The Voice of Interpreters and Translators THE ATA July/August 2018 Volume XLVII Number 4 Included with this issue: ATA59 Conference Preliminary Program

TRANSLATION SCAMS RELOADED

A Publication of the American Translators Association ■■ If you attended our 2006 conference in American Translators Association New Orleans, this location will be one 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 step better—on “the French Quarter Alexandria, VA 22314 USA side” of Canal Street, so that you can Tel: +1.703.683.6100 walk right out the door and into the Fax: +1.703.683.6122 heart of the action. E-mail: [email protected] ■■ New Orleans truly has something Website: www.atanet.org FROM THE PRESIDENT for everyone, regardless of your CORINNE MCKAY definition of fun. Many people limit Editorial Board [email protected] their impression of New Orleans to Geoff Koby (chair) Twitter handle: @corinnemckay the bars on Bourbon Street. (And Lois Feuerle they’re definitely there if bars are Corinne McKay your thing!) But—as someone who Mary McKee is more into good food and jazz than Ted Wozniak Looking Ahead late-night partying—I really enjoyed exploring the historic district on foot, Publisher/Executive Director people-watching in Jackson Square, to ATA59 Walter Bacak, CAE and capping it all off with beignets y the time you read this, [email protected] registration will be open for ATA’s and café au lait at Café Beignet (Ted, a 59th Annual Conference, to be New Orleans local, promised me that it Editor B would be “better than Café du Monde,” held October 24–27 in New Orleans— Jeff Sanfacon and he was right!). definitely one of the best conference [email protected] destinations in the United States! At each ATA conference, about a third In January of this year, President-Elect of our attendees are there for the first Advertising and Conference Organizer Ted Wozniak, time, and about a third have attended [email protected] Professional Development Manager five or more ATA conferences. We’re Tel: +1.703.683.6100, ext. 3007 Adrian Aleckna, Executive Director Walter committed to offering a wide range of Fax: +1.703.683.6122 “Mooch” Bacak, and I visited our host opportunities, from our Buddies Welcome hotel, the New Orleans Marriott, to get a Newbies program to our Advanced Skills Design & Production feel for what we’ll be experiencing during and Training Day sessions. No matter Blue House Design the conference. Here are a few highlights: where you fall on the spectrum, don’t www.bluehouse.us forget to book your hotel room soon ■■ Adrian described the Marriott as “a before the room block fills up, and start The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is published meeting planner’s dream.” We’ll have a planning your networking time to make six times per year by the American Translators full ballroom with sit-down tables for the most of your investment in this “face Association, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, breakfast, then you’ll walk just a few time” (real face time, not the iPhone Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. Periodicals postage steps across the hall for the Opening version!) with your colleagues from paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional Session and Annual Meeting of All around the world. We expect attendees mailing offices. Send address Members. The hotel atmosphere is from throughout the U.S. and over 50 POSTMASTER: bright, upbeat, and inviting, and the countries, and we need you there too! changes to The ATA Chronicle, 225 Reinekers session rooms are well situated and easy Thank you for being an ATA member, and Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. to find. I hope to see you soon in New Orleans! The American Translators Association (ATA) was established in 1959 as a not-for-profit professional society to foster and support the professional development of translators and INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION DAY— interpreters and to promote the translation and START PLANNING NOW interpreting professions. The subscription rate for a member is $28 (included in the dues payment). ATA will be celebrating International The U.S. subscription rate for a nonmember is $65. Translation Day on Friday, September Subscribers in Canada and Mexico add $25; 28. (The official ITD is actually Sunday, all other non-U.S. subscribers add $45. September 30.) This is a great opportunity to Single copies are available for $7 per issue. spotlight the important work of translators, ©2018 American Translators Association interpreters, and others in the language Reprint Permission services industry. Help spread the word. For more information and Requests for permission to reprint articles ideas on promoting ITD, please see http://bit.ly/ITD2018. should be sent to the editor of The ATA Chronicle at [email protected].

2 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org July/August 2018 Volume XLVII CONTENTS Number 4

FEATURES 21 Going Once, Going Twice, Sold! Is Your Translation 11 Business Sellable? Volunteering: Making Your “Is my translation business Investment of Time Worthwhile sellable?” Whether or not you It’s a “What’s in it for me?” world, have plans to sell your business so why do people volunteer? in the near future, this question And more importantly, where do is very important and relevant, they find the time? Read on to and not just to those on the learn how to select and manage verge of retirement. volunteer activities. You’ll also find out how choosing the right volunteer opportunity can be a 24 good thing for your career. Translating Diagnostic Imaging Translating diagnostic imaging reports can be a challenging 13 but rewarding aspect of Translation Scams Reloaded medical translation for which Taking steps to safeguard the translator must master the your identity and minimize the technical basics of the diagnostic risk from scammers is not as imaging modality, the report difficult as it sounds, but it structure, and the specialized takes diligence. 13 source and target vocabulary. 16 ADVERTISING DIRECTORY 28 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Translation and Interpreting in www.utrgv.edu/en-us Mexico: Uncharted Territory, 29 Surrey Translation Bureau Rich Waters www.surreytranslation.co.uk The Italia Morayta Foundation, InterpretAmerica, and the Association of Public Service COLUMNS and Community Interpreters and Translators recently published 2 From the President the results of a groundbreaking 4 From the President-elect initiative, the 2017 Survey on Translation and Interpretation in 5 Letters to the Editor Mexico—featuring 100 pages of 5 ATA Social Media detailed information compiled 6 From the Executive Director from more than 1,000 translators and interpreters across Mexico. 7 Outreach Report—UN 9 Outreach Report—ACES 19 New Certified Members 27 Business Practices 29 Certification Forum Looking for Member News and Humor and Translation? 30 Resource Review These columns are found in the Chronicle-Online edition: 16 www.atanet.org/chronicle-online!

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review process to provide you with Android and iOS devices, and the online training in almost every facet of our version works in all browsers. profession. In addition to the regular The Food! Nor should you pass up on the sessions by your peers, 15 distinguished after-hours opportunities! This is “Nawlins speakers have been invited to impart ya’ll” and we know how to let the good their expertise and perspectives to you. times roll! If you can’t find a delicious As we’ve learned from past conference meal in New Orleans, you can’t find your FROM THE PRESIDENT-ELECT surveys, 91% of attendees report gaining a nose in the dark. According to The New new skill by attending the conference. TED R. WOZNIAK Orleans Menu (https://nomenu.com), there [email protected] Networking, Networking, and More are about 150 restaurants in the French Networking: While education and Quarter alone. Add in the Central Business training are great and are alone worth District, the Bywater, Marigny, and the the registration fee, I know many of you Garden District—all easily reached by taxi attend the conference to get more work or ridesharing services—and you have NOLA-Bound: and expand your client base. Previous another 200 dining options from which to conference surveys show that 98% of choose. And that’s just the areas quickly ATA59 conference attendees made new contacts reached from the conference hotel. at the conference. To help you get more TA59 is less than four months work, the Job Fair has been extended to away so it’s not too soon to start two nights to allow more time to connect NOT SURE? A making plans to come to The with representatives from language Still on the fence about whether or not Big Easy for four days of top-notch services companies. You can also network to attend? Then visit the conference professional development training, and gain valuable business knowledge at website (www.atanet.org/conf/2018) numerous networking opportunities, and the ever-popular Brainstorm Networking to see what past attendees have to say the chance to catch up with old friends session and Business Practices Happy about the value of attendance and get and make new ones. (And let’s not forget Hour, as well as make new contacts at more details about the networking and the beignets, étouffée, jambalaya, and a the Welcome Celebration and in the education opportunities that await you in cornucopia of other foods from around Exhibit Hall. Seasoned attendees can also New Orleans. If you still aren’t sure the the world that will be yours to enjoy only help newcomers by participating in the conference is worth the investment, check a short walk from the conference hotel!) Buddies Welcome Newbies program. out www.atanet.org/conf/2018/attend for Conference registration is open, so reserve even more “Reasons to attend.” your hotel room now at the very attractive So, make your plans to attend ATA59 New Orleans Marriott. Remember, if you Previous conference surveys and come meet me in NOLA. My make your reservations at the conference show that 98% of conference investments in attending ATA conferences hotel by October 22, you could be one of have been paid back many times over. I’m five lucky attendees selected at random attendees made new contacts at sure yours will be as well! to win one free night at the hotel! Need the conference. a little more incentive before making a MORE INFORMATION ON ATA59 decision? Here’s just a small preview of what’s in store for you at ATA59! ATA 59th Annual Conference Website www.atanet.org/conf/2018 Advanced Training: Advanced Skills and Connect with Attendees Before, Training (AST) Day takes place Wednesday, During, and After the Conference: ATA59 Advanced Skills and Training Day October 24. This “conference-before-the- There’s an app for that! Once the www.atanet.org/conf/2018/astday conference” will offer intensive three-hour conference app is available, make sure ATA59 Networking Opportunities training sessions on interpreting, technology, you download it and complete your www.atanet.org/conf/2018/networking neural machine translation, productivity profile, including uploading your résumé. AT59 Registration Information boosters, and, again this year, preparation Not only will this put you in contact with workshops for the Spanish>English and about 1,600 attendees, but also with www.atanet.org/conf/2018/registration English>Spanish certification exams. (There representatives from language services New Orleans Marriott Reservations will be two exam sittings at the conference companies. In addition, you can only www.atanet.org/conf/2018/hotel for those who are ready.) provide feedback on the sessions you New Orleans Menu Over 170 Educational Sessions: As attend using the app. Your feedback is https://nomenu.com always, ATA’s Annual Conference will be vital and is used every year during the chock full of educational and networking session selection process for the upcoming New Orleans Official Guide opportunities. Over 170 sessions have conference, so please submit your session www.neworleansonline.com been selected through a rigorous peer- reviews. The mobile app works on

4 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org ATA SOCIAL MEDIA FROM OUR MEMBERS

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Is There a Future in Freelance Translation? may feel comfortable now with looking getting a feel for the room, and having Let’s Talk About It! | Christelle Maginot down our noses at “mere post-editing,” but materials and access to the technician Thanks for the very thorough discussion I think that it will become the bulk of our is always helpful, in my 10 years of of this subject of vital importance to the work fairly soon, and we need to get used professional experience I’ve come to find profession. I would only add a few thoughts. to it. We need to make it clear to the public that we don’t always get those things most In my opinion, all the factors mentioned that good translation in the 21st century has of the time. in the article will have the inevitable effect become not just a process monopolized My technical experience with RSI has of drastically reducing the demand for by humans, but a partnership between been good thus far, but looking toward good human translators in countries with machine translation and the people who the future, I’ll certainly miss traveling higher costs of living. When I started out know how to work with it. to different locations (sometimes exotic (in the typewriter/snail-mail era), there The nature of the translation industry ones). Having to commute an hour to get was no machine translation, so everything has changed so much since I entered it into a booth set up in a windowless room required humans. Also, it seems to me, that I have no idea how I would counsel is very different from traveling from, for many translation customers in those days someone who is thinking about it as a example, the U.S. to the Netherlands or were generally better informed about career today. All I could say is that they New Zealand. I can see how some of the what translation involves and what good should consider very carefully whether it conferences I’ve worked internationally will translations look like than the large number would make any sense for them to start in move very quickly to adopt RSI technology, of people who are looking for something on it except as a hobby. but I also know there are some clients who quick and easy these days, and have no Jon Johanning | Philadelphia, PA will not be doing that in the next five years. problem settling for whatever Google So, for now, I’ll cherish every trip to an Translate gives them. Remote Simultaneous Interpreting: assignment location just a little bit more, Therefore, a large percentage of the The Upside and Downside | Silvana Chaves knowing that tomorrow, instead of getting “exploding world-wide demand for After nearly 10 years of doing voluntary to see the Tasman Sea for the first time, translation” we always hear about (I simultaneous interpreting at my local I’ll likely be staring at the rails of the New have no idea how large, but it must be a church, my first “paid job” as an York subway as I “travel” to do my work. considerable fraction) is perfectly happy interpreter was at a conference for the Cheers to all those among us who have with “good enough” translations. What global leaders of my church with over been part of the days when one could supplied a good deal of demand for 25,000 attendees. As you can imagine, really get excited about “going into work!” translators’ services when there was no the venue (Orlando Convention Center Everton Morais | Tuckahoe, NY machine translation is now completely in Florida) was gargantuan. In the main Continued on page 19 unavailable to us. Smartphone apps have hall, our booths were set up behind the put the old-fashioned phrasebooks out of stage in the main hall. We had two large TOP TWEETS business, and this is only the beginning LCD screens, one featuring the visual aids of the trend. Most of the estimates of the being used and the other one a camera demand for translation and the size of the showing the main speaker. Mom explains why her child market that we see are probably not to be The organizers showed me how to will be multilingual | Los trusted, at least if we’re thinking about good operate the console and wished me the Angeles Times: professional careers. best of luck. My booth partner was more https://t.co/Z1Y8YfqOut Even highly skilled and experienced experienced, which gave me some level JUNE 20 / @ATANET translators will increasingly have to change of comfort. We performed our tasks for their work methods from the traditional the next 10 days and everything went Egyptian linguist Hussein “me and my typewriter/PC, and a few pretty smoothly. Mahmoud: “‘Translation is dictionaries to thumb through” to one In my opinion, there’s little difference the best medium for dialogue in which they routinely work in close between remote simultaneous interpreting collaboration with machine translation (RSI) today and what my first experience between civilizations”: systems (which, however much we want in a booth felt like. Although I agree that https://t.co/8dAdtwaMl2 to deny it, are getting more effective). We meeting with the speaker(s) beforehand, JUNE 19 / @ATANET www.atanet.org American Translators Association 5 ANNOUNCEMENT $$$: The conference is a great way 7 to connect with future clients and business partners or learn about new ALLIANT: ATA’S PROFESSIONAL technology to help you work smarter. LIABILITY INSURANCE BROKER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR They all add up to money in your pocket. Alliant is the broker for ATA-sponsored WALTER BACAK, CAE For some great testimonials about professional liability insurance. The [email protected] profiting from attending the conference, please check out the conference website underwriter is Lloyd’s of London. (www.atanet.org/conf/2018/attend). Why choose the ATA-sponsored Earn: For ATA-certified translators, 10 Reasons to 8 earn up to 10 continuing education professional liability insurance? points for attending the conference. You can The policy is specific to the translation Attend ATA59 earn more by attending AST workshops. and interpreting professions. This is not TA’s 59 th Annual Conference And, interpreters can earn credits as well. a one-size-fits-all plan, but a plan that is registration is open! Join 1,600 ATA is once again working with various A of your peers in New Orleans, state and national organizations to recognize specific to the work you do. October 24–27, 2018. Here are 10 ATA education sessions. reasons why you should attend. What does the ATA-sponsored Fun: Seeing old friends, making new 1 Inspiration: Learn from the best. See 9 ones, Welcome Celebration, Zumba, professional liability insurance cover? how others further along in their Closing Dance, New Orleans. ‘Nuf said. careers got to where they are. 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Contact Alliant at 6 Newbies, group breakfasts, Brainstorm more and make your reservation today at Networking, AST workshops, the Exhibit +1-703-547-5777 or www.atanet.org/conf/2018/hotel! Hall, and even the hotel elevator—the [email protected] networking opportunities abound.

6 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org OUTREACH REPORT BY LUCY GUNDERSON ATA at “Protect Translators and Interpreters, Protect the World”: A Roundtable at the United Nations

n April 10, 2018, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Belarus O to the United Nations hosted “Protect Translators and Interpreters, Protect the World” at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The purpose of this roundtable discussion was to address the need for greater legal and physical protection for translators and interpreters in situations of armed conflict and post-conflict peace-building. The event was organized in cooperation with a language coalition comprised of Red T, a nonprofit advocacy organization, and five major international language associations (Critical Link International, International Association of Conference Interpreters, International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters, International Federation of Translators, and World Association of Sign Language Interpreters). Red T is dedicated to the (From left): Maya Hess, founder and chief executive officer of Red T, and Lucy Gunderson protection of translators and interpreters ■■ Maya Hess, founder and chief executive translators and interpreters in situations in conflict zones and other adversarial officer of Red T. of armed conflict and in the situation of settings. Led by a team of volunteers, 2 ■■ Linda Fitchett, chair of the Conflict post-conflict peace-building.” Red T advocates worldwide on behalf of Zone Interpreter Project of the Minister Dapkiunas also spearheaded linguists at risk, raises awareness of the International Association of Conference UN Resolution 71/288, which dangers they face, and promotes their recognizes the contribution of language 1 Interpreters (AIIC). safety. The organization invited ATA to professionals to the maintenance of ■■ send a representative to this event, and I Kevin Quirk, president of the peace and security and the promotion International Federation of was honored to be chosen to attend. of human rights as they assist militaries Translators (FIT). and humanitarian organizations, ensure WORKING TOWARD RECOGNITION ■■ Betsy Fisher, policy director of the due process, and facilitate international AND PROTECTION International Refugee Assistance negotiations.3 Incidentally, Minister Project (IRAP). In addition to discussing steps for Dapkiunas and Ambassador Rybakov mitigating risks and vulnerabilities, the ■■ Heidi Cazes, who represented the both trained as interpreters in Minsk panel also focused on what can be done International Association of Professional before entering the diplomatic service, to help translators and interpreters in Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI). which is why the #ProtectLinguists issue is so close to their hearts. conflict zones gain the international ■■ Bill Moody of the World Association of The speakers touched on different recognition and protection they deserve. Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI). The impressive list of speakers on the aspects of the problem of linguists in ■■ Sara de Jong, a political scientist from The program included: high-risk settings, specifically in Iraq Open University in the United Kingdom. and Afghanistan. Maya Hess pointed ■■ Ambassador Valentin Rybakov, the This roundtable grew out of then- out that linguists in armed conflict and permanent representative of the Republic Ambassador Dapkiunas’ statement post-conflict peace-building settings may of Belarus to the UN. at the UN Security Council on May not only be indirect victims by virtue of ■■ Minister Andrei Dapkiunas, the 25, 2017, in which he urged member their proximity to warfare, but also direct immediate past permanent representative states “to initiate the elaboration victims as a function of the translator- of the Republic of Belarus to the UN and of an international instrument that traitor mentality. She emphasized that the current deputy foreign minister. would enhance the legal protection of despite this double exposure, linguists in

www.atanet.org American Translators Association 7 OUTREACH REPORT continued conflict zones lack the specific protection The speakers touched on different maintaining accurate records. Hess sought under international law that is extended to greater professionalism on the part of journalists and medical personnel. aspects of the problem of linguists conflict zone linguists and their employers Linda Fitchett went on to explain that through improved training by, for example, the problem becomes even more acute in high-risk settings, specifically consulting the international coalition’s after forces withdraw from these countries in Iraq and Afghanistan. Civilian Translators/Interpreters and Users and insurgents have free rein to hunt of Their Services, which is available on the these “collaborators” down. She cited case websites of Red T, AIIC, and FIT.6 histories and casualty statistics, including Finally, Ravi Batri, a lawyer in the the nine-year-old nephew of an interpreter audience, challenged everyone in the room linguists are separated from the states in Afghanistan who was executed because to take their efforts even further. While for which they are working indirectly his uncle worked for the U.S. military,4 maintaining that the relocation of linguists by several degrees, making it even more as well as instances where the Taliban cut and their families is part of the cost of war, difficult for them to obtain protection and out the tongues of interpreters prior to he argued that translators and interpreters resettlement assistance from these states. beheading them. should not be compared to journalists, Finally, Sara de Jong shared some of her and that they are entitled to complete Betsy Fisher, whose organization research findings, among them the fact protection and diplomatic inviolability. represents refugees at all stages of the that there is no international coordinated Participants came away from this resettlement process, expanded on the resettlement program or harmonization roundtable energized by new ideas and dangers for linguists in combat situations, among states that are involved in one convinced of their moral imperative to adding that they are not provided with collective mission. The challenges help these linguists. body armor or safety equipment, and linguists face in relation to their protection that there is no internationally recognized and resettlement can cause tensions to symbol like that of the Red Cross or the (Special thanks to Maya Hess for reviewing arise between people’s sense of belonging a draft of this article.) Red Crescent that would identify them to a country, societal recognition of that as non-combatants (which is the basic belonging, and legal status and access to NOTES idea behind the Red T symbol). Fisher 5 social rights. 1 To learn more about Red-T, visit also spoke about how linguists and their Aside from the official panelists, www.red-t.org. families are frequently denied resettlement participants also heard from Marcus 2 visas for arbitrary reasons and sometimes “General Assembly Adopts Texts on Grotian, a German soldier who was on Professional Translation, Multilingualism, spend years fighting to find safety in active duty in Afghanistan. Grotian chairs Participation by Observers in United another country. the Patenschaftsnetzwerk Afghanische Nations Oceans Conference” (May 24, Kevin Quirk addressed the murky area Ortskräfte, an organization that supports 2017), http://bit.ly/Dapkiunas-UN. of contract linguists working for private Afghan staff that resettled in Germany. 3 companies in Iraq and Afghanistan. UN Resolution 71/28, http://bit.ly/Resolution71-28. Unlike linguists who work directly for the military or a government agency, contract WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE 4 David Williams, David, and Larisa Brown. THE SITUATION? “Murdered by the Taliban Aged 9 because A discussion ensued on how to legally His Uncle was an Interpreter for British enshrine states’ obligations with respect Army,” The Daily Mail (August 21, 2015), to basic protections for linguists. Hess http://bit.ly/Interpreters-Taliban. noted that while the nature of any such 5 Jong, Sara de. “Afghan Interpreters: legal text remains undecided at this time, Belonging on the Battlefield, Exclusion from it could take the form of an international the Nation?” OpenDemocracyUK (May 12, measure, along the lines of the resolutions 2018), http://bit.ly/Afghan-interpreters. adopted for journalists or an amendment 6 Conflict Zone Field Guide for Civilian to the Geneva Conventions. The panelists Translators/Interpreters and Users of Their agreed that they have a long road ahead Services, http://red-t.org/guidelines.html. in the UN because member states that use linguists recruited from local Lucy Gunderson is an communities may be hesitant to back such ATA-certified Russian>English mechanisms. However, there are concrete translator specializing in steps that could be taken on the ground human rights, legal in the meantime. For instance, Fisher documents, and academic encouraged member states to take a more translation. She is also chair (From left): Sara de Jong, Minister Andrei active role by providing on-base housing, of ATA’s Divisions Committee and a former Dapkiunas, Linda Fitchett, Maya Hess, and respecting the right of linguists to remain administrator of the Slavic Languages Division. Kevin Quirk anonymous, assisting with relocation, and Contact: [email protected].

8 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org OUTREACH REPORT BY MADALENA SÁNCHEZ ZAMPAULO Talking Language to “Word People” at the ACES: Society for Editing

t’s always great fun to meet fellow “word people” and discuss language. I I had the pleasure of doing so recently in Chicago, when I presented a 60-minute session at the ACES: Society for Editing (formerly known as the American Copy Editors Society) annual conference in April. ACES is an organization for editing professionals in various industries, as well as educators and students.1 Similar to ATA, its members are word-loving, friendly, and collaborative. So, I was delighted when my proposal to present “What to Know Before You Send Your Copy for Translation” was accepted. While I only recently became a member of ACES, I found that I was not the only translation/interpreting professional at the conference. During my time in Chicago, I met with two other ATA members who also belong to ACES and who found the conference to be a good investment in their professional development. target language. I promoted ATA’s Directory with a translation team, such as active While I had the advantage of speaking of Translators and Interpreters several times versus passive voice, the use of gender to an audience of professionals who throughout the session, and those present and pronouns, and formal versus understand and appreciate the power of were grateful for the resource. informal language use. I mentioned the carefully placed punctuation and selecting Next, I discussed important ways many advantages of collaborating with the proper term for a given text, I was also a translation team can support one the translation team throughout the surprised to find that this audience had its another in gaining insight about the translation process, as good translators ask own set of questions about what we do and target language. I covered such topics questions to produce the best product. I how we do it. There were about 35 people as the ability to discuss nuances in the drove these types of messages home by in attendance during my session—editors source text and how they will translate sharing callouts like this one on my slides: to the target language, how to define and copywriters, team leads from mid- “It is better to answer questions the purpose or goal of the copy to be size companies who frequently work with during the process itself than to have translated, and how to determine the ideal translators and localizers, and even some your copy become lost in translation.” senior editors from large corporations. readership. I mentioned that all these There were even some students who factors can and do affect such aspects as As it turned out, these callouts were a approached me afterward to discuss their word choice, the level or technical nature great idea, as the conference organizers interest in ATA and in potentially pursuing of language used, and sentence structure. had assigned a hashtag to each session. a career in translation. All in all, the I also briefly discussed the importance of The hashtag used for my session was diversity of attendees impressed me and creating a style guide with the translation #ACESTranslation. I thought this reminded me of the diversity within our team’s assistance. I found the article was a very clever way for everyone to own organization. by ATA member Carolyn Yohn in the follow along with the sessions they My presentation was about how to find January/February 2018 issue of The ATA were interested in learning more about, and work with professional translators Chronicle, “Copyediting for Stand-Out especially those unable to attend. and editors who specialize in the specific Style in Any Translation” to be a helpful Attendees also posed some thought- area(s) in which copywriters and editors resource for this audience and shared it provoking questions after my presentation. produce content. I began by talking to with them.2 They were very pleased to One that stood out concerned the use of attendees about what it takes to create receive this information as well. machine translation (MT) and its potential a great translation and how to find I went on to examine other factors to capabilities in assisting copywriters and professional translators and editors in the consider discussing with when working editors in their work. I mentioned the

www.atanet.org American Translators Association 9 OUTREACH REPORT continued limitations of MT and why it’s best to avoid In addition to questions from attendees networking lunches on the first full day it when creating copy that is meant to about my presentation, I also had several of the conference. Attendees were able to engage, persuade, convince, or inform. The people come up to me afterward to ask choose which networking lunch to attend discussion was lively! about becoming a member of ATA. It based on the field or industry in which One attendee, a senior editor from was particularly nice to know that there they work. One networking lunch, for Apple, was quite skeptical at first about are colleagues in related industries who staff editors, was even added to the list of some of the points I was making with see the value in being a part of our great options a few days before the conference regard to collaborating and working association. Throughout the weekend it because the organizers realized there was closely with a team of skilled human was clear to me that professional editors enough interest to justify doing so. Extra translators. She said, “I don’t see how this and copywriters face many of the same events like this one allowed attendees to can work. We translate our materials into challenges as translators and interpreters: spend more time together, share ideas, and over 20 languages!” But by the end of dealing with educating clients on the even tap into a pool of potential partners the session she was thanking me for the importance of hiring a professional, for future projects and client work. insight and helpful information that she taking time off to recharge and plan the Overall, I found those present to be was going to take back to her colleagues future of our businesses, and continuing very collaborative, diverse, and excited at Apple. She now understood how vital to take advantage of opportunities for to share what they were learning with it is to work closely with the translation continuing education while balancing other colleagues who were unable to teams who handle their copy, and she had a full workload from clients. I found attend. Most of all, they were extremely real questions about the processes used so many parallels between the topics interested in the work we do as translators and the limits of MT in producing content discussed at ACES and those we discuss and interpreters. I highly recommend in other languages for Apple. Perhaps among ourselves as translators and attending if you get the chance! The a comment made by one of the other interpreters that it struck me—we can ACES 2019 conference is set to be held in attendees is what truly made her question really learn from these folks, and they Providence, Rhode Island. Apple’s practices. He said, “It’s often faster can learn from us as well. To conclude and less expensive to hire a professional my presentation, I left attendees with this NOTES 1 to translate than to rely on machine point, as I knew it would be something ACES: Society for Editing, translation alone.” While we all know that they could relate to as word people: https://aceseditors.org. poorly translated material—whether the 2 Yohn, Carolyn. “Copyediting for Stand- “Just as there is no magic formula result of relying solely on MT or unskilled Out Style in Any Translation,” The ATA to writing great copy, there is no humans(!)—can be a cost creator, it was Chronicle (January/February, 2018), 17, magic formula to creating a superb refreshing to see a professional in another http://bit.ly/Yohn-copyediting. translation. Both take time, expertise, industry draw this conclusion himself and 3 Zampaulo, Madalena Sánchez. “What patience, and experience.” share it with his colleagues. to Know Before You Send Your Copy I encourage other ATA members to for Translation,” ACES Blog (March 12, attend and present at events like this one 2018), http://bit.ly/Zampaulo-ACES. THREE TIPS TO GET THE GIG on a regular basis. Not only was I able to 4 Zampaulo, Madalena Sánchez. “Nine Want to spread the word about the value of network with high-level professionals in Ways to Stand Out in the Translation translation and interpreting to a group or a parallel industry, but I was also asked and Interpreting Industry,” The ATA organization? The following tips will help to write a post for the ACES blog prior to Chronicle (March/April, 2018), 8, you gain an edge in terms of getting people the conference based on the topic of my http://bit.ly/Zampaulo-standing-out. 3 to ask you to speak at their event. session. I was glad to do so, as it stirred up additional interest in advance and prepared 1. Research your target audience and attendees for the topic of the presentation. Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo, decide how you can provide value to their As I have mentioned in a previous an ATA director, is the chief work and/or industry with your knowledge Chronicle article, it can be truly beneficial executive officer of Accessible Translation Solutions, which and expertise. to look to other industries sometimes to she founded in 2010. She help you see things more clearly in your 2. Approach the organization either as a joined ATA’s Public Relations own. Doing so can give you new ideas member or as an outsider who has a Committee in 2012 before becoming its chair in different perspective to share and make and creative breakthroughs while growing 2014. She has also served as administrator for a pitch. your network as a professional. I believe ATA’s Medical Division (2011–2015). She has a that this particular conference would be of BA in Spanish from the University of Southern 3. Review ATA’s Client Outreach Kit for more great interest for translators of all levels. Mississippi and an MA in Spanish from the tips and strategies on getting the gig, While smaller than a typical ATA University of Louisville. She is also a consultant preparing your presentation for your target conference, the ACES event welcomed for the University of Louisville Graduate Certificate audience, and more. You can find it here: 700 attendees from many areas of in Translation. You can read more of her articles https://atanet.org/client_outreach. expertise. There were several extra events on her blog at www.madalenazampaulo.com/blog. available, such as a set of simultaneous Contact: [email protected].

10 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org FEATURE BY JAMIE HARTZ

given back—or perhaps paid it forward! Another motivation for volunteering is the simple existence of a need. We often fill roles as volunteers because we were either asked to do so or because we saw a gap and were willing to fill it. Sometimes we volunteer to gain experience—perhaps to learn more about an organization or community, perhaps to help us master a task or trade. At times we volunteer as a way to expand our networks, since some of the best community-building activities come about when we serve side by side as volunteers.

If you see volunteer service as a hobby rather than a necessary evil and choose your commitments wisely, they can be some of the most refreshing aspects of your professional life.

Volunteering: Making Your KNOWING WHERE TO LOOK Don’t know where to start? Within ATA Investment of Time Worthwhile alone, there are many opportunities for willing volunteers. It’s just a matter of Can we, as freelance professionals, really reach a balance wherein paid knowing where to look. The structure of our organization is such that with work, continuing education, and volunteering each play equitable roles, all the moving parts and vital programs all while maintaining a work-life balance? that operate as branches of the parent association, volunteers are at the core olunteers are the cornerstones general work within an organization of nearly every committee, program, of nearly every nonprofit like ATA or pro bono professional and entity within ATA. Divisions and V organization, and ATA is no services offered to those in need. It chapters, which offer a meaningful exception. But what motivates a person can also be done digitally or in person. connection for local groups based on to give their time for free? Can we, as Volunteer work can involve a long-term geographical region, subject matter, or language family, often rely on freelance professionals, really reach a commitment, like serving on a board volunteers to coordinate events, publish balance wherein paid work, continuing of directors, or a single afternoon spent information, and share resources. education, and volunteering each play at the local rescue mission. Most of us The School Outreach and Mentoring equitable roles, all while maintaining a volunteer without realizing it, such as work-life balance? I say yes, and both Programs, which are aimed at ushering when we step up to chaperone a school in the newest generation of translators our careers and personal lives can be field trip or lend a hand to someone in more enriched for it. and interpreters, are built on a volunteer need in our community. model where members are encouraged to The motivations for volunteering connect with newcomers or students to VOLUNTEERING COMES IN ALL come in all shapes and sizes. One facilitate learning and the development SHAPES AND SIZES incentive is the simple fact that of our profession. The success of ATA’s As a translator or interpreter, volunteering can make us feel good Annual Conference and its many volunteering could manifest itself as about ourselves. We feel that we’ve related activities is dependent upon the www.atanet.org American Translators Association 11 VOLUNTEERING: MAKING YOUR INVESTMENT OF TIME WORTHWHILE continued

a blog for newcomers to the profession always be good opportunities that you OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER or helping to register attendees at a local need to pass up, and it’s okay to WITHIN ATA networking event, it shows that this say “no.” industry means more to me than just 2. Volunteering is great for balance ATA Annual Conference a job or making a living. These actions on a résumé. There’s no shame in www.atanet.org/conf/2018 demonstrate my commitment to showcasing your volunteer activities on a ATA Chapters the career. résumé or LinkedIn profile. You can even www.atanet.org/chaptersandgroups/index.php The fact that I volunteer my time and ask colleagues you’ve volunteered with to ATA Committees energy sends a message that I’m no be professional references if you feel they stranger to hard work. The choice to www.atanet.org/governance/governance_ have sufficient knowledge of your work give of my time for free relates to others committees.php ethic and skill set. that I don’t shy away from a challenge, ATA Divisions even when there is no immediate 3. Doing slipshod volunteer work is www.atanet.org/divisions/about_divisions.php tangible benefit to me. For example, if I counter-productive for everyone. If ATA Mentoring Program agree to head up a particularly complex you give 100% to your paid work, then https://atanet.org/careers/mentoring.php or time-intensive initiative within a give 150% to your volunteer work. Treat committee, this is an opportunity to these commitments as seriously as you ATA School Outreach Program demonstrate that I take on responsibility would a paid job because they matter. https://atanet.org/ata_school eagerly and am willing to put my nose You never know who may be watching to the grindstone. your efforts. willingness of volunteers to promote, 4. Volunteer commitments can be fun. host, welcome, organize, and support the There will always be good Treating volunteering as drudgery will event. Likewise, the many committees only make it more of a chore. If you that function in line with ATA’s mission opportunities that you need to see volunteer service as a hobby rather and vision are driven by volunteers. In a pass up, and it’s okay to say “no.” than a necessary evil and choose your nutshell, ATA runs on volunteers! commitments wisely, they can be some of the most refreshing aspects of your WHAT VOLUNTEER COMMITMENTS professional life. Volunteering within an organization DEMONSTRATE ABOUT US 5. Thank the volunteers in your life. like ATA conveys to others that I’m a Once you’ve buckled down and begun There may not be a financial payoff, but team player. Serving as a volunteer is to serve as a volunteer in any capacity, the best compensation I can think of seldom a solo activity—it almost always it’s only logical to eventually circle in exchange for volunteer work is to be back around to analyze your volunteer involves teamwork. I can learn and grow as an individual through the teams I appreciated and respected by peers. So, commitments and reevaluate your be sure to thank a volunteer! decision to serve. It’s at this point that serve alongside. For example, a colleague we have to ask ourselves a question that may join me to do a School Outreach For additional ideas on how to might sound a little self-serving on the presentation or I could pair up with manage and select volunteer activities, surface, but that’s actually crucial to another translator to edit my division’s you can listen to a free ATA webinar I ensuring continuity and reciprocity in monthly newsletter. These opportunities presented on the subject here: the volunteer process: “What’s in it to develop teamwork skills not only http://bit.ly/ATA-webinar-volunteering. shape us professionally, but also display for me?” Happy volunteering! To get to the bottom of how we our ability to collaborate and cooperate can really benefit from volunteering, with others. Jamie Hartz is an ATA-certified I propose that we turn this question As you see, volunteering can be a Spanish>English translator upside down and ask ourselves this very constructive part of managing a and transcriber. She has instead: “What do my volunteer professional image, in addition to the been freelancing since 2013, commitments demonstrate about me?” many other benefits it offers. You may specializing in legal and Here are a few examples to consider as find it helpful to keep in mind this final commercial translations. She you seek to build the image you want to food for thought as you seek to make the received her MA in translation from Kent State portray to your network: most of your volunteer commitments and University in May 2015. She serves as secretary My willingness to serve as a volunteer serve our community: of her local ATA chapter, the Delaware Valley says I care about my profession. 1. Know how to say “no.” Setting Translators Association, and has been a When I dedicate my available time to boundaries can be a challenge when we member of the The Savvy Newcomer blog team furthering the mission of translators and see there’s a need, but there are only since its inception in 2013. Contact: interpreters, whether by contributing to so many hours in the day! There will [email protected].

12 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org FEATURE BY CAROLA F. BERGER

FAKE CHECK SCAMS How It Works: These check scams proceed according to the following pattern. The scammer pretends to be a client in need of language services. The unsuspecting translator/interpreter sends a quote to the ostensive client, and the client accepts the terms. So far, so good, but then the trouble begins. The fake client sends a check in advance for an amount that is quite a bit larger than the quoted price. The fake client then contacts the translator/ interpreter about the error, explaining that it would be too complicated to send another check for the correct amount and asks the person being scammed to wire the overpaid amount from the first check back to them. The unsuspecting translator/interpreter wires the extra money to the fake client and never hears from them again. Several weeks later, the check bounces. To add insult to injury, not only has the translator/interpreter lost the money he or she wired to the fake client, but they are also stuck with a bank fee for the bounced check. This scam exploits the fact that the Translation Scams Reloaded payment processor (the payee’s bank) doesn’t verify the authenticity of the check Scams are on the rise in online commerce. Learn about the three most at the time of deposit. In fact, it takes common types of fraudulent schemes in the language industry, along with days to weeks for a check to arrive at the payer’s bank, where the check is finally steps to protect against them. cleared or rejected. This type of scam is most often erriam-Webster defines “scam” as ■■ Nonpayment for services rendered, attempted by ordering translations of “an instance of the use of dishonest possibly ordered under a false name and/ random texts that are sometimes pulled off methods to acquire something of or while impersonating a reputable client. M1 the internet. However, interpreters could value.” Below you will find a summary ■■ of some of the dishonest methods that Impersonation of reputable translators be similarly defrauded if the check is sent are unfortunately on the rise in the by the scammer, also known as CV theft. before the alleged interpreting assignment. language industry and other sectors. I’ll summarize each of these How to Spot It: Most of these fake This is a continuation and an update of schemes here along with tips on how check scams are fairly easy to spot. two previous articles that appeared in to recognize them before getting Although the presence of any one of the October 2014 edition of The ATA defrauded. I’ll also cover new and the following warning signs doesn’t 2 Chronicle and in the Spring 2017 edition sophisticated variants of these old necessarily mean that you are dealing of Translorial,3 the journal of the Northern schemes and the steps you can take to with a scammer, a combination of California Translators Association (the protect against them. these would be a strong indication that latter co-authored with Peg Flynn). someone is trying to scam you: Of course, there are many other devious schemes out there, including email ■■ The email is sent from a free, quasi- WHAT ARE THE MOST phishing attempts. For more information anonymous account such as Yahoo COMMON SCHEMES? on what to watch out for, the Federal or Gmail. The following schemes are the most Bureau of Investigation and the National ■■ The email is sent to you via blind common in the language sector: Consumers League maintain extensive carbon copy without a personal ■■ Variants of the age-old Nigerian check lists of the most common fraud schemes. salutation or other details about the scam, tailored to the language industry. (See sidebar on page 14.) alleged project. This indicates that the

www.atanet.org American Translators Association 13 TRANSLATION SCAMS RELOADED continued

Dishonest people who order RESOURCES ON SCAMS AND IDENTITY THEFT translation or interpreting INFORMATION ON PAYMENT PRACTICES OF WHOIS Lookup LANGUAGE SERVICES COMPANIES https://whois.icann.org/en services under a false name are Payment Practices (This is another site to obtain information hard to spot, especially if they http://paymentpractices.net/ about domain registrants and owners of IP (Fee-based, discount for ATA members) addresses. Just like Domain Dossier, the same impersonate reputable entities. ProZ Blue Board comments regarding GDPR apply.) www.proz.com/blueboard IP Location (Overview free, details for members only) www.iplocation.net sent from the domain “.net” instead of the (An IP address location service) Zahlungspraxis, Yahoo Group correct “.com” domain. http://bit.ly/Zahlungspraxis-info WHERE TO REPORT SCAMS How to Prevent It: When dealing with (Free, German-centric) Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet new direct clients, I recommend asking DOMAIN INFORMATION, EMAIL Crime Complaint Center for payment, or at least a portion of the HEADER INFORMATION www.ic3.gov payment, in advance via a payment method Display Email Header National Consumers League where the liquidity of the payer is verified http://bit.ly/Google-message-headers http://fraud.org at the time of the transaction. Payment processors such as Paypal or Stripe, bank Email Headers “Decoded” Federal Trade Commission transfers, money orders, or cashiers checks http://bit.ly/headers-decoded www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov work well here. Language agencies or larger (If you copy/paste the entire header here, it Translator Scammers Directory (For corporations will generally not agree to pay will reveal the entire email address chain from translator CV theft) in advance. In these situations, due diligence sender to recipient. You can plug the originating www.translator-scammers.com using the online resources listed in the address into a whois service and an IP address sidebar on this page is recommended. location to get more information on the registrar ADDITIONAL RESOURCES of the domain/IP address.) ATA Business Practices Listserv NONPAYMENT FOR SERVICES Domain Dossier http://bit.ly/ATA-BP-listserv RENDERED SCAM http://bit.ly/Domain-Dossier ATA Business Practices Resource Page How It Works: The client simply gives (This site gives you information about the www.atanet.org/business_practices/index.php registrants of domain names and IP addresses. a fake name and contact information or ATA Members and Internet Scams impersonates a reputable person or entity. However, due to the new General Data Protection www.atanet.org/membership/internet_scams.php This is similar to the scheme described in Regulation (GDPR), a lot of the information, the previous section on the latest twist on including names and addresses, are now the fake check scam. After delivery of the obfuscated. Nevertheless, sufficient contact translation or interpreting services, the information must be disclosed to report abuse.) client disappears without paying or sends a fake check. The fraudsters are usually the middlemen and sell the language email has been sent to a large number The Latest Twist: Since people are service to a real end-client. In this case, of people simultaneously. becoming increasingly aware of these the translator/interpreter doesn’t lose any types of fake check scams due to the money, only time for services rendered. ■■ The email is written in really bad aforementioned warning signs, some English, despite the fact that the sender How to Spot It: Dishonest people who savvy scammers take extra steps to order translation or interpreting services uses a (very generic) name indicative of a obfuscate their evil intentions. They under a false name are hard to spot, native English speaker. attempt to impersonate a reputable person especially if they impersonate reputable ■■ or entity by emulating the signature of A signature and any other information entities. I recommend always doing that entity, complete with logo in the that can identify the sender are missing. your research on new clients using the email message, and sometimes even set resources in the sidebar on this page. Even if a potential client has no idea up a fake web domain from which they about the process to request language send the message. For example, I recently The Latest Twist: Similar to the fake services, they usually give you a means received a message that was allegedly check scam, some fraudsters go the to contact them other than their email from the editor of a reputable newspaper. extra mile and establish a fake online address. Real clients also know which However, upon closer inspection, it presence, complete with website, logo, language they need the text translated into. turned out that the message had been etc. A recently established website with

14 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org fake contact information, a nonexistent Word or plain text format because ■■ Request payment in advance via phone number, and an address that shows scammers can edit these formats too nonreversible methods. cows on green pastures instead of the easily. A password-protected PDF file, ■■ Never give out too much personal expected office building when you enter possibly with a watermark, is best, information that is not needed to the address into a satellite map all point to although passwords can be cracked. For conduct business, such as date of birth, a fraudulent scheme. information on how to create a password- etc. Use an EIN instead of a social How to Prevent It: Again, due diligence, protected PDF with Adobe Acrobat or security number. possibly combined with payment in Microsoft Word, please check out a blog 4 ■■ Password-protect your CV. advance, as mentioned earlier in the section post I wrote on the subject. on fake check scams, can go a long way. Also, never post details that are too personal online or unnecessary to conduct A LITTLE PREVENTION business, such as your date of birth or Taking steps to safeguard your identity CV THEFT AND IMPERSONATION social security number. Instead, use an and minimize the risk from scammers How It Works: This scam has become Employer Identification Number (EIN), is not as difficult as it sounds, but it increasingly prevalent in the past few also known as a Federal Tax Identification takes diligence. While no single tool or years. The scammers take the CVs of Number, which is used to identify a technique can guarantee total immunity reputable translators (or interpreters, business entity. You can apply for an EIN from the constantly evolving methods 5 although this is rare), edit the contact online, even as a sole proprietor. employed by scammers, the information information to show their own, and send Finally, to monitor your online reputation, presented here should help you be more the CVs off to unsuspecting agencies or you can create a Google Alert for your aware of how these individuals work and pose as translators on an online translation name or your business name. Google will how they take advantage of the open portal. Unsuspecting clients hire the then notify you automatically whenever a community we have created on the web. alleged translators, who then pipe the text new entry is added to its database of search 6 through a machine translation engine, take results for the specified keyword. NOTES the payment, and disappear. When the 1 Merriam-Webster, clients discover that the text delivered was Since translation services and www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scam. machine translated, they blame the real 2 Berger, Carola F. “Translation Scams: Tips translator whose CV, and thus reputation, even certain interpreting services for Avoiding Them and Protecting Your were stolen. Identity,” (October are mostly transacted entirely The ATA Chronicle How to Spot It: In many instances, the 2014), 10, http://bit.ly/ATAChronicle-Berger. translator/interpreter is unaware that their online, the language sector 3 Flynn, Peg, and Carola F. Berger. information has been stolen until after the “Cautionary Tales for Interpreters and damage is done. This is why prevention is is particularly vulnerable to Translators: An Overview of Scams key. The Translator Scammers Intelligence Targeting the Language Industry,” fraudulent schemes. Translorial (Northern California Group maintains a list of fake names Translators Association, Spring 2017), 10, along with the names of the victims whose http://bit.ly/Translorial-May2017. CVs were stolen. (See sidebar on page 14.) 4 Berger, Carola F. “Password Protection for Your The Latest Twist: Lately, a lot of “IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE CV/résumé with Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft translation portals with large databases TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.” Word,” http://bit.ly/password-CV-résumé. of linguists, where end-clients can order 5 This old adage holds especially true “Apply for an Employer Identification translations with only a few mouse in online commerce. Since translation Number (EIN) Online,” (IRS), clicks, have cropped up on the web. The services and even certain interpreting http://bit.ly/IRS-application-EIN. portal providers take a small cut of the services are mostly transacted entirely 6 Berger, Carola F. “Google Alerts,” percentage of the project price to keep the online, the language sector is particularly http://bit.ly/Berger-Google-Alerts. portal running. This is not a fraudulent vulnerable to fraudulent schemes. Yet business model in and of itself. However, many of these scams can be thwarted some portal providers scrape the contact Carola F. Berger is an ATA-certified relatively easily by implementing the information of reputable translators from English>German patent translator with a PhD measures outlined in this article: public databases and add them to their in physics and a master’s degree in engineering own databases without their knowledge ■■ Verify the client’s identity by checking physics. After being defrauded by an impersonator at or consent while rerouting the their contact information via phone the beginning of her career, she did some in-depth research on online fraud, which led to a series of projects elsewhere. calls, satellite maps, email IP addresses, blog posts and several articles in publications such etc. (See the sidebar on page 14.) How to Prevent It: First and foremost, as The ATA Chronicle and Translorial, the journal CVs, profiles, or résumés, and the like ■■ Examine the client’s payment practices. of the Northern California Translators Association. should never be provided in Microsoft (See the sidebar on page 14). Contact: [email protected]. www.atanet.org American Translators Association 15 FEATURE BY LAURA VAUGHN HOLCOMB

industry professionals who not only helped spread the word about the survey, but also provided crucial input on its design. As the leader of the research team, I want to share some of the incredible lessons we gleaned from this maiden voyage, and the shift it caused in all of us along the way. You’ll also hear directly from key members of the team (Gonzalo Celorio Morayta, Ana Lucía López Mendoza, and Alejandra Hernández León), whose perspectives are interspersed in the sidebars throughout this article.

FISH OUT OF WATER On October 6, 2016, I received a call from Gonzalo Celorio Morayta, the president of the Italia Morayta Foundation, which works to professionalize and celebrate the interpreting profession. The Foundation is named after Gonzalo’s grandmother, Italia Morayta, Mexico’s first simultaneous interpreter.2 Gonzalo is also the director of CM Idiomas, a language services provider for heads of state and other high-profile figures whose history goes back to 1948. Gonzalo is an experienced translator and interpreter who laughs easily and speaks English with an endearing British accent as he tirelessly advocates for his colleagues Translation and Interpreting and the field at large. Gonzalo and I discussed the need for a better understanding of Mexico’s translation in Mexico: Uncharted Territory, and interpreting professions. We wanted to know who engaged in these activities Rich Waters and the details of their work. Gonzalo wanted to conduct a nationwide survey to Featuring 100 pages of demographic data, earnings information, language find out. The results of this unprecedented combinations, and educational backgrounds—the 2017 Survey on Translation effort would then be unveiled within the framework of another first in the field: and Interpretation in Mexico sheds light on the fascinating depth and breadth the 2017 Lenguas conference, Mexico’s of translation and interpreting in Mexico. inaugural nationwide conference for both translators and interpreters. n September 2017, the first Lenguas groundbreaking initiative, the 2017 Survey In the U.S., interpreting professionals conference was held in Mexico City. on Translation and Interpretation in Mexico.1 are fortunate to have a good lay of the land I Lenguas is an international forum for Featuring 100 pages of detailed information thanks to InterpretAmerica’s trailblazing interpreters and translators with the goal of compiled from more than 1,000 translators The Interpreting Marketplace: A Study of bringing professionals in these two fields and interpreters across Mexico—including Interpreting in North America, carried out under one roof to discuss best practices, demographic data, earnings information, by Common Sense Advisory in 2010. This learn about the language services market, language combinations, and educational survey demonstrated the power of data in and receive practical training. backgrounds—the survey sheds light on the setting priorities, convincing stakeholders, As a central element of the inaugural fascinating depth and breadth of translation and helping translators and interpreters Lenguas conference, the Italia Morayta and interpreting in that country. make sound decisions about the future Foundation, InterpretAmerica, and The Mexico survey report is the result direction of the profession.3 the Association of Public Service and of nine months of intense work by an But, as Gonzalo pointed out to me, that Community Interpreters and Translators independent research team, garnering baseline data didn’t yet exist for Mexican (ITSPyC) published the results of a support from multiple institutions and interpreters and translators. Without hard

16 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org data, the future of the industry in Mexico language interpreters, the response was not I began to perceive that a complex soup would remain subject to the quicksands of as enthusiastic as we had hoped.) of historical, cultural, and political factors assumption, anecdote, luck, and, in some This resulted in a highly labor- and had resulted in a hesitation to share cases, special interests. time-intensive survey design process. We anything perceived as private information. It was clear a survey was needed, but went through several rounds of edits before Furthermore, much like their counterparts why had Gonzalo reached out to me? we finally launched the survey in April all over the world, translators and Perhaps it was because of my experience 2017. The next step was to get the word interpreters in Mexico struggle with the in several areas of the industry, including out about the survey, which led to several profession’s rapid pace of technological interpreter training and emerging interesting and unanticipated challenges. interpreting technologies. But beyond change and fierce competition in a that, the Foundation and its partners, Challenge 1—Overcoming Mistrust: fractured market. I certainly wasn’t InterpretAmerica Co-Presidents Katharine The first hurdle to overcome was mistrust. qualified to parse out the root cause of the Allen and Barry Slaughter Olsen, believed As we moved forward, the research team skepticism, but I quickly realized that if it an impartial outsider—someone blissfully was immediately met with questions, such wasn’t met head on, all of our painstaking unaware of existing factions and fault as “How can you guarantee my privacy efforts to create an accessible, inclusive lines—would have greater success will be protected?” or “What will the data survey would be dead in the water. reaching the Mexican translation and really be used for?” The fact that that So, we invested a significant amount of interpreting community as a whole. So, I the survey was anonymous, requested time answering questions, communicating accepted Gonzalo’s offer enthusiastically no identifying information, and that the survey’s purpose, and emphasizing the and set out, determined to build a ship we sought to merely gather the data for privacy and data handling measures we where all factions of the industry could anyone in the field to leverage for the had put in place. We also came to accept feel comfortable on board. benefit of the industry seemed to raise that any project of this scope would more concerns than it quelled. inevitably have its gaggle of naysayers. ASSEMBLING THE CREW Anchored by Gonzalo, Katharine, and BURSTING THE BUBBLE Barry, it was time to round out the crew. Gonzalo Celorio Morayta, Research Sponsor Ana Lucía López Mendoza, an interpreter and researcher based in Mexico City, came A little over a decade ago, at one of the first InterpretAmerica meetings, I discovered there was a on as a research assistant to provide ground translation and interpreting community out there that had been unknown to me previously. I had been support and know-how. Gibrán Mena living in a bubble that included only conference interpreting and literary translation. Aguilar, a data journalist, joined to assist I was struck by this larger community’s commitment and courage. I understood that their work was with the survey design, monitor for data quite similar to the conference work with which I was familiar, but it was done without the protection of bias, and analyze the resulting raw data. a cozy booth or aid of a computer. Not only was there a lot that I could learn from these interpreters, but, It also became clear early on that to reach with the luxuries afforded to me, I would also have something to share. a highly under-documented sector of the In that moment, the dream of uniting Mexico’s disparate interlinguistic communication sub-sectors industry—indigenous language translators under one umbrella was born. The survey results presented at the Lenguas conference was a first step and interpreters most often working in legal, toward going beyond helping others communicate to learning to communicate amongst ourselves. health care, and community settings—we Seeing the sheer depth and breadth of data analyzed, the research team’s enthusiasm following new would also need real expertise in indigenous discoveries, the survey’s reach, and witnessing the transformation as translators and interpreters across community outreach. For this we reached Mexico began to recognize themselves in the findings have all been among the most moving experiences out to sociologist Alejandra Hernández León of my life. of Mexico’s recently-formed Association of Public Service and Community Interpreters and Translators (ITSPyC). Alejandra would FIGHTING FOR THE LITTLE FISH design an outreach strategy and consultation Ana Lucía López Mendoza, Research Assistant process with indigenous communities. I’ve always liked to think of myself as a communications advocate, but beyond the areas of immigration and refugees, my understanding of how to fight the battle was limited. Concepts such as indivisibility, BUILDING THE SHIP interdependence, and demanding one’s rights were theoretical for me. However, they became real after We needed the survey to be relevant to interviewing indigenous language translators and interpreters for the survey. It was clear that the both translators and interpreters who work indigenous interviewees practiced these concepts daily. in indigenous, foreign, and signed language In Mexico, respect for rights is not a given—even for translators and interpreters. Yet, many of those combinations in varying specialties and interviewed were willing to push forward with their work, often without remuneration, because of a settings—each with their own lexicons and conviction that social responsibility trumps individual well-being. This has inspired me to reflect on the ideas about their profession. (Despite our role of interpreters as agents of the change we wish to see around us. efforts to make the survey relevant to sign www.atanet.org American Translators Association 17 TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING IN MEXICO: UNCHARTED TERRITORY, RICH WATERS continued

Challenge 2—Old School versus New Tech: A second challenge involved technological limitations. Limiting our efforts to an internet–based campaign and survey would almost certainly result in a respondent bias. In the capital and other major cities, translators and interpreters are well connected and face fewer barriers to online participation. However, Mexico’s politics and varied geography mean worked to create a communication strategy Happily, this move allowed for more that individuals in smaller, more remote that focused on existing, trusted indigenous participation, but we realized that we had locations often have limited access to the community institutions that embodied also put ourselves in a bind. The data internet. Computers and other devices the principal of “free, prior, and informed needed to be analyzed, transformed into are also expensive for many practitioners. consent,” and that left room for cultural graphs, and the final report written and The team worried that translators and norms that might differ from our own. edited in time for the Lenguas conference, interpreters working with indigenous This is where Alejandra’s deep which was only nine weeks away! languages would run the risk of being understanding of indigenous community Then, a week before the conference, excluded from the survey. relations became crucial. Armed with the the devastating earthquake that nearly To address this, we designed a system to online, over-the-phone, and in-person shut down Mexico City struck. The study administer the survey over the phone. Ana methods of responding to the survey, she would have to wait. There were bigger fish Lucía began recruiting a team of volunteers launched a multi-pronged, ground-up effort to fry: missing family members, injured and, with the assistance of Alejandra and that included the following: consultation victims, homes in tatters, power outages. the team from ITSPyC, created a guidebook and relationship-building with indigenous But storm-battered and sea-weary, the with information about the survey, team leaders; a subway and bus advertising ship we created to convey the survey responsibilities, our confidentiality policy, campaign; procurement of indigenous made it to port without a minute to spare. and a phone script. The detailed phone translator contact information databases; script was designed to communicate the and even in-person travel to key indigenous purpose of the survey in a clear manner, LAND AHOY communities in the states of Tabasco and including its non-commercial nature, Finally, it was time to share with the world Chiapas. The entire effort was capped off confidentiality protections, and the full what Mexico’s translators and interpreters with the convening of a National Indigenous set of survey questions, each one with had so generously shared with us. Translator and Interpreter Forum to consult additional notes and culturally-adapted We had many powerful revelations the community about the survey in person. phrasing suggestions. to present. For example, the survey After navigating these early technological Local academic institutions also pitched revealed that translators make more from challenges, the survey data started rolling in. in by helping to recruit volunteers and translating than interpreters make from hosting training. With our volunteer team Challenge 3—The Ticking Clock: The interpreting, but neither group is able to in place, we needed a way—really multiple National Indigenous Translators and live exclusively from their craft. We also ways—to reach the indigenous constituency. Interpreters Forum Alejandra organized found that nearly 50% of indigenous Mexico has a long history of mistrust took place at the time the survey period language interpreters go unpaid for between government institutions and was scheduled to end, so we elected their work. In addition, the majority of indigenous communities. As a result, we to push back the survey’s closing date. translators who responded work in both directions in their first combination.4 As MOVING WITH THE TIDES you can imagine, choosing which findings Alejandra Hernández León, Indigenous Languages Coordinator to highlight in our short hour was our final challenge. With sign, indigenous, and language translators gathered under one roof at the Lenguas conference, On September 28, 2017, buttressed we announced that 40% of survey respondents came from the indigenous language sector. I remember by our research advisors—Gonzalo, several months ago when, with excitement and hope, I outlined a plan to invite this community—not Katharine, and Barry—and surrounded known for their affinity for new technologies—to participate in an online survey. by multiple individuals and organizations The indigenous language subsector presents many unique challenges. It’s governed by its own who had stuck their necks out to make dynamics and timelines that often run counter to those held by other translation subsectors. Community it all possible, the research team took the comes first. But documenting this kind of diversity was at the heart of the survey. That’s why I, as well stage and shared the survey results. Here as the Association of Public Service and Community Translators and Interpreters, decided to take on the are some of the highlights: project in the first place. The incredible response rate has reinvigorated me to leverage the new data that we were so Language Combinations and Services desperately lacking to continue pushing for indigenous language rights. ■■ Besides Spanish, the next most common target languages among translators are

18 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org NEW CERTIFIED MEMBERS

English, French, Náhuatl, Maya, Tseltal, and Italian (page 46). The vast majority Congratulations! (84%) work bi-directionally in their primary combination (page 47). The following ATA members have successfully passed ATA’s certification exam: ■■ On the interpreting front, the most common combinations, measured in English into Arabic Camila Kohen Yuriy Vilner working days (20 or more days per Mahmoud Basal Chesterfield, MO Boston, MA month), are Spanish plus one of the Cairo, Egypt Tatiana Paolucci Spanish into English following languages: English, Náhuatl, Jacksonville, FL English into French Lydia M. Carter and Mexican Sign Language (pages Helene Conte Marcela Renna Arlington, MA 69–70). Overland Park, KS Chagrin Falls, OH Victoria Chavez-Kruse ■■ Though conference interpreting may Manuel Vazquez Huntsburg, OH be the most prominent work setting, English into Finnish Miami, FL interpreters also work as escort Linda Hirvonen Artemis Lopez interpreters and in community settings Weston, FL Silvia Xalabarde Washington, DC Alicante, Spain with greater frequency (page 72). Jennifer J. Nielsen English into German Graciela Zozaya Brighton, CO Education, Training, and Technology Mikhael Abi-Saleh Houston, TX Hancock, MN Diana Szilard ■■ The majority of translators and Houston, TX interpreters surveyed have completed Marion Rhodes English into Ukrainian higher education in some subject area. Santee, CA Iryna Lebedyeva Judith Taylor Lviv, Ukraine Minneapolis, MN Over 50% have a bachelor’s degree, Bettina Schreibmaier- 27% a master’s degree or equivalent, Elizabeth Torres Clasen French into English and 4% have a doctorate. Sayreville, NJ Vienna, Austria Annie Sapucaia ■■ 74% of indigenous language translators Montreal, Canada Swedish into English and interpreters have a bachelor’s English into Russian Sara Stavchansky Alice R Klingener degree or higher (page 26). Veronika Demichelis Katy, TX Dallas, TX Leyden, MA ■■ Over one fifth of translators are self- Amanda N. Williams taught, having not participated in any Kateryna Volobuieva Marietta, GA translation-specific workshops, courses, Zaporozhye, Ukraine or programs. However, many are English into Spanish Portuguese into English formally trained in related fields such as Lesley C. Andrews languages or interpreting (page 63). Marina Ilari Milwaukee, WI Clinton, MA ■■ The most common types of interpreting training are courses (20+ hours), diploma programs (120+ hours), and conference workshops and LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Continued from page 5 presentations. A significant portion (16%) of interpreters do not have any sort of training in the field (page 81). Is There a Future in Freelance Translation? Let’s Talk About It! | Christelle Maginot Thank you for this informative and well-researched article. Unfortunately, most poorly ■■ CAT tools, machine translation, and compensated professional translators wishing to enter the interpreting field are not voice recorders are the most commonly necessarily going to be in a better position than they are now. used technology tools among translators Parallel developments in the fields of legal, medical, and conference interpreting are also of any age (pages 66–67). combining to drive down quality and qualifications in these areas. These developments include: ■■ Nearly half of the interpreters who ■■ The steady transition from on-site interpreters to phone and video remote interpreting responded state that they do not use services in courts and hospitals. ■■ technological tools in their work The increased hiring in state and federal court systems of uncertified court interpreters as a (page 84). significant cost-saving measure. ■■ The preferential use of foreign-based and lower priced U.S.-based interpreters working both remotely or onsite at U.S. conferences. Income, Income Sources, and ■■ The general uninformed state of knowledge by judges, attorneys, medical providers, Professional Associations and conference organizers who fail to recognize the difference in quality provided by a ■■ Translators and interpreters do not certified interpreter, as compared to an untrained or poorly trained bilingual. live exclusively from their work in Kathleen Morris | Chicago, IL www.atanet.org American Translators Association 19 TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING IN MEXICO: UNCHARTED TERRITORY, RICH WATERS continued

protections: “Translation and interpreting noble act we call communication. The 2017 LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION services are required by linguistic rights Survey on Translation and Interpretation in 2017 Survey on Translation and legislation, but these rights are denied. Mexico gives us the concrete and powerful Furthermore, indigenous language Interpretation in Mexico information needed to do so. The next http://bit.ly/Mexico-survey translation and interpreting services are Lenguas conference in January 2019 will be undervalued” (page 89). one place to make good use of it.6 Association of Public Service and Lack of training programs that would Both the executive summary (English/ Community Interpreters and Translators allow for continued professional Spanish)7 and the full report (Spanish)8 www.interpretesytraductores.org development: “[...] Translation is thought are available for free download. Italia Morayta Foundation of as an informal trade rather than a (Acknowledgement: Thanks to Gonzalo http://italiamorayta.org/en/italia-morayta profession. [In my state,] there is no well- Celorio Morayta, Ana Lucía López Mendoza, and Alejandra Hernández León for their InterpretAmerica known, accessible formal degree for those contributions to this article, and to editors www.interpretamerica.com who are in this stage. The belief persists that speaking two languages is enough to Katharine Allen and Lauren Stephenson.) Lenguas translate” (page 90). http://lenguas.org NOTES Lack of awareness of and respect for the 1 2017 Survey on Translation and Interpretation profession: “Bilingual amateurs who are in Mexico, http://bit.ly/Mexico-survey. not trained in translation and charge low these fields. Other sources of work 2 rates are saturating the market” (page 89). For more infromation on Italia Morayta, please supplement their income (page 30). see http://italiamorayta.org/en/italia-morayta. In response to the obstacles highlighted ■■ Translation and interpreting agencies 3 above, several respondents called for: The Interpreting Marketplace: A Study are not the most common source of of Interpreting in North America, income, but rather direct clients. 78% ■■ An increased awareness of the translation http://bit.ly/interpreting-marketplace. and interpreting professions, including of translators and 64% of interpreters 4 Please consult page 80 of the 2017 those who provide these services. derive a portion of their income from Survey on Translation and Interpretation direct clients (page 34). ■■ The creation of new linguistic rights in Mexico (full report in Spanish), ■■ 60% of translators, including those who legislation for unregulated aspects of http://bit.ly/Mexico-survey. work with indigenous languages, have the profession and the enforcement of 5 See http://datamx.io/dataset/eitmx17. at least one client located outside of existing regulations. 6 Lenguas2019, www.lenguas2019.com. Mexico, while around 7% depend almost ■■ Expanded online and in-person 7 Executive summary of the 2017 Survey on exclusively on foreign clients (page 56). training options that focus on more Translation and Interpretation in Mexico: ■■ Interpreters and translators believe language combinations, specialties, and English (http://bit.ly/summary-English); that the primary factors that negatively modalities, and that ideally result in Spanish (http://bit.ly/summary-Spanish). impact their income earning potential recognized certification (pages 93–94). 8 are competitors that charge lower rates, 2017 Survey on Translation and In spite of the challenges to the (full report, lack of respect for the profession, and Interpretation in Mexico profession, many respondents expressed Spanish), http://bit.ly/Mexico-survey. lack of awareness about the importance personal and professional satisfaction, as of translation and interpreting services evident in the following comments: “It’s (pages 42–43). hard work, but people are very grateful. Laura Vaughn Holcomb has ■■ Most translators and interpreters (69%) Many say: ‘I don’t know what I would have been a health care interpreter state that they do not belong to any done without your help! The physician and conference interpreter for professional associations.5 wouldn’t have seen me.’” (page 94) nearly a decade. An interpreter trainer, curriculum developer, remote interpreting/training Obstacles to Professionalization SHINING A LIGHT ON consultant, and English for interpreters coach, she Survey respondents also had an HIDDEN CORNERS has a master’s degree in conference interpreting opportunity to leave comments regarding Boarding the plane back to Brazil, with from Glendon College. She is an adjunct professor their perspectives on the profession. Many the luminescent and vibrant Mexico of the Virtual Healthcare Interpreting Practicum of these comments concerned barriers to City at my back, I reflected on what had at Glendon, and launched CoLAB Toronto, a professionalization, including the areas been accomplished. By translators and peer-driven conference interpreting practice listed below. (Please note that I translated interpreters having shared their experiences, intensive. In 2017, she directed Mexico’s first the comments that appear here from the we had managed to shine light on nationwide survey of translation and interpreting original Spanish.) previously hidden corners of our industry. professionals on behalf of the Italia Morayta Inadequacy and lack of enforcement of At the end of the day, we’re all laboring Foundation and InterpretAmerica. existing linguistic legal frameworks and arduously to improve this complex and Contact: [email protected].

20 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org FEATURE BY AVI STAIMAN

person running it? Are our business practices and working methods unique, and could they conceivably be used by someone else? Is it easy for someone to see the value of what we’ve created and to build upon it so the business continues to grow? Taking the time to think about these questions can help reframe our understanding of translation practices, the role translators play in them, and their value to others. By exploring how we create value beyond ourselves, we can take on the elephant in the room and learn how to build our own businesses in a way that can hold value to a potential buyer. The first step is to think practically about potential buyers.

If clients are only interested in working with you, then there is no way to continue providing the same service with new ownership.

WHO WOULD WANT TO BUY Going Once, Going Twice, Sold! Is MY BUSINESS? The key to answering this question is to Your Translation Business Sellable? identify potential “interested parties” and figure out what value your business could The theoretical ability to sell one’s business is actually a reflection of its provide them. If you can approach an value to others. Here’s how translators can add tangible value to their interested party with potential for growth, they may consider buying your company services to make their business appealing to a potential buyer. instead of trying to grow their own organically. Here are a few suggestions for s my translation business sellable?1 they created. “I’m my company and where to start your search. Whether or not you have plans to sell my company is me,” some would say. Iyour business in the near future, this For those lucky enough, the day will Fellow Translators: If you have trusted question is very important and relevant, come to set down the keyboard and colleagues who specialize in fields and not just to those on the verge of retire. At this point, if the business similar to yours, it might be worthwhile retirement. The theoretical ability to sell and the translator are inseparable, the speaking to them to see if they have one’s business is actually a reflection business may not be very valuable to any interest in expanding their business through buying yours. of its value to others. Therefore, others. If clients are only interested in evaluating what others value about the working with you, then there is no way Boutique Translation Companies: business will give you a better idea of to continue providing the same service Smaller companies who are looking to its potential selling points and the areas with new ownership. For this reason, expand in your language set or field that need improvement. translators generally refer clients to a of specialization. trusted colleague or simply leave them Main/Secondary Beneficiaries: TAKING ON THE ELEPHANT IN to fend for themselves. Consider interested parties in your THE ROOM But are we letting go too easily? industry who may not currently focus on Many translators have a hard time Is there a way to build a business so translation or editing, but may want to separating themselves from the business that its value is not dependent on the add such services.2

www.atanet.org American Translators Association 21 GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, SOLD! IS YOUR TRANSLATION BUSINESS SELLABLE? continued

geographic reach, cultural understanding, or otherwise). You need to make it easy for others to see this potential. The Golden Rule of Seesaws— 3 Diversify Your Client Base: One question every potential buyer will want answered is how much of the business is dependent on a single client. Think about what would happen if your biggest client left tomorrow. If one client accounts for more than 25% of your work, that can be a big liability and create an imbalance that presents greater risk to a potential buyer. A business that profits $100,000 and has 100 clients can actually be more valuable than a business that profits $125,000 and has five clients.3 The same rule applies for the services Anyone who is interested in adding value to their business can benefit we pay for. It’s important not to be overly reliant on one employee, freelancer, or from evaluating the business in terms of its value to others to get a service provider. Think about a backup sense of the areas that need improvement. plan for every system you have in place and how complex it would be to switch providers or replace a departing employee. In addition, consider how Now that you have a few ideas for who Mile 1, Not Mile 26—What Can complicated it would be for someone might want to buy your business, you 2 Your Business Become? It can be else to come in and implement a change tempting to look back at what you’ve need to analyze the business critically or tweak your workflow process without accomplished over the years and try to and think about what can be done to your help. make it relevant and attractive to a estimate the value of the business based potential buyer. The more confidently on that success. However, it’s much Reverse the Rollercoaster— you can address the following issues, the more critical to get into the mindset of a 4 Improve Cash Flow Processes: more value you can add and the more buyer and conduct a thorough analysis Cash flow comes down to the simple attractive the business will look to a to see how feasible it would be for question of how quickly you’re paid for potential buyer. someone to take what you’ve created your work relative to when you need to and potentially grow the business to pay your expenses. If you pay suppliers at the end of the month but only collect 8 STEPS TO ADD VALUE BY something even greater than it is today. Remember, you may be at mile 26 of what you’re owed after 60 days, you’ll IMPROVING YOUR BUSINESS your marathon, but your buyer is only at run out of money. Cash flow issues are Ironclad Numbers—Know Your mile one and needs to see what could be one of the most common reasons 1 Accounting: All stable businesses coming ahead. Can your model find businesses fail.4 When a potential buyer start with the most tedious part of the success in a different market, specialty, comes to check out the business, the job—finances. Thoughts of selling or or language set? Do you have a unique first thing they’ll want to know is the even evaluating a business can’t start work process that differentiates you payment terms you have in place for until you audit the numbers and make from others that would be difficult clients and suppliers. This is why sure they are defendable. Do you know to replicate? agencies often have long payment terms. what your profit/loss statement was last Another question worth considering While I’m not suggesting adopting month? Do you have a separate bank is whether you can cross-sell new agency payment terms with your account for your business? Do you know services to your clients in addition to suppliers, it may be worth considering the current balance in your account? If your core business. For example, in the asking clients for (at least partial) you’re serious about evaluating the world of academia, translators can offer payment up front so that you can business, it’s worth considering hiring a formatting, indexing, and other services continue to pay your suppliers on time professional accounting or auditing firm that are important to their clients. Your while not being crippled by cash flow to complete a review of your finances business may have the potential to open issues. One way to encourage clients and give you tips for how to improve up new channels for your buyer that they to pay in advance is to incentivize your financial standing. didn’t have before (be it new languages, early payment.

22 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org When Did You Drink Your Last This is why you need to start tracking now to ensure that others will value what 5 Coke? Repeat Business is your success with clients. It’s important you’ve created and want to continue Critical: The average citizen of the world that this evidence be more than developing the business after you’ve consumes a Coca-Cola product once anecdotal and can be backed up by data. moved on. What do you want the legacy every four days.5 One of the secrets of Celebrating success and learning from of your business to be? the Coca-Cola company’s success is its critique is the only way businesses can ability to attract repeat customers. If you grow. That may mean spending more NOTES want to succeed in selling your business, time making sure your current clients 1 This article is based on a presentation your clients must be on board, which are happy than on recruiting new ones. given at the 2017 ATA Annual Conference requires their trust and loyalty. How If you can demonstrate a high level of in Washington, DC. You can find a recording of the full presentation here: often do your clients return with new customer satisfaction, the value of the http://bit.ly/Staiman-ATA58. assignments? What percentage of your business can skyrocket. clients are repeat and what percentage 2 Davies, Stuart. “Small Business Letting Go—How Dependent Is are new? How big are the projects from Growth through Acquisitions,” 8 the Company on You? It’s returning clients? In other words, how http://bit.ly/Stuart-acquisitions. One important to document the processes used loyal are clients to you and your brand? example is academic publishers who have in your business. While no one translates Loyal clients can also help you gain added language services to their portfolio the same way, there are concrete and to expand the range of services they offer “social proof,” meaning that your clients their clientele. talk positively about you online and your repeatable actions that can be modelled 8 positive reputation creates positive word and copied by others. Think about what 3 Kokemuller, Neil. “Diversification and Its of mouth referrals (the best kind!). processes can be automated to make Importance,” http://bit.ly/Neil-diversification. things easier for someone else. For 4 Be a Fruit Loop in a Bowl of Huls, Alexander. “The Key to example, if you’ve created glossaries or Managing Profit and Cash Flow for 6 Cheerios—Stand Out from the termbases, these may be able to give your Your Small Business and Knowing the Competition: The more specialized you buyer a step up. Selling your business also Difference between the Two,” are and the more you stand out among requires the humility to say that there http://bit.ly/Huls-small-business. peers and competitors, the more value is might be someone else in the world who 5 created. Review your marketing Bhasin, Kim. “15 Facts about Coca- can translate materials in your niche at a Cola that Will Blow Your Mind,” materials, such as your website or high level. http://bit.ly/Kim-Coca-Cola. newsletters. What makes you different? Is this difference clearly visible to the 6 For an example from the world of average visitor? Does anyone care deeply If you want to succeed in selling academia, see: Lagotte, Brian. “Academic about the services you provide? Editing Tips: How to Use Your Abstract your business, your clients must as a Tool to Create New Publishing One way to differentiate yourself and Opportunities,” http://bit.ly/Lagotte encourage loyalty is by providing clients be on board, which requires their with content that is thought provoking.6 7 Information on Net Promoter can be found Another way to set yourself apart is to trust and loyalty. at http://bit.ly/Net-Promoter. take a positive attitude when others are 8 For more on this topic, see Warrillow, defeatist. If the word on the street is how John. Built to Sell: Creating a Business Google Translate is taking business away That Can Thrive without You (Portfolio, from translators, be the translator that WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE? 2012), http://bit.ly/Warrillow-sell. demonstrates how your translations are Selling a translation business isn’t a 9 Handelsman, Mike. “Managing the inherently superior to anything a machine very common practice and comes with Emotional Toll of Selling Your Small can produce. significant obstacles. However, by Business,” http://bit.ly/Handelsman- small-business. The Disney Principle—Customer improving the value of your business 7 Satisfaction: You’ve likely been asked while still working, you can create a to fill out a customer satisfaction survey for system that’s efficient and sellable. You’ll Avi Staiman is the founder and also have a better chance of passing some product or service. There’s one simple managing director of Academic question that all major companies, including the business on to someone else when Language Experts, a company Disney, Apple, Google, and Facebook, ask: the time is right. This process requires based in Jerusalem, Israel, “How likely are you to recommend this reflection, honesty, and even the fortitude that has helped clients publish 9 service to a friend?” The collected answers to to let go. Parting with a business can their academic research this question are known as the “net be difficult and painful, but it can since 2011. Prior to founding the company, he promoter score.”7 True satisfaction is also be an important step. Beyond the worked as a freelance translator and editor in reflected by people willing to personally go financial considerations, it’s important to the humanities and social sciences. He has an out on a limb and recommend your services remember that you’ve created a legacy. MA in education from the Hebrew University of to others. Therefore, it’s important to take steps Jerusalem. Contact: [email protected]. www.atanet.org American Translators Association 23 FEATURE BY ERIN LYONS AND LORI NEWMAN

is then collected to form an image of the body part, called a radiograph or, more colloquially, an X-ray. Radiography is one of the least expensive and most widely available diagnostic imaging modalities. It is often available onsite in doctors’ offices. Radiography is best used to detect bone lesions, such as simple fractures (those consisting of only two bone fragments), masses, or infections, as well as lesions of the thorax, such as pneumonia, or air or fluid in the thoracic cavity. Radiology is also used for screening purposes, such as mammograms for breast cancer. Radiography, however, is not a particularly sensitive DI modality, so it is not as well-suited for detecting very subtle lesions (such as very small lung metastases) or imaging complex fractures (those consisting of more than two bone fragments). It also does not provide good contrast between tissues that differ only slightly in density, such as the gray and white matter of the brain (MRI and CT are superior DI approaches for this). Areas of interest on radiographs are described in terms of radio-opacity and radiolucency, depending on how white or black they look. Radio-opaque designates areas that appear white, and radiolucent Translating Diagnostic Imaging areas that are black. In a normal thoracic radiograph, the lungs appear radiolucent The following explains just two of many DI modalities: radiography and and the bone is radio-opaque. Any metal computed axial tomography. on the radiograph (e.g., a directional marker or an implant) appears bright iagnostic imaging (DI) is the process modality, the report structure, and the white, as metal is even more radio-opaque of generating a visual representation specialized source and target vocabulary. than bone. The soft tissues (e.g., the D of the inside of the body for The following explains just two of heart and diaphragm) appear as shades medical diagnosis and treatment. Many many DI modalities: radiography and of gray, falling along a spectrum between DI modalities exist—e.g., radiography, computed axial tomography. It provides these two poles. Thus, soft tissue may be computed axial tomography (CAT or CT) some terminology commonly found in described as more radiolucent than bone, scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), DI reports and shares French>English but more radio-opaque than the lungs. ultrasound, and scintigraphy—and each translation examples from actual DI reports has particular applications to which it is to illustrate some of the challenges and TRANSLATION CHALLENGES solutions to translating these accurately. best suited. DI examinations of patients Translating French DI imaging involves Although the examples are language- are generally interpreted by physicians many challenges, but a primary one is specific, the information presented is useful called radiologists, who adhere to a the lack of one-to-one correspondence to others considering work in this area. specific structural formula and specialized between French and English terms vocabulary to report their findings. These and acronyms. For example, thoracic reports are often extremely concise and RADIOGRAPHY radiographs are often generically called dense, limiting the contextual clues Radiography involves directing certain “chest X-rays” in English, but in French translators often rely upon. Translating wavelengths of radiation through a the same imaging examination can these reports can be a challenging but particular part of the body. Depending have several names: radio du poumon rewarding aspect of medical translation on their density, body tissues absorb or (chest X-ray), radiographie poumon for which the translator must master the attenuate the radiation to varying degrees. (lung radiograph), radiographie thorax technical basics of the diagnostic imaging The information produced in this process (thoracic radiograph), radio thorax

24 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org (thoracic radiograph), and radiographie Radiography is one of the least un TAC scan (CAT scan), un CAT/CT scan pulmonaire (pulmonary radiograph). Of (CAT/CT scan), and une tomodensitométrie course, these same terms also correspond expensive and most widely available [TDM] (CT scan)—all of which correspond to the common French acronyms to the standard English “CAT scan” or “RxT” (radiographie thorax) and “RP” diagnostic imaging modalities. “CT scan.” Note this list of French terms (radiographie poumon), creating a veritable contains the English acronym CAT, a “alphabet soup” of terminology. French version TAC, and the uniquely However, the translation challenges go French acronym TDM. When translating DI beyond just the terminological level. The COMPUTED AXIAL TOMOGRAPHY (CAT) reports, the number one rule is not to make following sentence is from the impression A second significant diagnostic imaging assumptions. Specifically, the translator section of an actual French DI report: modality is computed axial tomography should expand all source acronyms, assess (CAT or CT). A CAT scan is essentially their meaning, and then determine if an On revoit la présence d’un épanchement an expanded radiograph that involves equivalent exists in the target language. pleural droit qui remonte le long de la collecting a large number of radiographic In the above example, one cannot simply ligne axillaire sans franc changement par cross-sections using a fan-shaped beam refer to a “TDM” in the English translation rapport à l’étude précédente. of radiation. These are then integrated because this acronym stands for a unique In this example, the third-person into one three-dimensional image. A French term (une tomodensitométrie) that singular personal pronoun “on” is the useful analogy is to think of the individual has no literal equivalent in English. This subject of the French sentence. This is cross-sections as slices of bread and the illustrates the importance of researching a common quandary in French>English full CAT scan as a “loaf” comprising these the correct terms in the source and target medical translation. While “on” is slices. With computers, the CAT scan data languages and avoiding the literal translation equivalent to the pronoun “one” or “we” can be processed and modified to provide or direct transfer of acronyms from the in English, the target syntax and register different perspectives of the body part(s) source to the target. should reflect standard English medical being examined and to highlight various Another example involves the structure of writing. Since standard English medical features that yield the most information to DI reports. These are typically divided into writing avoids personal pronouns (I, we, radiologists and clinicians. predictable sections in French and English: etc.) as much as possible, the passive CAT is based on radiography, but it 1) Renseignements cliniques (History), voice should be used to avoid the involves a much higher dose of radiation to 2) Technique (Technique), 3) Résultats difficulties of translating “on” into English. the patient than a plain X-ray and is a much (Findings), and 4) Conclusion (Impression). Thus, an appropriate translation of the more specialized and expensive test. Thus, it A very common translation error is to above example would be: is unlikely to be a primary care doctor’s first- translate Résultats (Results) as “Results” and (Conclusion) as “Conclusion.” “Right pleural effusion again observed line diagnostic tool, but it is tremendously Conclusion While the reader would still certainly that reaches the length of the axillary informative in the appropriate cases. CAT understand the meaning, these are not the line without clear changes from the scans are best used for imaging brain standard English medical terms, meaning previous study.” lesions, such as tumors or hemorrhages, complicated or subtle fractures (e.g., of that the target would read as a “translation” Another important takeaway is to the hip), and small metastases (e.g., lung rather than as a transparent and authentic be aware of the terminology used in metastases of bone cancer). text in its own right. In medical translation, the positioning and landmarking of Areas of interest on CAT scans are it is essential to use the correct medical anatomical features on an examination. term—ideally, the one doctors use, because described along a spectrum similar to For example, in the previous examples, the doctors are your target audience—not that in radiography. However, the terms “axillary line,” or ligne axillaire, refers to a merely a translation that is comprehensible utilized in CAT scans are hyperdense and geographic location on the patient’s body, but clearly not proper medical terminology. hypodense. Areas that appear whiter are where axilla means “armpit.” Describing Similarly, difficulties often arise when called hyperdense and those appearing the anatomical landscape is essential when translating normal findings between blacker are called hypodense. For reporting observations and/or changes French and English. French reports often instance, on a cerebral CAT scan, blood on imaging exams, so translators must describe findings assans particularité appears whiter, or hyperdense, relative be able to translate these descriptions (without special findings),sans anomalie to the surrounding brain tissue. Images correctly. While this may be daunting (without abnormalities), pas d’anomalie containing these hyperdense areas might at first, these anatomical descriptors are (no abnormalities), or pas d’anomalie suggest cerebral hemorrhages and illustrate finite in quantity and frequently repeated. particulière (no special abnormalities). In the location and extent of such lesions. Therefore, while the learning curve may English, these are sometimes mistranslated be steep initially, a good glossary and literally, such as “without particularity” or termbase are worthy investments. (We TRANSLATION CHALLENGES “no anomalies.” Again, while the meaning have included some resources to assist As we saw in radiography, CAT scans also would be understood, these would be translators unfamiliar with radiological have multiple synonyms in French—e.g., un considered poor translations because they anatomy in the sidebar on page 26.) scanner (CT scan), une scanographie (scan), do not reflect the language used by native www.atanet.org American Translators Association 25 TRANSLATING DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING continued

TIPS FOR TRANSLATING DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

■■ Double-check cognates. (Is this the right term in the target language?) ■■ Beware of borrowed English terms and acronyms in the source (e.g., CAT versus TAC versus TDM in a French report). ■■ Research medical terminology—word- level translation is often inaccurate! ■■ Always expand acronyms before translating them (e.g., PDL ➔ produit dose longueur ➔ dose length product ➔ DLP). ■■ Read imaging reports in your target language (not just the source) to identify medical writing practices Translating French diagnostic imaging involves many challenges, but (e.g., passive voice, personal a primary one is the lack of one-to-one correspondence between French pronouns, etc.). and English terms and acronyms.

RESOURCE LIST e-Anatomy English-speaking medical professionals. which means the investment of time and www.imaios.com/en More accurate English translations include research can reap tangible rewards. “unremarkable,” “no abnormalities Maxwell, Robert W. Maxwell Quick Medical detected,” “no significant findings,” Erin M. Lyons is a full-time French, Italian, Reference, 6th Edition (Maxwell Publishing or “normal.” Company, 2012). Spanish, Swedish >English translator, medical writer, and consultant based in Paris, France. http://bit.ly/Maxwell-medical A STEEP LEARNING CURVE She is also an adjunct professor of translation Pocket Medicine: The Massachusetts WITH REWARDS at the University of Maryland and teaches digital entrepreneurship at the École Supérieure de General Hospital Handbook of Internal Radiography and CAT are common DI Commerce et d’Économie Numérique. In 2016, Medicine, 5th Edition (LWW, 2013). modalities, each with its own specialized she developed BabelNouvelle, a mobile-based http://bit.ly/pocket-internal-medicine vocabulary. Translators must invest time and effort in researching the correct terms translation technology employing crowdsourcing and machine translation to facilitate medical Tool Box for the Medical Translator for image description (i.e., “radiolucent/ services in the developing world. She has a BA (French>English) radio-opaque” versus “hyperdense/ in Romance languages and literature from the http://bit.ly/medical-toolbox hypodense”). By building an understanding University of Chicago and an MA in Italian and of the technical basics and differences University of Wisconsin Radiology French translation from the Middlebury Institute between modalities, translators will have of International Studies at Monterey. Contact: Teaching Site a better command of the terminology [email protected]. http://bit.ly/UW-radiology and enhance translation quality. While an initially steep learning curve is involved in Radiology Assistant: Radiological Society Lori Newman is a freelance Chinese, French, these documents, translators should strive of the Netherlands and Spanish>English translator, editor, and to do the extra research on the procedure http://bit.ly/radiology-assistant veterinarian based near Boston. She specializes and terminology in context. In other words, in veterinary and human medical translation Radiological Society of North America never make any assumptions regarding and editing. She recently translated four http://bit.ly/RSNA-AAPM-modules terms or acronyms, even if the cognate veterinary clinical guides from Spanish into “seems” to be right. While translating English for publication. She has a DVM from Radiopaedia these reports can be challenging, this is Tufts University, an MA in linguistics from the www.radiopaedia.org a potentially lucrative area of specialized University of California, San Diego, and a BS in medical translation and one with a biochemistry from Brown University. Contact: relatively limited range of terminology, [email protected].

26 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org BUSINESS PRACTICES BY NANCY MATIS When Should We Apply Extra Charges to Translation Projects? or some, the answer is obvious. even inform their clients that they don’t For others, it’s not that easy. I work on Mondays and Tuesdays but are F personally think that it’s a case-by- generally available on the weekends, so case decision that is not only dependent Saturdays and Sundays are considered upon you, but also on the client and the “normal” working days. specific project. So, let’s try to analyze You’ll also have to make another this sensitive issue. decision. If extra charges can be People usually believe that extra applied, how much more will you charges should apply for overtime hours, charge—10%, 50%, or perhaps even rush deliveries, or complex jobs. I don’t 100% more? Will it be the same increase think these concepts mean the same across the board or will it be higher for thing to each of us. Let’s explore these nonregular clients? Would you charge three points. more regardless of project volume? Will the surcharge apply only to one part of WHAT ARE OVERTIME HOURS? the project? Many factors can influence I tend to consider that freelancers your decision. don’t really do “overtime hours.” They sometimes work more than they had WHAT IS A RUSH DELIVERY? planned or would like. But I always Whether a deadline is tight or not feel it’s a bit strange to talk about job at 5 p.m., he could reasonably depends on your perspective. Personally, “overtime hours” for professionals understand that you’ll have to work out I would consider a request to deliver who are supposed to work “whenever of your standard working time, and, a translation of 250 new words within they want.” That being said, should therefore, agree to compensate you for one hour a rush assignment. Having we consider that we’re entering into this by paying you more. Now, what if to deliver the same job within one day the “extra working hours” area if we you decide to travel while continuing would be just fine, however. But of work over eight hours per day? In this to translate and receive a job at 5 p.m. course, sending back a translation of case, what about the freelancers who local time while it’s still 10 a.m. for the 2,500 words eight hours after the initial decided to work six hours per day client? They might not understand why request might also be regarded as an or ten? What about working in the you want to bill them more. urgent job. evening? Should this be considered Your additional working hours might The overall schedule should also overtime? When I was working as a not be linked to a specific client. If be considered when the volume is freelance reviser, I occasionally enjoyed you accept too many jobs from several quite large. For instance, it might be shopping during the day and checking clients and end up needing to work 12 acceptable to handle 12,500 new words translations in the evening. I never hours a day to deliver them all, should in five days, but it will definitely turn considered I was working overtime, and you consider charging some of those into a rush job if you have to deliver I was happy to accept some interesting clients more? Probably not. Or maybe the same volume within four, or worse, assignments arriving at the end of the yes if you warned them that you were three days, especially if it all has to be day. I sometimes even enjoyed revising already overloaded. checked by a reviser within the same at night. Nevertheless, 15 years later, I The same question occurs for time frame. The only solution in that wouldn’t do this anymore and I might weekends. Is it really normal to charge situation might be to ask a second consider asking to be paid more if I had the same rates for the weekend? Most translator for help. to be at my desk after seven at night. clients will agree to pay more if they send Should all those cases entail extra We could probably say that we could a request on a Friday evening asking for charges? Probably. Or maybe not always. charge more for working hours that fall delivery on Monday morning. However, If you’re fully available and happy to get outside our own defined professional if you decide to work on the weekend so some work, you might decide to keep time frame. However, is this really you can enjoy some days off during the your regular rates. On the contrary, if you linked to the client asking for the job? week or to compensate for a lack of work have to stop working on some jobs to If the client is based in the same time the month before, you shouldn’t charge take on those new ones, or work quicker zone as yours and requests a six-hour your client more. Some freelancers might to squeeze them in, not to mention

Business Practices alternates in this space with “The Entrepreneurial Linguist.” This column is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or other business advice. Each individual or company should make its own independent business decisions and consult its own legal, financial, or other advisors as appropriate. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ATA or its Board of Directors.

www.atanet.org American Translators Association 27 WHEN SHOULD WE APPLY EXTRA CHARGES TO TRANSLATION PROJECTS? continued

paying someone to help you, you might they’re approached by new clients with charge rush rates. high potential. They might occasionally The same question arises again. even offer their services for a small rush How much more? Is it reasonable to job as a favor for a client who is really charge an extra 25% for translating desperate. Others will charge more 2,500 words within a day without any for rush jobs regardless of the client, client pre-announcement? Would you perhaps because they hate working fast charge 100% more if you have to put or don’t want to let their clients get into everything on hold and jump on 250 the habit of always asking for rush jobs. urgent words to be delivered ASAP? They might also consider that some Once again, all this will be a case-by- project requests are too risky in terms case decision, and for the same client of quality, which could then jeopardize you might charge 50% more for a their reputation. project once and drop rush fees one In the end, there is no universal rule. month later for the same request. Everyone will determine whether to apply extra charges to their translation WHAT IS A COMPLEX JOB? jobs and how much to request. Whatever For some translators, dealing with works. My only advice would be to make software interface localization is very it clear to your clients from the beginning complex, while others find it a lot of of the relationship. Don’t hesitate to fun. If I had to translate medical texts, I include a section on extra charges in would find this highly complex, while I your price grid or contract. Make sure really enjoy working on marketing texts you state what you mean by overtime in the information technology sector. hours, how you define urgent deliveries, Obviously, the complexity of a job and which additional percentage(s) might depend on our own experience. will apply. Also include your range Does this mean we can charge more of rates for various types of projects, when we’re not used to a sector? adding some explanations if needed. Probably not. Experience in a certain Who knows? Maybe your clients will domain can be acquired, but the clients understand your priorities and will try to shouldn’t be the ones paying for this, avoid requesting “urgent” translations at except if they really insist on hiring you the last minute. for the job. The complexity of the format for some jobs might justify higher rates. For Nancy Matis has been involved in the translation instance, translating application strings business for more than 20 years, working means working out of context, most of as a translator, reviser, technical specialist, the time using specific software or finding project manager, and teacher, among other your way through files full of codes, roles. After earning degrees in translation and which takes more time than translating social and economic sciences, she worked for complete sentences in a simple document. an international language services firm for Therefore, it’s logical to charge more, either several years. She currently manages her own raising your word rate or adding an extra company based in Belgium, specializing in percentage to the final price. This would localization, translation project management, also be true for some projects with specific consulting, and training. She also teaches requirements, like limiting the length of translation project management at Université the target sentences, adapting keyword lists Lille 3 (France), KU Leuven (Belgium), Université for websites, and respecting time codes for Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), and through video scripts. Extra charges could indeed webinars. Besides publishing articles on project cover the additional effort involved in management and the importance of teaching complying with these specifications. this subject to future translators, she has also written about terminology management in projects and quality assurance in translation WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU— (www.translation-project-management.com). JUST BE CLEAR She is the author of How to Manage Your Some freelancers prefer to avoid extra Translation Projects, which is available on her charges for their regular clients or when website. Contact: [email protected].

28 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org CERTIFICATION FORUM BY DAVID STEPHENSON Highlights from the Annual Language Chairs Meeting

pril is always a busy time for ATA’s Certification Program. Automation: On the heels of the successful introduction of the This is when the Certification Committee holds its computerized exam, ATA is looking at various options for further A meeting to coincide with the Annual Language Chairs automating certification processes, both in terms of workflows meeting. (Each exam language combination has a language chair at ATA Headquarters and grading activities. Savings on overhead administering passage selection and grading. ATA currently offers costs could significantly narrow the gap between the costs testing in 30 language combinations.) This year, the Certification associated with the Certification Program and revenues. Committee and more than 50 graders convened in Alexandria, Look for more updates from ATA’s Certification Program in Virginia, on April 13–15. Here are some highlights of what was future issues of The ATA Chronicle! discussed and decided:

FBI Guest Speakers: The assembled language chairs and other NOTES graders were treated to a fascinating and stimulating presentation 1 Heller, Rudy, and Diego Mansilla. “ATA’s Certification Exam by Maria Manfre and Mahonri Manjarrez from the FBI’s Division Preparation Workshop in Boston,” The ATA Chronicle of Language Testing and Assessment. Their talk focused on the (May/June, 2018), 9, http://bit.ly/ATA-exam-prep. criteria for the FBI’s translation testing, specifically the skill level 2 You can find ATA’s YouTube channel at http://bit.ly/ChannelATA. descriptors employed for language assessment. Participants had plenty of opportunities to consider differences and similarities between that system and ATA’s approach. We hope that further David Stephenson is the chair of ATA’s Certification cross-fertilization between ATA and other organizations will take Committee. An ATA-certified German>English, place in the future. Dutch>English, and Croatian>English translator, he has been an independent translator for over 30 years, Feedback Matrix: One of the most frequent complaints about specializing in civil litigation and creative nonfiction. the certification exam is that candidates who fail have no way of Contact: [email protected]. knowing “what they did wrong.” (Those who take the practice test before the exam—something that is strongly recommended— do receive such feedback.) To address this issue, the Certification Program is considering giving candidates who fail a feedback chart showing the broad areas in which they did well, or not so well. During the language chairs meeting, graders applied the proposed model to actual former exams to see how well it served the intended purpose. Discussion was lively and further work on this option lies ahead. Regional Candidate Preparation Sessions: Building on the success of the Certification Preparation Workshop held in Boston in January,1 ATA hopes to replicate the concept, which is to coach candidates on exam strategies using past passages, showing examples of errors, and analyzing them as a group. Additional sessions might be offered in Texas and in the Chicago area later this year, and possibly in North Carolina in early 2019. The Certification Committee is very attuned to the strong demand for more resources to help candidates prepare for the exam in various formats. YouTube Videos: Be on the lookout for new offerings on ATA’s YouTube2 channel relating to certification. The plan is to produce a suite of short videos (5–10 minutes each) highlighting various aspects of the Certification Program. Continuing Education Points: The continuing education (CE) requirement for maintaining certification has existed for over 10 years. While the system has been tweaked occasionally, the Certification Committee has concluded that an in-depth analysis of the CE system is overdue. A task force has been formed specifically to consider whether the current opportunities for earning CE points are reasonable and equitable, and whether other activities should be added to the approved list for earning CE points. www.atanet.org American Translators Association 29 RESOURCE REVIEW BY JEANNETTE STEWART Translation Commons: A Community for Language Professionals ranslation Commons is a nonprofit, company in Spain that understood and volunteer-based online community shared our vision. We’ve been working T designed to facilitate collaboration with them for nearly two years now and among diverse sectors and stakeholders have managed to expand the offerings on of the language industry and encourage the website. transparency, trust, and free knowledge I would like to clarify that building sharing. It was established with the idea such a platform is a vast undertaking. that translated data and memories truly Although we now have a fully functional belong to the translators who create website, there’s still a lot to do. So far, them and that they should be the ones the site architecture consists of Linux to benefit from their work. By offering and Windows servers, 10 language free access to open source tools and other applications (both proprietary and open resources, Translation Commons facilitates source), docker containers (allowing community-driven projects, aims to help applications to run virtually anywhere), empower linguists, and allows the sharing a corporation and applied for nonprofit MySQL, wikis, application programming of educational and language assets. status. A few months later, to our interfaces, G Suite apps, and single sign- surprise, the IRS not only granted us on integration. A BRIEF HISTORY nonprofit status, but also determined To address all the issues in our mission, that we could be categorized as a public we’ve divided the Translation Commons Translation Commons didn’t happen in charity benefiting the larger community, online platform into three modules: a vacuum. I first heard the catch phrase not just our linguistic members. Translate, Share, and Learn. “collaborative commons” in 2014, and After many discussions, we managed to Translate: The Translate module offers the concept of collaboration within the pin down and crystalize our objectives. translation tools and applications, both language community struck a very deep In a nutshell, Translation Commons is open source and proprietary, most of chord. How could that become a reality concerned with helping all language them on our servers with a few cloud and how would everyone benefit? Would professionals achieve due recognition for applications integrated with our single the platform for this collaboration offer their work. More specifically, Translation sign-on integration. The goal is to create collective translation memories and data, Commons’ vision is to help the language a seamless platform with all available or perhaps merely serve as a means of industry by building an infrastructure to: talking to each other? Maybe it could applications. This is an extremely serve both functions? ■■ Help our language students by bridging important endeavor as it helps students I discussed the idea at many the gap between academia and industry. and those beginning their professional conferences and networking events ■■ Facilitate collaboration and mentoring. careers familiarize themselves with tools with language professionals, mostly in that they might not normally be able to ■■ Organize language resources from Silicon Valley, but I also had many online access. We’ve found that quite a few of around the world. conversations through various LinkedIn our members who are recent graduates groups. In December 2014, I created a ■■ Grow the visibility and importance of are unfamiliar with the variety of tools LinkedIn group to determine the interest our community and gain recognition. available to help them work more level for an online community serving effectively. By offering open source tools and free trials to proprietary applications, all language professionals. I was very DESIGNING THE PLATFORM surprised by the positive response: just we hope to increase their skill set and Our first task was to create an advisory 20 days after starting the LinkedIn group, knowledge of technology. board consisting of high-profile there were already 1,000 members. I felt Share: The Share module is the main professionals from many diverse sectors that as far as feasibility studies go, this was portal for all community sharing activities, who could represent their interests and a runaway success and demonstrated that including think tanks, language industry guide the community. We’ve been able to there was a need for such a community initiatives, group discussions, and assemble an amazing group that’s waiting to be fulfilled. working groups. This is also where any still growing. I’ve always been in the language member of the community can start a new The next step was to move on from business with my husband, so after project or group and ask people to join. LinkedIn and start building our own just a brief discussion we were Because we know how difficult it is for online platform. Thankfully, we teamed both committed to take Translation small project groups to develop an online up with Prompsit, an amazing engineering Commons to the next level. We started platform for collaboration, we offer them

30 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org RESOURCE REVIEW BY JEANNETTE STEWART

the tools to do exactly that: a website, By offering open source tools are also available on the Translation mailing list, calendar, task page, and a Commons website. drive and document uploader to gather and free trials to proprietary In addition to the working groups, we their volunteers and work effectively. We applications, we hope to help also host and facilitate volunteer groups also offer members the entire Google G that any member can create. Under the Suite, which was donated to Translation everyone increase their skill set expert guidance of Gabriella Laszlo, Commons due to its nonprofit status. and knowledge of technology. who worked on Google’s Localization Currently, there are around 60 apps Operations and who now designs backend available to all members. workflows for Translation Commons, Learn: The Learn module offers we’re able to offer collaborative volunteer a Learning Center, tutorials, skill survey and found that many of the initiatives related to language. development programs, online courses, freelance translators who responded were and group webinars. Links to our free unaware of existing mentoring programs VOLUNTEERS resources (both online and offline) or didn’t have a clear understanding Our volunteers are the heart and soul of are available in the Translation Hub. of how to get involved. Respondents the Translation Commons community. These resources include terminology also stated that expectations and Their passion for language and expertise databases and glossaries. Of course, this responsibilities are issues of concern in technology are the cornerstones of our is a work in progress and we ask for when agreeing on mentoring on a one- initiatives. Their commitment and clear everybody’s help to upload links to any on-one basis. After analyzing the survey vision of the roadmap that our industry free online resources to which they have results, the mentoring group decided to needs to follow are a testament to the merit access (e.g., tips, insights, and guides). create guidelines for freelance mentors of a united global language community. We’re also talking with proprietary who wish to take on freelance mentees. We invite everyone to join and register automation toolmakers that offer free Under the guidance of Nancy Matis, at www.translationcommons.org and to trials and asking them to add their links an experienced project manager and participate in the LinkedIn groups. Do in the Translation Hub. Finally, we’ve teacher, we now have a thriving group you have an idea that would benefit the inherited and are hosting the eCoLo that has written an extensive document, community? Do you want to become a Project (electronic content localization), “Mentoring Guidelines for Freelancers,” mentor to the next generation of language which provides useful training materials which is currently available for download professionals? Do you want to share your for both students and teachers to help from the Translation Commons website. expertise, links, material, tutorials, or improve skills in different areas of The group is also creating a list of articles? Are you part of a small initiative computer-assisted translation (e.g., mentoring programs so that graduates and need more exposure? Then please translation memory, software localization, have somewhere to start their search share your knowledge with all of us! project management, and terminology). for mentors. You’ll also find multilingual material, training kits, training scenarios, and Technology: The Technology Think Remember, if you have any ideas and/ full courses on various translation and Tank is an integral part of Translation or suggestions regarding helpful localization techniques. Commons. Our commitment to open resources or tools you would like to see source resources allows us to make featured, please e-mail Jost Zetzsche at language and the work of translators [email protected]. WORKING GROUPS a priority. Led by Mikel Forcada, a The working groups have been created professor of computer science in Alicante, from within the community. We call our Spain, and with representatives from groups Think Tanks because their mission other translation platforms that include Jeannette Stewart is a is to identify areas that need improvement Apertium, Moses, Omega T, Mojito, co-founder of Translation and the gaps that need to be filled. Okapi, and Translate5, the goal is to Commons. She has a BS in business administration Mentoring: This was the first Think catalogue all language-related open source and her early career was in Tank to emerge from the original applications and facilitate their adoption. advertising and marketing. She LinkedIn group. There are some very Interpreting: The Interpreting Think is the founder and former chief executive officer of good mentoring programs available Tank is led by Barbara Werderitsch and CommuniCare, a translation company specializing through associations and other ATA Member Arturo Bobea, who have in life sciences. She created a series of workshops organizations in the U.S. and Europe created a very active LinkedIn group. on language specialization and participates in (including ATA’s program) that have They conducted a survey on interpreters’ industry associations and at conferences as a managed to capture the essence of knowledge and use of technology and speaker and advocate for the language industry. mentoring and have a great group of are currently preparing the results. Their She writes articles on language community people managing them. However, our reports on various technology providers initiatives for Multilingual Magazine. Contact: mentoring group conducted a global and new interpreting delivery platforms [email protected].

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