Indonesian police officer was found to have been translated as 1985. Another statement by the officer, that ‘I did not give heed to it,’ was found to have been changed into ‘I do not remember it.’” An editorial in the paper said the outcome of this particular trial was not impacted by the errors, but urged the courts to establish standardized examinations to ensure interpreters are qualified to provide legal [interpretation] services. The editorial concluded, “If a false conviction occurs as a result of an incorrect translation, the damage will be irreparable.”

Case 2: Greek Subminimum Wage

In a recent recommendation to the Greek labor ministry, a group of experts issued recommendations, written in English, for implementing a “youth subminimum wage.” The group suggested that a young person’s pay should be based on how much experience they have in the workforce. S. Papapetros writes, “Specifically, a passage on page 41 of the report envisions a ‘subminimum’ wage at 90 percent of the current level, gross pay, for the first year of employment; 95 percent for the second year of employment.”

When the report was translated into Greek, subminimum was translated as minimum, which could lead to a debate on what rate the youth wages should be calculated on.

Even the best translators and interpreters make mistakes. That’s why good proofreading and editing are important, along with certification credentials. And that’s also why it’s dangerous to place unrealistic demands and time pressure on translators and interpreters. Mistakes may complicate already challenging political, business, and personal relationships and cause serious harm to governments, businesses and individuals.

ATA Certification Exam Undergoes Changes

Meghan McCallum — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:51:39 GMT

ATA Certification Exam Undergoes Changes

By Thaís Passos, MATI Director

Becoming ATA certified requires passing a translation exam consisting of two passages of roughly 250 words each. The ATA Certification Program is going through some changes intended to improve accessibility and enhance the value of the ATA Certification Exam. Four major changes went into effect on January 1, 2017:

There are no longer any education or experience requirements. The only requirements are ATA membership and agreement to the ATA Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.
There are only general passages. Candidates are presented with three general passages and must choose two to translate. These are typically commentaries or essay-type articles. The exam will no longer include any medical, technical, or scientific texts or texts on legal, commercial, or financial subjects.
More computerized exam sittings will be offered. Several computerized sittings have already been scheduled for 2017. On computerized exams, candidates can use their own laptops and non-interactive Internet resources, such as electronic dictionaries and glossaries. Candidates may not use CAT tools, translation memories, email, chat rooms, forums, or machine translation tools such as Google Translate. Candidates will save their translations on an ATA-supplied USB drive with grammar and spell check utilities disabled. Candidates may still bring and use their own print resources, and can also opt to handwrite their exam.
Candidates will have more opportunities and accessibility for preparation and practice. In the near future, the ATA Certification Program will make the practice tests available for downloading (practice tests cost $80 per passage for ATA members and $120 per passage for non-members). In addition, the ATA Certification Committee is working to increase the availability of Candidate Preparation Workshops as both live sessions and webinars.

For an up-to-date list of upcoming exam sittings, please visit http://www.atanet.org/certification/upcoming_exam_sittings.php.

Sources:

http://umtia.org/2016/11/ata-certification-exam-changes/

http://www.atanet.org/chronicle-online/none/upcoming-changes-to-atas-certification-program/

http://www.atanet.org/certification/aboutexams_computerized.php

A Letter from MATI President Joseph Wojowski

Meghan McCallum — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 20:41:35 GMT

Hello and Happy New Year!

As you may have noticed, MATI’s Board of Directors underwent some changes early this year. Until the installment this summer of officers elected this spring, I will be serving as the MATI President and Meghan McCallum will be serving as the MATI Vice President.

Together, Meghan and I, in conjunction with your MATI board, will work hard to continue serving you, the members. Exciting plans are in the works for MATI this year, including quarterly social hours for us to get out and talk with you, as well as a great webinar lineup. And, of course, we will host our annual conference this autumn.

If you have not done so already, please be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook so you’re in the loop when we announce our upcoming social gatherings near you.

If you have any questions or suggestions for MATI activities, please feel free to contact me at matiemail@gmail.com.

Wishing you a prosperous and happy new year,

Joseph Wojowski
MATI President

Call for Proposals: 2017 Webinar Series

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 23:24:24 GMT

Call for Proposals: 2017 Webinar Series

MATI is pleased to announce the Research & Practice in Translation and Interpreting webinar series upcoming in 2017.

Webinars in this series will explore how academic research and professional practices support working translators and interpreters.

Interested presenters can submit abstracts until Wednesday, November 30, 2016.

Please note that presenters can be researchers, graduate students, professionals, and administrators from anywhere in the U.S. or other countries.

No travel is required to present. All web support will be provided.

Collaborative presentations are also welcome.

More information can be found on the MATI website.

Questions regarding submissions should be addressed to MATI at matiemail@gmail.com.

Going Back to School through ATA’s School Outreach Program

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 23:21:28 GMT

Going Back to School through ATA’s School Outreach Program

By Meghan McCallum, MATI Director

When was the last time you stepped inside a school? For some of us, it may have been a while. If you teach or have kids, perhaps you’re a regular at a local school. No matter how long it’s been, it’s time to get out those school supplies and take on a new assignment: School Outreach!

ATA’s School Outreach Program encourages translators and interpreters to visit their local schools and talk to students about their exciting careers. With over ten years under its belt, the program has helped countless language professionals around the world make the trip back to school by providing presentation materials, speaking tips and information about how to schedule school visits. Ready-to-use presentations and activities can be downloaded directly from the ATA website and adapted for each specific visit.

During School Outreach visits, translators and interpreters speak to students at all levels, emphasizing the benefits of foreign language study and outlining the specialized skills needed to become a translator or interpreter. Activities can be catered to all age levels and interests, from young children just starting a second language to students in specialized translation graduate programs.

In recent years, School Outreach has even gone virtual thanks to modern technology. With videoconferencing programs such as Skype, translators and interpreters can virtually visit with students across the globe. All it takes is simple software skills and coordination with time zone differences—familiar territory for all of us!

As an added incentive, the ATA School Outreach Program also holds an annual contest based on photo submissions from translators and interpreters who have made school visits. By submitting a winning shot of him/herself in the classroom, one person each year is awarded the grand prize of free registration to the ATA conference. Now that’s a big payoff! The winner also receives recognition at the awards presentation during the ATA conference and in the ATA Chronicle.

To learn more about the School Outreach Program, access resource materials, read stories from previous school visits, and get details about the School Outreach Contest, visit https://www.atanet.org/ata_school/.

Have you made a school visit recently to talk to students about translation and interpreting? Tell us about it! Send a message to School Outreach Program Coordinator Meghan McCallum at meghanraymccallum@gmail.com.

Translation Events in Madison, WI

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 23:09:40 GMT

Translation Events in Madison, WI

By Thaís Passos, MATI Director and Erin Woodard, MATI Member

Translator and interpreter Margie Franzen recently coordinated two days of events celebrating translation in Madison, WI.

On September 17, “Superheroic? Feats of Translation!” featured re-writing graphic novels, comic captions in different languages, and a translation slam. The day started with a workshop where kids learned how to write comic book captions in languages that use different writing systems like Hindi, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Russian, facilitated by language teachers from Madison-area high schools and language schools. The evening included a translation slam event, in which translators shared excerpts of Michael Chabon’s book The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (originally written in English) translated from other languages back into English. Afterward, translators Daniel Youd (from Mandarin Chinese), Ben Kearney (from Dutch), and Fred Svensson (from Swedish) discussed how they conducted their translations and the impact that the translated texts had on the overall context of the book. An interesting discussion ensued, involving the entire audience.

On September 29, the second T&T Open Mic event of this year was held in Madison. This fun get-together is meant for people to share readings in English translation. In the words of organizer Margie Franzen, it is “a friendly space for language-interested folks to gather and get ideas about what the great big world of translations has to offer.” The event is open to the public, and anyone may read or simply enjoy listening to the readings and discussing the topic of translation with the group. Readers choose whatever they want to read, so long as it’s a translation (into English). People are also encouraged to read anything they have translated themselves, published or unpublished. The next T&T Open Mic will likely be in February 2017. Stay tuned!

Erin Woodard is a French into English translator with specialization in International Development, Life Sciences, and Sustainable Development.

Thaís Passos is a English and Spanish into Portuguese translator with specialization in Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Environment, and Sustainability.

Beginner Linguists Find Useful Resources at UW-Madison Language Institute

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 23:06:05 GMT

Beginner Linguists Find Useful Resources at UW-Madison Language Institute

By Thaís Passos, MATI Director

For those getting started or considering a career in translation or interpreting, the Language Institute (http://languages.wisc.edu/) and the College of Letters and Science of the University of Wisconsin-Madison can be a great resource. This fall, the Language Institute hosted a workshop series to help people learn how to gain experience, build expertise, and find work in these fields.

The series of three workshops, called “Use Your Words: Careers in Translation and Interpreting”, was presented by UW-Madison alumni working as translators or interpreters. The first workshop, presented by MATI board member Amanda Bickel, focused on freelance translation. The second, led by Anne Plesh, manager of interpreter services for the Wisconsin region of SSM Health and Laura Puls, a medical interpreter at SSM Heath, addressed medical interpreting. Lynn Leazer, who has been working as a court interpreter for nearly 15 years, led a third workshop on legal interpreting.

Another event fostering students’ exploration of their future language careers was the “International Career Connections: Alumni Mentoring”. On November 17, UW-Madison alumni with international experiences talked about their careers to inspire students planning their own. By networking with alumni in a broad range of career areas, students learned about their paths and glean advice for their own next steps. For more information, visit: http://languages.wisc.edu/events/syndicated/international-career-connections-alumni-mentoring

“Ramping up Your Freelance Business” (Marian Greenfield)

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 22:59:30 GMT

Marian Greenfield on “Ramping up Your Freelance Business”

By Thaís Passos, MATI Director

In her presentation “Ramping up Your Freelance Business” at the 13^th Annual MATI Conference, Marian Greenfield emphasized freelancers are business owners and must think like business owners.

She talked about the importance of having a business plan to set earning goals, forecast required purchases, choose targeted specializations (or “verticals”), develop marketing strategies, set work hours, and, of course, to set prices.

According to Marian, some differentiating factors that should help your potential clients decide to hire you instead of another translator/interpreter are: specialization in your language pairs and subject matter, keeping your language skills up-to-date by staying in close contact with all your languages, making use of top-notch research skills and resources, solving your clients’ problems by doing whatever it takes to get the job done well (including referring colleagues if you are not best qualified to do the job), using top-of-the-line hardware and software, and leveraging CAT tools to increase the quality of your translations.

Greenfield reminded us to be more efficient by knowing our strengths and weaknesses and outsourcing tasks that others can do better, cheaper or faster than us, such as: accounting, bookkeeping, technology support, project management, sales, editing, formatting, and marketing.

One of the highlights of the presentation was the importance of marketing effectively. Greenfield said that making use of virtual networking is crucial, but “having a face makes a huge difference”. Good examples of how to put our face out there are: networking in online communities, participating in professional associations, presenting seminars and webinars, attending trade shows, reaching out to chambers of commerce, having a good website, and volunteering in general.

Greenfield’s final message was for us to focus on service and good client relations by maintaining a positive attitude and cultivating a healthy business atmosphere.

Thaís Passos translates from English and Spanish into Brazilian Portuguese. She holds a Master of Arts in Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies with a focus in Translation and a Master of Science in Agroecology, both from the University of Wisconsin. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine from the Universidade Estadual Paulista in Brazil.

“Humanizing Machine Translation” (Anthony Perez)

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 22:55:39 GMT

Anthony Perez, “Humanizing Machine Translation”

By Abigail Wright

Anthony Perez, Vice President of Global Sales at Translate.com, gave a presentation at MATI 13 titled “Humanizing Machine Translation,” dedicated to clearing up misconceptions concerning Machine Translation (MT) and shedding light on how we human translators can make it work for us. Perez affirmed that while MT is here to stay, clients still want a human face, because “people buy from people.” While some translation jobs have been lost to MT, on the whole, demand for human translation has actually increased with the winds of rapid technological change.

Perez dubbed 2016 the “Era of Mass Translation,” explaining that in any given minute, millions of posts appear online and billions of messages are sent across the globe. The majority of users of such top Internet properties such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Yahoo! are international. Smartphone use in Asia has skyrocketed. This has all come together to create a global “on-demand economy.” In a world of Snapchat, GrubHub, and Uber, people want translations instantly—just like everything else.

In accordance with this demand, Perez explained, MT has evolved from a rules-based approach that generated translations based only on word-to-word matches and naturally required heavy human correction to its present statistics-based model. Current MT works with phrases instead of words, taking its cue from bilingual glossaries, translation memories, and feedback from its users. The future of MT, however, lies in a deep-learning, neural model based on the human brain itself. This model, which is still in development, relies on a main engine which processes an entire sentence, paragraph, or document, while a subnetwork processes source sentences, keywords, grammar, and word meaning.

The goal, of course, is to create the best possible raw MT output. Post-editors use their knowledge base for everything from correcting minor punctuation and capitalization errors to retranslating whole words and expressions. The Translation Automation User Society (TAUS) advises post-editors to use all the raw MT they can while aiming for a semantically correct text, never adding or omitting anything, editing offensive or inappropriate content, and leaving their clients with no stylistic worries. Human translation is still necessary, Perez acknowledged, particularly for advertising, legal texts, contracts, marketing materials, and human resources documents.

Perez closed out his presentation with a Wizard of Oz analogy and several pieces of advice for human translators in the age of MT. We can choose, he explained, to be the Scarecrow, carrying on as usual; the Cowardly Lion, skeptically (and hopelessly) wishing for MT to die; or Dorothy, pursuing opportunities and learning from the journey. To help make Dorothys out of us, Perez advised the following courses of action: move fast, create new business models around MT, be open to learning new platforms, and give feedback on MT quality to language service providers to help improve MT engines. We should also invest in networking, find new ways to make money, and above all, laugh, because “life is short.”

Abigail Wright is a freelance Spanish-to-English translator. She is a 2016 graduate of the Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and recently started her own company, Wright Translations, LLC. She has been a MATI member since 2015.

“Contract Linguists Using Language Proficiency and Cultural Expertise in the FBI” (Martin Mirza)

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 22:53:28 GMT

Martin Mirza, “Contract Linguists Using Language Proficiency and Cultural Expertise in the FBI”

By Abigail Wright

Closing out the 13th Annual MATI Conference was Martin Mirza, Supervisory Foreign Language Program Coordinator at the FBI. Mirza gave an overview of the role of contract linguists in the FBI and the rigorous selection process to become one.

The first major expansion in the FBI’s contract linguist hiring came at the end of the Cold War, when various countries that had conducted government business in Russian while part of the USSR promptly reverted to their own native languages, thus increasing the need for linguists in those languages. Since 9/11, the Bureau has seen a second revolution in language needs, and it now employs hundreds of linguists who work in the various dialects of Arabic and the various languages of Afghanistan, among others.

Mirza explained that contract linguists work on a part-time, as-needed basis, with the possibility of eventually becoming full-time “language analysts.” Like FBI agents, their mission is to defend the USA. Language analysts work on the 6th floor of the FBI, which Mirza referred to as the “Tower of Babel,” characterized by the sounds of many different languages and the fragrances of various cuisines.

Mirza enumerated the manifold duties of an FBI contract linguist: analyzing and translating audio, interpreting crucial suspect interviews, testifying as to the accuracy of information in investigations, monitoring live wiretaps, and providing agents with cultural knowledge based on their lived experience. Mirza regretted he could give no examples, but promised that, should any audience members join the FBI, they would be rewarded with many. He did relate one particular challenge contract linguists face, which is that FBI agents sometimes lack the cultural knowledge needed to even identify the language for which they require assistance. For example, Arabic linguists have been summoned to lend their expertise, only to discover that the language the subjects are speaking is actually Farsi.

The requirements to be an FBI contract linguist are stringent. According to Mirza, they are lucky if three out of every 100 candidates they evaluate prove to be suitable. To serve in this position, one must be a US citizen, have lived in the US for three of the last five years (unless employed by the US government overseas), and be willing to undergo language proficiency testing and a background check. Immediate disqualifiers include a felony conviction, default on a government-backed student loan, drug test failure, drug use, low language proficiency, limited availability of work in the applicant’s language, and an unwillingness to travel and work a minimum of 30 hours a week.

While contract linguists are assigned to one office, they may have to travel to another to assist there, particularly if their language or dialect is scarce in that region. Mirza gave the examples of Chicago, which has a greater number of Iraqi Arabic linguists, and Boston, which has more Lebanese Arabic linguists. They assist each other regularly.

The application process is intense and costs the FBI approximately $50,000 per applicant. With at best only three successful applications out of every 100, Mirza joked, “Is it any wonder why we don't have money?” Further complicating matters, the process can take years, at the end of which, even if a candidate is offered work, he or she may not still be free to accept it. Mirza himself waited three years for hiring approval.

Applicants who make it through the process and accept the offer receive six months of training, including a two-week class at Quantico and, if needed, further language instruction to improve the linguist’s Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) conversation level. When dual citizens become FBI contract linguists–or join the FBI in any position–they are required to surrender their non-US passports to the FBI for the duration of their employment.

Upon Mirza’s conclusion, the audience was immediately full of questions, and if the long line surrounding him at the post-conference reception was any indication, also full of aspirations. Perhaps, in the not too distant future, we may see familiar faces at the FBI table at ATA.

“The Changing Interpreting Landscape in the United States” (Dr. Enrica Ardemagni)

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 22:50:51 GMT

Dr. Enrica Ardemagni, “The Changing Interpreting Landscape in the United States”

By Abigail Wright

For the third session of the 13th Annual MATI Conference, we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Enrica Ardemagni, interpreter, translator, and professor emeritus at Indiana University and Purdue University. Dr. Ardemagni is a founding member and past president of MATI, and current president of the National Council on Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC). Dr. Ardemagni asked her audience to make scorecards and to assign ourselves points throughout her presentation, based on our awareness of information she would highlight. In a clear illustration of the need for such highlighting, the best score in the room was 16 points...out of a possible 30.

Dr. Ardemagni described the former interpreting landscape as “dreary,” citing deficiencies in areas of consumer knowledge, education and training, industry standards, payment standards, and, in the case of less commonly spoken languages, employability. She asserted that there has, however, been more progress in these areas than is generally assumed.

Historically, these problems have manifested themselves in the use of ad hoc interpreters, who often aren’t really interpreters at all, but a patient or client’s friends or family, or perhaps students whose training remains woefully incomplete. This is the result of, among other things, a lack of hiring criteria and poor performance measurement systems. If, for example, patient satisfaction surveys are the only measure, they can be misleading. A patient will certainly rate his or her Spanish-speaking brother highly, but that does not mean he is actually a good interpreter. This lack of standardization and accountability could lead, and has led, to disastrous consequences, from patient deaths to incorrect verdicts and inappropriate sentencing in court.

However, as Dr. Ardemagni explained, there has been improvement, with both external regulation and internal professionalization bringing slow but certain change. External regulation has come in the form of legislation, beginning with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to a 2004 mandate by the Department of Health and Human Services that requires patients of limited English proficiency to be notified of available interpreters, to 2010’s landmark Affordable Care Act.

Within the profession, improvements have come in the form of codes of ethics, standards of practice, an increase in curricula and training programs, and the creation of numerous organizations: the American Translators Association (ATA), the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT), the aforementioned NCIHC, the Massachusetts Medical Interpreters Association and the International Medical Interpreters Association (MMIA and IMIA), the California Healthcare Interpreting Association (CHIA), the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC), The American Association of Language Specialists (TAALS), the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI), the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI), Federal Court Interpreter Certification (FCIC), the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), National Interpreter Certification (NIC), the newly created Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation (CASLI), and the Court Interpreter Training Institute (CITI).

For each of these organizations, Dr. Ardemagni provided first the abbreviation or acronym, then instructed audience members who knew the full name to assign themselves one point. Those who were members of the associations and/or certified by them earned an additional point for this. Naturally, with so much variation and specialization, no one was going to earn that additional point for all of them, but now, thanks to Dr. Ardemagni, individual audience members of greatly varying specialties and niches all have a better idea of where to go to receive their proper qualifications and find their community.

MATI 13th Annual Conference

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 22:48:28 GMT

MATI 13^th Annual Conference

By Meghan McCallum, MATI Director

MATI held its 13^th Annual Conference on Saturday, September 10 at the University Center in Chicago. Translators, interpreters, students, and other language services professionals from across the Midwest gathered to enjoy a day full of continuing education and networking opportunities.

After opening remarks from MATI President Elizabeth Colón, the first session of the day was “Ramping Up Your Freelance Business,” presented by Marian Greenfield, a freelance Spanish, Portuguese and French into English translator and past ATA President. This session provided helpful tips regarding marketing, networking, technology, and other aspects of running a freelance business.

Next up was a technology session from Anthony Perez, Vice President of Global Sales at Translate.com: “Humanizing MT.” Perez highlighted technological progress in language services and discussed the role of machine translation in today’s world of ever-increasing online content.

After a lunch break, translator, interpreter and past MATI President Enrica Ardemagni presented “The Changing Interpreting Landscape in the United States.” This session focused on recent improvements to the professionalization of interpreting in the face of past challenges.

The conference then had a short interlude highlighting the world of literary translation. Special guest author José Castro Urioste gave a reading in Spanish from his novel ¿Y tú qué has hecho?, while Enrica Ardemagni read the corresponding sections in English from her translation of the novel, published as And What Have You Done?

Concluding the lineup of presentations was Martin Mirza, Supervisory Foreign Language Program Coordinator at the Chicago FBI Field Office, with “Contract Linguists Using Language Proficiency and Cultural Expertise in the FBI.” Mirza discussed the importance of language services in the FBI and described contract and full-time employment opportunities within the FBI for language professionals.

The conference provided a wide variety of educational opportunities for attendees. In between presentations, conference participants had opportunities to network and meet conference sponsors in the exhibitor area. Representatives from Atlas Language Services, Metaphrasis, CPG and Translate.com were available to meet with attendees throughout the day.

Conference closing remarks were given by MATI Vice President Joseph Wojowski, who thanked the presenters and sponsors and encouraged conference attendees to continue participating in the many networking and educational opportunities offered by MATI year-round. The popular networking and hors d’oeuvres hour followed, in which attendees, presenters, and exhibitors had the opportunity to socialize over light refreshments.

MATI would like to thank all conference attendees, sponsors and presenters for being part of the 13^th Annual Conference. We look forward to seeing you at additional professional and social events in 2017!

MATI Member Spotlight: María Conde-Barwise

Thais Passos Fonseca — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 22:39:00 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: María Conde-Barwise

Language Pair(s): English<>Spanish

Degree(s)/Certification(s): Master of Arts in Linguistics; Bsc. Computer Science; U.S. Certified Court Interpreter; Texas Master Licensed Court Interpreter; New Mexico and Indiana State Certified Court Interpreter; English into Spanish Certified Translator (The University of Texas at El Paso, UTEP); Minor in Translation (UTEP); Diplomado in Translation and Interpreting (University of Ciudad Juárez, México).

How long have you been a MATI member? A bit over a year.

Where do you live and/or work? I live in Indianapolis, IN. I work as a freelance interpreter & translator in Indianapolis for the Marion County Superior, Juvenile, and Small Claims Courts through a local interpreting agency. I also provide my interpreting services to some of the Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio U.S. Courts.

How did you acquire your B language(s)? I slowly began acquiring English as a child living in Mexican cities bordering the U.S. Then, while in college, I learned how to read it and expanded my vocabulary as most of my computer science textbooks were only available in English. Finally, what helped me become more bilingual and bicultural was the fact that I lived, studied and worked on the U.S.-Mexico border for over 22 years.

How long have you worked in your field? Almost 20 years.

How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation? I began in the field when I applied for a job as a software programmer/systems analyst and the position was no longer available. This was at a manufacturing plant in Ciudad Juárez, México. They told me to wait for a position to open, but they also asked me if I would be interested in helping translate several key production floor software tools in the meantime. I said yes, and I discovered I loved the job! That was back in 1995, and I realized I had found what I had always been looking for—my true calling. I forgot about trying to go back to computer science and programming jobs, etc. and dedicated all my efforts and energy to study and learn more about translation and interpreting. After that job ended, I would only apply to jobs/projects that had to do with translation and interpreting, holding several full-time/in-house translator and interpreting positions until I became a freelancer.

What is your favorite thing about working in this field? My favorite thing about working in the interpreting field, specifically in court interpreting, is the fact that I feel that I am serving two nations: the U.S. and Mexico. As a long-time resident on the U.S.-Mexico border, I have learned to love the two countries I feel I am a part of: Mexico and the United States. Also, that I equally get to serve both countries by helping my compatriots understand what happens in a courtroom and by providing the courts with services that are backed up by experience, formal education and skills.

Describe an especially memorable or fulfilling professional experience. After a bit over one year of hard work interpreting for a Japanese consultant in a manufacturing plant where the work was done in English<>Spanish, he once told me, “María, now that I come to think of it, after more than one year, there has not been a single misunderstanding or misinterpretation of anything that I have said to either a production operator, supervisor or manager and the other way around. I don’t think a single mistake has been made arising out of all of the information I conveyed and/or received through you.” I just smiled, and thought to myself, “Exactly!” I was glad to know someone was able to see that I always tried my best to help people understand each other. I needed no other compliment or comment about my performance. That’s been one of the best things I have ever heard about the job that I do and that I love doing!

What is your favorite part of the workday? Type of job? Type of client? Aspect of your profession? There are many things I like about my profession and these are just a few: learning new things; meeting new people and people from all walks of life; listening to polite, professional, flexible, objective and articulate professionals like attorneys and judges, etc.; and feeling challenged when interpreting in a trial or any other proceeding.

What do you do in your free time? I love going to the movies, dancing, meeting with friends, going to concerts and museums, seeing new places, etc.

Annual Business Meeting

Meghan McCallum — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:59:58 GMT

Annual Business Meeting

MATI directors and members met Saturday, August 6 in Milwaukee for the Annual Business Meeting. The MATI Board of Directors officially swore in several new members: Elizabeth Colón as President and Amanda Bickel, Marina Ilari, Kristy Brown Lust, Thaís Passos Fonseca and Ghada Shakir as Directors.

Reports were also submitted from the Membership, Communications and Programs Committees in addition to the financial report. As MATI’s board continues to incorporate new programs and features that benefit our growing membership, all committees are seeking volunteers to support in the delivery of new and ongoing services. Please visit the Committees and Chairs page on the MATI website for a description of MATI’s committees and the responsibilities and tasks that fall under the purview of each.

The board also discussed plans for the upcoming annual conference, to be held Saturday, September 10 in Chicago. The event includes an exciting lineup of presenters, a special literary translation reading session, and the popular networking and hors d’oeuvres hour. Registration is open at http://www.matiata.org/event-2298880. Sponsorship opportunities are also available; please see http://www.matiata.org/donations for more information.

In closing, President Colón expressed her dedication to her new role as President. She is eager to listen to and provide support for all MATI members, and welcomes your feedback and participation in the organization. MATI is looking forward to another successful year!

MATI’s 2016-2017 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

President: Elizabeth Colón (IL), 2016-2018
Vice President: Joseph Wojowski (IL), 2015-2017
Secretary: Amy Polenske (WI), 2015-2017*
Treasurer: Katarzyna Jankowski (IL), 2015-2017*

Board of Directors

Amanda Bickel (WI), 2016-2018
Marina Ilari (WI), 2016-2018
Kristy Brown Lust (WI), 2016-2018
Meghan McCallum (WI), 2015-2017*
Thaís Passos Fonseca (WI), 2016-2018
Ghada Shakir (WI), 2016-2018
Tyann Zehms (WI), 2015-2017

*Denotes second consecutive term. Per Article 5, Section 5.2 of MATI’s bylaws, “Officers may be re-elected and serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms, but may run for office again after a full two-year term out of office.” For a complete list of all present and past directors of MATI’s Board, please visit Board of Directors.

To Our Outgoing Board Members: Thank You!

Our outgoing board members, listed below, served their maximum two consecutive terms on the MATI Board of Directors from 2012-2016. We thank them wholeheartedly for their commitment to our organization. MATI has made great strides in the services it provides to its membership, and we thank our outgoing board members for helping us get to where we are today!

Christina Green, President, 2012-2016
Alaina Brantner, Director, 2012-2016
Susan Schweigert, Director, 2012-2016

Some Fundamentals of Project Management

Meghan McCallum — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 14:17:29 GMT

Some Fundamentals of Project Management

By Alaina Brantner, MATI Member

My professional experience as a project manager includes positions at three translation firms of varying organizational maturity. In those positions, not only have I managed projects of varying complexity in over sixty languages, I’ve also had the opportunity to model my own work as a project manager off of the strategies of some amazing professionals. Below I share a few of the fundamental skills and practices I have seen implemented consistently by the successful project managers with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work.

Knowing Your Partners

While collaborating with colleagues from around the globe is one very exciting and rewarding component of the job, the need to know as much as possible about one’s partners is compounded by a work environment in which collaboration takes place almost exclusively online. For example, if you send a translator in Japan a file format with which they cannot work, you’ll likely lose an entire working day coordinating to get them the correct format due to time zone differences. In an industry in which turnarounds of yesterday can be the norm, proactively establishing project parameters around knowledge of a translator’s programs, capacity, location, etc. is therefore one way to ensure smooth project launches.

Overall, the information that seasoned project managers endeavor to know about their translators includes location (time zone) and contact details (i.e. landline, cell, Skype, Whatsapp, or other messenger IDs—the more the better); operating systems and CAT tools; specializations, degrees, and certifications; other commitments and capacity, in addition to general knowledge of the translator’s strengths and weaknesses.

On top of knowing this information about each of the translators with whom they work, as they become more experienced, project managers also become more and more aware of factors affecting the language pairs with which they regularly work as a whole. This includes things like periods in which availability in certain language pairs will be greatly diminished due to vacation trends and national holidays, cost of living in target markets and its effect on language costs, degree equivalencies between target and source markets, etc. Building this kind of working knowledge on individuals and cultures is an ongoing process, so above all, project managers develop and rely on a network of colleagues and a repository of resources to which they can turn for all sorts of on-the-fly answers to language questions.

Since project management is largely about big picture facilitation, project managers rely on the individuals at each stage of the translation process for micro-level feedback on performance, processes and potential improvements as well. For example, as a project manager, I look to translators for proactive feedback on localization issues and problems that have popped up during file preparation, such as character or symbol corruption, etc. I rely on internal DTP specialists for information on compatibility issues between desktop publishing file formats and CAT programs. I turn to the subject matter experts in quality control with questions on appropriate stylistic treatment of textual features, along with feedback on the translator’s performance, conformance to style guidelines, and how instructions could be improved. Maintaining open and constructive dialogue with all participants helps to ensure that any issues that arise are caught and resolved as quickly and smoothly as possible. Additionally, this ongoing positive collaboration amongst all stakeholders to overcome small challenges can have a big impact on overall work satisfaction and the realization of greater overall efficiencies as a result.

Managing Expectations

As I’ve learned the hard way, a deadline of “tomorrow” may mean September 1 to me, but on the other side of the globe (in China, for example), by the time a translator reads my email message, that same “tomorrow” deadline will mean September 2 to her, due to time zone differences. At its most basic, managing expectations is therefore about proactive, clear and explicit communication. Asking to receive a translation by tomorrow, Thursday, September 1 at 9:00 AM CST communicates my delivery expectations much more explicitly than “tomorrow” does. This communication style helps to ensure timely deliveries and facilitates project timeline planning as well.

Managing expectations is also about showing respect to one’s partners in the collaborative translation process. If a translator emails me proactively to let me know that they will need some additional time to complete a project due to unforeseen issues, I manage the expectations of the other providers in that process by letting them know of changes to the timelines so that they can adjust their schedules accordingly. The same goes for scheduling any unexpected project reviews. If file updates or revisions are necessary, for example, I can alert the translator and request that they maintain a window of availability to respond to any questions or review changes to files. This proactive communication of changing project parameters within a dynamic environment in which multiple projects are being completed simultaneously by all providers in the process helps to ensure that resources are available as steps become available. Most importantly, this keeps projects on track for final delivery.

The concept of managing expectations is also very important to the establishment of project scopes with one’s clients. The client may send over three files for translation, for example, while their request email only references two. Better to ask up front whether they have accidentally attached an extra file than to find out upon delivery that content has been translated that the client neither wanted nor needed. Conversations with the client surrounding project expectations may include more delicate topics as well, such as how rush turnarounds increase project costs and decrease quality, and how failure to make appropriate project investments up front is more likely to result in situations that require expensive and inefficient rework—and in which all losses will likely not be recoverable. Approaching these kinds of topics certainly requires delicacy, and sales representatives rely on their translation teams to provide informative and realistic feedback to clients on project parameters. While difficult, this sort of consultative approach has both long-term benefits with specific clients and for the profession as a whole. As clients become more aware of the intricacies of the translation process, they are more likely to approach that process more critically, with an understanding of the investments necessary to reach translation goals. And they’re more likely to return with their translation needs to those providers that have a positive track record for successfully managing expectations as well.

Prioritizing

Project managers follow multiple projects simultaneously of various types and with varied processes. On any given day, a project manager’s task list may include project launches, queries from the quality team for the translator, quotes, questions from clients on new languages or services, questions from management on new translation technology, post-production TM updates, etc. More experienced project managers have therefore established systems for tracking outstanding tasks, and they prioritize tasks based on the overall objective of project management: to keep projects moving through the production process.

When I arrive to the office in the morning, I may have three high priority tasks that all need immediate attention. My general strategy will be to cross those items off my task list which I can complete most quickly, so that I can concentrate on any more time-consuming items. For example, not only does passing a translation delivery to the quality team take just a few minutes, but by making this pass right away, I’ve ensured that the project has not stalled between the translation and quality stages. I may also be working on finalizing a multi-language quote and initiating a new quote. While CAT analysis runs on the new quote, I may therefore follow up with any translators from whom I have not yet received a quote for my multi-language project. I’ll keep bouncing between the two projects until I am able to deliver the multi-language quote to the sales team, and send the processed files to the translator for the new project quote. This sort of multi-tasking means that process-orientation is an important skill for project management. While project managers’ focus is often monitoring the overall big picture status of projects, they must also be able to break down each stage into the individual actions that will move—sometimes inch—projects forward and follow through with those actions.

Prioritizing, however, is also about understanding at what points in the process to make time investments, and a good rule of thumb is that front-end investments often yield the greatest efficiencies on back-end processes. For example, when launching a project, establishing clear instructions on the treatment of stylistic features (acronyms, proper nouns, measurements) will be beneficial at every stage of the project that follows. During translation, the translator won’t have to pause to make a treatment decision for each new stylistic feature they encounter. During quality review, the reviewer will have a translation product in which measurements and acronyms are treated consistently, so they will be able to review the content more quickly and request less changes. During DTP, less changes will be required, cutting down on project revisions during formatting. During post-production TM updates, less changes will need to be implemented into the bilingual file, cutting down on the time for that as well. By taking the time on the front end of the process to establish stylistic guidelines, the project manager has therefore generated time savings at every subsequent stage.

Still, project managers are also realistic, and they understand that no matter how carefully a project has been planned, surprises are bound to pop up as new versions of programs become available and generate new bugs, as deadlines are inadvertently missed, and revisions to the source file are sent over mid-project. Ultimately, project managers are therefore flexible, and when problems arise, their immediate reaction is to establish plan(s) B (C, and potentially D, depending). Only after a project is back on track will they take the time to reflect on what went awry and what improvements can be made next time around to avoid similar issues.

Conclusion

Overall, implementing the strategies outlined above can help project managers to achieve a positive domino effect within their organizations, in which happy translators lead to happy reviewers and desktop publishers, which leads to happy clients as project costs decrease, happy sales teams as clients request more work, and happy managers as a result. Beyond these skills, and as with any professional, a healthy amount of curiosity also goes a long way, as does identifying the individuals within your organization who work hard and have the know-how and sticking with them!

Alaina Brantner is a Project, Vendor and TM Manager and a Spanish to English translator. She holds a Master of Arts in Translation and served as MATI Director from 2012 to 2016.

Meet the MATI Board: Kristy Brown Lust

Meghan McCallum — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:08:03 GMT

Meet the MATI Board: Kristy Brown Lust

MATI Director Kristy Brown Lust works from French to English. She holds a Master’s degree in Translation.

Why did you decide to join MATI? I joined MATI for two reasons: First, I wanted to connect with other translation and interpreting professionals to build relationships so we can learn from each other, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate successes. Second, I believe it’s important to improve the visibility of translation and interpretation professionals. We do crucial work that helps make the world a better place, and MATI gives us a strong collective voice.

What is your favorite part of the workday? My favorite part of the day is when I’m in the midst of translating an interesting document.

What do you do in your free time? In the summer, I can be found most often outside reading on my back porch.

What are you most looking forward to about your participation on the MATI Board? I’m excited for the opportunity to meet more translators and interpreters and support them through strong communication and advocacy.

Meet the MATI Board: Ghada Shakir

Meghan McCallum — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:05:18 GMT

Meet the MATI Board: Ghada Shakir

MATI Director Ghada Shakir works between Arabic and English. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpretation Studies.

Why did you decide to join MATI? Passion, knowledge and expertise! Having worked in the field for so long and having had the the chance to work with multinational clients at different levels, I feel I am at a point where I can share this knowledge and expertise and pass it on to a new generation of translators and interpreters.

What is your favorite part of the workday? Project management sums it up!

What do you do in your free time? I’m a pretty active and social person, and in my free time, I enjoy long bike rides, stand up paddle boarding or just taking a stroll. I also enjoy cooking and entertaining friends and family.

What are you most looking forward to about your participation on the MATI Board? Having a technical background, I look forward to bringing new ideas on how to stay connected and on the essential nature of having the technical know-how in today’s cyber world—ideas that will help increase productivity, minimize cost and ensure on-time delivery.

Meet the MATI Board: Thaís Passos

Meghan McCallum — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:00:49 GMT

Meet the MATI Board: Thaís Passos

MATI Director Thaís Passos works from English and Spanish to Brazilian Portuguese. She holds a Master of Arts in Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies with a focus in Translation and a Master of Science in Agroecology, both from the University of Wisconsin. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine from the Universidade Estadual Paulista in Brazil.

Why did you decide to join MATI?

I joined MATI because it offered me a reliable and resourceful platform that helped better inform my decision to become a translator (after having worked as a veterinarian for fifteen years). At my first MATI conference, I started learning about the profession and what it takes to be a good translator, and I’ve been learning from it ever since.

What is your favorite part of the workday?

I enjoy looking at something I’ve just translated and realizing I’ve come up with elegant solutions for some challenging terms. Those moments allow me to connect more deeply with both my source language and my mother tongue.

What do you do in your free time?

I usually spend my free time being with my husband, meeting with friends, chatting online with my family (they live in Brazil), and walking/playing with my dog.

What are you most looking forward to about your participation on the MATI Board?

I am looking forward to getting to know the other board members better so that we can figure out how we best work together. Each committee has its own work dynamic, and I am excited to learn where I will fit.

Meet the MATI Board: Amanda Bickel

Meghan McCallum — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:57:23 GMT

Meet the MATI Board: Amanda Bickel

MATI Director Amanda Bickel is a French to English translator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Why did you decide to join MATI? I started translating very part-time around working other full time jobs that didn’t use any language skills. My freelance clients grew over time, requiring me to go down to part-time at my other job and to now finally quit my other job all together. Now that freelance translating is my primary employment, I wanted to join MATI to connect with other local linguists since the job can be a bit solitary at times.

What is your favorite part of the workday? My favorite part is being able to take a break to eat, walk my dog, run an errand, prepare a meal for later at any time of the day.

What do you do in your free time? I love my dog, Gunner, who I adopted last year. I also work a few hours per week as a consultant for a non-profit organization called Haiti Medical Education Project and sometimes serve at a local restaurant too to get out of the house and to get a good workout. I’m from Madison, so any other free time I have I tend to spend with family and friends.

What are you most looking forward to about your participation on the MATI Board? I want to take a stronger and more professional role in the translation world, particularly to promote translating as a profession. No one in my family has ever gotten a 4-year degree, so when I told them I wanted to major in French (without knowing exactly what I wanted to do with it), I could tell my family was disappointed in me. Now I am proud to say not only do I have a career that uses those skills, but one that allows me to work from home and raise a family (someday), pays great, and is growing exponentially!

Meet the MATI Board: Marina Ilari

Meghan McCallum — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 14:49:14 GMT

Meet the MATI Board: Marina Ilari

MATI Director Marina Ilari works in English and Spanish. She has a degree in Literary Translation from the Universidad del Museo Social Argentino.

Why did you decide to join MATI? I wanted to meet colleagues in the area who work in the translation industry. I think it’s important to create professional relationships, so you are able to support and help one another in reaching your professional goals. I wanted to have the opportunity to learn about news in the industry and share new ideas and information.

What is your favorite part of the workday? My favorite part of the workday is very early in the morning. My energy is replenished, and I enjoy answering emails and getting ready to start a new day of work. Every day is different in this profession, and I enjoy the new challenges.

What do you do in your free time? Most of my free time is spent with my family. I have a son and a baby daughter, and I love to do activities with them. I’m a theater lover, so now that my son is old enough, I’m taking him to the theater and sharing that passion with him.

What are you most looking forward to about your participation on the MATI Board? Meeting new colleagues and making friends that share the same interests as me.

Reinvigorating ATA Chapters & Affiliates by Joseph Wojowski

Tue, 17 May 2016 00:16:18 GMT

Reinvigorating ATA Chapters & Affiliates
Series by MATI VP Joseph Wojowski

This series was originally posted on Wojowski’s Translation Technology Blog.

In his series of posts on reinvigorating ATA chapters and affiliates, MATI Vice President Joseph Wojowski speaks to how organizations can create value for members through a suite a services geared toward professional development, including continuing education, networking and spotlights on local resources. This series of posts is geared toward the Boards of Directors of ATA chapters and affiliates, and as such, MATI members are encouraged to share with their colleagues from around the states. Additionally, the series is also pertinent to our members, who can benefit from reading Wojowski’s advice and instructables on podcasts, websites and blogs to learn new ways to develop the online presence so important to marketing in a global economy.

Attracting New Members to ATA

I believe membership in the national association should be less of an issue, but in order to do that, we need to re-envision the role of ATA’s Chapters or Affiliates from a local organization of translators advancing professional development to ATA’s street team or ground crew. Read more.

Recruiting New Members

While they may not be set meetings with agenda or set topics of discussion, social events are pivotal to the feeling members get in regards to the organization as a whole. These do not need to be lavish banquets and grand galas; they can be as simple as a happy hour or dinner meetup. And while business may not be the goal of the party, when profession is the common ground, it inevitably comes up. Read more.

The Website

Creating a website can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. It can be as simple as a modified wordpress blog website and as complex as a professionally created site that is specifically designed to manage the affairs of an organization with members. Read more.

The Blog

A regularly updated, thoroughly tagged and categorized blog (if the site allows for it) is the main source of up-to-date content on your website. It, aside from social media updates from a plug-in, should be the most frequently changing page of content. Read more.

Social Media

People browsing Facebook aren’t looking for a blog article, that’s why Facebook Notes never really took off. At most, a Facebook post for an organization should have a maximum of 3-4 sentences and if those sentences can be accompanied by a photo or video, even better. Any longer than 3-4 sentences, and no one will read it. Read more.

The Podcast

Podcasting is a great way to offer varied content on your website and social media accounts. Aside from photos, audio/visual content is nice because it either gives the eyes a rest or gives one’s audience something to look at besides text for fifteen minutes to an hour. Read more.

The Webinar

[Webinars] essentially function as standalone presentation where the presenter and the attendees do not need to be in the same place. Because of that, no venue is needed and people do not need to allot travel time in accommodating the presentation. Read more.

The Newsletter

… in 2016, the hard copy chapter newsletter has gone the way of the printed chapter directory, or at least it should have by now. … A volunteer, board member or not, should not be spending hours upon hours laying out a monthly or quarterly newsletter. If it’s longer than three or four pages, no one is reading the whole thing. The newsletter is not worth that much of the volunteer’s time and the format should be optimized to take advantage of technology. Read more.

The Conference

Attendees may or may not take what the speakers have to share to heart, but the lasting impression of the conference, and the determining factor in whether or not the attendee attends in the future is the experience they had at the previous ones. Read more.

Viterbo University’s Community Interpreting Certificate

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 00:22:11 GMT

Viterbo University’s Community Interpreting Certificate

By Michelle Pinzl, Coordinator of the Community Interpreting Certificate at Viterbo University, in collaboration with students Ashley Rink, Katie Hawes and Katie Rubin

An attractive program for undergrads and non-traditional students

Since 2009, Viterbo University has offered a Community Interpreting Certificate designed with the purpose of putting trained bilingual individuals into the professional field of interpreting, a discipline that is growing at an exponential rate in the US and around the world.

This certificate is an affordable path toward quality professional development, particularly for non-traditional students. Since the flat fee for this program is applied without discrimination based on state or country of residence, this certificate is an attractive opportunity for any resident of the US, including individuals with DACA status, as well as international populations looking for a reasonable way to receive higher education on interpreting in the United States.

Graduates of this program are able to facilitate effective communication between English and Spanish speakers, providing full and equal access to community members in healthcare, educational, legal, business, and social settings. Interpreting becomes a question of social justice in many realms both domestically and internationally, and our students are enthusiastic about becoming catalysts for positive social change in the world.

The course curriculum

Now in its sixth year, the Community Interpreting Certificate at Viterbo University is a one-year, thirteen-credit program designed to help bilingual students become qualified Spanish/English community interpreters. Recently converted to an online format with an optional face-to-face classroom component one evening per week, this program consists of four consecutive interpreting courses and a 40-hour practicum in interpreting. The course descriptions are as follows:

301—Interpreting Principles, 3 Cr.
This course introduces students to principles of interpreting, including the understanding and knowledge of the three different modes of interpretation, its code of ethics, theoretical aspects of the discipline of interpretation and their implications in the interpreting process.

444—Intercultural Competence and Ethics in Interpreting, 3 Cr.
This course is structured to facilitate the observation, recognition, and assessment of facts and overall patterns of the contexts for the behavior and actions of individuals, families, and communities within and across cultures, in order to promote appreciation, respect for differences, and effective communication. This course will also explore the role of ethics and ethical behavior when depicted against one’s own cultural and or spiritual beliefs.

456—Seminar for Interpreting in Healthcare and Social Settings, 3 Cr.
This intensive and highly student-directed seminar covers different aspects of interpreting in healthcare and social settings as a profession, including the training needed, job opportunities and the various paths available to becoming a certified healthcare interpreter. It includes extensive practical work in the three modes of interpretation used in healthcare and social contexts with special emphasis on consecutive interpretation, the professional code of ethics, and professional development activities. The course aims to provide a panoramic overview of biomedical and social-services cultures in the U.S., the U.S. healthcare system and social programs, body systems and anatomy, and medical terminology.

452—Seminar for Interpreting in Business and Legal Settings, 3 Cr.
This seminar focuses on legal and business interpreting by examining the training needed for working in business and legal contexts, job opportunities and sources of work, standard business practices and free-lance status versus staff interpreting. The course will also explore different aspects of legal interpreting as it may overlap into other areas of community interpreting. Extensive practical work in the three modes of interpretation is employed with a particular emphasis in simultaneous interpreting. We also examine the professional code of ethics for legal interpreters in detail and provide grounding in basic legal and business language and procedure.

481—Interpretation Practicum, 1 Cr.
The interpretation practicum is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice by offering students the opportunity to practice and consolidate the sight translation, consecutive and simultaneous interpretation strategies that they have been learning in their coursework. The practicum, tailored to reflect the specific needs and skills of the student, also plays a key role in preparing interpreters for future interpreting work in a variety of settings. In close collaboration with selected community partners, students engage in supervised field work, and integrate and reflect upon their educational, personal and professional experiences.

Stepping into the profession

The practicum experience that students carry out in this program proves to be one of the driving forces that propels students into the field of interpreting after graduation. For many students, the contact they make during their practicum opens the door to employment opportunity with our partners who include major hospitals and smaller clinics, courthouses, non-profit organizations, local farms and schools. In addition, some students choose to carry out their practicum on medical and social mission trips in places like Guatemala or Nicaragua in collaboration with organizations like Global Partners and Gundersen Health System.

Students who enroll in the Community Interpreting Certificate are often able to share an array of professional experience with their classmates as practicing medical or legal professionals, farmers, teachers or even current interpreters. Since students can choose to do classes entirely online, this certificate is a flexible option for refining their skills.

While many of our graduates have gone on to work as interpreters at hospitals and clinics, in non-profit organizations or as free-lance interpreters, others chose to continue in their current professions but with the additional interpreting training as an extra tool they can apply to their current work.

What current students have to say

“Not only do these classes offer a practical and hands-on approach to education by giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the Spanish language, it also encourages cross-disciplinary connections. This program has presented me with countless ways to rise to the challenge and to use my Spanish abilities to better the lives of others by fostering my skills as a language facilitator, careful listener and cultural advocate. In all, the interpreting minor offered through Viterbo has truly allowed me to grow as both a professional looking for jobs related to my degree in Spanish. I have learned that being confident and remembering the professional code of ethics is key to presenting oneself with poise in any situation.”
–Ashley Rink, B.A. Major in Spanish, Minor in Interpreting

“Our experiences throughout our coursework were ultimately challenged when we were presented with the opportunity to interpret in the university’s simulation lab for nursing students. In these labs, we collaborated with Viterbo’s nursing program, and we interpreted for the nurse and the Spanish-speaking patient simulator.”
–Katie Hawes, International Logistics Coordinator at MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company, Interpreting Certificate Student

“This certificate program has been a thrilling and mentally stimulating experience. Our classes are technically online but local students have chosen to meet in person each week to practice building skills. We have studied important social justice issues such as human trafficking and immigration which we will undoubtedly come across in the field. After graduation, I plan to pursue both my medical and then legal certification. I would love to help serve the Latino population in my area, and the need is definitely growing.”
–Katie Rubin, BIA Accredited Immigration Case Manager at Catholic Charities, Interpreting Certificate Student

The future

The Community Interpreting Certificate at Viterbo University continues to establish more community partners in the Midwest and across the nation to form highly-qualified professionals for this important field of work. The prospect of an ever more diversified and student population coming forward to serve as interpreters in our local and international communities provides the constant motivation to grow as a program and as an interpreting community.

This article was written by Michelle Pinzl, Coordinator of the Community Interpreting Certificate at Viterbo University, in collaboration with Ashley Rink, Katie Hawes and Katie Rubin, current students of interpreting. For more information on Viterbo University’s Community Interpreting Certificate, please contact Michelle Pinzl at mmpinzl@viterbo.edu or visit http://www.viterbo.edu/community-interpreting-certificate.

ATA Chapters: Recruiting New Members

Meghan McCallum — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:36:53 GMT

ATA Chapters: Recruiting New Members

By Joseph Wojowski, MATI Vice President

This article is posted with permission from Wojowski’s Translation Technology blog. The article was originally posted on Wojowski’s blog on March 3, 2016.

The second topic in this blog series is the hardest to discuss. It’s the one that quite honestly, no one wants to do and there are no easy ways of going about it. Still, there are a few different approaches to how you can go about recruiting new members. The main methods are school outreach, social events, and conference presence.

School Outreach

When done right, recruiting new members, and more importantly, recruiting new active members starts in the last half of high school until that person becomes a professional translator or interpreter. Hear me out on this.

Every single semester, the universities of the world enroll students into their language and translation programs, and every single semester, students graduate from those same programs. If we were to attract them to the organization at that time and engage them as student members, they would presumably later graduate and become engaged individual members.

I have visited my graduate school alma mater on several occasions to talk to some of the classes about the translation and interpretation industries. The students are always asking me about how to get started in the industry, and I take that opportunity to plug ATA and MATI, along with other resources. At the time I started doing that, I was not a member of ATA; I developed all my own materials and created my own PowerPoint slideshow and CAT tool demonstration and explanation, but here’s something that’s great about being in ATA, in case you don’t know about it. ATA’s School Outreach Program gives pointers on talking to different age groups about T&I, in addition to already-made presentations and other resources. And here’s one more great thing about this program: by participating, you can have the chance to attend the annual ATA conference for free! Every year, ATA’s School Outreach Program has a photo contest. All you have to do is submit a picture of yourself talking to students about translation and interpretation, and if your photo is chosen, you win free registration to the conference! For more information about ATA’s School Outreach Program, visit http://atanet.org/ata_school/.

A suggestion might be to integrate the School Outreach Program into your own chapter. If the chapters and members reached out to schools in their areas and established a dialogue between the organization and the school, then the chapter would create an ongoing source of potential new members for both the chapter and by extension, the American Translators Association.

Social Events

What is any group without social events? While they may not be set meetings with agenda or set topics of discussion, social events are pivotal to the feeling members get in regards to the organization as a whole. These do not need to be lavish banquets and grand galas; they can be as simple as a happy hour or dinner meetup. And while business may not be the goal of the party, when profession is the common ground, it inevitably comes up.

On January 16th of this year, MATI President and ATA Director Christina Green hosted a post-holiday association party at her home. The event was catered by Christina’s friend and chef, and a good number of T&I professionals gathered to see old colleagues and new and enjoy a Saturday afternoon together. Because we were all translators and/or interpreters, conversation gravitated toward the issues pressing our industries; and as I sat down at the dining room table with a plate of food, some attendees started talking about translator scammers. I was planning on letting them talk and simply exploiting my eavesdropping abilities (honed during my grad school days when I was studying phonetics) to see what they had to say, but another attendee had other plans for me. Earlier in the party, she had given me good feedback on the presentation I had given at MATI12 in September on this exact topic; so, she encouraged me to speak up and join the conversation. The topic of translator scammers evolved into data security and by the end of the conversation, everyone at the table was scared out of their minds because they had not thought of the online risks that exist for language services professionals. But that’s how these social events go: people start discussions, share knowledge and help each other out—the real goal of informal social events organized by the chapter. There were a few attendees that day who were debating joining MATI because they did not know if it was worth it. In the end, they told me that they then saw the value of membership because of that gathering and the open sharing of knowledge.

Conference Presence

Having a presence at conferences and having someone sitting at the chapter table is another way to bring people in to the organization. In Miami, I sat at the MATI table almost the entire time. In that time, I made friends with Victor from NCATA, hilariously annoyed an overly serious CIA representative, and got a handful of people to join MATI. Going to the conferences is not enough, sitting at the table (no matter how mundane it may sound) is important, but it’s only useful if you draw people to the table.

What not to do

There is one method of member recruiting that should not be done as it will stain the reputation of your organization and annoy the intended audience: directory email blasts. What you do not want to do is search a directory for translators in your area and send them emails, whether by email blast or direct email. This method will not draw translators to your organization; it will turn you into a spammer and will drive people away.

The overarching theme behind recruiting new members is that you want them to see that you run an active, vibrant organization. Conversely, having an empty table at the conference and not having regular events sends the message that active member participation is not a high priority for your organization, when the goal of chapters and affiliates is to bring people together and help them to make meaningful connections.

In next week’s article, we’ll examine the organization’s website: functionality, appearance, and user interaction.

Joseph Wojowski is the Vice President of MATI; Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL; Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations; and a Certified MemoQ Trainer.

Attracting New Members to ATA by Joseph Wojowski

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 23:19:34 GMT

Attracting New Members to ATA

By Joseph Wojowski, MATI Vice President

This article is posted with permission from Wojowski’s Translation Technology blog. The article was originally posted on Wojowski’s blog on February 25, 2016.

At last year’s ATA Conference in Miami, the recurring topic that was brought up was that of membership. How do we increase our numbers, how do we maintain the numbers we have, and how do we increase the number of active (voting) members? Clearly this is a subject of discussion for any organization, and crucial for any organization’s continued success, but I wonder if this is something the national association should be tasking itself with at all. In my honest opinion, I believe membership in the national association should be less of an issue, but in order to do that, we need to re-envision the role ATA's Chapters or Affiliates from a local organization of translators advancing local professional development to ATA’s street team or ground crew. I would argue, therefore, that the role of the regional chapters should be to be the manifestation and voice of the national association in their areas, in addition to recruiting new members into their own organizations and then funneling those new members up to the American Translators Association.

As an executive board member of my own regional chapter of ATA, I care deeply for the Association and its chapters, divisions, and affiliates. I was heartbroken when, in Miami, I discussed the state of our Association with my roommate, Jeff. He told me that his local chapter was not very active and every time he tried to initiate action for attending the conferences as a group, or anything, he was always met with indifference or, “I’ll have to get back to you” from the board members. My heart went out to him; I felt his frustration. I believe that in any volunteer organization, if there is someone who is willing to take initiative and organize, that person should be welcomed with open arms and nurtured. Talking with others, I would ask questions like, what activities does your chapter provide in regards to opportunities for furthering professional development throughout the year? Many responded that they did not know. It seems to me that the chapters have started off on the right foot in establishing a network of T&I professionals, but they have not taken that a step further in offering their membership the best possible opportunities to further professional development; especially in regards to exploiting available technology that does not require a person to be physically present to attend a learning opportunity.

So this is a topic I would like to submit to my fellow colleagues and this post will be the first in a series of blog posts aimed toward helping chapter leaders gain a fresh, renewed approach to being an ATA Chapter. In this nine-part blog series, I’ll break down the approach my own chapter (MATI) takes in executing regular chapter functions throughout the year. These are both functions that are dictated by being a chapter of ATA as well as ones that we’ve come up with on our own to engage our members and add value to membership.

Part 1: All Hands on Deck!

What happens when you talk to other translators about ATA? There are generally three types of responses: the first type of response is positive and the types of people who have this experience in ATA are those who are actively involved with it. These people are active in their chapters, sometimes also on the board of directors; they are division moderators, and they are National Association Board members. The second type are those whose response is negative and these people generally either have misplaced anger or take no part in the association, chapter, or division activities (their loss). The third and last type of response is the fringe response filled with craziness and conspiracy theories; these responses often come from people who had to put their foil hats on before responding to your question. It can be understood, therefore, that when it comes to lackluster organization activity, fault is grounded in a systemic problem that starts with apathy from the membership. The value of membership in chapters and the national association as a whole is only seen when you take an active role in the organization’s activities; you take away from your experience that which you put in.

I submit for your consideration some responses to this poll on proz.com that asks the question, “Have you ever left a professional association?” The first comment I’d like to point out strikes hard.

I joined the ATA “to see” two or three years ago. I didn’t invest anything except the fee for one year, and I didn’t get anything apart from a few scammers and their magazines which I never managed to read, so I didn’t renew the experience the year after. It was basically money down the drain, but as business expenses, so at least it wasn’t taxed. -Philippe

This is a “case in point” scenario. This person, while he may not live in the US, did not bother to get involved, attend conferences or contribute to the community and therefore left after one year. At least he was responsible enough to acknowledge that he didn’t invest any more than the one-year membership, but that was why his experience was so lacking.

Let’s look at another comment.

I let my membership in the ATA lapse and don’t envision going back. The trade magazine for the most part is, well, rather 20th century, and their certification program is ridiculous, usually involving travel to another city, hard copy dictionaries that you must bring yourself, pen and paper, (although some keyboarded exams are now possible as I understand it). Furthermore, my clients don’t know or care if I am certified by the ATA. They care only about the quality of my work and my ability to meet deadlines. -J.E.

“J.E.” hits a point that I take seriously and personally. As you will see in future posts, my main focus when approaching my MATI Board position is to continue modernizing the way it operates. Luckily, it was already pretty far along by the time I took up my post, but there are things that I’ve created or are currently in the works that will continue to bring the organization into the second (and subsequently, third) decade of this century. Modernization and up-to-date-ness of the appearance (branding) of the organization is key. Now, this issue is mainly the fault of the board. Decisions need to be made at the managing body level to make sure the organization portrays a modern brand and not something that has an outdated feel (ex. while it was modern at the time, no website should look like this one in 2016).

These chapters of ATA are worth developing. The more time and effort we put into the organizations, the more valuable membership becomes. I often find myself taking a step back to put myself in the shoes of a non-member and thinking of things that would attract me to or turn me off from an organization. If you preach to the choir, you will only ever save the choir. In 2016, we find ourselves at veritable crossroads in the future of our association and we can either do what we’ve always done and perpetuate the same issues we have always had, or think about other colleagues and newer colleagues and what would draw them to our group.

So let me leave you for the week with one last comment on that poll to consider along with the question, “Is this the lasting impact we want to leave with our members?”

“It seems a lot of professional associations entail a lot of money for very little benefit in return, except for the name-dropping.” -Natalie

MATI Spotlight: Meet Elizabeth Colón

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 23:00:14 GMT

MATI Spotlight: Meet Elizabeth Colón

Elizabeth Colón is an inspirational speaker, author & the CEO of Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, LLC, a Chicago based firm that provides translation and interpreting services. Elizabeth launched Metaphrasis with nothing but an idea and a skill set (speaking Spanish and English). Since then, it has blossomed into a fast growing, forward thinking, globally relevant business.

Where do you live and work? I live in Frankfort with my husband and son, and my company, Metaphrasis, has been located in West Town, Chicago since 2010.

How did you acquire your B language? I grew up with parents who didn’t speak any English so our primary means of communication was in Spanish. Later in life, our family relocated to Puerto Rico where I was given the opportunity to speak Spanish all the time. It was a great way of immersing myself in a language I love, and this experience seeded an overall passion for language.

How long have you worked in the field? 25 years combined in healthcare and interpreting.

How did you get started in the field of translation and interpreting? Like many of my colleagues, many of us started interpreting informally while accompanying our parents or someone we knew to medical appointments. When I graduated from high school, I immediately went into the field of healthcare and saw firsthand the disparities among patients that were coming into the hospitals. One encounter stood out in my mind in which I was pulled into a medical interpreting situation simply because I was bilingual. I was not professionally trained, and I did not fully understand all of the medical terminology. Experiencing this became the catalyst to my becoming trained as a medical interpreter. As my career has grown, it has been a rewarding experience to see the applications in other industries as well. There is virtually no industry that is untouched by the needs for language services and cultural sensitivity.

What is your favorite thing about working in this field? My favorite thing is meeting interpreters who come from all around the country. I get to learn things I never knew, eat foods I’ve never tasted and appreciate all the hard work they do. Together we are a powerhouse of cultural diversity!

Do you have any tips for those starting out in the field? For anyone starting out in the field, I would recommend that you do your homework on language companies. Research and interview companies you want to work with to see if your values align with theirs. Network as much as possible, because you never know where a referral will come from. Joining groups and associations (of course like MATI) will also provide a great deal of resources for you. Finally, I recommend seeking out a mentor. This is a role I personally take very seriously and love. A mentor can help guide you, pave the way for your career to grow and is generally a fantastic resource for anyone to have.

What do you do in your free time? I have committed myself in 2016 to my love of lifelong learning. As I continue to explore my own professional and personal growth, I have begun reading and learning more and recreating many facets of my life. I also have a passion for mentoring and community service activities. I currently serve as a Board member of the Norwegian American Hospital Foundation. I also belong to the Future Founders organization and frequently speak to students in underserved public schools on a variety of topics that foster development for future career and life opportunities. I am an active member of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and an ambassador for the Goldman Sach’s 10,000 Small Business initiative. You could say, I like to keep busy!

MATI Offers Two 2016 Webinar Series

Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:30:00 GMT

MATI Offers Two 2016 Webinar Series

MATI members have the opportunity to participate in not one, but two great webinar series for the 2016 season: the MATI Webinar Series 2016: Research & Practice in Translation and Interpreting and Jumpstart for 2017: A Long-Term Study Plan for the Federal Oral Exam.

MATI Webinar Series 2016: Research & Practice in Translation and Interpreting

MATI Director Susan Schweigert and the Webinars Committee have put together an excellent program of sessions for the Research & Practice Series, which was kicked off on January 21 with Ana Soler’s presentation “Interpreting in Educational Settings: A Growing Profession.” We’re very excited to be able to offer members webinars through October of 2016, thanks to the professional interest in presenting!

Other upcoming webinars in this series are:

Proofreading our Translations and Spanish US-isms by Alejandra Patricia Karamanian
Friday, February 19, 6:00pm-7:00pm, U.S. Central Time
Reel Fun: Improving your Subtitles by Ana Salotti
Saturday, March 19, 1:00pm-2:00pm, U.S. Central Time
Hard Conversations with Health Care and Legal Professionals about Interpreting Protocol by Michelle Pinzl
Wednesday, April 20, 6:00pm-7:00pm, U.S. Central Time
From Scattered Documents to Valuable Translation Material: The Advantage of CAT Alignment Tools by Martin Chamorro
Friday, May 20, 6:00pm-7:00pm, U.S. Central Time
Alphabet Soup Unscrambled: A Layman's Guide to a Social Security Disability Hearing by Olga Shostachuk
Thursday, June 16, 6:00pm-7:00pm, U.S. Central Time
Literature for the Medical and Legal Language Professional: What Reading Gives You that a Dictionary Doesn't by Margie Franzen
Saturday, September 17, 1:00pm-2:00pm, U.S. Central Time
Bridging the Gap between the T&I Industry and Academia: Developing a Community of Practice by Dr. Sarah Berthaud and Sarah Griffin-Mason
Saturday, October 22, 1:00pm-2:00pm, U.S. Central Time

Each webinar in this series is 45-55 minutes long, followed by 5-15 minutes of Q&A. Discounted pricing for members is among the benefits of MATI membership; MATI members pay $20 for each webinar, and non-members pay $30. The webinars are a great opportunity for continuing education credits as well. Each webinar is approved for 1 CEU toward ATA and WI Court Interpreter certification requirements. Members need only a computer and internet access to attend, and all details surrounding the event will be emailed to those registered a few days before the webinar takes place.

More information on MATI Webinar Series 2016: Research & Practice in Translation and Interpreting can be found at: http://www.matiata.org/2016-Webinar-Series

Jumpstart for 2017: A Long-Term Study Plan for the Federal Oral Exam

In collaboration with the MATI Webinars Committee, Ernest Niño-Murcia, a state and federally-certified freelance court interpreter, presents this series of webinars to guide participants through setting and executing a long-term plan for success for the 2017 Federal Court Interpreter Certification Exam.

The sessions in this series can be taken in combination or individually and include:

Session 1: Vocabulary Building - Tuesday, January 26th, 2016, 7:00pm-8:00pm CST
This online session will kick off the series by laying out the keys to success on the exam (vocabulary, interpreting skills and exam strategy) before outlining an 18 month study plan to strengthen these areas effectively over time.
Session 2: Interpreting Skills for the Oral FCICE - Late 2016
Building on the material covered in the previous webinar, this online session will focus on interpreting skills for the exam, specifically what successful candidates need to be able to do on each section and how they can reach that level (what and how to practice).
Session 3: Exam Strategy and Practice Exam - Early 2017
This final session will be an opportunity for participants to put content and skills covered in earlier sessions to use in a live, interactive setting. Before taking a practice version of the federal oral exam, instructor will offer tips on exam strategy, or how to avoid the traps that cause otherwise-capable interpreters to fail the exam (time management, nerves, managing emotions). After taking the exam, participants will grade their performance as the instructor reveals and discusses acceptable and unacceptable answers for each scoring unit.

The cost to participate for Sessions 1 and 2 is $25 for MATI members and $35 for non-members. Additional information on each session and on how to register can be found at: http://www.matiata.org/Jumpstart-for-2017. New sessions for this series may also be added, depending on demand!

UIUC’s MA in Translation and Interpreting by Katalin Young

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:45:46 GMT

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s MA in Translation and Interpreting

By Katalin Young

The MA in Translation and Interpreting offered by the Center for Translation Studies (CTS) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a now in its third year. In addition to providing an undergraduate certificate in translation studies, CTS delivers the Master’s degree program both online and on-campus, with three specialty tracks for students to choose from: literary translation, technical translation, and conference and community interpreting. Students in all three tracks take required courses in terminology and CAT, the theory and practice of translation, the ethics of translation and interpreting, in addition to a capstone seminar. Students also take two courses in their specialization and two electives.

Three Specialization Tracks

The three tracks represent the career paths that students choose for themselves, and they can make a final decision about which track they wish to pick no later than their second semester. Of course, it’s not uncommon for students already to know what they wish to focus their talents on from the beginning, but sometimes students discover that they have more talent or interest for a different track as they progress.

Students first focus on core courses that are considered essential for the T&I profession, then begin to take the first course in their chosen track in the second semester. These specialty classes continue into their second year, during which they also take two electives and complete their Capstone project. Although each student must pick one of the three tracks, by carefully planning their electives they can gain expertise in a second field as well. Alternatively, students can pick electives from a variety of courses, such as Translation in the European Union, Film Subtitling, and/or specific language-pair translation courses (such as Arabic-English, German-English, or Spanish-English or translation).

Students with Any Language Pair Accepted

CTS at Illinois does not give preference or restrict admission to students working on particular languages rather than others. All of our courses are taught in English, and the training provided applies to any language pair. With dozens of languages taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, CTS faculty have a tremendous resource pool to draw from to assist with the language-pair practice component of interpreting courses.

Online and On-Campus

CTS offers the Master’s program both on the campus of UIUC and also online. This enables us to reach a variety of students from different backgrounds and with different circumstances, such as those working full-time and those living in other states or countries. The online and on-campus programs consist of the same courses and require two years to complete, but while campus students take two to three courses simultaneously each semester, online students take eight-week courses consecutively, one at a time.

For more information on the Translation Studies program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, please visit the Center for Translation Studies webpage or email translation@illinois.edu.

Katalin Young is an MA student at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and is focusing on Conference and Community Interpreting in the Translation Studies program. Although she is dedicated to the practice of Spanish<>English interpreting, she has also studied many other languages, including Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, Catalan, and currently, Korean.

SOAP Notes: Getting Down and Dirty with Medical Translation

Meghan McCallum — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 15:01:39 GMT

SOAP Notes: Getting Down and Dirty with Medical Translation

A review of the presentation given by Erin M. Lyons on November 5, 2015 at ATA’s 56^th Annual Conference in Miami last November.

By MATI Member Patrice Van Hyle

I attended this session out of personal interest as I used to do quite a bit of French/Italian to English translation of medical and hospital records early on in my career, but after some years found that I preferred pharmaceutical translation which includes a wide variety of texts such as informed consent forms, investigator brochures, clinical drug trials, packaging and labeling, and instructions for use, to name a few. I guess you could say I followed the advice of many ATA presenters over the years urging newbies to find their own niche and to specialize, specialize, specialize…

Erin Lyons, also a French/Italian to English translator, specializing in the area of medical and life sciences translation, gave a very thorough and quite captivating presentation on the nuts and bolts of the SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) format used by doctors and how to better make sense of the scribbled notes, acronyms, abbreviations and unique language found in medical charts, lab reports and the like. Her stated objective was to help translators replicate the style and voice of healthcare professionals in their medical translations. In my opinion, she successfully accomplished this goal.

She began by clarifying exactly what a SOAP note is and showed the audience a visual display of a typical medical record and its various sections therein: the Subjective, Objective, and Assessment sections and the last section containing the doctor’s Plan and the recommended next steps to follow.

The Subjective section contains the patient’s main complaint or a history of the current illness. In other words, it lays out the primary reason the patient is seeing the doctor or why the patient is in the hospital. Doctors endeavor to gather and record as much subjective information as possible in this section, such as the illness’s onset, character, severity, duration, location, aggravating factors, etc.

The Objective section contains the information gathered by the doctor through observation or measurement primarily of the vital signs (height, weight, temperature, blood pressure) or by performing a physical exam, lab tests, and recording any of the patient’s prescriptions.

The Assessment section contains the medical diagnosis and includes all possible and likely etiologies (causes) of the illness.

The Plan section contains the next steps to take per the doctor’s recommendation and may include the ordering of additional lab tests, radiological work-ups, referrals to specialist doctors, future appointments, patient monitoring, etc.

After that initial overview, Erin delved into the nitty gritty of the actual phraseology and terminology encountered in a SOAP note and the necessity of researching correct usage so as to best render the sentence and/or word into the target language. Erin gave attendees a very useful tip by providing the link to an incredible website: https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/staticpages/icd-10-code-lookup.aspx where we can obtain the exact medical wording/terminology for almost any medical condition by entering a medical code or keyword in the search box. For example, from my home computer, I entered the word “pulmonary” in the search box and obtained a complete list of pulmonary-related ICD-10 Codes¹ and their precise code description. To name a few for the purpose of illustration: pulmonary mycobacterial infection (Code A31.0), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Code J84.112) or congenital pulmonary valve insufficiency (Code Q22.2). This resource will save tons of time for the medical translator and made the presentation worth attending in and of itself!

Erin emphasized using the present tense in our translations even though the source may use the past or a mix of tenses and explained the necessity of handling acronyms appropriately as the target audience of our translation may not be a healthcare professional. She suggested we expand acronyms (d/c = diarrhea/constipation) but not attempt to translate the more complex or lengthy acronyms directly as this often results in total gibberish—as I know from personal experience! She said identifying the type of acronym or abbreviation can help us in the translation process. For example, becoming familiar with Latin abbreviations such as h.s. = hora somni = at bedtime, or inversions of acronyms written in the source language medical report, such as IRM (French) for MRI (English), etc.

In the middle part of her presentation, Erin gave a review of the body systems that frequently appear in a SOAP note (for example, musculoskeletal, neurological, endocrine, and cardiovascular) and the doctor’s use of specific terminology when dictating or writing ROS (review of systems) notes. She gave attendees another very helpful link with numerous tools for understanding SOAP notes in general: www.soapnote.org, and specifically with regard to deciphering lab tests, a wonderful link to an index of medical glossary terms, conditions and their related lab tests: https://labtestsonline.org/map/gindex.

A few final points Erin offered were to remember to refer to the physician in the third person, even when the first person is used, to be succinct using plain language and to not embellish the text and to use an appropriate register (formal) and medical terminology (often the Latin cognate). For example: abdomen vs. stomach, renal vs. kidney, thrombus vs. blood clot, etc.

In sum, SOAP notes are intended to improve communication among healthcare providers by using a specific notation system that is structured and organized. This highly structured system can provide the translator with clues on deciphering the medical terminology and acronyms found within the document. Since SOAP notes are universal, Erin advised translators to learn the preferred terminology, acronyms, symbols and shorthand associated with their specific source and language combination.

The link to her complete and very informative presentation can be found at: http://www.slideshare.net/ErinLyons/soap-notes-getting-down-and-dirty-with-medical-translation.

¹ (10^th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), a medical classification list by the World Health Organization (WHO). It contains codes for diseases, signs and symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases.

Patrice Van Hyle is a freelance translator from French and Italian into English and has been in operation since 2002 under the auspices of her own company, /PVH TRANSLATE LLC/. She has attended many ATA Conferences over the years and has been active in other similar organizations such as MATI, CHICATA, the Milwaukee World Trade Association, the International Institute and the Alliance Française of Milwaukee. Patrice enjoys writing and has contributed numerous articles to various publications both in the area of translation as well as in the field of human rights, the environment, international development and interreligious dialogue. Her most recent translation specializations include the pharmaceutical industry, the environment and labor law. She was featured last March 2015 on the cover page of the Milwaukee Journal's Business Section in an article entitled “Love of languages translates into fast-growing career”. Read in full at: http://www.jsonline.com/business/love-of-languages-translates-into-fast-growing-career-b99461200z1-297317351.html.

Check out Patrice's website at: http://www.pvhtranslate.com or her LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricevanhyle

The Personal Cloud: your own asteroid in cyberspace (Part 2: instructable) by Joseph Wojowski

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:38:20 GMT

The Personal Cloud: your own asteroid in cyberspace

(Part 2: instructable)

By Joseph Wojowski, MATI Vice President

This article is posted with permission from Wojowski's Translation Technology Blog. It is a follow-up to "The Personal Cloud: your own asteroid in cyberspace," published on the MATI blog with permission in August 2015 from Wojowski's blog. Readers may benefit from reading that original article before attempting to follow the instructable below.

Difficulty level: Intermediate

This post is a follow-up to my previous post regarding personal clouds. While Tonido for Windows on a desktop or laptop works just fine, the power conscious might want a low-power alternative to keep their personal cloud online and always available. As a point of reference, the typical computer power supply for a desktop draws 22 Amps at 5 Volts. In contrast, the Raspberry Pi 2 (herein RPi) draws 1.8 Amps at 5 Volts.

Assuming you have certain peripherals already, you should be able to set up your RPi powered cloud server for about $60. Here are all the things you will need:

All of the items you will need.

Hardware items you likely will not have or will not have spares to dedicate to full-time usage.

1 Raspberry Pi 2 Unit
1 Raspberry Pi 2 Case
1 MicroUSB Power plug (5 V 2 A)
1 High Capacity Class 10 MicroSD Card (I have an 8 GB one that is set up for dual boot Debian and OpenElec)

Hardware items you may already have in your living/work space.

USB Mouse and Keyboard set
HDMI cable
Ethernet cable (this item may be replaced by a USB WiFi dongle after initial set up, but setting up the system like this will not be described in this post)
USB SD Card Reader
External Hard drive with independent power source

Estimated time: 1 hour depending on internet speed and familiarity with UNIX-based systems.

To start out, take the RPi and place it in its case. Plug in all the cables (including the HDMI to a receiving monitor/television) except for the micro USB plug for power.

Get your software lined up and download Raspbian for the operating system (it will download as a .zip file; unzip it to your downloads folder; the resulting unzipped file will have the extension .dd), and rufus to create the bootable MicroSD Card (i.e. mount Raspbian onto the MicroSD so that the RPi unit can read it properly as a source for the Operating System).

Insert the MicroSD card into the card reader and plug it into a USB port on your computer (or directly into an SD slot with the adapter if you have a computer with an SD reader). When the MicroSD card appears on your list of devices with removable storage, right click on it and select format. Under File System, select FAT (File Allocation Table) if under 8 GB or FAT32 if above 8 GB. Unselect “Quick format” and rename the volume label if you like. Click start. (This could also be done in rufus alone, but I find that everything moves a long more smoothly if you format it to the file system you want separately.)

Once the disk has been formatted, open rufus, select the device from the dropdown list under device, FAT/FAT32 under file system. Next to “create a bootable disk using,” select “DD Image,” and next to that dropdown list, click on the icon which allows you to select an image. Navigate over to where the .dd image file is located; select, click open, and then click start.

After it does its thing, eject the disk from the computer and place it in the microSD card slot on the RPi unit. The old RPi units had a friction-fit SD Card slot where you just slid the SD card into the socket as far as it would go; in the RPi 1 Model B+, and the RPi 2, they replaced the friction fit SD slot with a push-push microSD slot – push the microSD card (metal contacts up) into the slot until it clicks and release. To remove, do the same.

Once the microSD card has been inserted into the unit, turn on the receiving HDMI display and plug the microUSB into the port and into the wall. Once you do this, the screen will show all the tasks the RPi is performing. The first time you start up the RPi, you will be brought to the Raspberry Pi Software Configuration Tool (which you can always access from terminal by giving the command for raspi-config) which is a GUI that you can navigate using the arrow keys and “enter.” Select option 3 “Enable boot to Desktop/Scratch” and then the second option, “Desktop Log in as user ‘pi’ at the graphical desktop.” Once you select that option and hit “enter,” you will be brought back to the main menu. Now, go to option 4, “Internationalisation Options.” For US, Go to “Change Locale” and with the spacebar, unselect en-GB and select en-US-UTF-8. Hit Enter. Next go to “Change Timezone” and select your timezone by largest nearest city, “Chicago” for me. Lastly for Internationalisation Options, select “Change Keyboard Layout” and change to your keyboard’s layout. Go down to the eighth (8th) item to select “Advanced Options.” At this menu, go down to A0 Update and hit “enter” and the RPi will use network connection to retrieve any available software updates – just let it do its thing. Once that has finished, select <Finish> at the bottom of the main configuration screen and you will be led back to the regular RPi Text-based UI.

When you are presented with “pi@raspberrypi¯$” you can type sudo reboot and the RPi will reboot itself, applying the changes to the configuration–it should be noted that if ever you are asked for a username or password, the default username is “pi” and the default password is “raspberry.” When the RPi reboots, it will boot directly into the Desktop GUI Environment.

Once the RPi has rebooted, open the LXTerminal and input the following commands (each line is separated by hitting Enter).

sudo mkdir /usr/local/tonido
cd /usr/local/tonido
sudo wget http://patch.codelathe.com/tonido/live/installer/armv6l-rpi/tonido.tar.gz
sudo tar -zxvf tonido.tar.gz
./tonido.sh start

Next, in a separate LXTerminal window, type in: ip addr show eth0

Open the web browser and access Tonido by going to https://<RPi IP Address>:10001
Replace <RPi IP Address> with the one given after inet from the second LXTerminal window.

Then, you will be allowed to create your username and password. Once you have done that, you can click on “Settings” and then “Misc” where you can choose which folders to which you would like to allow remote access.

When that is complete, you can unplug the HDMI cable and leave the unit where it is while it runs Tonido. The great thing about this service is that just like with other personal clouds, you can access your files from a web browser or you can also mount it as a drive in Windows, access items from your mobile device using the application, etc.

And one last item, do not ever worry about messing up anything in the software of the RPi. If ever something does not work like it should, all you have to do is re-format the MicroSD card and start over again. The glories of working with a Raspberry Pi!

For more information regarding Tonido and the Raspberry Pi including instructions on how to set Tonido to start automatically on boot, visit http://www.tonido.com/support/display/docs/Raspberry+Pi

Joseph is the Vice President of MATI; Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL; Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations; and a Certified MemoQ Trainer.

Joseph Wojowski on “Lying Through Their Teeth: Identifying Translation Scams”

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 01:07:15 GMT

On “Lying Through Their Teeth: Identifying Translation Scams”

By Joseph Wojowski, MATI Vice President
with adaptions by Alaina Brantner, MATI Director

At MATI’s 12th Annual Conference, I spoke about translator scammers during my presentation, “Lying Through Their Teeth: Identifying Translation Scams.” An awareness of translation scams is essential in the technological age of our industry, in which a translator’s professional credentials and contact information can be hijacked, resulting in monetary losses, the loss of (potential) clients, a damaged reputation, and losses in valuable time and efforts to restore the state of one’s business. In this article, adapted from a previous blog post I wrote on the topic (posted on my Translation Technology Blog here, and on the MATI Blog here), I provide step-by-step instructions for the some of the tips I spoke about at MATI12 for preventing and combating scams.

Let me start with an introduction of the kinds of scams that are prevalent: the theft of CVs and résumés, and fake translation job offers.

In terms of the first category of scams listed above, translators and interpreters well understand the importance of the CV or the résumé, since for most T&I professionals, we do not create/update these documents every couple of years to gain new long-term positions. Rather, CVs and résumés are the ambassadors for our brand and draw people in to contract us out for work on a daily basis. We have spent years going to school and building our professional reputations, work and experience, efforts which are represented in documents of this kind, and which can be damaged if that information is not carefully protected. Professionals need to protect themselves from translator scammers, who actively seek out CVs and résumés that are editable and then change the contact information—nothing else—and submit the fraudulent CV as their own to get work. The unsuspicious agency receives the fraudulent CV, checks out the legitimate translator’s credentials and uses the contact information found on the CV to hire the thief. The thief will then delay delivery of the translation, and if s/he delivers at all, the translation will almost always be poor in quality due to the use of free, public machine translation, such as Google Translate, without post-editing. What’s worse, the scammed project or quality manager may then contact the actual provider regarding issues with their supposed work! The legitimate translator is then stuck with the headache of trying to repair both the botched job, which they didn’t accept or agree to, and their damaged reputation.

Similarly, scammers may pose as translation companies or independent project managers and prey on unsuspecting freelance translators. They will set up jobs and contract freelancers out for projects, overpay by check and then ask the freelancer to send a check with the difference. Meanwhile, the original check to the freelancer bounces, the freelancer gets charged a bounce fee, and the check to the thief with the difference gets cashed. What ends up happening is that the freelancer gets taken for a ride and penalized twice for performing a legitimate service.

Combating these con-men

First and foremost, I believe in being pro-active in all matters dealing with fraud. The harder you make it for someone to steal your credentials, the less-likely someone will be to do so. In my honest opinion, it is worth the time to make stealing your credentials harder when preparing your CV than the damage caused by a ruined reputation.

1. Translators: stop sending out your CV in editable document format.

Editable documents such as text files and word documents are called that for a reason, they are editable; and as described above, conmen can make fast work of your editable content! Even in documents that are password-protected, text can still be copied and pasted to another document. PDF files are not even an adequate solution, since scammers can still copy and paste content from that file format. For a medium level of security, I therefore recommend that you save your CV as a PDF, export the PDF files to jpeg format (you’ll get one image per page). Next, reassemble the images into a single PDF (this will also make the file size smaller).

Then, go into password encryption and modify the Document Restriction Settings, not allowing text access or content extraction from the document and only allowing low-res printing. This level of security prevents the reader from using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to lift text from the flat image, prevents them from copying the image via snapshot, and prevents others from exporting the images to other file formats.

For a higher level of security, use the document open settings to restrict the opening of the PDF, in addition to the medium level document restrictions using a different password than the medium level password. This will enable you to control who can and cannot open your CV and still control what they can do once they have opened the document. If you chose this higher security route, I will leave it up to you as to how you would like people to get the password to be able to open the document. A simple suggestion might be to have someone who would like to see your CV submit a request on your personal website asking for the password. Get creative, but always be aware of who you are giving viewing access to.

2. Translators: cross-reference contact information with information found on the company’s actual website. There are also a number of references on LinkedIn and translator fora you can visit to see if anyone else has written about a company that has contacted you for services. And head over to http://www.translator-scammers.com/ and do a quick search to see if someone who contacted you is on the scammer list.

3. Translators and LSPs: check the sender’s IP address and verify that the message was sent from the translator or company’s documented location. There are a number of methods to check the IP address of the sender, depending on the email carrier you use. In general, you will right-click in the body of the email and click a phrase like “Show source.” In gmail specifically, you click the down arrow next to the “reply” button and then select “Show original.” This will bring up a webpage containing the html coding. You can next click Ctrl+F and search for “Received: from”. Not too far after that highlighted phrase, you should be able to find the IP address of the sender, four sets of two to three numbers separated by periods (i.e. 123.45.67.891; redacted in the image below). Copy the IP address into one of many IP address locators, like ipfingerprints.com, which will give you the location of the server from which the sender’s email has originated. Check that this location matches the location of the vendor/LSP that you are working with, but also be aware that for accounts like gmail and outlook, the IP address will be the location of the server hosting those accounts.

4. LSPs: when looking over résumés, check out the person’s contact information on her or his résumé, and cross-reference this information against any profiles on TranslatorsCafé, Proz, and/or professional association directories, etc. (trusting the professional association directory over any other source). If something does not quite add up, send the translator a message letting them know about the contact information discrepancy.

5. LSPs: check for consistency in other provider details. Red flags include language pairs that don’t match the geographic location of the provider and a lack of contact information. When checking CVs and résumés, you can also verify that the document properties correspond with the vendor’s details. Simply right click on the un-opened file, and navigate to properties. From there you can check the “details” of the file, including the document author.

Fighting back against translation scams

Once you’ve identified a translation scammer using the tips provided above, fight back! Help your colleagues avoid scammers by sharing the scammer’s contact details on social media, and forward the fraudulent email and CV to translator.scammers@gmail.com or mail@translator-scammers.com. You can even flood the scammers’ inboxes with emails, by visiting http://translator-scammers.com/translator-scammers-fightback.htm.

Overall, protecting yourself from translation scams just boils down to how pro-active you are. You do not want to be in a situation where you have a translation company on your back accusing you of providing poor translations, asking you to fix the errors when you did not have any prior contact with them to begin with. Or wasting time and energy hounding a translation company for payment when the company never really existed in the first place. Being aware of translation scammers and taking simple steps to protect yourself and your colleagues can help ensure that our work environment is a safer place for all professionals.

Websites/resources of interest:
Carola Berger’s article on Translator Scammers in the October 2014 ATA Chronicle
http://www.translator-scammers.com/
http://translationethics.blogspot.se/p/blog-page.html

Joseph Wojowski is the Vice President of MATI. He is Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL, Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations, and a Certified memoQ Trainer. Joseph’s slides from his presentation at MATI 12 can be found at: http://www.slideshare.net/JosephWojowski/lying-through-their-teeth-identifying-translator-scammers

MATI Member Spotlight: Catherine Breckenridge

Meghan McCallum — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 03:18:10 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Catherine Breckenridge

Name: Catherine Breckenridge

Language Pair(s): French to English

Degree(s)/Certification(s): M.A. in Language, Literature, and Translation, concentration in French to English translation (in progress)

How long have you been a MATI member? Two months

Where do you live and/or work?

I live and work (and go to school) in Milwaukee. I am a student in the M.A. in Language, Literature, and Translation at UWM, concentration in French to English translation. I also work full-time for an international medical society downtown.

What inspired you to get into your field?

When I was younger I had some misconceptions about what makes a good translator. I was always interested in language and cultures, and I had studied French all through school, but felt a translation career was unrealistic. I thought that my school-learned skills would never compete with the skills of those who had lived in a francophone country for a long time or learned French from a parent. I didn’t understand that being a good translator isn’t just being bilingual. Then, as an undergrad I saw a lecture by a patent translator working in my language pair. She had acquired her B language through study, like me, and she was not an engineer, but she was still very successful in her work because she was an excellent researcher and writer. It made me see translation as a real option for the first time.

I’ve taken a little bit of a winding path, but one constant has been the enjoyment and fulfilment of helping people communicate across language and cultural barriers. In Fall 2014, I officially entered the MALLT program and I’m really happy to be starting this new career.

Where do you see your field going in the future? What are the most urgent issues to be addressed?

So, I’m going to answer this question as a student who has not yet worked professionally in the field – take it with a grain of salt. This semester, we’ve been studying the professional aspects translation, including challenges faced in educating the public about the field. Clients with misconceptions about the translation process have unreasonable expectations for work volume and speed, not to mention the idea that Google Translate is a viable replacement for a professional translator. From my perspective this seems like the major issue of the day. If we’re not all working to correct these misconceptions, then we could find ourselves trying to meet them, lowering work quality and subsequently the client’s perception of our skills and talent. Aside from always having those good conversations with clients, blogs seem a good vehicle for to discuss these issues with the general public, and having them improves SEO.

Do you have any tips for those starting out in the field? For those who’ve been in the field?

I’m going to turn this around and ask my future colleagues, for a student just starting out in the field, what is the one thing you wish someone had told you at the beginning? You can reach me at cebreckenridge@gmail.com.

Why do you think it’s important to belong to professional organizations like MATI?

Three reasons:

1) Professional networking – it really seems paramount in our profession

2) Continuing education – constant learning is key, keeping sharp in the future after graduation

3) Improving my professional profile – I believe that belonging to professional organizations like MATI helps me distinguish myself to clients

IUPUI Offers Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies

Meghan McCallum — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 03:15:53 GMT

IUPUI Offers Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies

By Enrica J. Ardemagni, Ph.D.

In the fall of 2016 Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) will begin a Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies in French, German and Spanish. The Graduate Certificate in Translation Studies builds on a set of successfully implemented undergraduate translation courses by a cadre of faculty experts in the field in a context of increased demand for higher credentialed professionals and academic specialists.

Globalization of business, law and trade relations and the changing US demographics have increased demand for translation skills in many fields, especially: educational, medical, legal and technical. The current demand for skilled translators far outweighs the supply available.

Consistent with the recommendations of the national academic and professional organizations, the graduate certificate program will ensure that all graduates have gained the knowledge, competence, critical thinking and linguistic skills to:

• Integrate the theory into the practice of translation

• Command the lexical precision, the detailed understanding of contexts or terminologies, and a nuanced sense of the purpose of language and its multiple audiences

• Understand the complexity of ethical decisions that they will have to make in their professional practice

• Discuss professionally their choices before future clients or employers

The certificate is a total of 18 credit-hours, or a total of six courses, distributed among two core courses in the history and theory of translation, and the application of computer-assisted translation technologies, followed by two language-specific translation courses in Spanish, French or German, a linguistics course and a final internship or individual project. Additional offerings include four courses on Medical and Legal Interpreting. Courses are offered on a strategic rotation schedule.

For more information, please contact wlac@iupui.edu.

12th Annual MATI Conference - Marina Waters - “Accompaniment and the Language Provider”

Sun, 01 Nov 2015 16:33:07 GMT

Marina Waters – “Accompaniment and the Language Provider”

By Tyann Zehms

Among the range of topics and speakers at MATI’s 12^th Annual Conference in Merrillville, Indiana, Marina Waters brought to light a topic which escapes the regular scope of linguistic conferences, offering a new perspective on our growing industry. Waters—who holds a Master’s in Public Health and a Juris Doctor of Law, and whose professional experience includes work on civil and indigenous rights—presented on a notion which is intrinsically understood by many interpreters, yet rarely spoken about. In her presentation “Accompaniment and the Language Provider,” Waters touched upon several qualities which are prevalent not only in language providers, but also in the human spirit: qualities such as compassion and empathy. She continued by outlining how these qualities can be applied both professionally and emotionally in interpreting work, using the methodology of “Accompaniment.”

In the beginning of the presentation, I was one of many attendees to be wrapped up in Waters' accounts of the humanitarian missions she embarked on as a college student with the International Public Health Response Team. It was October 1998, and Hurricane Mitch had just devastated areas of Central America. In a small village on the banks of the Rio Coco (which makes up the southern border of Honduras), Waters and her colleagues worked tirelessly to ensure clean drinking water and safe abodes for the villagers after this catastrophe. Charged with interviewing each family to create a census of the damages done, Waters had to ask the impossible: “What did your family lose to the hurricane?” Aside from material items and homes, these families had lost countless loved ones. Her initial interview-style approach to collecting this census data proved unsuccessful. Unsure of how to proceed, Waters heeded the advice of her interpreter and cast aside a direct line of questioning. Instead, she learned to collect the information she needed more organically. At this point, Waters fully embraced the subject matter of her presentation: the theory and methodology of Accompaniment.

“To accompany is to place oneself with another,” Waters explained. This theory is all at once broad and specific. During her time in Central America, Waters learned the fine art of connecting to her interviewees with her compassion and empathy. She understood that being present with someone in their time of need was enough to encourage a relationship that would open lines of communication and build a sense of trust. By the end of her time with hurricane victims, Waters had the census data she needed, but not because villagers had answered her questions directly. Instead, the relationships she had developed meant she knew the answers to her questions in the same way that a friend knows about the life of another; through natural communication and by existing alongside another’s loss without turning away from it.

I was beginning to understand Marina’s point. Accompaniment is a concept that can be found at the heart of the interpreter’s role. As interpreters well know, they have a very special role which is both regulated and yet sometimes unclear. They are the means by which two people, speaking different languages, can connect. And while their professional roles are regulated, their mere presence with the client can change the outcome of the situation; be it a doctor’s appointment, missionary work, legal settings, or any other such meeting. Waters referred to this as the phenomenon of serving as a witness, and her research shows that outcomes of meetings such as these change when another person is in the room. People’s actions and reactions are different, perhaps kinder and more thoughtful, when a third party is present witnessing the communication event. In brief, “the treatment/care of others may change with an interpreter in the room.”

Throughout the presentation, Waters emphasized that even she herself wasn’t sure how to apply the Accompaniment Theory to the role of the language provider. Waters asked: was this something that was already happening on the ground? Was she stating the obvious? Do language providers already naturally and intrinsically incorporate accompaniment in their role? Waters pointed out that ample opportunities for this kind of empathy and awareness to improve the language industry exist – starting with language providers simply talking about their experiences and opening the lines of communication to discuss these grey areas of their work. Conversations such as these can improve industry standards as a whole, and served as the basis for Waters’ activities at the conference. By providing both the professional and humanitarian sides of the Accompaniment Theory, Marina Waters created a presentation which brought a higher sense of awareness to the role of the interpreter; an awareness that interpreters among the conference attendees may or may not have already understood. In either case, this sense of awareness was a welcomed perspective on the interpreting industry.

Tyann Zehms holds a Bachelor’s in French from UW-Milwaukee, which she applies to her roles as a Quality Reviewer at Iverson Languages and as bilingual software support for StrategyBytes, LLC. Coming from a maritime background, Tyann has an eclectic range of interests which are nurtured by her love to travel and to speak the French language. Most recently, Tyann has continued her travels to the Québec province in Canada, where she is involved with French Canadian software installations. Tyann can be reached through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyannzehms

Cris Silva on “Educating the Next Generation of Translators and Interpreters” by Katalin Young

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 03:03:03 GMT

Cris Silva on “Educating the Next Generation of

Translators and Interpreters”

By Katalin Young

At MATI’s 12th Annual Conference, held in Merrillville, Indiana on September 26, Cris Silva discussed different methods for teaching translation and interpreting in the presentation, “Online Education for the Next Generation of Translators and Interpreters.” During her presentation, Silva explored concerns and issues associated with the teaching of such fields online, a format with its own challenges and advantages.

Silva first briefly presented the worldwide history of T&I (translation & interpreting) education, which has its roots in the Université de Genève, Switzerland, one of the oldest T&I schools in the world. Through the technological developments of the ages, we have now progressed to our current ability to carry out education in an online format. Moreover, thanks to the advantages posed by globalization and virtual connectivity, we have access to countless resources that can be used in the teaching of T&I, including Skype, FB and online forums, just to name a few. This is the context in which distance learning now takes place, an educational “environment” in which teachers and students are in different physical locations while participating in the same educational events. The concept of distance education is actually not new though, according to Silva, beginning as early as the 1700’s. E-learning, on the other hand, began around the 1960’s in Stanford, where they used computers in elementary schools for teaching both math and reading.

Silva next highlighted the two possible modes of e-learning: synchronous and asynchronous learning. Synchronous learning, she noted, is most often associated with the traditional classroom setting: students learning together in the same place at the same time from a lecture or lesson being presented by an instructor. However, Silva pointed out that e learning can also take place within a synchronous format. For example, webinars bring trainers and students together and have the added bonus of being recordable to be consumed later. Alternatively, asynchronous learning does not require all parties to be in the same location at the same time; for example, for online classes, the instructor can post something on the web for students to view later at a time convenient for them.

As you might imagine, there are advantages and disadvantages for both modes and settings, and for online classes versus face-to-face instruction as well. However, Silva emphasized the biggest concern for the online environment, saying, “Bandwidth is everything.” Although online instruction involves several technical requirements for both students and instructors, Silva noted that this was the most important requirement to keep in mind. Beyond the challenges associated with technology, Silva noted that teaching students’ with multiple individual language pairs is much more challenging for instructors than teaching to a single language pair. In addition, the format of classes needs to be considered. According to Silva, the most typical format consists of core classes, electives or specialty classes, and a capstone project at the end of the program. Courses may include activities that Silva carries out in her own classes, like screen sharing, the use and discussion of translators’ logs, and peer-editing.

Overall, Silva framed the above discussion around the teachability of the fields of translation and interpreting (T&I) as a whole. She posed questions to the audience, like are these tasks skills? If so, then, can they be taught to others? Audience members seemed to agree that T&I are skills, and the next question considered was how one then teaches the art of translation and interpreting, and if that art can even be taught? Further questions considered included what the minimum curriculum for teaching the skill and/or art of T&I should look like? And for those with a natural talent, is training even necessary? Audience members seemed to reach the consensus that although T&I requires at least a bit of natural talent, training is also necessary. On the flip side, for teachers of the art and skill of T&I, Silva aligned herself with Max Troyer, who once said, “We’re not teachers of translation and interpretation, just translators and interpreters who like to teach.”

Cris Silva graduated from Kent State University, where she obtained an MA in translation. She currently lives in Colorado, where she has continued her work as a project and terminology manager, freelance translator, conference interpreter, and voice-over talent. She also teaches translation at institutions such as the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey’s Graduate School of Translation, Interpretation, and Language Education, New York University, and the University of Denver. Before becoming a full-time linguist and project manager, she worked in radio broadcasting. She is also an ATA-certified English>Portuguese translator.

Katalin Young is an MA student at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and is focusing on Conference and Community Interpreting in the Translation Studies program. Although she is dedicated to the practice of Spanish<>English interpreting, she has also studied many other languages, including Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, Catalan, and currently, Korean.

12th Annual MATI Conference: Olga Shostachuk, “Immigration in the Eye of the Beholder” by Abigail Wright

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 19:00:00 GMT

12th Annual MATI Conference:

Olga Shostachuk, “Immigration in the Eye of the Beholder”

By Abigail Wright

At the 12th Annual MATI Conference in Merrillville, Indiana on September 26, 2015, Olga Shostachuk treated her audience to “Immigration in the Eye of the Beholder,” lending insight into immigration law and specifically the asylum system and the role interpreters play within it. Shostachuk, a PhD candidate in Translation Studies at Kent State University, is an active translator and interpreter working in Ukrainian, Russian, and English, specializing in legal and medical translation and interpreting. She also teaches translation and Russian.

Shostachuk began her presentation with an overview of the complexities surrounding immigration law. She also discussed the immigration court system. With 260 judges, 58 courts, and a plethora of acronyms to remember, it creates a challenge for translators and interpreters. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) of the Department of Justice (DOJ), for example, includes the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ), the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and the Office of the Chief Immigration Hearing Officer (OCAHO). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The CBP and ICE function as law enforcement agencies, while USCIS handles queries from immigrants and immigration benefits. These terms and many more are included in an immigration law glossary Shostachuk provided as a handout, a resource of great value, especially to those seeking to enter the field.

Shostachuk went on to give an overview of the asylum system and the ways in which it can be abused. She stressed the fact that fabricated asylum stories are often tighter than true ones, which can be muddled by trauma and its aftereffects. Further, working as an interpreter for asylum seekers requires a strong stomach, as it involves retelling horrific stories and abuse. Applicants’ physiological and emotional states may be compromised, and so might the independence and invisibility of the interpreter. Additionally, interpreters must be prepared for all measure of seeming non-sequiturs, as what initially sounds like a rambling tangent may turn out to be critical to the applicant’s claim. Recognizing that showing can be more effective than telling, Shostachuk enlisted three volunteers from the audience to demonstrate the pitfalls of interpreting for an asylum seeker.

Shostachuk’s demonstration took the form of role-play, with volunteers playing the parts of an asylum applicant, a consecutive interpreter, and an immigration officer. The volunteers read from a script, in which the applicant described how a man she had thought was a friend had turned around and done something horrible, before suddenly saying, in answer to the officer’s question about what happened that night, that she had always liked bananas, that the man used to bring her a banana to class every day. In the first version of the script, the interpreter interrupts and interprets this right away, rather than waiting to see if the connection between bananas and that horrible night would be revealed. This, Shostachuk explained, could be dangerous for both the applicant and the interpreter: to the officer’s ears, the applicant may seem to be talking nonsense, or she may believe the interpreter to be interpreting incorrectly. In another version, the interpreter waits for the applicant to return to the topic at hand before beginning her interpretation, making the connection between bananas and the applicant’s claim clear to the officer, and the importance of the interpreter allowing asylum seekers to tell their stories in their own way clear to the audience.

Overall, Shostachuk gave a thorough demonstration of the challenges immigration court interpreters face, from the broad knowledge base required to navigate the system to the sensitivity and human awareness needed to interpret effectively for asylum seekers. Her fascinating presentation brought the conference to a thoughtful close, leaving attendees with much to consider in future court and legal translation and interpreting endeavors.

Abigail Wright is a second-year student in the Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, specializing in Spanish into English translation. She holds a BA from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and joined MATI in 2015.

Kentucky Institute for Court Interpreting 5-day training seminar

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 22:10:55 GMT

The Kentucky Institute for Court Interpreting is offering a 5-day training for Court Interpreters from November 14th to the 18th in Frankfort. For more information, contact ncitrp@email.arizona.edu or call (520)621-3615. Register at nci.arizona.edu/kici

New MATI Podcast!

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 17:08:26 GMT

In case you missed the big announcement at the 12th Annual MATI Conference on Saturday, MATI is starting a video podcast!

The podcast will feature the latest news and events from around the industry, board member interviews, industry leader interviews, and more.

Why are we doing a podcast? Mainly because the VP thinks there are many other translators out there who, like him, do not feel like reading when they are done with work for the day. Moreover, it is something no other chapter is doing and it will set us apart from the others.

But the new podcast needs a name. Submit name suggestions to matiemail@gmail.com

MATI President Christina Green Running in ATA Election

Tue, 01 Sep 2015 20:55:11 GMT

MATI President Christina Green Running in ATA Election

MATI President Christina Green is a candidate running for a position as ATA Director in the 2015 ATA election, to be held at ATA’s 56th Annual Conference in Miami, Florida November 4-7. We wish Christina the best of luck in the election and hope that MATI members will join us in supporting her!

To vote in the ATA election, you must be a Voting Member of the ATA. If you are not attending the conference but are a Voting Member, you may vote via proxy. Becoming a Voting Member is a free, fully online process. Become an ATA Voting Member here.

How to Build Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships with Project Managers – Part 2: Quality by Alaina Brantner

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 22:18:22 GMT

How to Build Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships with Project Managers – Part 2: Quality

By Alaina Brantner, MATI Board Member

As stated in the first installment of our series focusing on the translator/agency relationship, translators’ main goal is to deliver high quality texts that are accurate, error free, and stylistically consistent. But if your Project Managers are not able to read the target language of your translation, how do they check your work for quality? Read on for some tips on features of language deliverables that agencies look to as indicators of the overall quality of a text.

Focus on Packaging. If consumerism has taught us anything, it’s that packaging can be just as important as the product it contains. As freelancers, we must therefore be aware of the message we send through our product’s appearance.

File names. As translation technology shifts toward more streamlined file passing, file names are often generated to tell technology what to do with that file. For this reason, make a habit of not changing file names. If you must alter file names, use a simple and consistent system. For example, you may simply add the ISO language code for your language to the end of the file name (e.g., “My File.doc” becomes “My File_ES.doc”).

Stylistics. Any guidelines provided by the agency/client should be considered a set of instructions that must be followed for the project. When reviewing your deliverables, PMs and internal review teams will ask themselves questions like: Were instructions followed for the treatment of proper nouns? Were acronyms treated correctly in the target? Make sure the answer to those questions is YES!

If you are not provided with any guidelines on stylistics with your project package, make a list of questions about how certain textual features should be treated in the target during your initial review of the file. You may be able to answer many of these questions yourself, thereby creating your own guidelines on style that you can follow consistently throughout the translation. For any questions that you cannot answer yourself, ask the PM early on in the project life cycle. Early is the operative word here; don’t wait until moments before a deadline to ask if all measurements should be converted, which will cause concern about your ability to deliver on time. For any questions the PM cannot answer, she will ask the client, ensuring said client gets exactly what they want in their product, which will likely equal more future work for everyone!
Want to really wow the PM/agency? Be even more proactive, and develop your own checklist of textual features that you often need further instruction on for your translation projects, and for each new client, go through this checklist and provide them with a style guide.

Glossaries. Even if PMs and in-house reviewers cannot read your target language, they have likely been trained to spot terminology inconsistencies within files. Do the section titles listed in the Table of Contents match the section titles used in the file? Is a particular tagline translated consistently throughout a translation? Using consistent language throughout a file demonstrates your attention to detail to an agency.

If you are provided a client-approved glossary, follow the terminology within even if you think there’s a better translation. Client glossaries have likely gone through several stages of approvals to ensure that the terminology corresponds to their stylistic needs. However, if you strongly feel that the glossary contains an error, such as a typo, communicate this to your PM to improve the glossary moving forward.
If you are not provided a glossary, take some time during your initial viewing of the file to jot down repetitious content from which to create your own glossary. Many CAT tools have easy-to-use glossary creation features. With memoQ and Wordfast, for example, you can import Excel glossaries. Even if you are not using a CAT tool, creating and following a glossary is still a good practice. And you can still manually check that glossary terms are followed in your final deliverable using the “Find” or “Find and Replace” features of Microsoft Office products such as Word.

Quality Technology. Most CAT programs have built-in quality check tools, including spell check. These tools can be used to generate alerts about potential issues within a file, such as mismatched numbers between source and target, glossary terms not being followed, and even extra spaces within a segment.

Use QA programs and tools to check your translation before delivery. Really impress your PM by delivering a “clean” quality report along with your deliverable.
Run a spell check before delivery. When you’re in a hurry to meet that rush deadline, it may be tempting to forego this step to save yourself some time. But the extra five minutes is worth the extra assurance that there are no spelling errors in your final deliverables.
Proofread your files for objective errors like incorrect numbers or the misspelling of company and product names. These are the areas of a foreign language document that your PMs and clients can check, so if they find errors here, they’ll wonder how many errors there are that they can’t see.

Formatting. When translating in MS Word because you are working with a source PDF or because you don’t have CAT tools, basic formatting skills can go a long way toward demonstrating your commitment to the overall quality of a file.

Beware of OCR! Do not OCR PDF files in lieu of manually creating the formatting structure. There are many programs out there to perform OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and recreate an MS Word copy of a file, a process by which text and formatting within a PDF file is made editable and then converted into MS Word format. While this may seem like a good solution for avoiding the time necessary to build the format structure of a file, translating in an OCRed file can cause problems with textual features like font types, kerning (the space between characters), incorrect character recognition, and line breaks that cannot be fixed/altered. OCR programs should ideally only be used to obtain estimates for word counts in PDF files.
When recreating a file, use tables and other formatting features like adjustments to margins, rather than spaces and/or tabs/hard returns to replicate tables and textual flow. Using tabs and hard returns when replicating a table is problematic because if a PM or internal reviewer needs to change the font size of a document, for example, line breaks may shift, and she will need to manually adjust all tabs in order to re-match the line items to the formatting of the source. Use tables instead! And if you really want to produce a file that exceeds the agency’s expectations, take the time to adjust items like the borders and fill of the table cells to better match the source.
When completing a translation in MS Word, turn on the “Show/Hide Paragraph Marks” button (the ¶ button on the “Home” tab). This will show you all of the normally hidden formatting features of a text, and allow you to clean up spacing before delivery to the client.

The take-away: consistency, following instructions and providing good-looking deliverables are key when striving to convey the overall quality of your translation product to those looking at your translated files—whether they are able to read your target language or not!

Alaina Brantner has worked as a Project Manager for two language services providers and is a Spanish to English translator. She holds an MA in translation from UWM and has served on MATI’s board since 2012.

MATI Annual Business Meeting Recap & Election Results

Thu, 06 Aug 2015 16:00:00 GMT

MATI Annual Business Meeting Recap & Election Results

MATI directors and members gathered on Saturday, July 25 for the Annual Business meeting at the Bayshore Bar Louie in Milwaukee. MATI President Christina Green started off the meeting by swearing in two new board members: Vice President Joseph Wojowski and Director Tyann Zehms. Amy Polenske and Katarzyna Jankowski were re-elected to MATI’s Executive Committee as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively, and Sasha F Carrillo and Meghan McCallum were re-elected to MATI’s Board. Annual reports were then presented, including the Financial Report, prepared by Treasurer Jankowski, the Webinar Series and Membership Reports, presented by Susan Schweigert, the Communications Report, delivered by Alaina Brantner, and the Programs Report, presented by President Green. As MATI’s board continues to incorporate new programs and features that benefit and are of interest to our growing membership, all committees are seeking volunteers to support in the delivery of new and ongoing services. Please see visit the page Committees and Chairs for a description of MATI’s Committees and the responsibilities and tasks that fall under the purview of each.

President Green closed the meeting expressing pleasure and optimism at the successes and overall trajectory of the organization, thanking all members for their support and contributions, and inviting any members who’d like to get involved to reach out for more information. Please contact us at matiemail@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer.

MATI’s 2015-2016 Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Christina Green (WI), President, 2014-2016*

Joseph Wojowski (IL), Vice President, 2015-2017

Amy Polenske (WI), Secretary, 2015-2017*

Katarzyna Jankowski (IL), Treasurer, 2015-2017*

Board of Directors

Alaina Brantner (WI), 2014-2016*

Sasha F Carrillo (IL), 2015-2017*

Meghan McCallum (WI), 2015-2017*

Susan Schweigert (IL), 2014-2016*

Tyann Zehms (WI), 2015-2017

*Denotes second consecutive term. Per Article 5, Section 5.2 of MATI’s bylaws, “Officers may be re-elected and serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms, but may run for office again after a full two-year term out of office.” MATI’s Bylaws can be found on our website here. For a complete list of all present and past directors of MATI’s Board, please visit Board of Directors.

The Personal Cloud: your own asteroid in cyberspace by Joseph Wojowski

Mon, 03 Aug 2015 16:00:00 GMT

The Personal Cloud:

your own asteroid in cyberspace

By Joseph Wojowski

Article reprinted with permission from Wojowski’s Translation Technology Blog.

Back in January, I wrote about Data Storage and Security, and in that article and anytime I talk about internet technology, I talk about the inherent risks involved and how buying cloud server space through Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, et cetera is not the safest means of cloud-based data storage. Again, the only way to be 100% secure is to take your information and devices offline – a feat that is almost unattainable in today’s world if you want to stay in business.

So, is there anything that exists to resolve this issue? If it is inadvisable to buying shared cloud server space, and uneconomical for an individual to purchase dedicated cloud server space, how can someone have access to their files with the same accessibility and convenience as other cloud solutions?

With the desire for increased data security, many people who are cognizant of the issues have turned to personal clouds to have the same accessibility but with increased security. Personal clouds come in two forms: a personal cloud based on Public Clouds, like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.; and a self-hosted personal cloud solution. Personal Clouds based on Public ones are not viable options because they are personal allotments of public cloud servers that promote synchronization among devices (PC, OS X, iOS, Android, etc.) and have a monthly subscription if you want more than the allotted space (allotted free space is 2GB for DropBox and 15GB for both Google Drive and OneDrive).

The self-hosted personal cloud solution I have been using for the past few months is Tonido (though there are other personal cloud services – arkOS [still in development], and ownCloud being other great examples) and I have been quite pleased with it. Here are specifications on self-hosted personal clouds:

Remote Access

Self-hosted clouds allow you to have complete control of your files. You can select certain folders to make available over the cloud instead of an entire drive. You have access to your files; the only thing limiting you is your own bandwidth connection. There are no file size limits, the minimum you need to access your files is internet access and a browser, and anytime you access your cloud portal, you are accessing it using secure https (SSL). If you have audio, video or photos in the folder, you can even live stream them and play them on your device.

File Sharing

File sharing ability is necessary in our industry because you cannot send larger files via e-mail. Historically and perhaps more commonly, companies would set up an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site and instruct providers on how to log in and access the files they need. A lot of smaller companies use DropBox as an FTP site alternative because it is easier to set up and easier to instruct providers on how to retrieve files than a traditional FTP. Self-hosted clouds give you the same file sharing ability as DropBox, all you have to do is select the file you want to share and you will get a link you can send someone, they click the link and the download starts from their browser. More importantly, you can add them as a guest account (the number of guest accounts are unlimited) so they need to log in with a user name and password to begin the download, and you can also choose the duration of the file’s availability to the guest user.

Other Notable Features

Other notable features include the ability to mount your personal cloud as a drive in Windows, synchronization among devices, synchronization permissions with guest accounts, custom branding, and you can even use it for automatic backup of photos and videos from mobile devices. The only thing limiting you is the amount of storage space you have or make available for storage on your own hardware – but do not forget, you own it. You have complete control over your files and they are not saved in an undisclosed location and managed by a tech giant.

—

So, in all honesty, I felt guilty about the Data Storage and Security post because I did not really give a solution to the cloud situation. I wrote that we should be aware of what information is put on clouds and be aware of the risks associated with cloud storage, but I never really resolved the issue. Please do not misunderstand me, even with a self-hosted cloud, there are still risks associated with keeping computer hardware connected to the internet, but a personal self-hosted cloud is less of an object of desire for hackers than a tech giant cloud.

You can visit Tonido.com right now, download the program and set up your own personal cloud for free. The same applies to owncloud.org. arkOS is currently under development and at the time this article was posted, is only recommended for testing purposes. The thing I look forward to writing about in the future is arkOS’s claim that you can host your websites and e-mail with it, not just files. You can be sure that when this is no longer in development, I will be writing about it as a solution to webhosting.

Hardware Setup

When it comes to necessary hardware requirements, PCs with Windows XP or later, Macs with OS X 10.8 or later, 32-bit Linux computers with Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu 8.04 or above, or 64-bit Linux Computers with Ubuntu 12.04 will be able to support Tonido without a problem. Aside from that, you are only limited by the hard drive associated with your Tonido server (be it internal or external).

Now here is where this article gets cool.

Let me introduce you to the Raspberry Pi.

A credit card-sized computer for $35 – Windows 10 coming late 2015.

I have both the first generation 256 MB RAM model and the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B; the Raspberry Pi 2 is the one that hosts my Cloud. This little computer has a footprint with the same dimensions as a credit card (85.60 × 53.98 mm) and is about 21 mm high. Raspberry Pi 2 technical specifications of importance to our uses are: 4 USB Ports, full HDMI port, Ethernet port, MicroSD slot, Micro USB port, 900 MHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU, and 1 GB of RAM. Now, if this is the first time you have heard about the Raspberry Pi and it sounds intriguing to you, I encourage you to look up videos and photos related to Raspberry Pi and check out what people have been making out of the Raspberry Pi – everything from media centers and retro video game emulators to car computers, robotics controllers, and security system controllers. The Micro USB port is for the power supply, the MicroSD slot is for the MicroSD card (like the one in your smartphone) upon which is mounted the Operating System, the HDMI port is for display and audio, the Ethernet port is for network connectivity, and the 4 USB ports are for peripherals and external storage. And here is the best specification of all: the Raspberry Pi is USD $35.

So, a real-life implementation of Tonido and the Raspberry Pi would be to set up the Raspberry Pi to run Tonido and then simply plug in a USB External Hard Drive with a separate power source that you already have and make it available on Tonido. It is not entirely as easy as that when starting from scratch, but the result is still attainable by someone with limited or even no knowledge of Unix-based operating systems. So, I will have a second part to this post next week with an instructable: Setting up Tonido Cloud Server on Raspberry Pi and mounting your Tonido Cloud server as a drive in Windows.

Joseph is the Vice President of MATI; Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL; Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations; and a Certified MemoQ Trainer.

Alverno College Interpreter Institute by Yesica Camacho

Fri, 31 Jul 2015 21:00:00 GMT

Alverno College Interpreter Institute

By Yesica Camacho

Since its launch in fall 2007, the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation minor at Alverno College has strengthened the language skills of bilingual students fluent in English and Spanish to prepare them for a career in healthcare interpretation. Through five courses and an intensive, semester-long internship, the program prepares students to work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and community health centers. Students are also well-trained to engage in telephonic or video remote interpreting, which are two platforms that are becoming increasingly popular across the country.

Given the healthcare focus, this minor naturally attracts many students who are pursuing a major in nursing; however, the program is not an option open exclusively to nursing students. Instead, it complements a number of other areas of study, such as psychology, education, communication, business, and community leadership. Many students use these courses as a springboard for applying their interpreting skills in their own respective field. That said, having a four-year degree, in addition to specialized studies in healthcare interpreting, makes Alverno graduates attractive prospects for employers. Alverno’s world-renowned curriculum focuses on 8 abilities and includes ample experiential learning opportunities to ensure the learning is student-focused, engaging and interactive.

Program admissions, courses and educational opportunities

Although the majority of the students enrolled are degree-seeking students at Alverno, individuals not enrolled in a degree program at Alverno can also take coursework toward program completion as special students. Individuals who already have a Bachelor’s degree can enroll in courses. The Admissions Office can provide more details on enrolling and financing your coursework.

Prior to admission into the program, students must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in Spanish and English through the bilingual proficiency assessment. In order to successfully complete the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation minor, students must satisfactorily finish all of the required coursework and an intensive internship. Required courses are as follows:

SPI 210: Bilingual Medical Terminology

This course introduces students to medical terminology of major body systems in Spanish and English. Terminology includes body parts, diseases, tests, and treatments.

SPI 310: Cultural Competence in Healthcare: The Latino Perspective

This course focuses on theoretical frameworks that define culture, cultural competence, and cultural proficiency to increase student’s understanding of multicultural aspects of healthcare regarding the Latino culture.

SPI 320: Advanced Interpreting Practice

This course exposes the student to challenges in a variety of healthcare settings through the use of practice drills and simulations including sight translation and consecutive and simultaneous interpretation.

SPI 350: Ethics for Healthcare Interpreters

This course is designed to prepare the student for ethical challenges she will meet in her profession. Students examine the professional ethical issues most commonly encountered in the field of interpreting, and include in its outcomes objectives of impartiality, respect, confidentiality, role boundaries, professionalism, and advocacy.

SPI 360: Translation Skills for Healthcare Interpreters

The course focuses on the language skills necessary for translation. This course reviews current grammar rules in English and Spanish and present students with an opportunity to develop the ability to identify audience, style, tone and register, and the role each of these has in written communication. Through practice and an introduction to the challenges that translators face, students problem-solve difficult linguistic constructions while refining their writing skills as they work to translate and edit medical texts from Spanish to English and English to Spanish within the framework of their role as a medical interpreter.

SPI 483: Healthcare Interpreter Internship

In this course, the student participates in a field experience that allows her to further develop the skills that she has learned in the coursework completed as part of the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation minor. She works under the direction of mentoring professionals in a health care setting to shadow and later interpret for patients during an individual field placement at a local health care organization. Students must complete a total of 120 hours on-site.

Consistent with national trends in the popularity of interpreting jobs in the coming years, (as predicted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which states that job growth between 2012 and 2022 will grow much faster than average at 46%), the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation program has seen a marked increase in interest and graduates in the past eight years. In the fall, for example, nine students will require internship placement among the five Milwaukee-area partnering healthcare organizations who host them – the largest group in the program’s history. (Alverno currently partners with Aurora Healthcare, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Columbia-St. Mary’s Hospital, Froedtert Hospital, Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Wheaton Franciscan – Milwaukee, and Wheaton Franciscan – Racine.)

As noted earlier, experiential learning is abundant in this program. In addition to the projects woven into the required courses and the semester-long internship, students have an opportunity to participate in a short-term study abroad trip to Ecuador, allowing them to increase their cultural awareness and enhance their language skills with language instruction, home stays, and cultural excursions in the Andean mountains and the Amazon Rainforest. The trip is an optional part of the cultural competence course offered to students of any language ability on rotation.

Furthermore, as the profession evolves and national certification becomes the norm, having studied interpreting simply will not be enough to obtain nor maintain employment. “We are enhancing the opportunities for continuing education,” said Jennifer Flamboe, M.A., CHI, Associate Professor of Spanish, Director of the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation program, and Chair of the World Languages department at Alverno College. Flamboe worked in partnership with Daniel Dickover, adjunct instructor, to establish the Alverno Interpreter Institute (AII), founded in 2013, as a forum to spread information on medical interpreting through workshops, and enrichment sessions as a means for professional development to meet the growing demand for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). As an entity associated with the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation program at Alverno College, the Institute resembles program courses in its interactive, participant-focused design. Medical interpreters across all language pairs can gain knowledge and learn from one another in this venue, no matter what their skill level may be. In fact, many students attend Institute sessions and rave about the interaction they have had with working interpreters because the nature of the layout of the room and the activities facilitate an organic networking and learning experience. For information on upcoming AII workshops, visit the Alverno Interpreter Institute website.

Conclusion

Being an Alverno alumna and a graduate of the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation Program, I am honored to say that I was well prepared for my career as a Spanish healthcare interpreter thanks to that program. Being a heritage Spanish speaker and an interpreter for my parents all of my life, Alverno’s interpreting program drew me in through its ethics course, translation course, and the internship. I had the opportunity to intern at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin as a Spanish Healthcare Interpreter for the duration of one semester. During my internship at Children’s, I observed other interpreters for approximately five weeks and then interpreted on my own after successful completion of the organization’s language assessment. This internship experience allowed me to get a better understanding of the day-to-day operations as an interpreter, including its challenges and complications. Most importantly, my internship experience gave me a network of professional interpreters to whom I can turn for advice and work opportunities.

The AII and the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation curricula went beyond my expectations, playing a large role in my career goals. One of my future goals is to own a healthcare interpreter agency, and having received well-rounded training through Alverno’s interpreting minor, I am prepared to succeed as a healthcare interpreter, and I know that I will continue to expand my skills as an interpreter through AII workshops. As I continue to volunteer with the American Cancer Society as a Spanish healthcare interpreter, I am able to reflect on my education and make good use of the skills i learned through this program.

For more information on the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation minor at Alverno, the Alverno Interpreter Institute, future continuing education opportunities or to collaborate on experiential opportunities for students, e-mail Jennifer Flamboe, Chair of World Languages, at jennifer.flamboe@alverno.edu or stay updated on related news, events, and opportunities via the program’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/alvernointerpreting.

Yesica Comacho is a Spanish <> English interpreter. She holds a BA in Communications with Minors in Psychology and Spanish-Healthcare Interpretation.

Member Spotlight: Meet MATI Secretary Amy Polenske

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 21:00:00 GMT

Member Spotlight: Meet MATI Secretary Amy Polenske

Amy Polenske serves on MATI’s Executive Committee as Secretary, a role in which she has contributed to our organization since 2013. She holds a Master’s Degree in Translation and her language pair is Spanish to English.

Where do you live and/or work? Milwaukee

How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

I’ve been working professionally in the field for around two and a half years. My first experience came from the graduate program at UWM where I had the opportunity to translate for UWM Language Services. I then completed an internship at a translation and interpreting agency, which turned into employment after graduation. I currently work at Iverson Language Associates as the Quality Team Lead.

Where do you see your field going in the future? What are the most urgent issues to be addressed?

The translation and interpreting industry is rapidly growing. With this in mind, an important issue that should remain a focus of our profession is education in language, translation, and interpreting. I believe it is important that the individuals newly entering this field come with the proper education and understanding of what it takes to be a professional translator, interpreter, or project manager. MATI is a great place for professionals at all levels to connect and promote education and awareness of our field.

Do you have any tips for those starting out in the field? For those who’ve been in the field?

Get involved! The people I’ve met through school, work, and organizations like MATI and ATA have opened up opportunities to me that I wouldn’t have had working just on my own. It’s also fun to collaborate with others who have the same passion for language as I do.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your profession?

Expect the unexpected. While it’s smart to be prepared and anticipate potential project issues, unexpected problems do happen. In these situations, it’s important to manage these problems with a level head by taking the time to think through possible solutions before jumping to action.

Why did you decide to join MATI?

I was interested in meeting other professionals in my field to see how others were using their skills and learn what different career options were possible.

Taking pride in your work even before you translate a single word by Joseph Wojowski

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 01:00:00 GMT

Taking pride in your work even

before you translate a single word

By Joseph Wojowski

Article reprinted with permission from Wojowski’s Translation Technology Blog.

I was asked a few months ago to write a post on translator scammers by a respected colleague of mine. At first I did not think that it related to the overall theme of my blog, but after some thought, I realized that not only did it apply, but it was also an important topic to talk about for the continued success of my fellow translators and interpreters. This is not the first time this issue has been brought up in the industry, but for some, it bears repeating. So let me start with a little anecdote.

As Director of Operations and being in charge of hiring in my regular full-time position, I write in every job posting, “Please send résumés in PDF format. Only résumés in PDF format will be considered.” I have been criticized a few times by co-workers because they do not see this as a necessity. My reasoning behind asking for this is in two parts: first, I want to see if an applicant can read and follow directions, and secondly, I want the applicant to understand that I, as a prospective employer, respect their work history and that I expect the same respect from them for the same. So how does the second point apply? Editable documents such as text files and word documents are called that for a reason – they are editable. If someone were to receive a CV or résumé and did not want to make it look as if the applicant were as qualified as they actually are, it would be very easy for the recipient to modify the applicant’s résumé and make modifications. While PDF documents can still be modified, the person carrying out these modifications would have a harder time doing so than with Word documents.

The same thing applies to translator and interpreter résumés and CVs, perhaps even more so. Contracted positions are at a higher risk because CVs are not simply sent out every couple of years to get a salaried position. CVs are our ambassadors for our brand and draw people in to contract us out for work. We have spent years going to school and years building a name for ourselves in the field but there are people who are actively seeking out CVs and resumes that are editable, changing the contact information, nothing else, and submitting the fraudulent CV as their own to get work. The unsuspicious agency receives the fraudulent CV, checks out the legitimate translator’s credentials and uses the contact information found on the CV to hire the thief; the thief will delay delivery of the translation and if s/he delivers at all, the translation will almost always be poor in quality due to free, public machine translator use without post-editing. The scammed project or quality manager may then contact the actual provider regarding issues and the translator would then be completely unaware that the scam was going on, then having to deal with the headache of trying to repair a damaged reputation.

Similarly, these scammers can pose as translation companies or independent project managers and prey on unsuspecting freelance translators. They will set up jobs and contract freelancers out for projects, overpay by check and then ask the freelancer to send a check with the difference. Meanwhile, the original check to the freelancer is bounced, the freelancer gets charged a bounce fee, and the check to the thief with the difference gets cashed. What ends up happening is that the freelancer gets taken for a ride and penalized twice for performing a legitimate service.

Combating these con-men

First and foremost, I believe in being pro-active in all matters dealing with fraud. The harder you make it for someone to steal your credentials the less-likely someone will be to do so. In my honest opinion, it is worth the time to make stealing your credentials harder when preparing your CV than the damage caused by a ruined reputation

1. Stop sending out your CV in editable document format.

I cannot stress this enough. If I were not receiving any more CVs in Word document format, I would not need to be writing this post. I would not even recommend password protecting the word document and sending out a read-only word file, the text can still be copied and pasted. I do not even recommend simply saving a word document as a PDF and sending the resulting PDF; again, the content can still be copied and pasted into a different document.

For a medium level of security, save your CV as a PDF, export to jpeg files, and reassemble the images into a single PDF (this will also make the file size smaller). Next, go into password encryption and modify Document Restriction Settings; not allowing text access or content extraction from the document and only allowing low-res printing. This level of security prevents the reader from using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to lift text from the flat image, prevents them from copying the image via snapshot, and prevents others from exporting the images to other file formats.

For a higher level of security, use the document open settings to restrict the opening of the PDF in addition to the medium level document restrictions using a different password than the medium level password. This will enable you to control who can and cannot open your CV and still control what they can do once they have opened the document. If you chose this higher security route, I will leave it up to you as to how you would like people to get the password to be able to open the document. A simple suggestion might be to have someone who would like to see your CV submit a request on your personal website asking for the password. Get creative, but always be aware of who you are giving viewing access to.

2. Translators, cross-reference contact information with information found on the actual company’s website. There are also a number of references on LinkedIn and translator fora that you can go to see if anyone else has written about a company that has contacted you for services. And head over to http://www.translator-scammers.com/ and do a quick search to see if someone who contacted you is on the scammer list.

3. Translation companies, when looking over resumes, check out the person’s contact information on their resume as well as cross-reference it on their profiles on translatorscafe, proz, professional association directories, etc. (when all else fails, I would trust the professional association directory over any other source). If something does not quite add up, the translator might appreciate it if you sent them a message letting them know about the contact information discrepancy.

4. You can also always run a check on the sender’s IP address and verify that the message was sent from the translator or company’s documented location.

It all just boils down to how pro-active you are. You do not want to be in a situation where you have a translation company on your back accusing you of providing poor translations, asking you to fix the errors when you did not have any prior contact with them to begin with. Or wasting time and energy hounding a translation company for payment when the company never really existed in the first place. If you would like another person’s point of view on this issue, please check out Carola Berger’s article in the October 2014 ATA Chronicle and check out http://www.translator-scammers.com/, it has a list of aliases, e-mail addresses and listed offenses of these translation identity thieves. As always, my opinions should never be the definitive command on what to do and what not to do, but hopefully if you were not aware that this was an issue before, now you know that there is a risk and something to be aware of.

Joseph is Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL, Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations, and a Certified MemoQ Trainer.

How to Build Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships with Project Managers

Meghan McCallum — Thu, 14 May 2015 16:02:07 GMT

How to Build Healthy, Long-Lasting Relationships with Project Managers

By Meghan McCallum, MATI Director

Arguably, our main goal as translators is to provide excellent translations. We ensure that each translated text is accurate, consistent, and error-free. Many more factors come into play in a translator’s day-to-day business interactions, however. Beyond providing spotless translations, what can a translator do to build healthy relationships with his or her translation agency clients?

This is the first installment in a series focused on the translator-agency relationship, and how translators can ensure they are providing a complete package of excellent service.

Getting Your Foot in the Door

Q. With more and more translators marketing their services across a variety of platforms, how am I supposed to stand out from the crowd?

A. Getting your foot in the door with an agency can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be!

Be visible. Set up profiles on Proz, LinkedIn and on the websites of professional associations (including ours!). Keep them up-to-date with language pairs, experience, specializations, contact information, and a professional headshot, if possible. A project manager’s first impression of you may come from one of these profiles, so you want to be sure to make a good one!
Be active. You may not have the opportunity to meet your project manager in person, but he or she can still “see” you participating in online forums, webinars, blogs, and social media. If you have an active, professional online presence, you’re more likely to get noticed.
Be available. List your contact and social media details (e-mail, phone, Skype, website, Proz, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+) across platforms. A project manager shouldn’t have to spend time figuring out how to get a hold of you! While you’re at it, does your e-mail signature need a makeover? Be sure to include at least the basics (phone, website) in your signature.
Start with baby steps. PMs will likely not send you their biggest and best projects until they know they can trust you with the small stuff. That is not to say that you should accept projects well below your rates or with impossible deadlines, but if you make it a habit of rejecting all but the very best projects, PMs may stop reaching out to you all together.
Take advantage of networking opportunities. Participate in events offered through professional associations, such as MATI’s webinars and annual conference. Not only will you make some new contacts, but with active participation in an association you also show potential clients that you are committed to the profession.

Mastering the Art of Online Communication

Q. My relationship with project managers exists almost entirely online. How can I approach communication to ensure that I will get repeat work from a project manager?

A. Project managers can receive hundreds of e-mails per day, and communication etiquette (or lack thereof) can make or break your relationship with them. Here are some tips for successful communication.

Respond in a timely manner. One of a project manager’s most important tasks is to keep his or her projects running on schedule. With multiple projects happening at once, they need to be able to communicate quickly and effectively. You’ll make a PM’s life easier if you respond to messages quickly. Even a simple “Thanks for the project offer, but I’m unavailable for the rest of this week.” will do.
Use (but don’t abuse!) instant messaging. Many translation agencies use Skype; consider using it yourself if you don’t already. This way, if a project manager has a quick question for you (“Hi, could you please confirm you received the source files?”), they can receive your answer right away. On the other hand, some messages are still better via e-mail; if you have detailed questions on a specific project or anything that a PM isn’t able to answer instantly, it’s probably better to e-mail.
Keep messages concise. With hundreds of e-mails flying around every day, a project manager can’t afford to spend time decrypting drawn-out messages. Of course, your PM does want to know if you have questions or issues with an assignment! Always notify the PM as soon as possible when you encounter an issue. When composing your message, make it as easy as possible for the PM to figure out what your question or problem is and what information you need from them to resolve it.
Stay positive. Although we’re all working behind computer screens, don’t forget that there is always a live person on the other end of your messages. PMs will remember the way you communicate with them. Don’t like a rate or deadline that a PM is offering? Did the PM accidentally offer you a job outside of your area of expertise? No problem; you’re not required to accept it! If you’re not able to take a project, a quick e-mail politely declining the job will go a long way.

Learning the Ropes of Translation Technology

Q. How can I master translation technology to improve my relationships with PMs and bring in more business?

A. In today’s translation industry, professionals cannot afford to not master their own technology. PMs tend to remember translators who accept their projects on a regular basis, so if you regularly turn down projects because you can’t work with CAT tools, you may fall off of a PM’s radar. Of course, you have the ultimate choice of which technology (if any) to use for your translation services. Once you do choose to use a certain technology, however, you should take responsibility for learning how to use it correctly. Hurdles are bound to come up when working with technology, and troubleshooting skills are a must.

Take advantage agency-provided discounts and training. Some agencies offer discounts on their preferred translation environment tool, and many provide basic instructions and training for how to use the tools within their specific project process. Take advantage of these offers!
Keep an eye out for training offered by your tool vendor. Webinars, YouTube videos, and other training materials are often offered at no cost directly from translation software vendors.
Encountering an issue? Google it first! You’re wrapping up a project due tomorrow, and suddenly an error message pops up. Don’t panic! First, Google the specific error code and/or message in the pop-up window. Chances are, someone else before you has encountered this issue and discussed resolutions online. Many technology issues can be resolved independently with a little online research.
Ask a colleague for one-on-one help. Some of your fellow translators may be willing to provide individualized training sessions for specific tools. This allows you to learn the ropes at your own pace and ask a trusted colleague for insight. Trainers may charge a fee for this personalized service, but it’s certainly worth the investment.

The above tips are sure to get you started on the right foot with your project managers. Remember that among a PM’s many duties is to serve as your advocate to the client, and the best way to ensure successful projects and a mutually beneficial relationship with your PM overall is through open and timely communication.

Do you have specific questions on fostering positive relationships with your translation agency clients? Visit our Member Forum to discuss questions with your colleagues or to request specific topics for future articles.

Meghan McCallum is a freelance French to English translator based in Milwaukee, WI. She worked in-house at a Milwaukee LSP from 2010-2015 before starting her freelance business. Meghan currently serves on the MATI Board of Directors.

Contact:

meghanraymccallum@gmail.com
www.fr-en.com
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Translation Memory Tools By Joseph Wojowski

Wed, 13 May 2015 01:46:50 GMT

Translation Memory Tools

By Joseph Wojowski

The below has been adapted from "Translation Memory Tools (Part 2)," an article posted by Wojowski on April 3, 2015 on his Translation Technology Blog.

Those who create hardware or software in any form must always focus and stay on top of how users currently use the technology and how they may want to use it in the future. An excellent example of this outside of the translation industry is the credit card. Magnetic stripe credit cards were invented by International Business Machines (IBM) in the late 60s. In 1971, they started producing magnetic striped credit and identification cards in Dayton, New Jersey. This was quickly adopted around the world. Until just a few years ago, the magnetic stripe was the basis of all credit and debit transactions in the United States. Meanwhile, Europay (Belgium) established the EMV Chip as a means for a more secure transaction medium – the first version of the EMV Standard was published in 1995. Any American who has frequented to Europe in the last decade can tell you about the looks we get after handing a shop clerk a card they don’t know what to do with because there is no EMV chip. The United States had been slow to adopt this technology because it would mean changing the hardware that has been employed for the past forty years. Only now is the Chip and PIN system becoming more frequent in the United States. This is quite common with technology and ideas, the innovators are often the slowest to adapt.

In my very honest opinion, translation technology has operated much in the same way for the past twenty years. In the 90s, Translator’s Workbench took off as a translation technology tool. To this day, the tool known as SDL Trados Studio since its acquisition by SDL in 2005 is revered as the industry standard in CAT Tools. But I would like to pose some questions about this tool. Is SDL Studio the best option for all or most of the industry’s needs? Does SDL Studio pass the kindergarten test (does it ‘play well with others’)? Is SDL particularly responsive to the support and functionality needs of its users? With so many other tools on the market, is Studio the best bang for your buck? More likely than not, SDL is not the end all-be all of CAT tool solutions, and if one were to blindly adhere to Studio and only Studio (or any one program for that matter), CAT tool technology will pass him or her by and he or she will be left crying in the dust.

So let’s look into the different CAT tools and see what various benefits or downfalls exist. First and foremost, let us establish that Integrated Translation Environments pretty much operate in the same way; the basic functionality of all of them is the displaying of source and target text and translation memory matches. If all you are looking for is a program to assist in the translation of MS office documents, by all means, buy a CAT tool as a commodity and go for the lowest price.

For many, the native operating system of a tool is the biggest attraction. Some tools only run on Windows, some are web-based, and others run on java and are thus able to be run on any operating system. The two most prevalent programs, Trados Studio and MemoQ, run natively on Windows but can be run on OS X in a cross platform solution – a virtual machine. There is an issue when running these programs in a parallel environment that Mac users need to be aware of: these programs need to have the Windows folder structure (c:\) mapped in order to function; if the shared folder structure (psf\) is used, the programs will crash.

Java platform-based tools are appealing because Java works on Windows, OS X, and Linux-based operating systems. The downside of these tools is that with the current tools available, there is limited functionality. Java platform based tools include OmegaT, Wordfast, and GlobalSight.

Wordfast

The most common of the Java platform based tools would be Wordfast. Wordfast exists in four different versions, Wordfast Classic, Wordfast Pro (3), Wordfast Anywhere, and Wordfast Server. For the purposes of addressing freelance translators, I will only be discussing Wordfast Pro 3. Wordfast Classic is an MS Office add-in (a set of macros) and relies on antiquated technology; Wordfast Anywhere is free, web-based, and is greatly limited in functionality in comparison with other tools available. In addition, Wordfast Autoaligner for Wordfast Anywhere is quite possibly the worst alignment tool ever imagined. With Autoaligner, you upload the files you would like to align, it identifies the source and target files (which can be switched), you put in your e-mail address, and it sends you a translation memory – because we all know running alignments are always just as easy as that.

The Wordfast Pro 3 user interface is toolbar based and lacks essential features that are available in other tools, like a real-time preview. The alignment tool is a separate application, and editing resources within the application are a pipe dream. The only resources available to you are a translation memory, a glossary, and machine translation is available via Google, Microsoft, and WorldLingo. While Wordfast works on all operating systems and has the cheapest initial cost of the three main translation programs, with limited licensing (licenses [$500/each for Wordfast Pro 3] are granted for a period of three years and can be renewed after that period for 50% of the full list price), limited functionality, and antiquated often user-unfriendly UI, Wordfast is last on my list of software recommendations. (Don’t worry, I have said this to Wordfast representatives’ faces when asked why Wordfast was not my go-to CAT tool.) In a nutshell, Wordfast tries to execute multiple functionalities? and provide multiple options for a CAT tool and does not do any of them well. You can try out Wordfast Pro with a free trial that allows you to translate up to 500 translation units; this trial may be found here.

Web-based CAT tools

Web-based applications include a variety of services such as MemSource, MemoQ Cloud, XTM, Wordfast Anywhere and one of the newest CAT tools, MateCat. It should go without saying that every single one of these tools should be used with caution (for more information, see my post on Data Storage and Security); in fact, a big part of me wants to dismiss these solutions immediately because of the potential risk to confidential information, like the vulnerability of translation memories and glossaries, or the potential leak of information to a third party through machine translation add-ons (see my post on Machine Technology and Internet Security from 9 December 2014). However, there is great value in the collaboration abilities possible through MemoQ Cloud (also possible with MemoQ Server) and XTM – this ability allows for all members of a workflow to collaborate on a project simultaneously for example, it facilitates communication between a translator and the editor and/or terminologist and proofreader. This type of collaboration is ideal for companies that need to process large documents in a short amount of time. This capability is only available with premium services like MemoQ Cloud and XTM and despite the fact that the free web-based CAT tools use https, I would still be cautious before sending documents to Wordfast Anywhere or MateCat.

Now, on to the Windows-based translation tools. Programs in this category include SDL Studio, MemoQ, and Déjà vu. Now, before I begin this section, I would like to establish the grounds and acknowledge that I am a MemoQ trainer, I am a MemoQ evangelist, and loudly sing its praises at conferences. My bias ends there. If I recommend something to someone, I am doing it because I was in the rare position to weigh all my options and have determined that my recommendation was the best fit for me and may be for my audience as well; a luxury not very many in this profession have. (To read about my experience testing the various CAT tools, see my post Translation Memory Tools Part 1.)

SDL Trados Studio

Trados Studio continues to be the leader in CAT tools and I do not need to toot its horn or stroke its ego; but a positive thing about Studio is its translation window UI. The UI is tab-based and gives it a very user-friendly feel. It looks and feels a lot like working in MS Office, a definite plus. While the UI can be very comforting while translating, in navigating the program on the whole, the layout takes some getting used to.

However, in my honest opinion, it boggles my mind that use of Studio continues to be so widespread despite areas where it falls short. Customer support has always been lacking from SDL. If you call them on the phone for help, chances are you will not talk to anyone. If you try to e-mail them, you will not get a response. I went to an SDL lunch where they were showing off new features for Studio 2011 and how if a computer is connected to the internet, the user accesses the most current help file. I asked the representative if when the computer is connected to the internet, a local version of the help file was updated. He did not know but said he would find out for me. I took his card and sent him an e-mail later that day asking my question and never received a response.

Regarding the technical aspects, Trados Studio does not play very well with others. In fact, instead of listening to user’s needs and building additional functionality into Studio, it went the desultory route and created SDL OpenExchange, a place where third-party developers can create applications for Studio. Do you want interoperability? No problem, download the app. Do you want to exchange the proprietary SDLXliff file format to TMX? No worries, there’s an app for that. Problem with an app? No… oh, I guess you have to go back to OpenExchange, get the developer’s contact information, and contact the developer directly. That is a bit inconvenient especially considering that in order to gain the functionality you needed; you had to download a separate application from OpenExchange in the first place, is it not? When you are in the middle of a project and you have a problem, you need to be able to go to one point of contact and get the solution fast. OpenExchange is therefore not really the best possible solution for increasing functionality.

So now let’s look at price. A Studio 2014 Freelance license can be purchased for $825.00, if you already have a Studio 2011 license, you can purchase an upgrade for $275 (≈33% for the full list price). Unlike Wordfast, once you buy a license for a version of Studio, that version is yours forever. When SDL issues a new version of Studio, you must buy an upgrade to get the newest, most up-to-date version of Studio. You can try out SDL Trados Studio for a free 30-day trial here.

MemoQ

So what about MemoQ? For all intents and purposes, Kilgray just gets it. When they came out with track changes in the editing window a few years back, there were some issues. When I discovered this, I reported it to Kilgray and the change was in the next program update that was released within a month. I had an issue last year updating to MemoQ 2014, I e-mailed them in Hungary at about 10PM CEST on a Saturday, and I received a response within two hours. MemoQ is an ideal platform for collaborative projects in that all members of the translation workflow can work on a project together and even pose questions in a project-specific chat room. Kilgray writes functions into the program that users did not even know they needed, and when users see what it can do, they think, “Why DIDN’T we have this before?” The most recent of these functions is the ability to apply cascading filters to documents (example: javascript filter applied as a secondary filter to the MS Excel filter used to import the spreadsheet) and a localization package for images, so text present in images can be transcribed, translated, entered into the TM, and then packaged for a desktop publisher, so they have the text to put into the image and specialized instructions on how to lay it out. They understand the importance of interoperability and gave MemoQ the ability to import TIPP packages and the Translation Memory, Glossary, and translatable documents from an SDL Trados Studio Project Package. And did I mention the Tag insertion mode? Enable this mode and just click where tags need to go in the segments. Because of these features, for freelancers and small LSPs, MemoQ is a great tool to have in your toolbox.

So how about price? A Translator Pro license for MemoQ is $770.00 and a yearly support and upgrade package can be purchased at 20% of the full list price (about $153) this includes all updates and upgrades, if you had MemoQ 2013 R2 when MemoQ 2014 was released and your support and upgrade package was current, you received MemoQ 2014.

The main reason why I tell people to try MemoQ is because they truly can. Right now, anyone can download MemoQ 2014 R2 abandon their current CAT tool, and use MemoQ as their sole CAT tool for 45 days. You can try out MemoQ by clicking here. Only once have I heard anyone say anything bad about MemoQ and based on how they worded their e-mail, it was clear that the person did not understand the current state of CAT tools as a whole.

So to bring it back around full-circle, I would like to reiterate that those who create hardware or software in any form must always be focused and remain cognizant of how users currently use the technology and how they may want to use it in the future – SDL is the magnetic stripe to Kilgray’s EMV Chip and PIN. I am of the opinion that because of programming innovations and responsiveness to customers’ needs, MemoQ truly does stand out above the rest. These are my opinions and I acknowledge that what is currently the ideal program for me may not be the ideal program for someone else, or may not be my ideal program in the future. I also recognize that I did not go into very much detail on the programs, and if anyone reading this would like me to do so, I would be more than happy to.

One last thought to end this post: if I represent an LSP and SDL offers translation services, why would I give money to a [perceived] competitor to use their product when I can give it to a company that also produces great CAT Tool software but is not a competitor in respects to also offering translation services?

Joseph is Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL, Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations, and a Certified MemoQ Trainer.

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet Joseph Wojowski

Meghan McCallum — Mon, 04 May 2015 16:17:12 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet Joseph Wojowski

Joseph Wojowski is a French- and Spanish-to-English linguist with an MA in French and Spanish linguistics. He has been a MATI member since 2013.

Where do you live and/or work?

I live in Chicago and work in Des Plaines. I can watch planes take off from O’Hare from my office.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was inspired to get into languages by my own personal history. I was adopted from Korea as an infant and ever since I was a child, I longed to connect with the larger world; language and translation are the manifestation of that desire.

What continues to inspire you?

Technology. It’s an area that is always changing and always in need of clarification to others. I never feel stagnant when I’m testing a piece of software or building a computer.

What is your favorite thing about working in this field?

I love translation because it’s the living embodiment of a Roddenberry society. No one gets into translation for their own personal gain; a lot of people do it because, whether they realize it or not, they want to translate for the good of humanity. Sure, you can become successful and make money translating, but the profession as a whole is very altruistic.

Where do you see your field going in the future? What are the most urgent issues to be addressed?

I like to think that translation as an industry has a lot of great work ahead of it. This really is a great time to be a translator: communication is fast, the tools are powerful, and there’s plenty of work to do. The most urgent issue that needs to be addressed is Internet security—not just in translation, but around the world. It’s an ongoing process and people will always be looking for ways to break in to the most secure systems. Currently, the only way to be 100% safe is to be 100% offline. Information is in a perpetual state of being at risk and while translation data is not currently a high target, it’s only a matter of time before people become aware of the types of information we deal with.

Do you have any tips for those starting out in the field? For those who’ve been in the field?

For those starting out, get into the industry through project management and learn as much as you can as fast as you can. For those who’ve been in the field for a while, be a mentor to someone who’s just getting started, take on an apprentice during his or her breaks in college.

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet Tyann Zehms

Thu, 30 Apr 2015 01:12:49 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet Tyann Zehms

Tyann Zehms is a French to English linguist with a BA in French from UW-Milwaukee. She has been a MATI member since March of 2014.

Where do you live and/or work?

I live and work in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

How did you acquire your B language(s)?

I started learning French, my B language, in high school. I had an incredible teacher who was so enthusiastic and supportive that it was impossible not to love the language after his class. From there, I continued with private study, language exchanges, and finally got my degree in the French language.

Describe an especially memorable or fulfilling professional experience.

I don’t think I will ever forget my first real life, big-kid, professional interpretation job. My father owns a software company, which has recently started to expand into Canada, including the province of Quebec. His product is primarily used in cheese factories, which are located in rural areas, where the use of English is very limited or non-existent. As any good French-speaking daughter would do, I offered to help in whatever fashion I could to bridge the communication gap between my father and the employees of the factory. Over the course of a five day installation, I became the sole point of contact between the Canadian clients and my father, a position which was slightly daunting at first, but which became very empowering. By the end of our trip, I felt incredibly accomplished. I was reassured that investing so much time and effort into learning another language was worth every mind-crunching minute of study.

What program/tool/dictionary couldn’t you live without?

WordReference. Of all the dictionaries and resources out there, WordReference has been my go-to for years. It may not be the most technical reference, and there is certainly a plethora of online dictionaries that encompass a much larger scope, but I can’t help myself. WR is the Goose to my Maverick.

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I love to do anything outside; primarily sailing (in the summer months, of course!). I spent about five years working on yachts and sailboats in Wisconsin, Florida, the Bahamas, and England. Needless to say, I love being on the water, and sailing is a fantastic medium by which to experience the natural world around us. I’m also into carpentry, frisbee, board sports, and bonfires.

The Next Generation of Translators By Joseph Wojowski

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:10:40 GMT

The Next Generation of Translators

By Joseph Wojowski

I recently went back to my graduate school alma mater to speak to its “Careers in Foreign Language” class. This was not a new occurrence for me; I do it every year to give something back to the university that gave me so much. Being a normal school, the vast majority of its graduates pursue careers in teaching after graduation. Among the many graduates of the languages department, I am one of a select few who went into translation. It was during this year’s presentation that I started thinking about when I got started as a project manager in August of 2009.

I had already been translating documents for visa applications for two years by the time I started with my first company as a project manager. It is interesting that I have built my career around translation technology when I could not tell you the difference between translation memory and machine translation when I started. At that time, I did not even know that translation memory technology existed. I was thrown into the translation industry blind and I had to find my own way through the myriad of software tools that existed. Translator’s Workbench 2007, WinAlign, TagEditor, ProMT, MemoQ, OmegaT, Wordfast; not only were these tools new to me, but also, the concepts were new as well. I quickly came to realize that while academia had done a superb job at creating a young linguist, it had not prepared me for a business career in language, short of some translation courses I took in undergrad and a stylistics course I took in graduate school. So what did I do? What could I do? It was not as if I had the political power to try and persuade language departments to create a translation curriculum – that is an uphill battle considering time and money alone.

In the early months of 2012 a few months after I had left my post as a project manager and gone freelance, I was invited by an instructor from my alma mater to present something on translation to her Careers in Foreign Language class. This was my outlet; this is where I can help those who are in the same situation I was once in. I gladly accepted the invitation and gave my first presentation on “Translation as a Profession.” The presentation explained roles in the industry, language pairs, necessary education and specialization, and a basic introduction to the concepts behind Translation Memory and Machine Translation, and I ended the presentation with a demonstration of MemoQ and showed how we gain leverage from repetitive text in a document. Over time, the presentation changed based on the interests of the attendees. Sometimes we discussed different ways to get started in the industry, things they could do before graduating from college to better prepare themselves; other times we discussed what employers were looking for in resumes and what they did not want to see; but one thing has remained constant over the past few years, the joy of sharing my love for the profession. Are there times as a freelancer when I wanted to wring a project manager’s neck? Sure. Have there been times as a project manager or administrator when I have wanted to yell at a freelancer to get out of the profession? Of course. We all have those days and instances, but nothing gives me more pleasure than sharing the translation industry with students of language.

So, before I get too sentimental and sappy, I would like to encourage you, my colleagues, to take some time out of your year to give back to your almae matres. If you do not have a line of communication with the translation or language department, send a quick e-mail, introduce yourself, and offer to speak to their students for an hour. I believe that this is how we can inspire the next generation of young translators and interpreters – and we should. Aside from the translation work itself, it is our job to inspire and show language learners that translation can be and is a great field to get in to, rich with technological innovation and a variety of subjects to specialize in.

Joseph Wojowski is Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL, Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations, and A Certified MemoQ Trainer. This article was originally posted on Wojowski's blog on February 6, 2015.

Cloud Data Storage and Security By Joseph Wojowski

Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:00:34 GMT

Cloud Data Storage and Security

By Joseph Wojowski

I have been getting questions about internet security and cloud solutions, and rightfully so; everything these days seems to be about the cloud. Cloud-based data storage, cloud-based computer backup and restore, cloud-based applications, cloud-based translation memory… These all are words that are floating around the internet, TV, radio, blogs, and discussion boards. The cloud, abstract while the idea may be, has revolutionized the way we store our data—for better or worse.

What is the Cloud and how does it work?

Cloud data storage and computing, simply put and just as a quick overview, refers to online access to data or applications which are stored in a centralized location – a server. Public clouds, like Amazon AWS, allow clients to rent space on a larger server which contains or may contain data from other clients. Private clouds have an entire server dedicated to one client and can be hosted locally or by a third party. Applications such as translation programs can also be hosted on the cloud server for executable application data, as well as for documents and resource data. The biggest appeal to these types of applications is that a lot of them are not limited to a specific operating system. Whether someone is using Windows, OS X or Linux, he or she need only have a browser to access the application.

Breaches in Data Security

In recent years in the United States, we’ve learned (the hard way) how vulnerable our IT systems can be. Solutions that companies trusted with secure information, such as customers’ credit card information, have been found to not be as secure as previously thought. If nothing else, these incidences have shown that in order to hack into a program or database, all someone really needs is malicious intent and time (See Bloomberg Business from 21 October 2014).

In 2010, the US and Israel were able to hack into Iran’s Natanz Nuclear Facility and disrupt operations, by way of a worm that found its way onto a worker’s USB flash drive, which was then inserted into one of the facility’s computers (See Wired from 3 November 2014).

Furthermore, August 2014demonstrated that even individuals can be at risk, as celebrities’ personal cloud accounts were hacked and personal, discriminating photos were leaked (See Forbes from 2 September 2014).

While I am not condoning these acts, I wish to use them to illustrate that threats to data clouds, servers and computers are numerous, and only intent and time are needed to break into any networked computer or server.

Cloud-based data storage

Risk awareness is essential to the use of any form of technology, and this begins with being cognizant of where items are being stored. For example, some programs will go so far as to automatically save documents to a connected cloud-storage server. (I discovered that little nugget when I accidentally saved a list of planned blog articles to my One Drive instead of my local folder and tried to go back and find it.) It goes without saying, therefore, that sensitive documents do not belong on a cloud server, nor do files and resources related to those documents – like project backups, translation memories, and glossaries. While it may be very convenient to be able to work with a document or resource at home, leave for the office empty-handed and work with that same document at the office, there is still a risk (if only very minimal) of that cloud server being hacked, resulting in the unintentional disclosure of the information contained.

So what about cloud-based TM Solutions?

I would first like to establish and make clear that cloud-based translation environments are great tools in a Language Service Provider’s toolbox. The ability for project managers, translators, editors, proofreaders, terminologists, et cetera, to collaborate and work on a project is an incredible advancement and does great things from a project management standpoint.

Internet security-wise, while cloud-based TM tools may not be the specific target of hackers, the potential is still there and, again, it would only take intent and time for someone to hack into TM cloud servers.

So, while cloud-based TM applications are highly beneficial for their collaborative capabilities in an industry dictated by tight deadlines and high expectations on quality, as a technology-oriented person and as someone who understands the risks involved with the use of networked devices, I cannot say that cloud-based TM solutions have replaced local applications in my project manager or translator toolbox… yet.

Retail transaction records and governments are common targets because they deal with information that people know is valuable. While information we as translators deal with is just as important, it’s not as well known that we deal with this type of data as well. As a member of the industry I’m addressing, I would rather we be aware of the risks involved and actively exploit every measure possible to secure the data we work with, than be subject to an information breach and wish we had done more, sooner.

And when you're looking into Cloud solutions, do not simply accept the sales pitch on how seriously a company takes information security. Ask for details: how exactly are they actively preventing an incident? The more a company touts having the most secure anything, the shinier it appears to those with malicious intent, which makes them want to hack into it that much more.

Joseph Wojowski is Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL, Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations, and A Certified MemoQ Trainer. This article was originally posted on Wojowski's blog on January 29, 2015.

Justice, Language Access, and the Interpreter: Court Interpreter Certification Program Well Underway in Illinois

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 23:36:48 GMT

Justice, Language Access, and the Interpreter: Court Interpreter Certification Program Well Underway in Illinois

By Sasha Federiuk Carrillo, MATI Board Member

It is an exciting time for legal interpreters in the State of Illinois. At the end of October, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) concluded its first round of two-day orientations for aspiring court interpreters in the state. Experienced professional court interpreter trainers such as Agustín de la Mora, Patricia Michelsen-King, Melinda Gonzalez-Hibner and Tony Rosado facilitated a total of four orientations, which were held in Chicago, Springfield, and Grayslake. Over 190 interpreters were in attendance, representing a variety of language pairs. Later, many of these interpreters participated in the first written exam cycle that ended in mid-January.

The AOIC will finish its first round of oral exam administration in March, with plans to offer the orientation, written exam, and oral exam several times per year. The Illinois court interpreter registry is already available online, and interpreters who have earned their court interpreting credentials or certification in other states have started to apply for reciprocity in Illinois.

The State of Illinois has been a member of the well-recognized organization National Center for State Courts (NCSC) since 1998. Still, it only recently began administering the NCSC’s vetted and nationally-recognized written and oral testing program to certify court interpreters. To take part in the exciting process of becoming court-certified, interpreters no longer need to travel to neighboring states such as Wisconsin and Indiana.

Like many other interpreters, I wanted to better understand the roots of language access efforts in Illinois, what prompted the launch of a court interpreter certification program there, and to further explore why court interpreters in the state should participate in the certification program. With this objective in mind, I navigated through the wealth of resources available on the AOIC website and on January 22nd, interviewed Sophia Akbar, Language Access Services Specialist, who has worked tirelessly to further the AOIC’s initiatives for language access within Illinois courts. In this article, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look into the creation of the Illinois’ Supreme Court Language Access Policy, which served as the launching point for the statewide interpreter certification program.

More than just interpreter certification—access to justice

The implementation of the court interpreter certification program in Illinois, although important, is only one of various strides made by the courts toward ensuring equal access to justice for all people in Illinois. In 2012, the Supreme Court of Illinois created the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice. Later, in January of 2014, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts’ (AOIC) Civil Justice Division was formed, to partner with and support the work of the Commission. The objective of the AOIC Civil Justice Division, according to the Illinois courts’ website, is “to help the legal system efficiently deliver outcomes that are fair and accessible to all court users, particularly to those who are low-income and vulnerable. This work is informed by the principles of eliminating barriers that prevent people from understanding and exercising their legal rights, ensuring fair outcomes for all parties and increasing efficiencies to avoid waste and duplication.”

It makes sense, then, that beyond the division’s oversight of statewide standardized forms, development of training materials and education programs for courts, and expansion of statewide civil justice data collection, it also provides language access-related resources and support to the courts in order to help overcome language barriers and improve interpreter services.

Creation of the Statewide Language Access Policy

In September 2013, Sophia Akbar, who has a background in legal advocacy and policy, began her important work with the AOIC. Akbar, bilingual herself, is “passionate about ensuring equal access to the justice system” and has a “personal appreciation for the struggles that people face” within diverse communities. The AOIC’s first undertaking was to oversee the creation and adoption of a Supreme Court Language Access Policy, which would later serve to identify the broad scope of individuals eligible to receive interpreter services, establish a tiered certification system for court interpreters and provide standardized guidance to promote language access in Illinois courts statewide.

The process of drafting and approving this Policy did not come without its challenges. The document went through numerous drafts, and was passed from the Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice to the AOIC for further additions and edits. When the document reached its final draft, the Supreme Court was prepared to adopt the document in principle, but wanted the support of the Chief Circuit Judges prior to doing so. Akbar explained that this was an important step in increasing awareness of the Policy’s contents among the judiciary and streamlining the implementation process. The AOIC’s next move was a step not undertaken by many other states in which Language Access Policies have been enacted—the AOIC brought the Language Access Policy to the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges.

The Conference of Chief Circuit Judges is a group comprised of Chief Circuit Judges from the state’s twenty-four judicial circuit courts that meets regularly to discuss administrative matters related to the circuit courts. Approaching this Conference with the Language Access Policy was a meaningful step to ensure buy-in from judges across the state for access to interpreter services, while also revealing the challenge of changing court culture. After all, circuit courts would need to re-evaluate their resources and budgets in order to support the implementation of the new policy. Bringing the plan to the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges ensured that philosophically, everyone would be on the same page. Akbar explained, “The funding issue is very real [within the courts]. A lot of courts are struggling in very real ways. Some courts require litigants to provide their own paper copies, some courts have no telephone lines in the courtroom. There are circuits that receive $900 per year from their County Boards as a budget for providing interpreter services. One potential way for courts to increase awareness among County Boards is to collect data about interpreter requests and present that data to illustrate their need for language access services and justify [more funding]”.

In the current fiscal year, the AOIC is offering reimbursement to circuit courts at a fixed rate for utilizing the services of interpreters who appear on the statewide interpreter registry: $30 per hour toward services provided by “registered” interpreters, and $40 per hour toward the services of “certified” foreign language interpreters and sign language interpreters. In addition, the AOIC helps courts offset costs incurred for interpreter travel charges, because rural counties in particular have difficulties locating interpreters nearby.

Interpreter Certification Program

The courts and Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals are not the only groups who benefit from having access to qualified professional court interpreters. Interpreters themselves have much to gain by earning their professional credentials through the court interpreter certification program. Upon meeting the requirements defined by the AOIC, interpreters appear on the statewide interpreter registry, which serves as a resource for courts and various agencies to locate and hire well-qualified freelance interpreters. As a result, interpreters gain visibility and may be called upon to provide services more frequently. Although it is too early to determine the definite effects of certification within the state, the consensus among interpreters across the nation is that interpreter certification serves to bolster our professionalism, and may serve to provide us with more leverage during wage negotiations with clients and agencies.

The AOIC website provides detailed information about how to appear on the statewide interpreter registry. Interpreters who have already earned certification through a member state of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) simply submit an application for reciprocity. For all others, the process is as follows: the interpreter pays a fee of $200 and attends a mandatory two-day orientation. Later, she/he must pay a fee of $50 to sit for a 135-question, three-part examination. Interpreters who successfully complete this written exam are included on the statewide registry of interpreters. Full certification is not achieved until the interpreter has successfully completed the applicable oral examination for their language pairs, which costs between $170-$200, depending on the language.

It is time for interpreters to reap the rewards of becoming certified. In doing so, they will not only support access to justice for Limited English Proficient individuals within the state, they will further their careers and contribute to the professionalism of our industry as a whole.

To learn more about the Illinois court interpreter certification program, visit the AOIC website.

Sources:

"Administrative Office Divisions - Civil Justice." Administrative Office of the IL Courts. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2015. <http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Administrative/CivilJustice.asp>

"Illinois (joined 1998) | National Center for State Courts." Illinois (joined 1998) | National Center for State Courts. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. <http://www.ncsc.org/Services-and-Experts/Areas-of-expertise/Language-access/Resources-for-Program-Managers/LAP-Map/Illinois.aspx>

"Illinois Circuit Court General Information." Illinois Circuit Court General Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb. 2015. <http://www.state.il.us/court/CircuitCourt/CCInfoDefault.asp>

"Illinois Courts - Language Access Program." Illinois Courts - Language Access Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. <https://www.state.il.us/court/CivilJustice/LanguageAccess/default.asp>

"Illinois Supreme Court Language Access Policy and Code of Interpreter Ethics." Language Access Policy. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2015. <https://www.state.il.us/court/CivilJustice/LanguageAccess/language-access-policy.asp>

"Sophia Akbar, Language Access Services Specialist, AOIC." Telephone interview. 22 Jan. 2015.

"Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice." Access to Justice. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. <http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/CivilJustice/AccessToJustice.asp>

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet Max Zalewski

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 02:25:25 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet Max Zalewski

Max Zalewski translates from Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese into English. He holds a Master’s Degree in Hispano-Arabic Literature from the University of Granada, a Certificate in Arabic into English Legal Translation from the American University in Cairo, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish Literature from the University of Wisconsin. Max has been a MATI member since August of 2014.

Where do you live and/or work?

Currently I live part of the year in Madison, WI and part in Granada, Spain. In Madison, I work from home, coffee shops, a co-working space and the UW-Madison libraries; in Granada, I work from home, the Escuela de Estudios Árabes in Albaycin, the University of Granada library, and if I am working on projects that do not require internet, I will often venture up to the mountains behind the Hermitage of San Miguel. The view from there is mesmerizing: from Sacromonte, the Valparaiso extends to the left, the Alhambra and Generalife are perched on top of the Sabika Mountain in the center, and the Vega extends into the distance to the right. Being surrounded by such serene scenery may sound distracting, but conversely, it is here where I find the most clarity.

How did you acquire your B language(s)?

I started learning Spanish in Grade School and subsequently travelled to Nicaragua in High School for a summer immersion program. That trip infected me with the proverbial travel bug and I have had my eyes set on the horizon ever since. While majoring in Spanish at UW, I took several Portuguese and Arabic classes and studied abroad for one year in Madrid. After graduating, I moved to Damascus to continue learning Arabic and supported myself by translating Spanish and Portuguese. I quickly fell in love with the lifestyle of living abroad, working as a translator and learning a new language. In addition to Damascus, I have spent the last 5 years living in Barcelona, Aleppo, Madison, Cairo and Granada.

Do you have a book, blog or methodology that you would like to recommend?

I love reading fiction and highly recommend La Alhambra de Salomón, written by José Luis Serrano. It is a historical fiction that revolves around the life of Samuel Nagrela, the most prominent Jew in Al-Andalus. There is a theory that the Alhambra was initially designed to replicate the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem in order to create a Solomonic Republic in Granada. This novel explores this theory, and perhaps most interestingly, Serrano invents female characters who earn the respect of men through their intellect, including Ilbia, a fictional character to whom he attributes the original architectural design of the Alhambra. José Luis, his agents and I are working to get my translation published in English, but as yet it is only available in Spanish. It is an excellent read for anyone interested in Jewish history, the romantic history of Al-Andalus, the enigmatic tale of the Alhambra, as well as the untold stories of the women of yesteryear.

Where do you see your field going in the future?

What are the most urgent issues to be addressed? I find it fascinating that we don’t have a way to quantitatively measure the quality of translation. People have been writing about translation theory for millennia and yet our industry still has no consensus about what translation is. The ATA has a magic grading scale, but how many times has a client, writer or publishing house ever used that as a reference for measuring the quality of a translation you’ve done? For me, never. Poof!

I think it is possible to quantitatively measure language and perception by measuring brain waves. It seems to me that the goal of the translator should be creating the same average perception for the target audience as the original average perception of the source audience. Naturally, this has its challenges. What is an average perception? How do perceptions of texts change over time? Are all perceptions possible to create in every language or are some inherent to the languages themselves? The argument over whether or not to favor the author or the reader in the face of linguistic barriers needs to take a step forward and explore the essence of the translator’s task: creating access to a set of perceptions to an audience that is otherwise capable to accessing these perceptions. In the future, I see our field increasingly incorporating science into the art of translation. Machine translations already have their place in the market, but poetry and literature will be the last to use machines because they are significantly more open to human interpretation. By mapping the brain’s perception of language across cultures, I believe it will lead us to a clearer understanding of what each language’s limitations are and what we can do as translators to overcome these barriers.

Courtroom Dilemmas for the Court Interpreter Presented by Alexandra Wirth

Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:57:33 GMT

Courtroom Dilemmas for the Court Interpreter

Presented by Alexandra Wirth

Among the presentations at MATI’s 11th Annual Conference in Madison, Wisconsin in September was Alexandra Wirth’s presentation, titled “Courtroom Dilemmas for the Court Interpreter.” Wirth’s introduction addressed common misconceptions surrounding court interpreting, as she first defined what court interpreters are NOT: “translators,” advocates, social workers, community liaisons, drivers (gasp!), courthouse tour guides (ugh!), and “the help” (EEK!).

Examples from Wirth’s personal experiences with unprofessional conduct on the part of court personnel toward the interpreter demonstrate the extent to which court interpreters are misunderstood and taken for granted. Wirth, who holds an MA in Applied Linguists and was among the first certified court interpreters in the state of Wisconsin, has encountered such undermining treatment as a judge instructing bilingual members of the jury to evaluate the interpreter’s performance and bilingual attorneys acting as interpreters for their own clients—and often quite unsuccessfully.

Both examples compromise the quality of legal representation and consume valuable time when the interpreter must “re-render” court proceedings for the client. Thus, according to Wirth, those entering the field must have a strong sense of their role within legal proceedings to confront misconceptions and conduct themselves professionally.

For Wirth, court interpreters are, fundamentally, professionals of the language services industry with highly specialized skills that allow them to accurately render the proceedings of a court. They are, moreover, officers of the court who assist individuals with limited English proficiency to understand their legal proceedings. This means that the court interpreter is an essential component of due process, without whom proceedings with parties of limited English proficiency could not take place.

Still, Worth noted that the court interpreter must also understand her limitations. While she strives to remain impartial, she must also foster an awareness of her own limitations as a human. As a professional ensuring the transparency of due process, she must also take the necessary actions to ensure that her limitations do not affect the proceedings of the court.

Limitations that the court interpreter faces include a lack of professional training, lack of familiarity with the subject matter, what Wirth referred to as the “know-it-all syndrome,” physical limitations due to fatigue, and conflicts of interest. She presented many steps that the court interpreter might take to overcome these limitations. Solutions include formal training, improving one’s skills through specialization, carrying out self-study through the development of glossaries, and reading materials in one’s working languages.

Understanding one’s limitations also requires the court interpreter to be candid about her skills, turn down jobs beyond her knowledge base, and work in teams to ensure that fatigue does not hinder due process. Wirth noted that while interpreters may feel inclined to impress by interpreting beyond the recommended 20-30 minute periods of continuous interpretation, that decision will compromise the quality of the court proceedings, resulting in distortion of meaning, more frequent errors and an overall decline in quality that will have a permanent impact on the outcome of a case.

Wirth pointed to team interpreting as an excellent solution for mitigating the physical limitations that all interpreters face, and she provided guidance for how interpreters might operate successfully as a team. This includes establishing ground rules before the start of proceedings to agree on breaks, signals, terminology, handling discrepancies, etc. Wirth also noted that creating an environment of positive team support begins with being there for one’s teammate (i.e. not taking a trip to the vending machine during one’s “break” period). And, as Wirth noted, working collaboratively and interdependently allows for a better overall collective product in which each interpreter can take pride.

Finally, Wirth conveyed concern about where decisions on court interpreters currently originate, as committees to improve interpretation under-represent court interpreters. Wirth noted that it’s all about how the community perceives court interpretation. Her presentation aptly demonstrated that the perception of the court interpreter should begin with the court interpreter, and by conducting themselves professionally, participating in training and working cohesively with legal practitioners and other interpreters as an officer of the court, interpreters will only raise their standing within the field.

Alexandra Wirth is a Federally Certified and Wisconsin Certified Spanish Court Interpreter. She received her Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Pontifica Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (PUCE). In addition Ms. Wirth has a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ms. Wirth frequently interprets in Juvenile and Adult Court in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Washington counties. Ms. Wirth also works in Federal court and for several governmental agencies. Ms. Wirth is working on her PhD in Applied Linguistics with a focus on Psycholinguistics research in the area of Second Language Acquisition in Children in the Autism Spectrum.

T&I Educational Program Series | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Meghan McCallum — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 15:23:16 GMT

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee:

Master of Arts in Language, Literature, and Translation

(http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/translation/ma/)

This is the first installment in a series on translation and interpreting programs in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

The Translation & Interpreting Studies (TIS) MA concentration within the Master of Arts in Language, Literature, and Translation (MALLT) program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an ATA-approved online degree program offering professional and research tracks as well as joint Master degrees with the School of Information Studies (MLIS/MALLT-Translation Professional Track) and the Lubar School of Business (MBA/MALLT-Translation Professional Track); the different tracks allow alignment with a student’s professional goals. A Graduate Certificate program is also available. Language pairs offered include Arabic to English, English to Spanish, French to English, German to English, Russian to English, Italian to English and Spanish to English. Students complete the program in two to seven years, depending on their degree.

TIS courses include language-specific introductory, advanced translation and literary translation courses as well as non language-specific courses such as editing for translation, translation theory, comparative systems for translation, project management in translation, computer-assisted translation, consecutive interpreting, ethics in interpreting, and an internship in translation.

All applicants to the Translation concentration must pass a two-part qualifying exam including a translation and an essay written in English; see http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/translation/admissions/ for more information on eligibility requirements.

Kate Scholz, Senior Lecturer, Lorena Terando, Chair of Translation and Interpreting Studies, and Leah Leone, Assistant Professor, answered MATI’s questions on the program.

Q. What draws students to the program?

A. The intense pace of globalization—which remains strong even in times of economic slowdown—creates demand for qualified translation and interpreting professionals that far exceeds the supply of qualified linguists. Many students are attracted to Translation and Interpreting Studies because they are passionate about language, and they are excited about gaining the skills and knowledge needed to build a long-term career on that passion.

Since UW-Milwaukee’s program is fully online, our community of online students currently includes students in the Midwest, throughout the United States, and in South America, Europe, and the Middle East. As long as students have reliable Internet access, they can fully participate in our courses. The diversity of our student population is a tremendous asset to our online classrooms, as students contribute linguistic, cultural, and professional perspectives that enrich discussion and collaborative projects.

Many students find UW-Milwaukee to be an affordable option for graduate study. UW-Milwaukee charges a flat fee for all graduate courses in Translation & Interpreting Studies. This means that non-residents of Wisconsin pay the same tuition rates as our in-state students. Also, full-time students in the Milwaukee area can earn tuition remission by working as part-time Teaching Assistants for undergraduate language courses at the university. Teaching experience often proves to be a rewarding form of professional development for our students and opens up additional career prospects after graduation.

Q. How has the program evolved over the years?

A. From its beginning as an on-site Master’s/Graduate Certificate program in 1997 with a limited number of language pairs, UW-Milwaukee’s program has evolved into a fully online program with seven language pairs and a broad array of course offerings. Our student population has grown from three students in 1997 to 20 by 2001, all located in Southeastern Wisconsin, to more than 50 students located on four continents now. This diversification of our student population is one of the most exciting aspects of our program’s growth, and we look forward to collaborating with an even broader range of students—both local and remote—in the coming years.

Q. How does this program prepare students for their chosen career paths?

A. The Translation and Interpreting Studies curriculum at UW-Milwaukee is designed with the diverse global marketplace for language services in mind. Students in the Master’s and Graduate Certificate programs tailor their coursework to align with their unique set of professional goals. Our Professional and Research tracks enable students to choose courses that prepare them to navigate careers in industry or academia. The joint degrees offer them a competitive edge in niche markets in the language services industry.

Many of our students begin UW-Milwaukee’s program after completing their undergraduate degrees, but many others come to us with an extensive professional background. The flexibility built into our online instruction and our course array enables students to craft a graduate experience that aligns with their areas of interest and expertise—whether that’s healthcare interpreting, video game localization, project management, entrepreneurship, teaching and research, or the many other professional paths that our alumni pursue.

Students work one-on-one with a faculty advisor to select courses that advance their professional goals. Students also complete an internship, which is a required course for all students. The internship is an opportunity for students to gain experience in their area of specialization. Students in our interpreting courses also observe practicing interpreters or spend time interpreting in their own communities as part of their coursework.

Q. What facets of the program do students seem to find the most valuable?

A. Based on feedback we get from our alumni, we’ve learned that students in the professional track benefit from the industry focus of the program. Those in the research track benefit from the industry focus as well, but add an academic twist by completing a required thesis and critical theory courses that prepare them to enter PhD programs around the world. UW-Milwaukee’s program aims to prepare well-rounded translators and interpreters with linguistic expertise, cultural knowledge, and critical thinking skills—as well as a firm grasp of business trends, professional ethics, quality assurance practices, technology, and entrepreneurship that drive the translation industry. One of the most valuable aspects of the program is its flexibility: the many track options allow students to craft an MA that helps them achieve their individual goals.

Many students have a chance to apply the skills they learn in the classroom by working as UWM Language Service translators and interpreters. UWM’s Language Service employs graduate students to deliver translation and interpreting services under faculty supervision. Clients include UWM faculty and students as well as local businesses and organizations, so students can gain valuable professional experience that reinforces their learning and enhances their readiness for the job market.

All students complete an internship at the end of their degree/certificate program. Many students have reported that this is one of the most rewarding and valuable aspects of their graduate experience. Our internship partners include hospitals, legal clinics, language service providers, museums, manufacturing companies, schools, government agencies, NGOs, non-profits, libraries, research institutes, freelance translators, and two zoos. Since our students are all over the world, our internships are, too. Just as the plan of study can be tailored to a student’s interests, we encourage students to pursue an internship that will provide a meaningful, well-rounded professional development experience.

Q. Any particular success stories from graduates?

A. Yes! Since the launch of UW-Milwaukee’s graduate program in 1997, we’ve been fortunate to attract a remarkable population of students who continue to make valuable contributions to the profession in both industry and academia. Many current members of the MATI board are graduates of our program, as is Hélène Pielmeier of Common Sense Advisory and Jennifer Flamboe, Chair of World Languages at Alverno College—both featured speakers at MATI’s 2014 conference. Other noteworthy alums are Selase Adzima, General Manager for CETRA Ghana and the many alumni who’ve earned PhDs in Translation or related fields and now teach at universities throughout the United States, including Monica Rodriguez, Tatiana Batova, Kathleen Farrell-Whitworth, and our own Leah Leone and Nina Familiant. Our alumni network also includes a growing list of entrepreneurs who run their own freelance businesses.

Finding and Keeping Direct Clients for Your Translation Services

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:31:21 GMT

Finding and Keeping Direct Clients
for Your Translation Services

A Workshop by Janice Becker

Reported by Silvia Fosslien

This article, originally printed in the Summer 2004 edition of inforMATIon, recounts a presentation given at MATI's First Annual Conference, held in July of 2004 at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

At the end of a long day filled with workshops, participants sometimes suffer from an overflow of information, and audience attention begins to wane. However, this was not true of our MATI conference. The last presentation of the day, “Finding and Keeping Direct Clients for Your Translations Services; Developing lasting relationships with direct clients” by Janice Becker was so lively and informative that everybody stayed focused until the very end.

Janice started out by defining three types of translators: in-house translators (the smallest percentage), translators who work for translation agencies, and translators who have direct clients, i.e. who deal directly with the end-user of a translation. Janice explained why direct clients are a useful part of any translator’s client mix. The biggest advantage of having direct clients is the opportunity to build a long-term relationship. The translator can find out about client needs by asking specific questions: For whom and for what is the translation, what is the time frame, are there alternatives? This is particularly helpful for client companies that are just starting to enter a new market. By consulting with the client, you are offering translation as a service which goes beyond the mere counting of words.

What made the presentation so realistic were the examples Janice quoted from her own personal experience. After several years of in-house work with two law firms in Germany, she had returned to Chicago and needed to build a client base from scratch. Here are a few highlights of what worked for her:

1. Seek out people in your field of specialization. Check the calendar of events in business papers, go to trade shows, promotional meetings, business breakfasts, SBA events, etc. You can find out who is doing business where, what companies were awarded new contracts, who is planning to go international. As an added benefit, you also become more knowledgeable about the industry in which you specialize. Janice pointed out that this strategy is particularly helpful in the early stages of your marketing efforts when you usually have a lot more time than money.

Another possibility is finding a group that is a good fit for you and becoming involved. Janice, whose major fields are legal and business, attended meetings of Women in Trade, career nights of Women Employed, events sponsored by the German American Chamber of Commerce, as well as breakfast meetings on legal topics. When appropriate, you can hand out your business card or give a short (3 to 4 sentences) description about yourself and your services at these events. Janice advises against giving out resumes since you are not looking for a job but are offering a service instead.

2. Write articles. An article about a translation-related topic in a trade journal can be an effective marketing tool. Also, whenever you read an article in which translation is misunderstood, use the opportunity and write a letter to the editor. This helps educate readers about our profession and establishes you as a translation expert.

3. Learn from your earliest clients. Ask them what they read, how they heard about you, where else they would look for translation services.

4. Solicit recommendations from clients. When satisfied clients send you an email thanking you and commending you for your work, ask whether they would put it on their letterhead so that you can use it as a reference for potential clients.

5. Treat all clients equally well. Do not look down on small jobs. If you do not want to do them, pass them on to someone who will. Janice told about a client who was a refugee and needed to have his birth certificate translated. A few years later, he worked in a big company that needed translation services. He remembered her, and that contact a few years back brought her a major new client.

6. Participate in continuing education courses. For her fields of specialization, Janice mentioned courses offered by the Chicago Board of Trade and the banking industry as examples. Continuous education will improve your skills, and you never know whether the person sitting next to you just might not become a client one day. This actually happened to Janice when she took an English writing course at the University of Chicago.

7. Say thank you. When someone refers a client to you, never forget to thank the person who referred you. If you omit this courtesy, you may never get a second referral.

The presentation was interspersed with lively discussion. Participants asked questions and shared their experiences and success stories throughout the workshop, so everyone went away with new ideas.

Silvia Fosslien is a free-lance translator and interpreter for German and English. She holds degrees as a certified translator and interpreter from the University of Heidelberg and a Ph.D. in Germanic Languages and Literature from the University of Chicago. Silvia is ATA accredited from English into German.

MATI's 11th Annual Conference: Interpreting in Pediatrics

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 01:27:53 GMT

MATI's 11th Annual Conference: Interpreting in Pediatrics

At MATI’s 11th Annual Conference in Madison, Wisconsin in September, Jennifer Flamboe gave the presentation “Interpreting in Pediatrics: Building Blocks for Success.” Flamboe began her presentation by defining pediatric medicine, or the branch of medicine geared toward the physical, emotional and social health of individuals between the ages of 0 and 21.

Flamboe noted that pediatrics encompasses a wide range of subspecialties, including pediatric critical care medicine, neonatal-perinatal medicine, and developmental-behavioral pediatrics, among others. The age group and wide range of specialties associated with pediatrics require a special awareness and knowledge base on the part of the interpreter.

According to Flamboe, pediatric interpreters must continuously reassess their environment in order to fulfill their roles as facilitators of communication. This continual reassessment allows the interpreter to make adjustments as necessary in such areas as register (i.e. more simplified language for children) and in the mode of interpretation (i.e. switching between consecutive and simultaneous interpretation).

Along with fulfilling the role of advocate for the patient and her family plus the role of cultural broker for all parties, the pediatric interpreter must also establish a rapport with both patients and their families. Taking a moment to extend ritual greetings at the onset sets the tone for the entire experience, according to Flamboe, and goes a long way toward building the trust necessary for navigating the medical encounter.

Flamboe emphasized the importance of understanding that child health decision-making is family-centered decision-making, and that families and children are more likely to adhere to treatment plans when the child is included in the establishment of that plan. Successfully including the child requires medical personnel to adjust their communication based on the age of their patient.

Flamboe noted that children communicate before they can even use words, so for infants (ages 0-1 year old), crying might convey anxiety at being around strangers. When working with early childhood aged children (1-5 years old), personnel need to allow for a “warm up” of sorts, by using simplified words and giving the child the opportunity to handle basic equipment. For school-aged children (ages 6-11 years old), practitioners will respond to children’s curiosity, sharing explanations, asking for patients help, and encouraging expression of feelings. Finally, for adolescents (12-17 years old), doctors and nurses will consider such issues as privacy and the influence of peers, while avoiding judgments or criticisms.

For Flamboe, pediatric interpreting is also about controlling the flow of communication. She noted that decisions on the child’s health must include family members and providers and that it’s the interpreter’s job to facilitate the discussion among those individuals. That facilitation requires assertiveness, as the interpreter mitigates family power dynamics, cultural behaviors, understanding children’s speech patterns and ensuring they are allowed the time to interpret. At the same time, interpreters must also learn to deal with their own feelings, which can be especially difficult when experiencing a natural protectiveness and desire to nurture their child patients. Overall, Flamboe encourages the pediatric interpreter to maintain her professional boundaries and neutrality.

Jennifer Flamboe is Chair of the World Languages department at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wis., where she is also assistant professor of Spanish and director of the Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation program. She holds an M.A. in Foreign Languages and Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with concentrations in Spanish linguistics and translation and is a nationally-certified Spanish interpreter through the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI).

MATI Member Publishes Spanish-English Law Dictionary

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:00:00 GMT

The article posted here was originally published by MATI in the Summer 2005 issue of information. MATI members can access PDFs of previously published newsletters by navigating to the Members Only section of the website.

MATI Member Publishes Spanish-English Law Dictionary

From the Editor: Cuauhtemoc Gallegos (known to friends and colleagues as Temo) is a familiar and respected figure among interpreters and translators in the Chicago area, where he has worked in and promoted the profession for years. In fact, Temo was one of the earliest supporters of our efforts to form MATI. Now we learn that his long-awaited Spanish-English legal dictionary is available. Of course we wanted to give inforMATIon readers a behind-the scenes look at the making of a dictionary by one of our own, so we asked Temo a few questions about his project and the outcome.

What gave you the idea to compile a dictionary in the first place?

I work as a bilingual lawyer and professional translator and interpreter myself and I always wanted a bilingual dictionary constructed so it would list the target language single or multiple equivalents, while also offering the tools needed to choose the most appropriate ones for the task. Since most bilingual legal dictionaries don’t follow this approach and typically limit themselves to listing equivalents, I felt a need existed for a compilation of legal terms, in English and Spanish, in a format that makes them more accessible to the user and also provides the necessary tools to be able to choose the most fitting. Following such a design, Merl Bilingual Law Dictionary offers a multifaceted navigational structure and a wealth of contextual information that make it unique and extremely practical.

What do you mean by a “multifaceted navigational structure”?

Yes, adopting cyber language, this refers to the multiple options available to the user to find a particular word, concept or phrase. For example, the term lawyer is considered the equivalent of abogado, as are attorney at law and legal counsel in English and licenciado en derecho in Spanish. But are they really? You would want this clarified and discussed. And what about the terms jurist and jurisconsultus? Ideally you would want to have all these terms linked and at your fingertips. Simply listing cross-references is usually not sufficient to develop the necessary understanding of the connotation and legal import of these and most entries. A more complex organization of entries is necessary, one based on the structural nature of legal institutions and legal culture.

And “wealth of contextual information”?

You need information to understand the meaning and determine the appropriate usage of legal terms, but not just any kind of information. It has to be contextual, that is, directly relevant and describing the various possible uses of the term or concept involved. The term estate, for example, appears with four distinct and identifiable legal meanings in this book, and so does the word carga. You want to get a clear and precise distinction in each case so you are in a position to determine the equivalent or term you need. Merl Bilingual Law Dictionary does that using a variety of tools: lexical and legal comments, background comments, comparisons of same-language terms and target-language equivalents, synonyms, antonyms, lists of related and connected terms and specialized glossaries, all in addition to cross-references.

How different is Merl Bilingual Legal Dictionary really from other works?

On one level this book feels and looks like other bilingual dictionaries. It has been designed and printed to be portable and user-friendly. But the differences are many. A perfunctory review of a few of its 432 pages reveals that the text is tightly packed and includes many main entries rich in detail and many subentries that cover variations and combinations of the term in question. These features begin to show you that this book is and feels new and highly functional.

If you’re looking for the target-language equivalent of attachment, for instance, you can start on page 24, where you see that embargo is the answer, but you also want to make sure you are using the appropriate equivalent and using it correctly. Besides, embargo is a broader term. You can verify the term by reviewing the information included in the entry: a definition of attachment, a comparison with sequestration and garnishment, an explanation of how embargo is broader, a list of sub-entries, and a list of related terms. Still in doubt? You may want to go to page 279 next and look up the entry at embargo, where other target-language equivalent alternatives are listed and discussed together with sub-entries, comments, related terms, and legal references from various countries.

How long did it take to compile and write this dictionary?

This dictionary was long in the making. Although compiling took perhaps a decade, the actual writing and final research was done over the last thee years. It took several visits to Mexico and Canada, and countless hours in libraries and courthouses in many places.

What background do you bring to the undertaking?

My professional training is as an attorney and as a translator and interpreter. In these capacities I have been immersed in legal terminology and in particular the interaction between common-law and civil-law traditions most of my professional career. So it is really not surprising that I decided to write about one of my favorite subjects.

Did you consult with others in the process?

A dictionary is traditionally a team effort. This work was no exception. Besides quoting leading scholars and experts on the subject, many others contributed directly or indirectly to this publication. I am indebted to all of them, and in particular to my contributing editors who introduced points of view and modifications that significantly changed and enriched important sections of this book.

How is your dictionary being promoted?

Merl Bilingual Law Dictionary’s official publication date is July, but books are already being sold, mostly through the Internet. At this point reviews are being sought and received, and promotion will start in earnest soon. Initial sales will be exclusively through direct mail and on-line, and the book will not be available through distributors or bookstores, at least during the first part of its promotion.

Who is buying it?

This book is especially attractive for translators, interpreters and other bilingual professionals, but I have been pleasantly surprised to learn that a few copies have been bought by English speakers with the intention of using the English language sections of the book.

Temo, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, and thank you for your work to advance our profession.

inforMATIon

Wisconsin Court Interpreter Newsletter Fall/Winter 2014

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:50:58 GMT

The Wisconsin Court Interpreter Newsletter for fall/winter 2014 features Jacqueline Jugenheimer, a German-certified court interpreter. Read about your fellow MATI member by clicking the image below!

Machine Translation Technology and Internet Security by Joseph Wojowski

Sun, 04 Jan 2015 19:38:43 GMT

Machine Translation Technology and Internet Security

by Joseph Wojowski

An issue that seems to have been brought up once in the industry and never addressed again are the data collection methods used by Microsoft, Google, Yahoo!, Skype, and Apple as well as the revelations of PRISM data collection from those same companies, thanks to Edward Snowden. More and more, it appears that the industry is moving closer and closer to full Machine Translation Integration and Usage, and with interesting, if alarming, findings being reported on Machine Translation’s usage when integrated into Translation Environments, the fact remains that Google Translate, Microsoft Bing Translator, and other publicly-available machine translation interfaces and APIs store every single word, phrase, segment, and sentence that is sent to them.

Terms and Conditions

What exactly are you agreeing to when you send translation segments through the Google Translate or Bing Translator website or API?

1 – Google Terms and Conditions

Essentially, in using Google’s services, you are agreeing to permit them to store the segment to be used for creating more accurate translations in the future, and they can also publish, display, and distribute the content.

“When you upload, submit, store, send or receive content to or through our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content.” (Google Terms of Service – 14 April 2014, accessed on 8 December 2014)

Oh, and did I mention that in using the service, the user is bearing all liability for “LOST PROFITS, REVENUES, OR DATA, FINANCIAL LOSSES OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.” (Google Terms of Service – 14 April 2014, accessed on 8 December 2014)

So if it is discovered that a client’s confidential content is also located on Google’s servers because of a negligent translator, that translator is liable for losses and Google relinquishes liability for distributing what should have been kept confidential.

Alright, that’s a lot of legal wording, not the best news, and a lot to take in if this is the first time you’re hearing about this. What about Microsoft Bing Translator?

2 – Microsoft Services Agreement (correction made to content - see below)

In writing their services agreement, Microsoft got very tricky. They start out positively by stating that you own your own content.

“Except for material that we license to you that may be incorporated into your own content (such as clip art), we do not claim ownership of the content you provide on the services. Your content remains your content, and you are responsible for it. We do not control, verify, pay for, or endorse the content that you and others make available on the services.” (Microsoft Services Agreement – effective 19 October 2012, accessed on 8 December 2014)

Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! We have a winner! Right? Hold your horses, don’t install the Bing API yet. The agreement continues on in stating,

“When you transmit or upload Content to the Services, you're giving Microsoft the worldwide right, without charge, to use Content as necessary: to provide the Services to you, to protect you, and to improve Microsoft products and services.” (Microsoft Services Agreement – effective 19 October 2012, accessed on 8 December 2014)

So again with Bing, while they originally state that you own the content you submit to their services, they also state that in doing so, you are giving them the right to use the information as they see fit and (more specifically) to improve the translation engine.

How do these terms affect the translation industry, then?

The problem arises whenever translators are working with documents that contain confidential or restricted-access information. Aside from his/her use of webmail hosted by Microsoft, Google, Apple, etc. – which also poses a problem with confidentiality – contents of documents that are sent through free, public machine translation engines; whether through the website or API, are leaking the information the translator agreed to keep confidential in the Non-Disclosure Agreement (if established) with the LSP; a clear and blatant breach of confidentiality.

But I’m a professional translator and have been for years, I don’t use MT and no self-respecting professional translator would.

Well, yes and no; a conflict arises from that mode of thinking. In theory, yes, a professional translator should know better than to blindly use Machine Translation because of its inaccurate and often unusable output. A professional translator; however, should also recognize that with advancements in MT Technology, Machine Translation can be a very powerful tool in the translator’s toolbox and can, at times, greatly aid in the translation of certain documents.

The current state of the use of MT more echoes the latter than the former. In 2013 research conducted by Common Sense Advisory, 64% of the 239 people who responded to the survey reported that colleagues frequently use free Machine Translation Engines; 62% of those sampled were concerned about free MT usage.

In the November/December 2014 Issue of the ATA Chronicle, Jost Zetzsche relayed information on how users were using the cloud-based translation tool MemSource. Of particular interest are the Machine Translation numbers relayed to him by David Canek, Founder of MemSource. 46.2% of its around 30,000 users (about 13,860 translators) were using Machine Translation; of those, 98% were using Google Translate or a variant of the Bing Translator API. And of still greater alarm, a large percentage of users using Bing Translator chose to employ the “Microsoft with Feedback” option which sends the finalized target segment back to Microsoft (a financially appealing option since when selected, use of the API costs nothing).

As you can imagine, while I was reading that article, I was yelling at all 13.9 thousand of them through the magazine. How many of them were using Google or Bing MT with documents that should not have been sent to either Google or Microsoft? How many of these users knew to shut off the API for such documents - how many did?

There’s no way to be certain how much confidential information may have been leaked due to translator negligence, in the best scenario perhaps none, but it’s clear that the potential is very great.

On the other hand, in creating a tool as dynamic and ever-changing as a machine translation engine, the only way to train it and make it better is to use it, a sentiment that is echoed throughout the industry by developers of MT tools and something that can be seen in the output of Google translate over the past several years.

So what options are there for me to have an MT solution for my customers without risking a breach in confidentiality?

There are numerous non-public MT engines available - including Apertium, a developing open-source MT platform - however, none of them are as widely used (and therefore, as well-trained) as Google Translate or Bing Translator (yes, I realize that I just spent over 1,000 words talking about the risk involved in using Google Translate or Bing Translator).

So, is there another way? How can you gain the leverage of arguably the best-trained MT Engines available while keeping confidential information confidential?

There are companies who have foreseen this problem and addressed it, without pitching their product. Here’s how it works. It acts as an MT API but before any segments are sent across your firewall to Google, it replaces all names, proper nouns, locations, positions, and numbers with an independent, anonymous token or placeholder. After the translated segment has returned from Google and is safely within the confines of your firewall, the potentially confidential material then replaces the tokens leaving you with the MT translated segment. On top of that, it also allows for customized tokenization rules to further anonymize sensitive data such as formulae, terminology, processes, etc.

While the purpose of this article was not to prevent translators from using MT, it is intended to get translators thinking about its use and increase awareness of the inherent risks and solution options available.

If you’d like more information about Machine Translation Solutions, please feel free to contact me, I’d be more than happy to discuss this topic at length.

-- Correction --
As I have been informed, the information in the original post is not as exact as it could be, there is a Microsoft Translator Privacy Agreement that more specifically addresses use of the Microsoft Translator. Apparently, with Translator, they take a sample of no more than 10% of "randomly selected, non-consecutive sentences from the text" submitted. Unused text is deleted within 48 hours after translation is provided.

If the user subscribes to their data subscriptions with a maximum of 250 million characters per month (also available at levels of 500 million, 635 million, and one billion), he or she is then able to opt-out of logging.

There is also Microsoft Translator Hub which allows the user to personalize the translation engine where "The Hub retains and uses submitted documents in full in order to provide your personalized translation system and to improve the Translator service." And it should be noted that, "After you remove a document from your Hub account we may continue to use it for improving the Translator service."

***

So let's analyze this development. 10% of the full text submitted is sampled and unused text is deleted within 48 hours of its service to the user. The text is still potentially from a sensitive document and still warrants awareness of the issue.

If you use The Translator Hub, it uses the full document to train the engine and even after you remove the document from your Hub, and they may also use it to continue improving the Translator service.

Now break out the calculators and slide rules, kids, it's time to do some math.

In order to opt-out of logging, you need to purchase a data subscription of 250 million characters per month or more (the 250 million character level costs $2,055.00/month). If every word were 50 characters each, that would be 5 million words per month (where a month is 31 days) and a post-editor would have to process 161,290 words per day (working every single day of this 31-day month). It's physically impossible for a post-editor to process 161,290 words in a day, let alone a month (working 8 hours a day for 20 days a month, 161,290 words per month would be 8,064.5 words per day). So we can safely assume that no freelance translator can afford to buy in at the 250 million character/month level especially when even in the busiest month, a single translator comes nowhere near being able to edit the amount of words necessary to make it a financially sound expense.

In the end, I still come to the same conclusion, we need to be more cognizant of what we send through free, public, and semi-public Machine Translation engines and educate ourselves on the risks associated with their use and the safer, more secure solutions available when working with confidential or restricted-access information.

-- bio --
Joseph Wojowski is Director of Operations at Foreign Credits, Inc. in Des Plaines, IL, Chief Technology Officer at Morningstar Global Translations, and A Certified MemoQ Trainer. This article was originally posted on Wojowski's blog on December 9, 2014.

11th MATI Annual Conference

Meghan McCallum — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:13:36 GMT

11^th MATI Annual Conference

by Federico Vinas

Federico Vinas is a Spanish Certified Healthcare Interpreter (CHI™) working with pediatric patients in southern Wisconsin. He does on-site, over-the-phone, and video interpreting.

The 11^th MATI Annual Conference, held on Saturday, September 20, 2014, was a successful event addressing relevant and important topics in the fields of interpretation and translation. The presentations were “Web 2.0, Mobile, and You,” “Interpreting in Pediatrics,” “Courtroom Dilemmas for the Court Interpreter” and “The State of the Language Service Industry,” presented by renowned members of our translation and interpretation communities.

1. Web 2.0, Mobile, and You: 21st Century Technology for Interpreters and Translators, by Katharine Allen, M.A., Co-President, InterpretAmerica.
Ms. Allen presented one of the most vital topics for every interpreter and translator who wants to continue evolving in the profession. Technology is reaching into every aspect of the interpreter/translator’s work, including daily tasks, continuing education, advertisement, and resources, and we must stay current with new developments and opportunities, remain open to updates and offer the best service. This intricate technological world should be viewed as an advantage–as a better way to communicate and improve ourselves, not as a challenge.

Web 2.0 is enabling new forms of communication, collaboration and learning never seen before. These tools can help us create new venues for training, resources and education and access and share these from the comfort of our homes, offices or even around the globe.

2. Interpreting in Pediatrics: Building Blocks for Success, by Jennifer Flamboe, M.A., CHI, Chair, World Languages, and Director of Healthcare Interpretation, Alverno College.
Ms. Flamboe presented the broad field of pediatrics, including topics such as physical, emotional and social development and the well-being of babies, children and adolescents. She said that the interpreter must prepare for many different subjects not only in primary care pediatrics but in every branch of medicine, such as cardiology and podiatry. She also addressed the proper utilization of techniques, modes and roles of interpretation and how these are crucial in pediatric environments. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics. The interpreter must always maintain register, tone and spirit in every encounter, respect everyone’s ideas and avoid judgmental thinking, all while promoting transparency. Pediatric encounters require specific communication techniques to promote successful communication with children at their developmental level and tend to look different from adult encounters.

3. Courtroom Dilemmas for the Court Interpreter, by Alexandra Wirth, M.A., Federally Certified Court Interpreter and Wisconsin Supreme Court Certified Interpreter.
Ms. Wirth presented a complete and detailed list of the court interpreter’s role and the tenets by which a court interpreter should abide. She gave numerous examples of the appropriate solutions to common dilemmas that a court interpreter faces while performing his or her duties.

The definition of a court/legal interpreter is not to represent the interest of any party involved. The definition is not translator, advocate, social worker, helper or tour guide, liaison, attorney, etc. The definition of a court interpreter is “a court employee who has the ability to render a complete and accurate interpretation of what is said in court from English into the target language, without altering, omitting or adding anything to what is stated or written and without explanation.”

The interpreter is an honest, ethical, responsible professional who prepares, improves and cares for his/her profession. The interpreter should always promote the interpreter’s role, including scope and etiquette.

Ms. Wirth also described the proper guidelines for interpreting in a court setting, including how to approach the judge, how to approach all other parties and how to work with a colleague or in a group. Teamwork is essential in the legal setting. Working with a colleague can create friction or conflict, but setting rules such as breaks, signals, terminology, preparedness and solving discrepancies beforehand may avert many potential disagreements.

4. The State of the Language Service Industry: 2014, by Hélène Pielmeier, M.A., Director of Industry Providers Services, Common Sense Advisory.

Ms. Pielmeier presented key findings and answered questions related to the Common Sense Advisory’s Language Services Market report for 2014. She looked at where market trends can be expected to take the language service industry in the near future. For example, CSA’s analysis of major corporate websites showed that 12 languages now reach 80% of the online population, but the firm predicts that 20 languages will be needed in the future. Research also found that freelancers and LSPs hold sharply different views about the correlation between price and quality. And while Ms. Pielmeier said freelancers do not run the risk of being replaced by machines, she did say they may be replaced by people who are willing to do post-editing of machine translations.

(More in-depth looks at each of the four presentations are forthcoming in the Fall 2014 and Winter 2015 issues of inforMATIon. They will also be posted to the MATI blog: http://www.matiata.org/blog.)

Looking into the future of language services

Meghan McCallum — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:06:02 GMT

Looking into the future of language services

by Max Zalewski

Max Zalewski is equal parts adventurer and logophile. He has been translating Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese into English for the last 7 years while living in Denver, Damascus, Barcelona, Aleppo, Madison, Cairo and Granada. Contact him at max.zalewski@gmail.com.

Is the language service industry teetering on the precipice of obsoleteness or will it be at the forefront of an increasingly globalized world? On September 20^th, 2014, Hélène Pielmeier, Director of Industry Provider Services for the market research firm, Common Sense Advisory, addressed the direction of the trade at the annual conference of the Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters. The presentation featured an abundance of data about the language service industry with which Pielmeier created a looking glass to peer into the future and predict trends in the market.

Pielmeier commenced the presentation by introducing Common Sense Advisory and discussing the methodology it utilizes to collect data. CSA is the only firm dedicated to market research of the language service industry. One way CSA acquires its data is by surveying and conducting in-depth interviews with LSP’s, universities, and buyers of language services. There are two types of membership with CSA: buyer and LSP; at present, it does not cater to freelancers. CSA performs research from the perspective of both types of members. CSA defines language service providers (LSP’s) as companies that provide language services and have two or more employees. For LSP’s, they analyze management, strategic planning, profitability and growthundefinedspecifically, they observe the three pillars of growth: sales, account management and marketing. CSA also researches specialty services (transcreation, interpreting, etc.) and technology (translation management systems, machine translation) marketed by LSP’s. On behalf of the buyers, CSA monitors what they want, satisfaction, and their perception of the price versus quality ratio, among other variables.

In addition to surveys, CSA conducts consumer panels, briefings, and feature reviews. The market research firm is a pioneer in the landscape of the language services industry. Despite being a $45 billion dollar per year industry, CSA is the only entity dedicated purely to researching it. In addition to collecting its own data, CSA also monitors public data and filings, participates in online communities, and attends conferences. Each year, CSA produces reports, webinars, and longitudinal studies about the general trends of the language service industry as a whole.

At its essence, the language service industry aims to solve problems created by language. From the 7 billion people across 195 countries, CSA breaks them down into 687 locales, which it defines as geographic locations with “the minimum of unique combinations of economy, politics, culture, and languageundefinednot counting minority languages, individual states, etc.” Twenty-six of these locales are located within the top ten trading nations.

One way to monitor trade is through online commerce. CSA analyzed 2,400 websites of major corporations and found that 12 languages reach 80% of the online population. Furthermore, 90% of the most economically active people online can be reached by just 13 languages. Ordered from most to least economic activity online, these languages are: English, Japanese, German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Korean, Arabic, Russian and Swedish. Interestingly, CSA does not expect the status quo to persist. On the contrary, it predicts that as a result of the overall online economy growing, more languages will be incorporated into websites. CSA forecasts that 20 languages will be required to cover 80% of online activity in the future. This represents an auspicious bit of news for the language service industry, both LSP’s and freelancers alike.

Common Sense Advisory’s survey of consumers of translated products produced some expected and unexpected results. It is well known that consumers will not buy what they cannot read, but where do people start to make decisions based on their willingness to use their second language? According to the international average, 55% of online consumers prefer to make a purchase in their local language. However, this figure jumps to 74% when consumers were asked if they preferred to have post-sales support in their local language. CSA’s data shows that even if post-sales care is available in English, and consumers have a good command of English as their second language, they strongly prefer to have post-sales support in their local language. Generally post-sales support is for when a problem has arisen. The discrepancy in language preference correlates to the change in the consumer’s mindset.

The demand for post-sales service in local languages is a microcosm of the overall trend that CSA foresees in the language service industry. CSA compiled data based on 831 responses to its annual survey that showed the industry generated $23.5 billion in revenue in 2009, and $33.05 billion in 2013. CSA anticipates the language services market will expand to $37.19 billion by 2018. Take a second to consider the magnanimity of those numbers. That figure means that the revenue generated in the language services industry is larger than the GDP of 40% of the world’s countries.

Based on these figures, the translation industry is growing at a rate of 6.23%, which is considerable, but below the past averages of double-digit growth. Pielmeier says that there are external and internal threats counteracting growth. External forces include economic recession, globalization of the work force, professional purchasing (big companies cracking down on rates). Internal forces consist of translation automation, changing nature of translation, and commoditization.

As expected, the regional concentrations of translation buyers are not spread evenly across the world. The breakdown for percentage of market share by continent is as follows: Europe, 51.09%; North America, 37.81%; Asia, 9.96%; Latin America and Caribbean, 0.48%; Oceania, 0.41%; Africa, 0.24%. CSA calculates this data based on where the LSP is headquartered, not necessarily where the translation is produced.

In addition to geographical location, sizes of the LSP’s vary as well. Sixty percent of LSP’s have only 2 to 5 employees. The final forty percent is divided as follows: 6-10 employees, 17%; 11-20 employees, 9%; 21-50 employees 7%; 51-100 employees, 3%; 101-500 employees, 2%; 501 or more employees, 1%. These numbers are based on 18,000 companies sampled. CSA used a larger sample size in the past but have since become stricter about separating freelancers from LSP’s. These figures demonstrate that the market is very fragmented and there are very few companies making large profits from translation.

The services provided by LSP’s are dominated by translation and on-site interpreting, but there are also growing niche markets like video interpreting, phone interpreting, mobile app localization, machine translation post-editing, and transcreation. CSA performed a study in which they broke down language services into 18 different categories. Translation is by far the most widely sold service at 34% of the market share, followed by on-site interpreting at 10%, and software localization at 7%. Translation is sold by 83% of LSP’s; however, very few LSP’s are invested in smaller rising niche markets like interpreting technology and localization. These services represent a great opportunity for emerging LSP’s as well as freelancers. An LSP or freelancer that provides localization and translation has less competition and a larger market share. Interestingly, translation represents three quarters of revenue for the aforementioned 83% of LSP’s who sell translation; however, many of the fastest growing LSP’s in the world revolve around interpretation.

Within the translation market, there is a discord between supply and demand in that the demand consists of many small projects, but suppliers want large projects. According to Pielmeier, smart companies are adapting to the small project market by creating retail portals for clients, thereby streamlining the overall process and foregoing quotes, signing contracts and explanations of the service. Clients can simply purchase translations online with a credit card and poof, it will magically appear on-time as promised. This industry is exploding thanks to the phenomena of convenient online purchasing. Language service professionals who want to fit into this changing world must use what Pielmeier calls the “agile adaptation methodology,” in which they get several small jobs throughout the day. On the side of LSP’s, technology is imperative in this market, demonstrated by the fact that companies that have adapted to technology have a much higher growth rate.

Technology is changing every field. Even if language service professionals are unconcerned about losing their jobs to a machine, they might want to think about how to adapt technology into their business practices. Among other technological applications in the language services industry, machine translation is the most discussed. Some fields of translation are more susceptible to being replaced by machines. Literary translation, for instance, is unlikely to be affected by increasingly accurate machine translations, whereas engineering and legalese, which are more patterned forms of writing, are already translated using a synthesis of machine translation and human editing.

What exactly is post-edited machine translation? In PEMT, the source text is analyzed by a translation memory, which has gathered patterns of past-translated material in both languages and creates a translation of it into the target language. Next, two types of post-editing can be applied: light editing and full editing. The light editing process only looks for lexical errors and syntax errors and mainly differs from the full edit in that it neglects the style of the texts and does not correct punctuation errors. The full editing process comes closest to human qualityundefinedideally equaling it. Pielmeier says that PEMT matching the quality of human translation is feasible, but it takes expert linguists trained to look for less obvious errors, match an appropriate style and still convey fluency.

According to forecasts from CSA, both machine translation as a managed service and in-house machine translation service will increase nearly double from 2013 to 2016. With regard to the increased demand in machine translation, Pielmeier offered advice to freelancers: “You are not at risk of being replaced by machines. However, you are at risk of being replaced people who are willing to work with files that have gone through machine translation.” She also noted that on the LSP side, it is hard to find translators who are willing to work with machine-translated files and that “it is a fabulous opportunity for newcomers to the industry.” Pielmeier joked that given the mystery inherent in the nebulous nature of technology, any problems can be blamed on the machine, right?

As mentioned earlier, machine translation is not likely to be used for all kinds of content, however online content in general is likely to be one of ways it is most used. Pielmeier stated that there simply aren’t enough human translators to account for the cornucopia of content uploaded to the Internet. The increase in the number of languages being used online will also lead to greater usage of machine translation because content can be translated into multiple languages at once. Lastly, another reason machine translation will be used more in the future is because the expansion of online content does not coincide with an increase in budgets. Some companies only budget enough to generate more and more content for their online profiles but do not necessarily increase their budgets enough compensate enough to pay human translators. The result is that they are willing to sacrifice style and opt for a faster and cheaper machine translation.

The willingness to negotiate the style or accuracy of content brings up an interesting question about the relationship between price and quality. In a survey of 839 buyers of translation services, LSP’s and freelancers were asked whether or not there is a direct relationship between the price and the quality of a translation. All three agreed that there was a direct relationship. However, freelancers believe price and quality are directly related more than LSP’s, who both feel that price correlates with quality more than buyers. Quality is not necessarily the only value that consumers consider when making a purchase, and as a result the traditional process of translation, editing, and finally proofreading has been reduced to a less costly one or two step process.

Pielmeier concluded her presentation with recommendations about how to best use this information. She suggested that no matter what your connection is to language services, you can use this information to understand how you want to fit into the overall puzzle. It is important to note that none of the data she presented directly represented freelancers; nevertheless, the data is still useful to freelancers in order to better understand those who ultimately purchase their services. As a business strategy for both LSP’s and freelancers, Pielmeier recommended identifying niche areas that will provide long-term work, such as localization. In general, being adaptable to technological advances is fundamental, for the best way to avoid becoming obsolete is to learn how to adjust the offer to what clients want.

Keynote Address by Katherine Allen on Technology and You

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 16:52:16 GMT

Keynote Address by Katherine Allen on Technology and You

by Kathy Stokebrand

Kathy Stokebrand is a Spanish to English linguist. She has a BA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Journalism and anticipates an MA in Language, Literature and Translation from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December 2014. Stokebrand has been a MATI member since 2012.

Mobility is the latest development in the evolution of technology, and Katharine Allen, professional interpreter and translator, reviewed some of the latest mobile tools for the industry at the MATI conference in September. Speaking in Madison at the Monona Terrace Convention Center, Allen led the program with her presentation, “Web 2.0, Mobile, and You: 21st Century Technology for Interpreters and Translators.”

“Our profession is online,” declared Allen, who has a master's degree in translation and interpretation and is co-president of InterpretAmerica, an organization dedicated to raising the profile of the interpreting industry. Hers was an urgent plea for translators and interpreters to get involved with technology tools. Professionals in the industry need to try things, to see what they like and dislike because, according to Allen, if translators and interpreters are not involved, the tools won't be tailored to them.

Technological advancement is nothing new, Allen noted, describing how tribes changed from a nomadic lifestyle to one based on agriculture. The industrial revolution followed that transition, taking about 100 years. Then, the digital revolution happened in the span of about 30 years, going from the typewriter to the computer.

Allen observed that now, the mobile revolution is in progress, beginning with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007, followed by the iPad in 2010 and Google glasses in 2013. The iWatch is set to be unveiled in 2015, she added.

Web 2.0 is the second stage of development for the World Wide Web, characterized especially by the change from static web pages to dynamic or user-generated content and the growth of social media. Users communicate, share content, and make the web their own, Allen said. Technology has provided access to an incredible amount of information, and interpreters and translators have to figure out how to leverage it, according to Allen. They need to learn how to filter the information and the tools to determine which will be most helpful to them.

Allen noted that this progress and the changes that have come with it have brought turmoil. Technological advances have sped up generational differences, she said, adding that adaptation is critical. There was a panic that translation would be taken over by software, as the industry has flipped to a digital-based model that some translators did not survive. Still, the Internet broke down barriers and borders, and after this period of transition, a new equilibrium has been achieved, she said.

The good news is that industry continues to grow because there are so many consumers who use other languages. However, Web 2.0, the mobile age and translation and web-based video will continue to spur change, Allen predicted. “There will be a lot of disruption,” she warned. Among the changes she foresees is greater prioritization of localization and a downward pressure on wages. Interpreters want on-site or face-to-face work situations but language-service buyers want telephonic and video-remote interpreting. End users want all of the above and more.

As Web 2.0 continues to evolve, Allen noted that she is starting to see a lot of hybrid products and situations, such as speech to text applications, voice-over subtitles, customer service chats and real-time emails. Technology has also changed the way in which translators and interpreters are found and are finding work, Allen said. She compared various online sites and directories, such a sProZ, LinkedIn and the American Translators Association. Some sites include more than 300,000 professionals, while others have fewer than 3,000.

Then, there are smart phone, what Allen calls “the great equalizer” because of what they offer to anyone who owns one. Smartphones allow access to the Internet, as well as helpful apps. They also have recording capabilities, allowing interpreters to listen to themselves and thus providing a valuable opportunity for self-evaluation. Additionally, smartphones have cameras and document readers that allow instant translation, albeit machine translation. Podcasts, which are available in many languages, provide an audio show on demand, and the next generation of this technology is vodcasting, also called video podcasting, in which video is added to the audio download of a podcast.

All and all, valuable resources are just a few clicks away. Allen recommends finding “favorites” to bookmark, such as high-quality glossaries and speech banks from, for example agencies of the United Nations, the US State Departments, the European Union and court systems. Allen noted that technology has also changed how translators and interpreters collaborate. Online groups, such as discussion forums, provide training and information, and while it's difficult to send a cold email asking for help or information, adding a post or ping on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter is much easier, providing almost instantaneous results.

In an industry dominated by free-lance contractors who are not able, or at least less likely, to organize and advance priorities for rates and work environments, online collaboration is so important, according to Allen.

11th MATI Annual Conference: Not to be Missed!

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 02:52:45 GMT

Here in Madison, WI, we have an informal group of interpreters and translators that gathers about once a month to talk shop and socialize. At our get-together the other night, I was asked if I thought it would be worthwhile to attend the MATI Annual Conference, which will take place in Madison this year.

So I asked myself, why am I going?

For the same reason I like to get together with my local colleagues at Panera (or Sardine, or wherever) every month -- but taken to the 10th power!

As translators and interpreters, our work engages us to the exclusion of all else. Conferences like this present an unbeatable opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, learn new tricks of the trade, and broaden our network of contacts, in this case with attendees from WI, IL, and IN.

(In fact, our monthly Madison gatherings were born out of a MATI Annual Conference, where I first met Sasha Carrillo and where she, Catherine Jagoe, and I discussed the idea of getting together on a regular basis with our colleagues in the Madison area.)

It is also an opportunity to have direct, personal contact with language service agencies at their exhibitor tables, which they pay to have precisely because they are looking to extend their roster of qualified, reliable interpreters and translators. We all know that nothing beats a face-to-face encounter -- and these vendors take a special interest in the serious professionals who manifest their commitment to providing quality services by attending professional events.

Oh yeah -- and there are also those continuing education points. This year, the ATA will award 7 points for attendance at the conference. Two of the sessions will likely be applicable towards Wisconsin's new CE requirements for Court Interpreters (not my area, so I'm not totally familiar with it), and one session should be eligible for CCHI credits. But that's not the bottom line for me. Much more important is the opportunity to grab one of the presenters during a coffee break and pick her brain for even more information, or wheedle her email from her for future queries of my own.

This year the conference ends with a social networking hour -- and that will be the icing on the cake for me!

I hope you decide to join me and other colleagues from the tri-state area!

Event information and registration: http://www.matiata.org/event-884656

Diane Grosklaus Whitty

First t&t open mic held in Madison, WI

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 14:03:57 GMT

(thanks to Ben Kearney, Madison-based Dutch>English translator, for this contribution)

I admit to being a bit sceptical when I was invited to the t&t open mic. Like most translators living in the U.S., I am continually obliged to explain and somehow account for the work I do, and I’m accustomed to the obscurity that is assigned to translation. Even if they are passionate about reading or foreign places, non-translators (or non-interpreters) whom I encounter tend to view the profession as either exotic or imaginary, and I have reconciled myself to this state of (exalted?) exile in the minds of friends and family members – with no good prospects for repatriation. So though I looked forward to an evening of reading and listening fun, I expected the event to be attended solely by working or would-be translators.

What struck me first was the organic coziness of the Lakeside Coffee House. What a welcoming space! I really felt transported. But the best part was the enthusiasm among those gathered to hear works in translation read aloud, regardless of the subject matter or literary form. The range of material (Beowulf? Really?) and the number of readers surprised me, as did the size and composition of the crowd that came to listen. There were any number of non-translators attending who were eager to hear something different for a change. And that’s really what it was: a unique and open platform to present the translated word, with no strings attached.

It was so fun to take part in this experiment and see my preconceptions dissolve. If you have friends with their own preconceptions/non-conceptions about translation, then bring them to the next edition of t&t, and bring along something to read! I can’t wait to hear what people come up with next. Tasty bits indeed.

(For more information on the t&t open mics, go to http://www.andwordplay.com/tt-open-mic/)

MATI Member Spotlight: Shenyun Wu

Sat, 09 Aug 2014 02:18:25 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Shenyun Wu

For this Member Spotlight, MATI Director Sasha Federiuk Carrillo interviews Shenyun Wu, a Mandarin Chinese <>English interpreter. She holds a B.A. in English and International Affairs (double major) with a minor in Chinese language and literature from George Washington University. Shenyun currently works as a Senior Account Executive at a translation agency.

Where do you live and/or work?

I currently live and work in Madison, WI, but I was in Chicago for four years and in Washington, DC for four years before that.

What are your working languages, and how did you acquire your language skills?

I work between Mandarin Chinese and English. Born and raised in the US, I was fortunate to have spent my formative years in Taiwan because of my father’s work. In Taiwan I went to traditional Chinese schools and was thus able to build a solid foundation for my Chinese. I then moved back to the States to finish high school and college. Knowing that it was important to keep up my language skills, I made a conscious effort to take advanced Chinese language courses and found volunteer and internship opportunities to use and expand my language skills.

How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

I started in both translation and interpretation in 2005 when I was in college and was looking for volunteer opportunities where I could use my Chinese language skills. My first exposure to interpreting was when I worked as a bilingual advocate for a nonprofit organization advocating against domestic violence. I also got trained through a nonprofit law firm to become a qualified Chinese interpreter and translator. I've been providing language services ever since.

Describe an especially memorable or fulfilling professional experience.

One of the most memorable experiences I had as an interpreter was interpreting during a C-section for twins. It was quite the experience being a part of the birthing process. I learned that an interpreter not only needs to just interpret, but also needs to provide a presence that allows the client to trust the interpreter during stressful or difficult situations.

I notice that you are active on Twitter and LinkedIn, and even have a blog. Do you believe that social media is important in the development of our profession?

Social media is an effective tool to get the most updated information in specific industries. Twitter and LinkedIn have allowed me to get access to the most-talked-about information and exposure to different aspects of the job that I'm not always aware of. My blog simply allows me to reflect on and share my experiences in the industry. The life of an interpreter can sometimes be lonely because it's often an independent job, so being able to interact with my peers and help them through my experiences has been a learning experience for me as well. We are able to grow more when we interact with others, and social media is an effective way for freelancers to share and exchange notes.

Do you believe social media has had an impact on your career?
Social media has encouraged me to be aware of the most up-to-date trends and news related to language services. The feedback I receive on my blog has also motivated me even more to improve my skill set.

Do you have any tips for those starting out in the field?

The first thing to know is that bilingualism doesn't automatically qualify someone as a translator or interpreter. Language is constantly evolving, and even seasoned interpreters and translators need to continue to expand their skills. Even after nine years in the field, I still have to prep for interpreting assignments to make sure that I anticipate potential terminology, especially the technical ones. When starting out in the field, I think it's important to understand the code of ethics, which is a set of guidelines for interpreters to follow. Lastly, always be professional, know your capabilities, and never stop learning.

NON-SPANISH INTERPRETER CERTIFIES IN WISCONSIN’S COURT by Witold Napiorkowski

Sat, 09 Aug 2014 02:07:54 GMT

NON-SPANISH INTERPRETER CERTIFIES IN WISCONSIN’S COURT

By Witold Napiorkowski, a State of Wisconsin Certified, Federally qualified, and Cook County, IL qualified Polish court interpreter

The issue of inter-state interpreter certification has been on the agenda for a while now. It has acquired a measure of new importance with the progress of the Cook County, Illinois court interpreter (CWA/CNG) contract negotiations. The interpreter negotiations team’s goal here is to (eventually) negotiate additional compensation for interpreters who acquire NCSC (National Center for State Courts – “the Consortium”) certified status. Though most of us are way beyond the test-taking public education phase of our lives, professional development is actually something that employment experts – as well as seasoned veterans – recommend, both for the sake of keeping skills as sharp as possible and maintaining healthy self-esteem, but also for “not losing the habit” of learning new things. It is hardly news to say that most professionals these days are facing a steady stream of new information which needs to be integrated into their job routines. In many professions, “continuing education credits” are a requisite to maintain job status. The only way to NOT see this as a burden is to enthusiastically embrace the boost in self-esteem that comes with acquiring new skills, and honing old ones.
Two-day orientation, then written and oral examinations.

The way to do this is to attend a two-day orientation and then “sit for” a written and an oral examination. In the case of Illinois court interpreters, since the test is still NOT being offered by the Illinois Court System – the exams may be taken in either Indiana or Wisconsin. It was my own fortunate – I maintain – choice to become more acquainted with the latter, this spring and summer.

Preliminaries

The program (CIP – Court Interpreter Program) administered by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, is coordinated and animated with gusto by Ms. Carmel Capati, a Wisconsin attorney, who shows a calling and passion for languages and securing a level playing field for the non-English-speaking user of the justice system. Carmel makes the entire experience an uplifting one. This was especially so for a Cook County interpreter – almost accustomed to a certain casual LACK of respect for the profession in our own bailiwick. In this regard, participation in the Wisconsin program seems a breath of fresh Northwoods air.

STEP 1: Two-day orientation

Though I had signed up and paid the orientation fee in August-September of 2012, for personal scheduling reasons it only became possible to make the necessary time this last March. The two-day orientation I chose was offered in Milwaukee – on the campus of University of Wisconsin, held, as they always are, over a weekend. Happily, the I-94 drive from Chicagoland, on both Saturday and Sunday, winds up being user-friendly, and not a contributor to hypertension at all. Summer highway construction does need to be factored in, though. To anyone used to professional conferences, the setting of the training is immediately familiar. The 40 or so orientation attendees were set up in a large hotel lobby-like hall, with self-serve bagels, fruit and coffee in the back of the room, and an easy chat-with-thy-new-neighbor ambient atmosphere helping while away the 30 or so minutes before the official beginning of the presentations. I found a good geographic mix of attendees from all corners of Wisconsin, and several smaller towns in Illinois. Age groups varied widely indeed, as did professions. English-Spanish was, as ever, the dominant language combination. As it happened, I found not a single Polish co-linguist, but Korean, Arabic, Mandarin, Serbo-Croatian, Japanese, and even Albanian were represented. I sat next to Alex - a very sociable Arabic interpreter, an eager conversationalist, in his mid-40s, who drives a limo as his second job. A down-to earth regular-people kind of vibe each way you turned, certainly no excuse for anyone to feel timid. Topics of informal table discussion revolved around real-life real-people situations, foreign accents were many and some sported with relish.

Orientation: Well organized, interesting, and varied

One thing which made the time go by relatively fast was the careful structuring of both days to incorporate large group presentations, Q & A, and class debate, with breakout sessions addressing specific courtroom skills. The whole-group presentations delved into organizational rudiments of the US / Wisconsin state court systems, interpreter ethics, common challenging situations. Included were presentations by court personnel, a short lecture by a State of Wisconsin judge, a court clerk, as well as by other linguists from the UW faculty.

Breakout sessions: Vital skills practice, confidence booster

To this relatively old hand, the breakout sessions felt particularly worthwhile. These were typically composed of 6 – 8 people and led by a moderator. The particular group I wound up in was that of the “exotic” languages – in short, any languages other than Spanish and Mandarin. The animator of our group, seasoned Spanish court interpreter Enrique, proved himself to be the consummate professional, in language as well as in teaching and his “classroom management” skills. Each of us had ample time and opportunity to try our hand at both the consecutive and the simultaneous mode – in both routine and sudden challenging “out of left field” situations. A good measure of class comradeship built up, with some humor / lighthearted fun and creativity elicited. I found the exercises with consecutive note–taking and mnemonic techniques especially helpful, and remember later feeling grateful to Enrique for the practice at my oral exam in June. Retention of longer chunks of highly specific information is my special challenge, and it turned out I was not alone in this. Most of you know what I am referring to. Feeling lost in a sea of numbers and proper names, while keeping up with a fast-talking witness is not particularly relaxing or even motivating. In all, the two eight-hour classroom days went by surprisingly quickly and painlessly.

Wisconsin test-taking sites:

As for venues, it was good to attend the training in a none-too-distant location like Milwaukee, given that I was short of time, and appreciated not having to set up at a hotel. Of course the annual schedule provides for other locations – as far away as Appleton and Wausau, which can be a nice choice for a metro-Chicagoan looking for a chance to break away from chores and change of scenery for a weekend.

STEP 2: Written examination component: 2 options, or bothundefinedyour choice

Upon completion of the orientation the next phase of the process was the prequalifying written examination. There are actually two options given to prequalify. One is the long-form multiple choice exam consisting of 135 questions covering primarily English language proficiency – with reading comprehension and vocabulary/terminology most stressed – but also with components of knowledge about the court system and interpreter ethics. The amount of time afforded certainly felt generous, for answering and reviewing/changing the responses. The other qualifying option was a translation test INTO your target language (other than English) consisting of 10 short paragraphs. It is remarkable how many people opt for BOTH – since the process allows it, and – as a practical matter – receiving a passing grade on at least ONE of these is virtually guaranteed. Peace of mind for the more timid among us, and a straight path to the BIG ONE – the actual oral interpreting exam, offered on another date as the third and final stage in the process.

Exam payment tips

A practical note is in order here: The organizers stipulate that you MUST HAVE RECEIVED a passing grade on the written component to even REGISTER for the oral. In practice, 4-6 weeks of time is provided for the graders to return their evaluation. Given that the overall process is stretched out over time and can easily take 10 months or more – it is a good idea to have your check covering the next phase in the process ready at the close of each preceding stage. The grading CAN take 4-6 weeks, but grades can sometimes be turned in much earlier. Then, subject to availability of a spot, you can “jump ahead” and select the next available date, a welcome surprise for this rather impatient writer. I found always having payment at the ready to be a strategy worthy of recommending (checks/money orders are best). Pass/fail notices arrive in the mail promptly at the address you had given them at the outset (make sure, if you are moving, to provide both old and new address).

STEP 3: Oral examination component

Well, the days and weeks have flown by, and finally, you have arrived at the date of the BIG ONE. In the meantime, of course, you practiced your note-taking and recall skills, listened to the ACEBO tapes/discs several times over in your car (what else is there to do on our long commutes, right?). Crucially, you got PLENTY of sleep the night before – mindful that this exam relies heavily on recall skills – THE FIRST skill affected by lack of adequate rest – you allowed a cushion of time for traffic, baaaad GPS directions, and finding parking . The latter can be taxing in more ways than one (loud and proud Chicagoans take heed – downtown Madison is not a one-horse town, by any means). Face it – at this late hour you should not be frantically reviewing your study materials – you should be calmly focusing, humming quietly and “remembering to breathe.” This is a time to release your Inner Buddhist. Arriving stressed out, sweating and panting is for the sophomoric amateur – you, on the other hand, are a calm and collected pro, thinking ahead and taking your challenges in stride.

Relax, breathe deeply, and other useful test taking “tips”

So, you have found the exam room, signed in, and are now running on autopilot. The setting is relaxing, with adequate lighting and temperature. Your name is called, you greet the Proctor, and are given a couple of minutes to settle in and familiarize yourself with the microphones and lay of the land. Before you know it, the exam has started. Sight translation is the first component, one page into your target language, one into English. You gladly observe in passing that the 6 minute time limit on each is generous, and the first two minutes given to reading the text silently and making any margin notes have allowed you to wisely note any unfamiliar terms/phrases and make a decision about their treatment. Your confidence is boosted sufficiently to attack the consecutive section. You will need every ounce of it, and all the focus you can muster – for this is the toughie of the whole deal. You listen to the source sentences, give yourself a few seconds, then smoothly render into the target language. While listening you may be furiously taking notes – perhaps lagging behind a bit and reconstructing the content. You pat yourself on the back for having gotten that full night’s sleep, and keep focusing on what is AHEAD. Without sufficient focus, here is where it is easiest to make the point-costly mistakes – dates, family names, addresses, business names, professional titles. Your writing hand begins to smart a little from the death-grip on your pen or pencil, you cringe a bit at the items you inevitably missed, but still keep focused on the balls being pitched your way. Those of us NOT blessed with a steel-trap of a short-term memory need to fall back on a reliable fast note-taking system. Which I recommend anyone to spend some study-time developing in preparation. You take comfort in the 20% margin – you need an 80% overall grade to pass. If you had been diligently accumulating points on your written (you had!) and on the sight-translation component (you had better!), then you have a comfortable buffer, and just do your best on recalling and rendering content in the consecutive, without agonizing or stressing out. In fairness, the length of the sections is not excessive – less, as I recall than on the State Department’s oral exam, for instance. You do get two repetitions – which come in VERY handy, and which I used up rather early in the process.

Walk around, and breathe deeply!

Time flies by, and you are done with the consecutive (roughly 20+ minutes). I found it helpful to ask my friendly exam proctor for permission to walk around a little. Take deep, relaxing breaths. Physical motion in general can help to make your speech patterns more rhythmical, which in turn boosts confidence! You are likely quite keyed up, but some of that is actually an advantage for the simultaneous section – you will establish some automatism, and perhaps faster speed. Same concept – one part into English, the other into your chosen language. After just a few phrases, you find yourself going into “the zone” – routine and automation take over, and “take you home”. Rather than reflecting, you “just do it”, perhaps surprising yourself that you knew the terms that just “came to you” of themselves – more fruit of sound preparation and good rest. The walking around has helped you with breath control, you are in your element. Before you know it, there is silence on the tape, you look up to see the Proctor’s smiling face. You are DONE. You promise yourself that whatever the outcome, you DO NOT want to do this over in the near future. Your mind wanders toward a suitable treat, rewarding all the diligence and hard work. And well you deserve it, my Friend! Another Season, Another Hoop Jumped in the saga of Unending Professional Development. Yes, but why me? Well, (in deep baritones), dear Language Professional, “this is the life you chose….”

Epilogue:

You have, till now, kept the entire project to a band of very close friends – no benefit in adding to the stress by advertising. But the wheels have been turning. They have looked up your (non-existent) rap sheet, and vetted your good character (of course it is good!). A short two months later, your name is in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin’s database and website of interpreters qualified to stand before their Supreme Court (and all their courts of common pleas you can name). Also importantly, you have done something for yourself, taken steps to increase your market value. Slowed the ageing of your brain’s synapses, struck a blow against early-onset Alzheimer’s (documented – simultaneous interpreting ranks among ten leading dementia-fighting professions). So in the intervening weeks – you won’t spend time fretting TOO much about failing or passing – this was a good wholesome exercise in its own right, something you needed for yourself. And for the standing of your much-underappreciated colleagues. And, surely, for those less fortunate ones who can use a leg up in the halls of justice – and whose voice sounds remarkably like your own .

Additional information

State of Wisconsin certification
Wicourts.gov
(Click “WI court system”, then “Services”, then “For interpreters”)

State of Indiana certification
www.in.gov/judiciary/admin/2382.htm

**Cook County interpreter certification cost partial reimbursement policy** Our Chicago Newspaper Guild (CNG/CWA) contract specifies that up to 10 interpreters per year (may be full-time or sessions employees, first come, first served) may seek partial reimbursement for certification costs. Proof of registration for orientation, and for each examination component, as well as successful exam scores (certificate) on written and oral exam components, must be presented on the 33rd floor of Daley Center, Human Resources. Ask for the 3 “professional development” pre-approval forms you must fill out. Or you may use the cost of becoming certified as a professional development tax credit.

Please note that the State of Indiana has its own orientation, testing, and certification costs. For further information, see the website referenced above.

With County reimbursement, what would your total State of Wisconsin certification costs be? Let’s do the math:

$175.00 2-day orientation
45.00 Written examination into your target language [if chosen]
0.00 Multiple choice exam on court procedures and ethics
225.00 Oral examination [simultaneous/consecutive/sight translation portions]
_______
$445.00
(minus)

$300.00 CNG/CWA union contract specified County reimbursement
_______
$145.00 Grand Total after County reimbursement

**To qualify for the reimbursement, you must strictly adhere to the application deadline and proof or registration/payment/passing scores, etc., specified by Human Resources in Daley Center [inquire at Reception, or ask to speak to Helen Barker**]. It is easy to get turned down for this reimbursement, though. There is still an open issue with the County about when to submit the reimbursement request. Technically, you are required to do it within 30 days of the “beginning of the course” (the reimbursement format is still for “educational courses”). Yet, you also need to submit a “certificate of completion”. Which works out as a sort of Catch-22, especially since the process is necessarily a drawn-out one in terms of time. The Union will be working on this with the County Administration.

Currently, the Cook County interpreters Contract negotiations team is attempting to negotiate higher pay rates for full-time and sessions employees who acquire State of Wisconsin, State of Indiana, or Federal certification. Stay tuned for progress in this area!

Open it up! Translation is earth shattering….

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 16:33:41 GMT

(by Margie Franzen)

Openness is something that's come upon the translation profession rather recently. More translators now have their names on the front covers of books than they did in years past. Blogs such as Three Percent (http://www.rochester.edu/College/translation/threepercent/), from the University of Rochester, and Ampersand (http://ampersand.andotherstories.org/), from the publishers of & Other Stories, review translations. Online journals such as Asymptote and Words Without Borders, through interviews and bios, give readers an idea of what translating a text involves. And, more and more, publishers such as the University of Nebraska, Open Book, or Pushkin Press carve a niche supply-and-demand for English-language translations. All of this is known in the translation world. But what about the wide-world at large? What about the world of readers and non-readers?

The t&t open mic. translators. and. translations. is a get-together of local folks taking to the mic, sharing translations that have made them laugh, cry, learn from or ponder over. Anyone can read; anyone can come by to have a drink and listen. Translations can be published works that someone has read or they can be unpublished self-translations. So, the mic really is open! Genealogy letter from faraway relatives? Fascinating. Poem from a dreamer somewhere overseas? Delightful. Funny bilingual dictionary? Good for a laugh! Anything else translated? There's a ton!

All readings are in English. No knowledge of the original language is necessary; we are, or can eventually allow ourselves to be, “unfettered readers” - as colleague, friend, and professor of translation studies at the University of San Antonio Melissa Wallace wrote to me recently in an email. The open mic hopes to unfetter readers from the lament of “I wish I knew more languages...” There is a growing body of world writing available in English. Thanks to translation, we can explore, we can travel beyond our linguistic and physical boundaries.

Each open mic will be held at the Lakeside Coffee House in Madison in its chic, newly remodeled bar space. Anyone who reads gets a free drink and we hope they come in thirsty droves. A raised glass to anyone and everyone who steps up to the mic to share whatever translation they choose!

The first open mic is set for Thursday evening, August 21, 2014. People sign up to read at 7 pm; reading starts at 7:30 and goes until about 9:00. There is a park right by the coffee shop – perfect for families with children who'd like to let the kids run around a bit before coming in and enjoying an artful end to the day. Or, for after-work socializing, there's nothing better for next-day office chatter than what you heard at the open mic the night before. The open mic is a perfect date-night or a sure-fire way to kickstart friendly banter about books. It’s great for the professed non-reader as well. What’s better than just enjoying a drink with books fed to you in tasty bits?

&wordplay is the organizer of the open mic. Write with questions or for more information to: info@andwordplay.com

Like the open mic idea? Like our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/events/319164978246711/?ref=22

We hope to see you at an open mic soon!

www.andwordplay.com

MATI’s 4th Brown Bag Webinar: Lifelong Learning

Sat, 02 Aug 2014 18:55:17 GMT

On April 24, former MATI president and current Vice President of the NCIHC Enrica Ardemagni presented for the fourth of MATI’s Brown Bag Webinar Series for medical interpreters. Her presentation was titled “Interpreting: A Lifelong Learning Experience.”

Ardemagni began her presentation by contextualizing lifelong learning historically, as well as by clarifying how the topic fits in with formal education and training. She went on to discuss the characteristics that define the deliberate learning inherent in formal education, including a focus on intention and outcomes and an understanding of the specific reasons for working to obtain a skill, with the goal of retaining and using learned skills. However, since the field of interpreting is still viewed by many as a fall-back profession for bilinguals, Ardemagni notes that most professionals rely on organized adult education for training, which lacks in the deliberate learning structures of formal education that would identify the many competencies required for interpreting, along with the structure within which to obtain all of those competencies.

According to Ardemagni, lifelong learning in interpreting therefore requires professionals to pursue and organize their own continual learning in order to continually respond to changes in language, cultural, technology and societal institutions. This is especially true since the failure to actively pursue lifelong learning may lead to declines in skills or the fossilization of incorrect language use or professional behaviors. To continually achieve lifelong learning, Ardemagni suggested the pursuit of courses or degrees, on-site trainings and webinars, along with reading and listening in a professional’s working languages.

As far as developments in lifelong learning, Ardemagni noted that many questions remain, including the impact of this pursuit at home and abroad, how to recognize the various forms of learning, time and money investments to be made and additional research upon which instructors can draw in the formation of training programs. What is certain is that lifelong learning requires self-motivated learners, the creation of educational material, time, support from employers and stakeholders (not to mention the identification of stakeholders), along with funding and salaries that match professionals credentials.

As stated above, Ardemagni’s presentation was the fourth in the MATI Brown Bag Webinar Series. This webinar was offered free to MATI members and non-members alike and was very well attended, with over forty registrations. MATI is currently seeking future presenters for the Brown Bag Series. To suggest a presenter or propose a topic, please email matiemail@gmail.com.

MEET OUR TREASURER: KATE JANKOWSKI!

Fri, 23 May 2014 02:27:28 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet Our Treasurer Kate Jankowski!

Kate Jankowski is an English to Polish translator and interpreter. She holds Master’s degrees in English Philology and in Public Administration, along with a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. Jankowski is also an ATA certified English to Polish translator and a Wisconsin State Certified Court Interpreter. She is MATI’s current treasurer as well and has been a member of the organization for over five years.

Where do you live and/or work?

I live in the western suburbs of Chicago, and I have a small office in Addison, IL, from where I run my company called PLUS Professional Translation Services, LLC (www.plustranslations.com).

How did you acquire your B language(s)?

I was not aware of it, but I was exposed to foreign languages from early childhood. I come from the part of Poland called Upper Silesia. My grandmother spoke Polish with a Silesian dialect and was fluent in German. I went to grade school in Poland at the time when Russian was the only foreign language taught at school. My neighbor found an English tutor but could not afford one-on-one lessons. Although reluctantly, my parents eventually allowed me to join the neighbor, and I started learning English when I was about 11. I was able to get into a high school that offered English and then graduated with a master’s degree in English from the Silesian University in Poland. Most of my instructors spoke British English, and the first English speaking country I visited was Ireland. I ended up getting a scholarship in the US. I was an exchange student at the Southwest Texas State University (now called Texas State U.) in San Marcos, TX. I went back to Poland to graduate and then returned to Chicago, where my husband was finishing his studies at that time.

I believe that keeping up with my native language is equally important to mastering my B language. Polish spoken in Chicago uses a lot of borrowings from English, so I travel to Poland at least once a year to get a booster of current Polish--only to find out that it assimilates more and more words from English, just in a different way.

How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

I was still a student when I was hired as an in-house translator by a company which was in charge of a pesticide hazardous waste cleanup program. It was in the early 1990s and a lot of technology, equipment and procedures were new and coming to Poland from the Western countries--all written in English and needing to be translated into Polish. Some funding for the program was provided by the European Union. The sponsoring agency wanted to know how its money was used, so I also translated progress reports and communications with the agency. The field was new, but I had unlimited access to source texts and colleagues who had specialized knowledge in the scientific fields that I needed, including chemistry, hydrology, and environmental engineering.

I did not have a computer back then. I was handwriting the translations and giving them to a lady that would type them for me on a typewriter. No, she did not know English, so spelling mistakes were frequent and my handwriting had to be very neat and clear for her.

The advent of the Internet was another blessing for me. I was still able to work for the company while I was in the U.S. Our (mine and my husband’s) decision to return to Poland was taking longer than expected, so I decided to go back to school. Because of the field that I was working in, I went for the Public Administration Environmental Management program at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL.

Long story short, we decided to stay in the U.S. The company was no longer my employer but became my client. I had to find more customers, but my field was very narrow, and I had to see where else I could offer my services.

While settling in Chicago, I was seeing doctors and attorneys and I figured these would be two groups of professionals for whom I could interpret. I remember doctors’ appointments being emotional and sad: every patient had a story to tell, but no one had the time to listen. I was once asked by a friend to come to a court hearing with her to interpret. I thought I got it, but oh my! Was I wrong! I did not know when to approach the judge, when to begin speaking, and when I finally figured it out, I understood what he was saying but did not have the Polish vocabulary to say it to my friend. Embarrassment only begins to describe how I felt. I began to look for courses in court interpreting in my language pair, but could not find any. I found paralegal studies to be the closest useful thing and decided to give it a try. I thought, if not interpreting, I would at least get familiar with the US legal system.

In the meantime I was also working on my professional credentials. In 2003, I became a “sworn translator” registered with the Ministry of Justice in Poland. In 2006, I was certified by the ATA and recently became a translator and interpreter for the U.S. Department of State, along with getting my court interpreter certification from the state of Wisconsin.

It took me a while,but I think I found my specialty in the legal field. My job offers quite an interesting mix: I do both translation and interpreting, go back in time, but also assist people with their present-day needs. My day usually consists of a court hearing or deposition, translating and meeting with people with fascinating stories. I work with Polish Consulates in the U.S. and help people to get their Polish citizenship, recognize their marriages, divorces, or register births in Poland. My typical customer is a third generation Polish-American, whose grandparents fled Poland during World War II, briefly stayed in another country and then immigrated into the U.S. Some families have documents from several foreign countries, so I collaborate with a lot of translators from other languages.

Throughout the years, I received a lot from others. It is time to give back. MATI is one of the organizations I volunteer for. I am also a member of the Leadership Council for the ATA’s Slavic Languages Division and have been the Board Secretary at a local Polish school for over a decade.

What continues to inspire you?

Those who have stuck through the toughest of times and continue to smile.

How to Manage Your Association Across State Lines

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:32:56 GMT

How to Manage Your Association Across State Lines

Reposted from the Bright Association Press, the Webbright blog, with permission from Lamees Abourahma, Bright Founder & President, Webbright Services, LLC; visit the original Webbright blog posting here.

Our guest for this edition of the Bright Association Press is Christina Green, the 2012-2014 President of the Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI). Christina is an independent translator and interpreter in Wisconsin and has been a member of MATI since it's inception 10 years ago. MATI, a chapter of the American Translators Association (ATA), is a professional association founded by and for translators and interpreters in the states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. MATI's membership has grown from 20 members to 120 since it moved to its new website about a year ago. To learn about MATI's successful transition to its new website, read MATI's website case study here.

Here is what Christina shared with us about her membership management and success. (Listen to the interview here.)

One of the unique things about MATI is that it's an association that spans over three states: Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. This means that the association utilizes virtual techniques to have a strong presence in each of the three states, but the association's physical presence with its active members and board members keeps the organization running in a physical sense.

"We do have some very active members, whether they are board members or [former] board members, and they in the three states," Green said. "They are very active. They run a lot of activities past us. So, we are able to have a very active presence and meet with people face to face."

MATI has three types of members: student members, corporate members, and regular professional members who are currently translators or interpreters. Anybody who works in the language industry can join in the association.

"We don't discriminate," Green said. "If you are simply a logophile, and you want to join an organization or association that deals with languages you're more than welcome to join ours."

One of the benefits of joining MATI is the provision of continuing education activities and gathering activities. The association also has a members-only section on its website where members can post and find jobs, and does excellent work of keeping its members informed about the industry's latest trends.

"What draws in members, first of all, is the idea of being part of a group. Considering that translators, historically, are very isolated people who actually sit behind a computer and they translate with very little, or no interaction, with other human beings other than by email or phone every once in a while," Green said, "Getting together with other professional members who do the same thing they do actually gives them a very good perspective on where the industry is going, what the trends are, the new tools available in the market, and things of that nature."

Many associations have trouble recruiting and retaining young members, but this isn't the case for MATI. The association is fortunate enough to include Wisconsin as one of its three states, which has the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. UWM has a one of the only three or four programs in the entire nation that offers a bachelor's degree in linguistics and languages translation and interpretation studies.

"So, with that, we have actually viewed, not only the professors at the university as a way to getting into the classroom and explain to the students not only who we are but the importance of being part of a professional organization, but also we have used their resources in order to fulfill our mission," Green said. "So we use, for example, the university's auditorium for our conferences every two or three years. We have improved our young audience exponentially, especially since the new board took over in 2012."

As for member retention, Green says the first thing is communication, which is much more than mass emails. Communication is also about listening to your member base and meeting with members one-on-one if possible. Although this strategy has worked well for MATI in developing new programs and initiatives, Green admits that one-on-one meetings isn't something that every association can do.

"Of course, we can do this because we are not an association of 1000 members. You know, when you have that size it's a little bit more difficult to call [everyone] one at a time and communicate with them," she said. "Still, with an association of our size it hasn't been easy but it is something that we do. We communicate personally with them. And, they like that. People like that."

About the Bright Association Press: The Bright Association Press is an interview series, hosted by Lamees Abourahma, Webbright founder and president, featuring association executives covering topics related to membership management, recruiting, retention, marketing, IT, and other related topics. We’re talking real-life professional associations’ challenges and unique solutions.

Hope you enjoyed this edition of the Bright Association Press? Questions or suggestions? Love to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Lamees

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Indiana MATI Members Celebrate the Holidays

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 17:59:33 GMT

On Friday, January 17, 2014, Indiana MATI members and friends joined together for a post-holiday party and to ring in 2014. Braving the cold snow and chilling winds, approximately 13 guests met in downtown Indianapolis at BARcelona Tapas Restaurant where they shared great food, conversation, and a chance to meet and greet old and new MATI members. This year several new faces were seen, there was an equal number of both interpreters and translators, as well as representation from some translation agencies and several professors in translation and interpreting from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. While sharing tapas and enjoying some exotic drinks, past MATI president Enrica Ardemagni spoke about the origins of MATI and encouraged everyone to attend the American Translators Association which will be held in Chicago in 2014 with MATI as the host chapter. Indiana looks forward to great programming and events from MATI in the upcoming year.

Order your 2014 #LanguageAccess Calendar from the NCIHC today!

Tue, 17 Dec 2013 02:16:51 GMT

Looking for the perfect gift for that translator or interpreter in your life (or for yourself)? The NCIHC 2014 #LanguageAccess Calendar would make the perfect gift! The calendar features winners of the NCIHC 2014 Photo Contest and includes important dates for the medical field, like National Breast Cancer Day, along with other cultural recognition days. Visit the NCIHC's facebook page to see the photo for each month, and order your calendar at NCIHC's website! All proceeds from calendar sales will go toward financing NCIHC activities.

First Step Toward Court Interpreter Certification in Illinois

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 18:36:50 GMT

As a courtesy for our members, we would like to pass along the following information from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, which is the state body currently making a renewed attempt to implement court interpreter certification through the consortium here in Illinois. Please read below for more details and for information on participating in one of the upcoming meetings to get input from stakeholders taking place throughout the state in January.

You will also find the dates of each regional meeting posted on the MATI site calendar.

Susan Schweigert

MATI Board Member

I am writing to let you know that the AOIC will be hosting six regional meetings across the state in January for judges, court personnel, and any other interested stakeholders. I have attached a Save-the-Date with location information and an agenda. Feel free attend at a date and location that is convenient for you and extend this invitation to your contacts.

The regional meetings will give everyone an opportunity to discuss challenges in addressing language access in the circuit courts. We will also discuss creative approaches undertaken to meet those challenges in other counties in Illinois and other states, and implementation solutions for the Language Access Plan template that was approved by the Supreme Court. The template was distributed in the past several weeks to the circuit courts and we are currently in the submission process for county-specific plans. Our hope is that the meetings will provide our office with a better understanding of how we can assist the circuit courts, and provide a starting point for greater cooperation across the state.

We kindly request that all attendees RSVP to sakbar@illinoiscourts.gov by January 3, 2014 so that our office can plan for space and refreshments accordingly. If you are attending the meeting in Chicago, John Marshall Law school requires our office to send a list of first and last names prior to the meeting for entrance security purposes.

Our office has already extended the invitation to court personnel responsible for arranging for interpreters in each county, and I requested that they bring their Language Access Plans and any related questions, examples of translated court forms, brochures, or other language assistance resources already in use, and a list of interpreters used by the court. Please feel free to bring any materials that would contribute to the conversation.

Thanks and hope to see you there.

Sophia N. Akbar, J.D.

Language Access Services Specialist

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor

Chicago, Illinois 60601

(312) 793-2013 (phone)

(312) 793-1335 (fax)

sakbar@illinoiscourts.gov

MATI Member Spotlight: Sarah Puchner

Meghan McCallum — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:36:52 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Sarah Puchner

Sarah Puchner is a French > English translator and has been a MATI member since 2010. She holds a BA in modern languages and a graduate certificate in translation from UW–Milwaukee.

Where do you live and/or work?

I live in the Milwaukee suburb of Elm Grove and I work from home for ITC Global Translations, an agency based in Florida.

How did you acquire your B language(s)?

Growing up in the south of England, I had plenty of opportunities to visit France: school exchange visits, family vacations, even day trips on the ferry. I grew to love the language and culture, and went on to study French, Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Salford near Manchester. For my year abroad, I chose to go to Dakar, Senegal, instead of France so I was able to experience life in French-speaking Africa.

How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

After earning my degree, I worked for the British Diplomatic Service for two years. My postings included Bangkok and New York which, while very exciting places to live, did not give me the opportunity to use my language skills. Fate intervened when I met my husband during the posting to New York. He was from a place I had never heard of before: Milwaukee.

Fast forward several years: with four school-aged children, I decided that working from home as a translator would allow me to be available for my family while using my skills professionally. I researched the translation market and soon realized that in order to get started I would need either a new qualification or experience. That’s when I got in touch with the Translation Dept. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), enrolling in their Graduate Certificate in Translation in 2009. I had worked as a part-time translator in Portugal in the early 1990s and as you can imagine the translation profession today is very different! As well as improving my language skills, I learned about the business aspects of freelancing and how to use CAT tools. Being a student at UWM meant I was–and still am–connected to a strong network of other students, translators and instructors. In fact, I applied for my current in-house position after reading about it in an email sent from the Translation Dept. to alumni.

An extremely valuable part of the course was my internship. I worked as a quality reviewer for Iverson Language Associates here in Milwaukee. This experience taught me how an agency operates. Also, I used Wordfast on a daily basis so my fear of CAT tools gradually subsided.

Describe an especially memorable or fulfilling professional experience.

My proudest moment as a translator came when I found out I had won the ATA Student Translation Award in 2010. My entry was a translation of a Haitian short story that I had worked on as part of the Literary Translation course at UWM. As I was just starting out at the time and didn’t have much to show in terms of professional experience, winning the award made my résumé more credible and boosted my confidence!

Do you have any tips for those starting out in the field?

Beginners are faced with the vicious circle of not being able to get work without experience, and not being able to get experience without work. I highly recommend a translation degree or certificate course at an ATA-approved school. This will help you make useful contacts in the field, especially if an internship is required. It also means you will be eligible to sit the ATA certification exam. Being ATA certified can compensate for a lack of professional experience.

Also, use the resources available to you from MATI and the ATA. Go to as many conferences and events as you possibly can (I landed my first freelancing job as a direct result of attending the ATA conference in 2011). You are likely to meet other translators with whom you have plenty in common and who will be happy to give you advice.

ATA members can also sign up to join the Business Practices listserv – here you can ask questions about getting started and learn from posts by others. Many successful translators are active on this list and their advice is priceless (http://atanet.org/business_practices/index.php, scroll down towards the bottom of the page for info. about how to join the list). The ATA has also recently launched a newcomers blog that can be found here: http://atasavvynewcomer.org/.

I also recommend using social media to track trends in the industry, for example, by following translation companies and freelancers on Twitter. It only takes a few minutes a couple of times a day to catch up on what other translators are doing and thinking. For me, reading tweets about translation is the equivalent of stepping out to the bubbler in a real office–a welcome break to catch up with co-workers.

MATI Conference featured in the Wisconsin Court Interpreter Program Newsletter

Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:55:02 GMT

Many thanks to Carmel Capati, Wisconsin Court Interpreter Program Manager and Director of State Courts Office of Court Operations, and Joanna Garber, author of the below, for allowing us to reprint this article from the Fall 2013 edition of the Wisconsin Court Interpreter Program (CIP) Newsletter, which can be accessed here.

MATI 2013 Conference Perspective

By Joanna Garber

Sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone, see new faces and recognize the ones you saw last year at the Midwest Association for Translators and Interpreters (MATI) conference. This year’s MATI conference was held in Chicago, IL where the atmosphere and the speakers were interesting and informative.

The MATI board headed by Christina Green put together an excellent conference. It was a captivating event for newbies breaking into the interpreting business as well as for seasoned court interpreters. We also had good representation of translators both new and experienced.

While all of the speakers were outstanding, two in particular really stood out. One of them was Prof. Alexander Rainhof from California who touched upon the never exhausted topic of ethical issues surrounding the interpreting profession. The other notable speaker was Atty. Cain Oulahan from Milwaukee who provided an overview of the ever-changing world of immigration laws.

I met some great people from Illinois who are working hard to develop a court interpreting program similar to the one that we, in Wisconsin, have enjoyed for years. By chance I was seated next to Sophia Akbar, the new Language Access Program Coordinator for the Illinois Court System. I hope we can give them our support and continue the good work in our state.

I was very happy to devote one Saturday meeting new colleagues as interested in the interpreting and translating profession as me.

Fretting, venting, and sharing: Madison interpreters & translators after hours

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 17:52:59 GMT

Moaning about late-paying clients, wondering whether to do a free translation test for an agency, fretting about how you reacted when a doctor told a patient that there was no connection between her newly acquired cough and her new blood pressure medication, trying to understand how to file for CCHI continuing education points, venting about a non-native-English-speaking direct client who wants to ‘touch up’ your English, exploring the personality traits of a translator versus an interpreter, comparing notes on the advantages and disadvantages of various CAT tools, or reporting on a intriguing new article or book you stumbled across. These are some of the things that enter into discussion when, as translators and interpreters living or working in the Madison, WI area, we gather monthly at a local coffee shop or restaurant. For every question, there is a colleague to shed a little light on a conundrum or provide a complete or partial answer. For every complaint, there is someone who has gone through a similar experience and has terrific advice or knows someone who can help us out. For every frustration, there is commiseration, support, and encouragement.

We find plenty of cause for celebration too: when a colleague earns a certification or award, graduates college, gets a promotion, passes a major exam, has a baby, publishes a book, becomes a citizen, or ‘survives’ her daughter’s wedding.

And we evidently find much to laugh about. At our recent October 16 meeting at Panera, the manager presented us with a large bag of cookies for this very reason. He said he just doesn’t hear people laughing enough anymore (excluding tailgaters from his tally, he stressed).

Although we have no organizational ties or any political or religious affiliations, the group was an outgrowth of the September 2010 MATI conference in Milwaukee, where three of us from the Madison area first met and decided we’d like to have an opportunity to get together with our fellow translators and interpreters on a more regular basis.

The numbers: While we generally have only half a dozen to a dozen at any one meeting, our email list has expanded to nearly 50 (plus another 5 “corresponding” members in other cities). Nearly half give Spanish as their working language, but another 17 languages are also represented (including Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Russian, Bulgarian, Albanian, Farsi, Hindi, Bengali, Mandarin, Japanese, Vietnamese, Catalan, Korean, and Nepali). About thirty of our members are medical interpreters, while around twenty are translators – bearing in mind that some wear both hats. About half a dozen do legal interpreting, and we have a few conference interpreters as well.

The group has a Facebook page where anyone can post information on local events, course offerings, job opportunities, links to an article or blog post, or share any other information of professional interest. Our mailing list also serves as a way to keep each other up to date on professional happenings in the area.

Wondering if you would have anything to gain by starting a similar group close to you? Here’s what participants have to say about why they attend these regular meetings:

I like to come to our meetings because I enjoy getting out of the office and socializing with people who share my love of words and diverse cultures!
- Sylvia, Italian>English legal translator

I look forward to our get-togethers every month. I love it because we get to hear and share tips, ideas, and experiences from other translators and interpreters. We also get to learn from different cultures and languages. But most importantly, I love it because we have fun, and laughter is always one of our most important guests. :)

- Rosy, English>Spanish translator and interpreter

I attend because it is fun to meet with other interpreters and it gives me a sense of community.

- Susan, English<>French medical interpreter

Besides being fun and relaxed, our local group meetings are a nice way to exchange experiences and network. We share what’s going on, what’s new, or what’s working well for our colleagues. Our meetings are the only occasion I have personal, face-to-face interactions with other interpreters and translators, and that helps me keep in contact with the "real world" in that area.
For me, these meetings are also a source of good advice and encouragement, which are very much appreciated!

- Thaís, master’s candidate in translation (English>Portuguese)

Take a peek at the latest postings on our Madison group’s FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/MadisonAreaInterpretersTranslators

article by Diane Grosklaus-Whitty

MATI Member Spotlight: Tom Bonsett

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 17:23:47 GMT

MATI Member Spotlight: Tom Bonsett

Tom Bonsett is a German > English translator and has been a MATI member for nearly 10 years. He has an extensive background in engineering and translation, including a BS in chemistry, a MS and a PhD in electrical engineering, along with a BA in German and an in progress BA in translation studies (German to English) at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

Where do you live and/or work?

I live and work in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How did you acquire your B language(s)?

I grew up in a home that was bilingual – my mother spoke German with me while I was growing up. In high school I took four years of German. Later, after moving back to Indianapolis from Arizona, I started taking foreign languages classes at IUPUI in Indianapolis. I received a BA with a major in German in 2001. I then started working on another BA degree at IUPUI; this degree is in translation studies (German to English). IUPUI has an excellent translation program. I have not only benefited from the German translation, grammar, and literature classes that I have taken, but also from the classes that dealt with translation in general in which practical issues (such as how to estimate a translation job) were addressed. Another very useful class dealt with the theory and practice of editing.

How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

I have been active in German to English translation for about ten years. I took early retirement from my position as an engineer in 2011. Since retiring I have been working to complete a BA in Translation Studies at IUPUI in Indianapolis. My goal is a second career in German to English translation.

What inspired you to get into your field?

My mother did translation work, so she had a major influence on me to develop an interest in translation. While working on my first BA degree I found that I really enjoyed the classes dealing with translation. I have three technical degrees (in chemistry and electrical engineering). I worked in the field of turbine engine instrumentation for about 24 years, being employed by two different turbine engine companies. I enjoy all types of translation, but given my background, I put an emphasis on technical translation.

What continues to inspire you?

I think that what inspires me is simply the fact that I enjoy doing translation.

What program/tool/dictionary couldn’t you live without?

I am a bit old-fashioned in that I prefer real books to electronic dictionaries. That being said, I find the BEOLINGUS (TU Chemnitz) and the LEO on-line dictionaries to be very useful. For general purpose dictionaries I use “Cassell’s German Dictionary,” the Oxford Duden “German Dictionary”, and the Collins “German Unabridged Dictionary,” in that order. For technical dictionaries I use the “Wörterbuch der Technik” by Girardet, the “Pictorial Oxford-Duden German-English Dictionary”, and the “Wörterbuch der industriellen Technik” by Dr. Ing. Richard Ernst, in no particular order. For finance and business dictionaries I use “Wörterbuch (Handel, Finanz, Rechts) by Robert Herbst, the “Grosswörterbuch Wirstschaftsenglisch” by Hamblock/Wessels, and the “Wirtschafts Wörterbuch” by von Eichborn, also in no particular order.

Why do you think it’s important to belong to professional organizations like MATI?

I think that belonging to MATI is important because it provides a way to connect and interact with other translators in the Midwest. Translation is usually a somewhat solitary endeavor, but without the interaction with and feedback from other translators it is too easy to become complacent and to lose one’s translation competence.

Advice on the ATA Certification Sitting

Meghan McCallum — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 21:24:44 GMT

Advice on the ATA Certification Sitting

The ATA certification sitting hosted by MATI in Chicago on Friday, September 20 is quickly approaching, so we asked MATI members who have already undergone certification process if they may have any advice to offer those who plan on taking the exam. You’ll find that advice below, from the kinds of reference material to bring to little steps you can take to use your time efficiently during the exam. Good luck!

Preparing for the exam

DO spend the money to take a practice text! Just as each client may have her or his own glossary, style rules, etc., so does the ATA, and by taking a practice exam, you will have a better idea of what the ATA is looking for. For example, there are a number of legitimate approaches for treating hospital names. You could translate the name, leave it in the source language, or include both the source and target. By taking the practice exam, you’ll have an idea of what the ATA prefers. After having been in the business for many years, you know just how important it is to know what your client's expectations are, so you can adequately respond to them. Similarly, even if you have been working as a translator for many years, the insights you gain from the practice exam on types of text, vocabulary, register, etc., will better prepare you to respond to the ATA’s expectations.

-Anonymous

Before the exam, reading texts from the legal, scientific, etc. communities to remind yourself of the styles currently used in those fields may be a good idea.

-Kate Jankowski

I highly recommend taking a practice test or two before the exam because you get written feedback on the practice tests, giving you a good idea of areas of strength and opportunity for improvement. You only receive a pass/fail grade for the official exam and the passing rate is about 20%.

-Sue Couture

What to bring

Thinking that it’s ridiculous to carry so much is no reason to leave any kind of reference material behindundefinedtake a suitcase full of books if you need to. At the very least, candidates should bring good English and target language monolingual dictionaries, a good bilingual dictionary, and one bilingual dictionary in each of the following categories: technical, medical and legal. Those working into either Spanish or Portuguese should bring material related to the new grammar and spelling guidelines of those languages, and candidates should also bring any other reference (like personal glossaries) that they find essential to their daily work.

-Lilian Ramsey

The exam proctor will tell you how much time is left until the end of the exam at certain points, but some people like to know how much time is left all of the time. Many of us would use our cell phones for something like that now, but as no electronic devices are allowed during the exam, digging out and bringing an old watch to the exam might be a good idea.

-Kate Jankowski

I recommend bringing a good general bilingual dictionary along with specialty dictionaries that you have used before and are comfortable with… Having references that are familiar to you saves time, especially if you are writing the translation by hand.

-Sue Couture

Before the exam starts

Set up your books and glossaries around your working area considering the frequency of use (most used, closest to you). Set up your pencils, erasers, and pens in front of you.

-Lilian Ramsey

All of the instructions that the ATA provides answer many questions you may have, so do read them!

-Kate Jankowski

During the exam

Pay attention to the proctor's instructions. Once you open the envelope, don't waste a second. Start reading each passage, and decide which ones you are going to translate. As you read, underline any words that may require research using reference material, and once you have finished reading all of the selected texts, look up all words that need clarification. This method is faster than researching one word at a time.

Be sure to give yourself enough time to read through the whole translation at the end to check for omissions, accuracy, and spelling and punctuation. This is key. And, of course, your handwriting has to be legible.

-Lilian Ramsey

Take the time to ensure that the translated text reads naturally and does not stick too closely to the original.

-Kate Jankowski

If the exam is on paper, I encourage test-takers not to be overly concerned about crossing things out and moving them around. Accurately conveying the intended meaning of the source text is more important than the corrections made during the process, as long as your handwriting is legible.

-Sue Couture

To register for the ATA Certification Sitting to be hosted by MATI or for more information, visit the ATA’s Certification Program webpage.

Your Voice: An Instrument Worth Caring For

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:19:45 GMT

Michelle Lopez-Rios is a voice coach, actor, director, and co-founder of the Royal Mexican Players. She has worked as a voice and dialect coach for Goodman Theatre, Houston Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, and many other theaters. She has taught voice classes and workshops for the University of Houston, Texas A&M, Texas Educational Theatre Association, United Community Center, The Healing Center, and UW–Milwaukee, where she is currently the Head of Acting. Visit www.michellelopezrios.com for more information about her background and research.

Your Voice: An Instrument Worth Caring For

by Michelle Lopez-Rios

Our voice is an incredible reflection of who we are. The sounds we make reflect our culture, education, emotional state, and various other factors. The smallest rise or fall in inflection conveys sarcasm, empathy, or an inside joke. I have been honored to explore voice work with actors, professionals, abused women, immigrants, and others in search of finding their best voice. While individual goals differ, the ability to clearly communicate is central in our journey. Interpreters and translators have the demanding task of being someone else’s voice. The following are some thoughts and techniques that may be useful in helping you discover your best voice.

Vocal production involves the entire body. A collapsed spine cuts off power from the diaphragm and establishes harsh pressure on the larynx. Tension in the body impedes vibration and may result in a thin or small sound. In order to have a clear and strong voice, you must exercise and take care of your instrument. Just like a ballerina goes to the barre or a classic guitarist plays her scales daily, those who depend on their voice must work to develop and nurture it.

Relaxation and Breath. Ever notice your shoulders rise when you are talking to someone who is stressed out? The more stressed the person becomes, the tighter the voice becomes. Releasing tension in the body is essential in order to allow the sound to resonate in the body.

Exercises (for those of us who do not get a weekly massage to relieve the stress): (1) Lie down on your back, legs extended. Take a deep breath in and relax your body. Begin by tensing all of the muscles in your right leg; then relax them. Next tense all of the muscles in your left leg, then relax them. Continue working up your body, tensing and then relaxing each group, one at a time: buttocks, stomach, chest, right arm, left arm, neck, and head. When you have completed all sections, scan through the body to release any residual tension (eyebrows, jaw, buttocks, and shoulders are often stubborn to relax!). Now allow a deep breath to fall into your stomach. Continue to breathe for a few minutes, just noticing what it feels like to release the tension in your body. (2) A shorter option: Begin standing with weight equally distributed on both feet. Roll the shoulders back six times, then forward six times. Raise the shoulders to the ears. Gently allow the shoulders to fall. Then allow the head to fall forward to the chest. This will gently stretch out the back of the neck. Roll the right ear to the right shoulder; then roll the head forward and all the way to the left shoulder. Go back and forth a couple of times. Finally, bring the head up slowly and imagine that the top of your head is floating up to the ceiling. The spine is long and the tension is released.

Remember to BREATHE as you do either exercise. Again, it is important to rid the body of as much tension as possible. This will allow you to be present to receive the story you are translating/interpreting. It will also allow your voice to work more effectively and efficiently.

Resonance. Have you ever heard an amazing voice and thought, “Wow, I can feel the vibrations of that voice!” The sound that comes from the vocal folds vibrating is similar to a bee in a napkin. It is only through resonance that the sound is amplified.

Exercises: (1) Yawn and lift your soft palate. This will allow for more space in the throat. (2) Start a hum on your lips. Try various pitches. Notice the tingling around your lips. (3) Put your hand on your chest and say “Hah” on an extended note until you feel the vibration in your chest. (If you are feeling wild, go for a Tarzan call to the jungle.)

Remember to breathe and maintain your relaxed body and open throat. You can also do this lying down, after the breathing and relaxation exercise.

Power. “Can you speak up?” “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Power is the engagement of the muscles in the body to help amplify the sound. Power does not necessarily mean loudness, however. I can speak in a quiet tone with lots of power. Similarly, it is possible to scream loudly and strain the voice because of lack of power.

Exercises: (1) Put your index finger about three inches in front of your mouth and imagine that your finger is a candle. Blow out the candle. Try this again twelve inches away. Try it again with your arm extended all the way out. Can you feel the stomach engage as you blow? These are the muscles we are interested in engaging to speak. (2) Stand in front of a wall, placing your hands on the wall. Push against the wall as you count out loud, “1 by 2 by 3 by 4 by 5 by 6 by 7 by 8.” Now take your hands off the wall and repeat the counting. Do you notice any difference? Pushing against the wall engages the abdominal muscles. This helps the body to support the voice. It is what you do to sustain a note when singing.

Articulation. The last part of vocal production is the forming of the words.

Exercises: (1) Yawn and raise the soft palate (again). This will stretch out your face and again allow more room in the back of the mouth. (2) Stick out your tongue. Tension or bunching of the back of the tongue interferes with a clear voice. (3) Blow through your lips, allowing them to vibrate gently. You can also add sound (like when a child makes a car sound by blowing through the lips). (4) Tongue twisters are a great way to wake up the articulator muscles and the brain. (Try any of your old favorites like, “She sells seashells by the sea shore.”)

Final Thoughts. Healthy habits are also important to maintain a strong instrument. Smoking, drinking alcohol, shouting, and overuse can all have bad effects on the voice. It is important to hydrate with water and use proper technique to support your voice. The Internet is an excellent resource for warm-ups, tongue twisters, and more information on the voice. Working on your voice for five minutes daily is better than working on your voice for two hours once a week. The more you exercise the muscles and prepare your instrument for performance, the more ease you will find in speaking.

Lost in Machine Translation

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 14:35:51 GMT

Se Deus é brasileiro, então o papa tinha que ser argentino!

- Attributed to Pope Frances during his recent visit to Brazil

“If God is Brazilian, then the pope had to be argentine!”

- In the words of Google translate

Since when does God have a nationality? And why are the Brazilians all laughing hysterically at this comment, while the rest of you just look perplexed or, at best, have a smile on your face?

First, the dependent clause is a reference to the old Brazilian adage that Deus é Brasileiro – “God is Brazilian.” It couldn’t be clearer (or more heretical, my German-American-Lutheran roots whisper in my ear).

Second, the crux of the independent clause might actually be obvious if you remember that neighboring countries, and even states or provinces, often engage in fierce athletic rivalry and other types of jousting.

So, with his tongue in cheek, “Papa Chico” – as he has affectionately been called in Brazil these days – is recognizing the Brazilian claim to god-like status at the same time that he is playfully reminding Brazilians that God’s representative on earth belongs to the opposing team.

You may be able to feed a computer program word strings and teach it to recognize verb forms, and you might even be able to get it to orient to audience, at least in terms of identifying and choosing proper register. But how do you immerse a machine in the myriad subtleties of culture?

And what’s the human translation solution in this case? It will indeed depend upon context and audience. Take for instance the following situations:

1. Interpreting for the Oscars in Brazil – Skip all jokes. This was the decision made in the early 1990s by the TV network Rede Globo after repeated attempts by the country’s top simultaneous interpreters to keep up with the humor. Couldn’t be done.

2. An academic paper by a liberation theologian on the decline of the Catholic Church in Brazil – Footnotes are acceptable in an academic paper, so perhaps that would be the choice here.

3. A literary piece – What’s your overall approach? Are you “Americanizing” (or “Britishizing”) the work, or do you want your readers to have a taste of cultural peculiarities? In other words, are you turning “Vá com Deus” into something like “Godspeed,” “Go with God” or “God be with you,” or are you tending toward a colloquial “Take care”? You might opt to replace the humor with something more readily appreciated by your Anglophone audience. Then again, within the broader context of the work, the phrase might be understood well enough.

While I do not dispute the role of MT in certain cases, as translators we are all too familiar with its limitations. So for those of you fearful that MT will take over your market, just remember:

Long live humor.

Long live allusions.

Long live little-known regionalisms.

Long live obscure idiolect (at least if the author is alive and can be consulted).

Long live all forms of imperfect output by native speakers.

Long live creativity – the author’s and ours.

(by Diane Grosklaus Whitty)

MATI Member Spotlight: Margie Franzen

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 22:37:50 GMT

Margie Franzen is a Spanish/English interpreter and translator and a Dutch/English translator and has been a member of MATI for one and a half years. She has a M.A. in Economics and a M.A. in Spanish Literatures & Linguistics.

How did you acquire your B language(s)?

Right now I work full-time at Dean Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin and a lot of patients I interpret for ask me the same question! Well, first, they want to know where I’m from. I’m from Wisconsin, am not Latina and started learning Spanish in 7^th grade because, well, because all 7^th graders did. I didn’t get it at all! I didn’t understand the concept of conjugation nor did I have a particular motivation to learn other languages. At that time in Beloit, Wisconsin, I didn’t have Spanish-speaking classmates, and it wouldn’t be until high school that my best friend would actually be from a Spanish-speaking family.

I do remember vividly the day I got hooked on learning other languages (besides Spanish, I’ve since studied and learned, to various degrees, Portuguese, German, French, Latin, Arabic and Dutch). That day I was sitting in a freshman Spanish class, and a student waltzed in while class was going on and had this totally short but also totally rapid-fire, to my ears fluent, exchange with the teacher in Spanish. I wanted to be able to do that!!!

Still today I usually joke that my language learning habit comes from this emtional place of “wanting to be on the inside”. And, I love the challenge of making new sounds. That is, admittedly, the hardest part for me, but after seeing how it does come after enough practice, it keeps me optimistic! Right now I’m grappling with Dutch vowels and trying to become a more fluent speaker of Dutch. People in the Netherlands have a bit of a tricky time placing me because my accent is a weird mix of all my other “B” languages (Spanish, French, German). I have an amazing Skype tutor from the Dutch Club of Chicago, I watch the news regularly in Dutch, I read as much Dutch as my after-work hours allow and go to Amsterdam about once or twice a year.

And, in the meantime, I try to keep up with my “A” language, English! I don’t know the meaning and nuance of half the words my mother knows. She is, perhaps, the person with the widest passive and active English vocabulary I know!

What inspired you to get into your field?

The joke here is that I recently realized how many “crushes” I’ve had on translators. Erasmus of Rotterdam, Fray Luis de León….the idea that there were people out there willing to take on the challenge of figuring out where our non-fictions come from and of creating linguistically accessible readings of that knowledge is a constant attraction for me.

My way to translating is a long-winding one. I am very interested in pregnancy, childbirth and the way people seek or attain good health. While I was studying Spanish literature and linguistics in graduate school, I, along with everyone else, learned how Arabic medical technologies were brought into Latin by a whole monarchy-sponsored translation infrastructure. In our more modern times, when I was pregnant with my daughter, I was absolutely floored by the variation of practice and options available to me based on who and how knowledge and skills had been passed to various practitioners, in this country and others. My daughter is now 9 years old and I continue to be interested in the responsibility translation – or language, more generally – has in sustaining not only a high-quality professional life, but a highly imaginative personal life as well.

What continues to inspire you?

In my free time…no wait, in all my time, I sit around and dream up ways to get people to read more. And, working as a translator has convinced me that translating is an amazing way to delve into the reading process. Like spoken conversations where speaker and listener are both responsible for keeping up a conversation, written meaning is co-created by writer and reader. The thing with translation is that there is a writer who is mediating this co-creation and so it gets even more interesting.

I used to be someone who scoffed at reading things in translation. I’ve since left that attitude behind because it doesn’t serve me. Most of the literary theory I’ve based papers on have used theories I read in translation. When I read medical texts in my native language, English, for my interpreting work, I recognize that this body of knowledge is indebted to translated research, albeit some years ago. In a way, my regular yoga practice and the skill that yoga teachers bring to class have been made possible by the translation of yogic texts. Basically, it’s a gratefulness to my everyday activities that continue to inspire in me an awe of translation’s power to influence.

Do you have a book, blog or methodology that you would like to recommend?

Yes. Many. Google (not all at once!!!): Asymptote translation journal, Versal literary mag, For the Love of It Wayne Booth, Toon Tellegen English, Michel de Certeau The Practice of Everyday Life.

If you could ask your MATI colleagues for advice on an issue, what would that issue be?

Right now I’m very, very curious to know what children’s authors people love from other languages. Don’t worry about whether you know if it’s been translated yet or not. I can research that!

I’m also looking for advice, feedback and innovative, optimistic suggestions for translation workshops. Some of the workshops I do are on my website: www.margiefranzen.org. That said, I’m looking for facilitators for the languages I don’t speak or read. Email me if you are curious to know more!

New Board Members Announced

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:39:35 GMT

Today MATI announced the winners of the 2013 annual elections. The following candidates were elected to serve on the board for the terms indicated below:

Vice-President: Mariza Marcolongo Vogel (2013-15)

Secretary: Amy Polenske (2013-14)

Treasurer: Katarzyna Jankowski (2013-15)

Board member: Sasha F. Carrillo (2013-15)

Board member: Meghan McCallum (2013-15)

Congratulations to all of our new board members!

The full list of current MATI board members can be found at: http://www.matiata.org/board-of-directors

Recent events: MATI member hosts medical library workshop in Madison, WI

Diane R. Grosklaus Whitty — Wed, 29 May 2013 21:58:19 GMT

MATI-member Margie Franzen, MA, CHI, is a staff interpreter at Dean Health System in Madison, Wisconsin. She recently demonstrated that medical interpreters don’t need to sit on their hands and wait for educational opportunities to come to them. Acting on her own initiative, she organized a workshop for medical interpreters that focused on how best to use the resources available at hospital libraries. In addition to being free of charge, the two-hour session earned holders of the CHI or AHI certification and ATA-certified translators two hours of continuing education. She has set a fine example of resourcefulness and community spirit. Franzen’s description of the workshop follows:

Libraries and language professionals are natural partners. Translators, working with written texts and with scrutinous editing, utilize databases and reference sources frequently. Interpreters, often working with multiple dialects and medical vocabulary, have also turned to libraries at some point to brush up on terminology or to finesse cultural understandings of the languages they work with.

Hospital libraries, however, are often a resource left untapped by medical translators and interpreters. This May, librarians with two large hospitals in Madison, Wisconsin – Meriter Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital – offered a two-hour workshop on what each library offers to interpreters and translators. It was the first time either Robert Koehler, Chief Medical Librarian for Meriter, and Leslie Christensen, Medical Library Manager for St. Mary’s, had sat down to address how their physical “brick-and-mortar” location and internet resources could meet the needs of language access in the healthcare professions.

Some of the useful talking points were:

1. Hospital libraries are places where freelancers and staff interpreters may access information.

2. PubMed, a research database, is available free of charge and so provides information to all, regardless of staff or freelance status.

3. Other databases, such as OVID (Medline), are only available through a hospital library because it is a hospital must purchase this resource. In this case, all are welcome to use computers, scanners and copiers at the libraries.

4. Much is available online; this in-person workshop gave people more efficient search techniques that will aid their use of online materials.

In the planning leading up to the workshop, both librarians overwhelming wished to put a friendly face to the name of “hospital librarian” so language professionals will be approach them whenever they need information for their work. Indeed, when do we need additional research to bolster our professional contributions in interpretation and translation?

The increasing professionalization of medical interpreters calls for commensurate skills in database use to conduct literature searches and document best-practices. Consider an interpreter services department working with clinical psychotherapists on whether it is appropriate to have the same interpreter for all of a client’s sessions. It behooves the interpreters to access published literature on whether this is indeed the best practice and to know if the medical research differs from other conclusions published in applied linguistics research. Or consider an interpreter recruited to a trainer position whose course compares the pros and cons of video-mediated encounters and face-to-face interpreting. Such a course is enriched not only by the professional experience the trainer will have amassed on the job, but also by knowing how to bolster anecdotal evidence with published research.

This workshop was planned in order to provide two hours of continuing education, both through the ATA (for translators) and through CCHI (for medical interpreters). CCHI especially calls for intermediate or advanced topics in interpreting, and this workshop did address needs that language professionals encounter after having worked professionally in the interpreting field. This workshop was also unique in that it brought together interpreters and translators. Future workshops may make use of what skills translators have that interpreters might learn from – such as these research skills – and which skills translators could pick up from interpreters – such as digesting and holding visual “chunks” of information in their memory to then put words to that image. Comments, ideas or feedback on how this might happen for MATI members in the future may be directed to Margie Franzen at translation@margiefranzen.org

MATI Brown Bag Series

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:59:32 GMT

Dear MATI members,

We are pleased to announce a Brown Bag series, shared and accessible via the web, for the 2013-14 academic year. As the Brown Bag title Research & Practice in Medical Interpretation indicates, each session is an opportunity for exploration in how academic research and professional interpreting practices support successfully mediated medical or health encounters.

Please forward the following call for presenters and papers for an upcoming Brown Bag series provided via webinar. We are currently soliciting abstracts from interested presenters until July 31^st, 2013.

The webinar Brown Bag series is sponsored by MATI. The Call for Presenters is open to researchers, graduate students, professionals and administrators from elsewhere in the U.S. or other countries since no travel is required to present. All support for presenting via the webinar platform will be provided.

Please address questions regarding submissions to Margie Franzen at translation@margiefranzen.org.

Thank you,

MATI and the Organizing Committee

Call for Nominations

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:34:18 GMT

Dear MATI Members:

I, Diane Grosklaus-Whitty (Wisconsin), have been chosen to be the Supervisor of

Elections with the Nominations Committee to search for candidates for MATI office.

The other members of the Nominating Committee for 2013 are Carlota Hursey

(Indiana) and Alaina Sylla (Wisconsin).


At this time, we are accepting nominations for the offices of Vice-President,

Secretary, Treasurer and four (4) Board Members. The Secretary is for a one-year

term of office, and all other positions are for a two-year term of office on the board.

Below is a description of the duties for each of these positions.


According to MATI bylaws,

Vice-President. The Vice President shall assist the President and perform his or her

duties in the event of the President’s absence, incapacity or removal. The Vice

President shall also be an ex-officio member of all committees except the

nominating committee.

Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the

meetings of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, and the monthly

general meetings, for disseminating the minutes and keeping all records pertaining

to all meetings, regular and emergency, and shall be in charge of correspondence

and announcements of meetings of the Association.

Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and collect all monies of the Association and

give official receipts, keep records of all money transactions, and deposit all funds

in a bank as designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have the

right with the President to sign checks and other withdrawal documents that

pertain to the use of the funds of the Association. The Treasurer shall be responsible

for writing an annual financial report that will be disseminated to the members of

the Association through electronic correspondence, surface mail, or Association

publications.

Board Member. As a tri-state organization, the MATI Nominations Committee has

the additional task of seeking candidates that reflect our geographical distribution

too. We hope our members will give serious consideration to running or nominate

other members they think have a lot to contribute. The terms for the elected

officers will run from our Annual General Membership Meeting in June until

June 2014 or 2015.

The deadline for submission of candidate names is APRIL 15, and ballots with a

complete list of candidates will be sent to MATI members with voting instructions

on or around MAY 1. All candidates must submit information about which position

you are running for as well as a maximum 300 word statement of why you want to

run for this position. Candidates may be nominated or self-nominate.

Announcement of the elected board members will be made in time for the new

board members to observe the June 2013 Annual Membership Meeting. Those

who have been elected to a position on the MATI board will be expected to attend

the June Annual Business Meeting in Chicago from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. when

installation of board members takes place. The Annual Business Meeting is

followed immediately by a four-hour yearly Board Retreat.

Please send nominations to MATI at MATImail@gmail.com or to the

Communications Committee at MATIinforMATIon@gmail.com no later than

5:00 p.m. CST on APRIL 15.


Sincerely,


The Nominating Committee 2013

MATI Member Spotlight: Meet your President, Christina Green!

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:27:04 GMT

Welcome to the first edition of Member Spotlight! This monthly feature will highlight one of MATI’s wonderful translators or interpreters. We look forward to learning about YOU!! For the first edition, MATI President Christina Green has kindly agreed to answer a few questions. Green has been the president of MATI since June of 2012, and she is the director of Green Linguistics. She has a degree in Modern Languages from the Universidad Central de Venezuela and works between English and Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese. Green has been a member of MATI since it was founded in 2004.

How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation?

I spoke French at home with my mother, and Italian with my father, and we lived in Venezuela, so languages were a common thing for me. I was torn between going to Law School and studying languages, and I finally chose languages, thinking that it was a degree I could use anywhere in the world if I ever decided to leave my country.

What is your favorite thing about working in this field?

I feel that I am a very lucky person, for I do something that I absolutely love! When translating, I learn a lot of new things. I like researching and I am very organized, so the translations are fun projects for me. When interpreting, I love interacting with others, and I feel I take with me valuable lessons, regardless of the setting. Working with languages is almost like reading a new chapter of a book every day. Above all, I love the satisfaction of delivering a quality product or providing a good service.

What program/tool/dictionary couldn’t you live without?

That question would have been so different 5 years ago! I use to have square miles of dictionaries, and now they are all condensed into the Web. Some of my favorites include the ones from the Real Academia, the Collins, the MedlinePlus Encyclopedia and the Grand Dictionnaire Terminologique. I also use translators forums at Word Reference and ProZ to cross check some terms or get other people's input.

Why do you think it’s important to belong to professional organizations like MATI?

The value of exchanging ideas with other people is incredible. I have met amazing professionals through my participation in MATI and the ATA, who have become my friends. Belonging to an organization like this is a great way of networking and expanding in our line of work. It also allows us to keep current on the trends in the industry. I always learn from my colleagues.

What do you do in your free time?

Given that as a translator I never know how much free time I will get, I treasure every moment I have away from a computer with my family. I also do ballroom dancing and try to do a couple of triathlon every year since 2008. I love traveling as well, and I am often able to combine my trips for interpreting with some pleasure.

Thank you to Christina for taking the time to answer these questions and for being an AWESOME president!! Would you like to recommend someone to be featured in the MATI Member Spotlight? Send submissions to MATIemail@gmail.com!

Presentation on Immigration Reform at the Centro Hispano of Milwaukee

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:45:49 GMT

Hello MATI Members,

This Thursday, the Centro Hispano of Milwaukee and the Grzeca Law Group will be hosting an information session titled, "Understanding the Current Immigration Climate." This event will be held from 3 to 5 pm at Centro Hispano’s Murgía Campus (1645 South 36^th Street, Milwaukee). Please see the description of this event below, taken from Mi Voz, and mark your calendars for what is sure to be a very informative event!

Centro Hispano Milwaukee a BIA Accredited Agency and the office of Grzeca Law Group will present a public meeting on the "Provisional Waiver". The provisional waiver allows for US citizen undocumented spouses to apply for their green card (LPR) while waiting in the United States. This will STOP the separation of families who under the current immigration law an undocumented spouse will have to wait for their green card in their home country from 2 to 10 years, meanwhile leaving behind their spouse and children in the United States. The "provisional wavier" will take effect on March 4, 2013.

Many thanks to Vicki Bermudez for bringing this event to our attention.

Best,

The MATI Board of Directors

Would you like to contribute to the MATI blog? We welcome articles, letters to the editor, book reviews, biographies, comments on issues pertaining to the field, information on upcoming events and member news. Submit your ideas, along with 2-3 lines of biographical information, to MATIemail@gmail.com. MATI reserves the right to edit all submissions

Welcome to the New and Improved MATI Website!

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:53:36 GMT

Hello MATI members!

We now present to you with great excitement and pride the new, and much improved, MATI website! YES! Countless hours went into its creation, and on behalf of all MATI members, the Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank Christina Green and Susan Schweigert for the untiring effort they put into redesigning the website and giving our organization a new and modern image. That is truly something for which to be thankful, and we hope all of you feel as re-energized about our organization as we do, as we collectively witness the unveiling of this site.

Along with our new website, we have a new blog, a new adventure for MATI! Once fully up and running, this blog will be updated weekly, and every month you can expect to receive an email in which excerpts of blog entries have been compiled for your convenience. The blog will feature articles by local experts in translation and interpretation, and subject matter will include issues pertaining to the field in the form of explorations into language, methodology and technology, book reviews, biographies, notes on presenters and meeting summaries. Most importantly, the blog will feature things that are important to you: your concerns, your accomplishments and your ideas!

Please do not hesitate to make contributions to the blog or suggestions for its improvement. We look forward to writing this new chapter of our organization’s history with the wonderful community that is MATI.

Best regards,

The MATI Board of Directors