In This Issue: Get a Head Start on Your Taxes Are You a Band-Aid Interpreter? the Team Interpreting Approach
November/December 2006 October 2006 Volume XXXV Volume XXXV Number 11 Number 10 A Publication The of the American A Publication Translators of the Association American CHRONICLE Translators Association
In this issue: Get a Head Start on Your Taxes Are You a Band-Aid Interpreter? The Team Interpreting Approach
November/December 2006 Volume XXXV American Translators Association Number 11 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 • Alexandria VA 22314 Tel: (703) 683-6100 • Fax: (703) 683-6122 A Publication Contents November/December 2006 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.atanet.org of the American Translators Association Taxes? Now? 14 By Dorothee Racette and Nicholas Hartmann The end of the year is actually the perfect time to think about taxes! 14 An Overview of Vendor Management Today 17 By Charles Campbell Why give business away by saying that your company “doesn’t do that language” when you could invest time and energy in finding, qualifying, and maintaining a network of vendors to provide these services?
Band-Aid Interpreter or Culture Consultant? 20 A Different Approach to Culture Brokering By Zarita Araujo-Lane, Edited by Vonessa Phillips Good interpreting is not just based on accuracy, but on how the interpreter manages the dynamics of the triadic encounter. 25 Team Interpreting: Does It Really Work? By Giovanna L. Carnet A discussion of the issues facing interpreters who would like to introduce the team interpreting concept into their districts, including tips on how to approach the subject. 28 An Update on Argentine Political Jargon By Rut Simcovich As a living reflection of reality, language is constantly evolving thanks to popular creativity, which uses current developments in any field to coin new and ingenious ways of describing things. 17 The Critical Role of the Medical Interpreter: 32 An ATA Seminar By Ivonne Blandon Another opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
Columns and Departments 20 6 Our Authors 36 The Onionskin 8 From the President 38 Success by Association 9 From the Executive Director 39 Business Smarts 12 Letter to the Editor 42 Dictionary Reviews 31 Upcoming Events 46 The Translation Inquirer 35 ATA Certification Exam Information 48 Humor and Translation 35 New ATA-Certified Members and Active 50 Directory of Language Services Membership Review
3 The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is published monthly, except bi-monthly in November/December, by the American Translators Association, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The ATA Chronicle, We Want You! 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314. The American Translators Association (ATA) was established in 1959 as a not-for-profit professional The ATA Chronicle enthusiastically encourages members to submit articles of society to foster and support the professional interest to the fields of translation and interpretation. For Submission development of translators and interpreters and to promote the translation and interpreting professions. Guidelines, log onto www.atanet.org/chronicle. The ATA Chronicle is pub- The subscription rate for a member is $43 (included lished 11 times per year, with a combined November/December issue. in the dues payment). The U.S. subscription rate for Submission deadlines are two months prior to publication date. a non-member is $50. Subscribers in Canada and Mexico add $25; all other non-U.S. subscribers add $45. Single copies are available for $5 per issue.
Reprint Permission: Requests for permission to reprint articles should be sent to the Chronicle editor at [email protected]. Editor Look for coverage of ATA’s th Jeff Sanfacon Stay 47 Annual Conference [email protected] in New Orleans Proofreader Tuned in the January issue. Sandra Burns Thomson
Design Ellen Banker Amy Peloff
Advertising Matt Hicks McNeill Group Inc. [email protected] Advertising (215) 321-9662 ext. 19 Fax: (215) 321-9636 Directory Executive Director Monterey Institute of Walter Bacak 41 International Studies www.miis.edu [email protected] acrossSystems 5 www.across.net Membership and MultiCorpora General Information 11 www.multicorpora.com Maggie Rowe Beetext Productivity Systems 2 www.beetext.com [email protected] National Security Agency website: www.atanet.org 7 www.nsa.gov/careers Cybertec USA, Inc. 37 www.cybertecusa.com SDL International Moving? 52 www.translationzone.com/ata Find an error with GMT Italian Language Services 41 www.gmt-ils.it your address? WordFinder 13 www.wordfinder.com Send updates to: IDEM Translations, Inc. The ATA Chronicle 41 www.idemtranslations.com 225 Reinekers Lane Suite 590 Alexandria, VA 22314 Fax (703) 683-6122 [email protected]
4 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006
Our Authors November/December 2006
Ivonne W. Blandon is a partner in an English→Spanish interpreta- Zarita Araújo-Lane, LICSW, is the president of Cross Cultural tion and translation practice in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Communication Systems, Inc. She has over 25 years of experience She practices in both the legal and medical interpretation fields, spe- working with cross cultural populations in medical and mental health cializing in the translation of technical and human resource manuals, organizations. She has published articles on cross cultural manage- employee training presentations, and general business forms and let- ment, including a chapter written in 1996 and 2005 on “Portuguese ters. She has a business degree from the University of California and Families” for the book Ethnicity and Family Therapy (second and attended extensive training at the Southern California School of third editions) by Monica McGoldrick. Contact: [email protected]. Interpretation, where she mastered in simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. She also does freelance marketing translation for the Vonessa A. Phillips is the director of the Cross Cultural wine industry in her native Chile. Contact: [email protected]. Communication Institute at Cross Cultural Communication Systems, Inc. She is a Portuguese↔English legal and medical interpreter Charles Campbell is the president of spanishbackoffice SA, a trained at Bentley College in Massachusetts. She is a contributor and provider of Spanish translation and project management services, editor of the Art of Medical Interpretation training manual series. She with offices in Córdoba and Mendoza, Argentina. He was born in New travels nationwide to present on healthcare interpreting and training. Zealand and lived in the U.S. for three years. He has been living in Contact: vonessapcosta@gmail.com. South America for the last 10 years. He has recently given talks at events such as ATA’s Translation Company Division 2006 conference Dorothee Racette works as a full- in New Jersey and the ProZ conference in Buenos Aires. Contact: con- time freelance translator from her home [email protected]. in upstate New York. She is an ATA-certi- fied (German↔English) translator spe- Giovanna L. Carnet is the owner of cializing in medical and biomedical All World Translation Services, L.L.C. in texts. She served as the administrator of Sioux City, Iowa. She is a certified court ATA’s German Language Division from interpreter in Iowa and Nebraska, and 2000 to 2004. She is an ATA director has been interpreting in legal and med- and co-chair of the Business Practices Education Committee. Contact: ical settings since 1996. In addition to [email protected]. ATA, she is a member of the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Rut Simcovich has been an Argentine freelance English→Spanish Translators and the Iowa Interpreters and Translators Association. translator and interpreter since 1971. She is the manager of Meeting Contact: [email protected]. House, a conference services company. In 1996, she established the Rut Simcovich Interpreters’ School, emphasizing the role of inter- Nicholas Hartmann began working preters and translators as facilitators of intercultural communication. full-time as an independent technical She is the former president of the Argentine Association of and scientific translator in 1984, and Translators and Interpreters. In addition to ATA, she is a member of now specializes in translating patents the International Association of Conference Interpreters. She works and related documents for attorneys and for clients such as the World Bank, the British Embassy, and the corporate clients in the U.S. and Europe. Coca-Cola Company. Contact: [email protected]. He has served ATA as director and secre- tary, administrator of the Science and Technology Division, chair of the Client Education Committee and the Science and Technology Information Committee, and co-chair of the Business Practices Education Committee. He has also been a member of ATA’s Terminology Committee and The ATA Chronicle Editorial Board. He holds ATA certification in French→English, German→English, and Italian→English. Contact: [email protected].
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opportunity to meet with other associa- 250 attendees at the conference.) As I write this column, I tion presidents and exchange ideas. It is Among the common concerns are am eagerly anticipating our conference quite interesting that ASTTI and ATA standards and supporting the domestic in New Orleans, where more than have many similar concerns, particular- market by emphasizing quality and 1,200 of us will gather. Next up will be ly about the domestic and global trans- specialization. A core mission of both the January ATA Board meeting, when lation markets. associations is to educate clients on we will again take an extra day for I was among several association how to buy good translation and the planning and governance review. This presidents interviewed for Hieronymus, need to hire qualified translators and is when we map out long-term strategy the ASTTI journal. The interview will interpreters, along with continuing for the association. If you have ideas appear in the December 2006 issue, and education programs to help members maintain and upgrade their translating and interpreting skills. In the coming year I hope to contin- In the coming year I hope to continue this ue this “quality crusade.” I will again represent ATA at the Translation “quality crusade.” Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, on March 12, 2007, where we expect to bring in clients (direct clients as well as language services companies) to about the direction of the Association will be reprinted in a future issue of The hear their concerns and stress to them or new projects we should take on, ATA Chronicle. It was during this inter- that you get what you pay for—quali- yearend is a good time to send them to view that my interviewer, Margret ty is the key to success. I welcome any [email protected] so that they can Powell-Joss, and I were surprised to find suggestions you may have for addi- be discussed at the January meeting. out how similar our associations’ con- tional outlets to get the word out In late September I represented ATA cerns were, despite the differences in to clients. Please send them to at the 40th anniversary conference size, demographics, and geography. [email protected]. of the Swiss Association of Trans- (ASTTI has about 350 members, with Enjoy the holidays and “see” you lators, Terminologists and Interpreters most having French, German, or next year! (ASTTI, www.astti.ch). It was a great Italian as one of their languages. It had
Interpreters Division Medical Division Links to ATA Divisions www.ata-divisions.org/ID www.ata-divisions.org/MD ATA’s 15 divisions—or professional-interest groups—play Italian Language Division Nordic Division an important role in the Association. By providing specialty- www.ata-divisions.org/ND specific information and networking, divisions allow members to www.ata-divisions.org/ILD focus on meeting the practical needs of their business. Japanese Language Division Portuguese Language Division To learn more, visit the links here. www.ata-divisions.org/JLD www.ata-divisions.org/PLD Chinese Language Division Korean Language Division Slavic Languages Division www.ata-divisions.org/CLD www.ata-divisions.org/KLD www.ata-divisions.org/SLD
French Language Division Language Technology Division Spanish Language Division www.ata-divisions.org/FLD www.ata-divisions.org/LTD www.ata-divisions.org/SPD
German Language Division Literary Division Translation Company Division www.ata-divisions.org/GLD www.ata-divisions.org/LD www.ata-divisions.org/TCD
8 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 From the Executive Director Walter Bacak, CAE Looking to the New Year [email protected]
ting their continuing education records Clinic’s operating room suite. With the Annual Conference to ATA Headquarters. The submission We also have three professional behind us, we look forward to the New information will also be posted online. development seminars in the works, Year. But first, two noteworthy items For now, if you would like more and the Translation Company from 2006: information on the continuing educa- Division is making plans for its tion requirements, please check out always insightful mid-year confer- Membership: Congratulations on www.atanet.org/certification/about ence. More information on all of these another record year for ATA member- cont_overview.php and the other links events will be published in The ATA ship. At press time, we had 9,716 under the Certification: Continuing Chronicle and posted online. members, with a few weeks to go for Education for ATA Certification sec- the year. This surpasses 2005’s record tion of the website, which provide Annual Conference: While you are membership of 9,525. more information on the program. marking you calendar, be sure to write in the 48th Annual Conference, October 31-November 3 in San Francisco. To further your conference Congratulations on another record year for ATA experience, share your knowledge and expertise with your colleagues by membership—9,716 at press time— giving a presentation. To be consid- ered, please complete the Conference Thank you for being a member of the American Presentation Proposal Form. You can complete it online or download it, then Translators Association. send the completed form to ATA Headquarters by March 10. Remember that presenting at ATA conferences has many benefits, including giving back New Orleans: The 47th Annual Professional Development: Mark to the profession, raising your public Conference in New Orleans attracted your calendar for two outstanding edu- profile (a.k.a. marketing by letting over 1,200 attendees from 35 coun- cational opportunities. ATA is con- people know what you know), and tries, plus a sold out Exhibit Hall and ducting an Energy and Oil Conference earning you certification maintenance Job Marketplace. The January issue of at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel in Houston, points. The ATA Chronicle will feature full Texas, May 4-6. (Related to this, we are conference coverage. exploring an opportunity to offer ATA Membership Renewal: It is time to attendees access to the 2007 Offshore renew your membership. As you can Now, looking forward… Technology Conference, which will be see from the activities planned for held April 30-May 3 at the Reliant 2007, you will not want to miss out. Certification: For those members Center in Houston, Texas.) ATA’s Renewal notices will be mailed to all who received their certification prior Medical Division is also putting on its members in late November. Thank you to January 1, 2004, the first continuing first mid-year conference in Cleveland, for being a member of the American education reporting date is January 1, Ohio, May 31-June 3. The host hotel Translators Association. 2007. ATA-certified members will be features an amphitheater with a live feed sent more information about submit- to the world-renowned Cleveland
May 4-6, 2007 May 31-June 3, 2007 ATA Energy & Oil Conference ATA Medical Division ATA Conferences Houston, Texas First Mid-Year Conference www.atanet.org Cleveland, Ohio www.ata-divisions.org/MD
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 9 Report of the Inspector of Elections
For election of three directors for three-year terms: Note: Required to elect is highest vote count. Results: Number of Votes Cast: 522 Claudia Angelelli: 283 Aaron Ruby: 18 Spoiled Votes: 1 Gabe Bokor: 290 Arlene Kelly: 1 Jean Leblon: 168 Joseph Hitti: 1 Elected: Gabe Bokor Beth Nazar: 131 Jeffrey Hayes: 1 Elected: Claudia Angelelli Virginia Perez-Santalla: 263 Jackie Murgida:1 Elected: Virginia Perez-Santalla Alexandra Russell-Bitting: 255
ByLaws Revision:
Number of Votes Cast: 451 Votes FOR Revision: 346 Certified by: Required to Adopt: 302 Votes AGAINST Revision: 103 Jim Lochrie Spoiled Votes: 2 Inspector of Elections The Bylaws Revision is Adopted.
Proposed Bylaws Change Chapters Officers and ATA Membership Requirements
The following is the proposed amendment to the bylaws intended to ease the membership requirements for chapter elected officials. Please note that the bylaws revision is denoted by crossing through text to be deleted. While the bylaws will still require chapter presidents and vice-presidents to be ATA voting members, other elected chapter officials will no longer need to be ATA members if the bylaws revision is approved. In order to be enacted, all bylaws amendments and revisions need to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the voting members.
Proposed Bylaws Change (approved by the ATA Board of Directors, August 11, 2006, for submission to the membership)
ARTICLE XII Chapters and Divisions Section 3 - Membership and Bylaws a. Membership in the Association is not required for membership in a local Chapter. The president and vice- president(s) of the Chapter must be voting members of the Association. Other elected officials must be indi- vidual members in good standing of the Association. Individual Chapter members may vote in chapter elections.
Resolution: Votes FOR Resolution: 220 Votes AGAINST Resolution: 194
The alternate resolution passed. ➡
10 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 RESOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN TRANSLATORS ASSOCIATION The Best of Both Worlds... (hereinafter also “ATA” and “the Association”)
WHEREAS TextBase + Translation Memory! the infliction of torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment is abhorrent to all civilized societies and has been condemned by national gov- ernments and international organizations, including the United Nations in its Declaration and Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
WHEREAS interpreters and translators strive to facilitate com- munication in the service of humanity, to create understanding and respect between speakers of dif- ferent languages, and to break down linguistic and cultural barriers in order to ensure equal rights to all regardless of language; and
WHEREAS members of the American Translators Association, in accordance with the Association’s Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices, commit Need to rapidly build large translation memories? themselves to the highest standards of performance Tired to manually verify each alignment? and ethical behavior, Want to get more repetitions, more savings?
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE AMERICAN TRANS- LATORS ASSOCIATION condemns and deplores torture in any form, any- where; Learn why thousands have already adopted TextBase Translation Memory and moved explicitly defines knowing participation in, facili- their business to the next level! tation or countenancing of, cooperation with, or failure to report torture or other mental or physical • Rapid creation of large, contextual TMs abuse or degradation of any human being as unethical • Advanced terminology management behavior that violates ATA’s Code of Professional • Import of existing TMs and terminology Conduct and Business Practices; • Creation and processing of unclean RTF files • XLIFF Editor add-on for HTML, XML, InDesign, DITA requires that its members who become aware that files and more torture has occurred, is occurring, or is intended, • Easy to use and learn promptly report those facts to a person or persons • Competitive upgrade programs capable of taking preventive or corrective action; • No up-front investment, no hidden costs • Monthly subscription available expects governments and other national and inter- • No lengthy contracts national entities to refrain from retribution or other • No IT services required punitive action against interpreters and translators when they refuse to participate in or cooperate with the torture, abuse, or degradation of any human Get TextBase TM in your world now! being; and urges schools and programs responsible for the education and training of interpreters and translators to include in their curricula training in ethical www.multicorpora.com behavior and in internationally recognized codes of 1-877-725-7070 professional conduct.
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 11 Address your letters to Jeff Sanfacon at [email protected] or American Translators Association, Letter to the Editor 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314. Revisiting Word Counts
Numbers Cannot fraught with dangers and is likely to Jill Sommer’s and Marita Simply Be Glossed Over generate errors. And, of course, why Marcano’s excellent article “What’s Associated with the above is the should the translator not be compen- in a Word” (The ATA Chronicle, fact that numbers cannot simply be sated for knowing when to apply August 2006) rightly highlights the glossed over as “not needing to be which automated function? importance of the translator/client translated.” Numbers are culture-sen- Incidentally, there is no need for agreement on the method of charging sitive and must be written correctly macros, either during the above task for a given translation: by character, within the context of the document. or when using abbreviations to act as word, or page; by source or target; or For example, when translating from placeholders for long and frequently by the hour. All of these are industry German into English, I have to be occurring words (see “The Ease of standards for certain tasks that are aware of the fact that in the former AutoCorrect,” Letters to the Editor, recognized around the world. there is a space between a number and The ATA Chronicle, August 2006). I The authors discuss the issue of its percentage sign; in the latter there step manually through search-and- counting numbers and mention the is none. In German, commas are used replace to substitute periods for argument that, “they should not be for decimals and periods are used to commas in long chunks of financial included...since they do not need to be separate digits into groups of three; reports. Similarly, I type “eee” if I translated.” This seems to me a funda- the reverse is true in English. know that the word “electromagnetic” mental fallacy for the reasons dis- Localizing the text in accordance with will occur hundreds of times in a tech- cussed below. these rules is part of a translator’s job nical text, and replace it globally or and is dependent upon the translator discretely before spell-checking the Translators Are Not Typists having the appropriate knowledge and document. We are remunerated not for the spending the necessary time on this John Kinory MITI physical effort involved in pressing task. Although it can be semi-auto- Steeple Aston, England keys on a keyboard, but for using our mated by means of a discrete search- brains (our knowledge, expertise, or and-replace software function, experience). The fact that most trans- automating this task completely is lations are charged for by some varia- tion on the idea of keystrokes is purely a convenience, since quanti- fying the work in other ways can be contentious and might meet with Now, more than ever, our client resistance. I would suggest that children need to learn another language. So charging by the hour (as lawyers and they can communicate, repair shops do) is far more logical, understand others and with the relevant hourly rate reflecting compete in a global on the one hand the translator’s pro- Learning environment. For the fessional expertise, and on the other Learning sake of our kids, it’s the supply versus demand relationship time to speak up for in that particular market. aa foreignforeign language education. Visit our website at However, as long as we know how www.discoverlanguages.org many words we can translate per hour languagelanguage and get involved. on average, it is possible to convert this to a rate per word (and the rate shouldshould bebe can even vary by the type of text being translated). If the text is provided as elementary.elementary. hard copy, numbers need to be keyed, and the time and effort should be paid Sponsored by the American Council on for by the client. the Teaching of Foreign Languages
12 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 ETTER UNDERSTANDING FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING FOR B The ATA Chronicle Language Division. Pleasevisit member tobelonganyofits Established www.ata-divisions.org/KLD eetdvso,theKorean newest division, for moreinformation. Also, ATA isproudtoannounce be suretosubscribethe oe You mustbean ATA Note: Language the establishmentofits discussion listserve by sending ane-mailto: ata-Korean-subscribe @yahoogroups.com Division Tie food Tie Korean divisions. ■ November/December 2006 . Directory Membership ATA’s membersonly. www.atanet.org/ e-mail address—justclick name, location,evenby day ornight!Search by your ATA colleaguesonline, date contactinformationfor You’ll findthemostup-to- -, hr w wl b hpy o demonstrate to happy you. for software be will we where 1-4, N Orleans, New ATAin Conferencethe at 21 no. booth in us Meet content. English for software check style and grammar with pasted intoyourdocument.We canalsoprovideyou easily be can that synonyms and phrases translations, for ideas you gives click mouse one Just languages. to more than 100 different dictionaries in 11 different WordFinderThe access Systemyou Dictionary gives professionalslanguage to amateursFrom content. English for software check style and grammar with pasted intoyourdocument.We canalsoprovideyou easily be can that synonyms and phrases translations, for ideas you gives click mouse one Just languages. to more than 100 different dictionaries in 11 different WordFinderThe access Systemyou Dictionary gives professionalslanguage to amateursFrom 11languages. different in tools language and Wedictionaries electronic offer word?right the for Looking 11languages. different in tools language and Wedictionaries electronic offer word?right the for Looking Year All You Keeps Connected www.wordfinder.com ovember our 13 Taxes? Now? By Dorothee Racette and Nicholas Hartmann
For owners of non-incorporated small businesses, and especially sole proprietors, the end of the year is actually the perfect time to think about taxes. Not only does an hour of income assessment let you know how well you did in the past year, there is also some time left to plan before the 2006 tax year comes to a close.
Getting Your Income Figures Together Ideally, you have been tracking your income with some kind of accounting software product. It is essential to account for your business and private expenses separately and to keep them in different computer files if using the same program to ensure that expense categories do not get mixed up. Many accounting software programs have classification functions that show you precisely how much money came in and how much was spent in which categories. These expense categories will come in handy when it comes to filling out your Schedule C to account for small business income.
Take a look at your income for the year and compare it with previous years.
Take a look at your income for the year and compare it with previous years. Are you in the same range? Why or why not? Is there anything that needs to change in the coming year? If you do not currently use any software product for accounting, now is the perfect time to get one and install it in order to keep better track of your expenses in the New Year right from the start on January 1. You do not have to spend a lot,
The information in this article is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or other business advice. Each individual or company should make its own independent business deci- sions and consult its own legal, financial, or other advisors as appropriate. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ATA.
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 Quick Tips
• Review last year’s return and compare it to this year’s figures, • Use accounting software to keep track of your income. and make sure you check the Schedule C figures for deductible expenses. • Keep business and personal expenses separate.
• Remember, your home office is deductible. • Set aside tax-deferred savings for retirement.
• Buy office supplies in late December, as this is the time office • Set financial goals for the coming year. supply stores have sales.
as any standard product from an office you may want to look for color-coded business portion of real estate taxes, store will do, such as Quicken or file folders, a filing cabinet, or a mortgage interest, rent, utilities, insur- QuickBooks (see list on page 16). shredder. Home office equipment ance, depreciation, painting, and repairs such as computers typically goes on (www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=1 Look at Last sale right after Christmas. If you 08138,00.html).” Year’s Tax Return enjoy doing things at the last minute, To take this deduction, you will Regardless of whether you had you may want to buy that new com- need to calculate which percentage of your tax return prepared by a spe- puter or printer you have always want- the home is dedicated to your busi- cialist or did it yourself, pull out a ed while everyone else is returning ness. Accordingly, your end-of-year copy of last year’s return and com- those unwanted holiday gift sweaters tax preparation consists of measuring pare it to this year’s figures. In partic- at the mall. the square footage of your office ular, check the Schedule C figures for deductible expenses for such items as telephone, bank fees, travel expenses, repairs, and office equipment. Based on the categorized expense Large discrepancies are a red flag for the information from your software pro- gram, you can determine whether this Internal Revenue Service, so it is in your best year’s business expenditures were interest to keep your income situation roughly similar. Large discrepancies are a red flag for the Internal Revenue comparable from year to year. Service (IRS), so it is in your best interest to keep your income situation comparable from year to year. If you pay quarterly taxes, add up what you Dictionaries and translation/inter- space and figuring out which per- have paid to date to anticipate the last preting-specific software products also centage of the house it represents. installment in January. are deductible as business expenses. Consult your private accounting system for expenses associated with December is the Perfect Taking a Deduction for the Business your home, including electricity bills, Time for Office Purchases Use of Your Home fuel oil delivery bills, home insurance Late December is the time to stock If you are working from home, you invoices, lawn care service, house up on office supplies such as paper, can claim a tax deduction for the busi- cleaning, and window washing. If you blank CDs, and other office equip- ness use of your home on IRS Form do not have a system in place to keep ment in order to include these expens- 8829. According to the IRS, “expenses track of these expenses in an organized es in your taxes. If your New Year’s that you may be able to deduct for busi- way, make it a New Year’s resolution to resolution is to keep a tidier office, ness use of the home may include the institute a better system. Not ➡
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 15 Taxes? Now? Continued Further Information claiming these deductions for lack of accurate data is a direct loss for your business. Internal Revenue Service Topics for Small Business/Self-Employed Working Outside Your Home www.irs.gov/businesses/small/ Some of the complexity of taking a topic/index.html home office deduction can be avoided by renting an outside office. This elim- U.S. Small Business Administration inates the need to calculate the per- www.sba.gov centage of floor space dedicated to business use, account for the business portion of household expenditures, and it might also help you avoid attracting unwelcome attention from the IRS. Instead, you simply record all the expenses associated with your outside Retirement Planning Setting Goals for the Coming Year office (rent, utilities, furniture, sup- Recent tax legislation has made it In reviewing the past year finan- plies, equipment, even moving costs) easier for small business owners to set cially, you can also come to a few gen- and log them on your Schedule C. aside tax-deferred savings for retire- eral conclusions about your business. There are other advantages and ment. You will have until April 15, Is it worth it? Is your effort paying off? disadvantages to working outside the 2007 to make a payment into your Assuming you worked full-time as a home. If you can develop the self-dis- retirement account and apply it self-employed translator or interpreter, cipline to work in a concentrated way retroactively to the 2006 tax year. what is your annual income from during normal business hours, an out- Saving for retirement not only makes a translation or interpreting? Should you side office lets you literally lock the lot of sense in light of the uncertain raise your prices? Where would you door on your working life and go future of Social Security, but also lets like to be financially in five or ten home every evening. That home can you save a considerable amount of years? Are your long-term savings now function solely as a place for you money in taxes. However, the best goals, for example, for college or and your family to live, rather than intentions to put retirement money retirement, realistic? Or, can you having to accommodate a freelancer’s aside can be ruined if you have not afford to take more time off to stop office needs. If you live near a down- saved any money to actually put in the and smell the roses? town area, you may enjoy partici- account. Again, December is the per- Whatever the case may be, starting pating in the buzz of city life every fect time to take stock and designate the year with a clear picture of your day, and lunch can become an oppor- specific funds. Look at your accounts financial and tax situation has so tunity to explore rather than just raid receivable situation. How much many rewards that you may find your- the refrigerator. An obvious drawback money is likely to come in from com- self making stocktaking a year-end is the need to get from home to office pleted assignments in the coming tradition. and back again. Commuting expenses months? You may want to earmark are not tax-deductible, and the whole some of the larger payments specifi- idea may seem less appealing when cally for your retirement. there is a foot of snow on the ground.
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16 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 An Overview of Vendor Management Today By Charles Campbell
Vendor management is one of the key aspects of managing a Very few translation companies have in-house successful translation company today. Very few translation companies have translators or interpreters, and if they do they are in-house translators or interpreters, and if they do they are often senior staff often senior staff members working in quality members working in quality assurance or project management roles. assurance or project management roles. In light of the absence of reliable in-house staff, it is critical for transla- tion companies to develop and main- tain a series of win-win relationships offer its clients a wide range of serv- that is at stake, and nothing is harder with successful vendors. This has ices in dozens of languages. Why give to repair in this business than a tar- always been the case for less common business away by saying that your nished track record with vendors. and exotic languages—hands up company “doesn’t do that language” Another factor to take into consid- anyone who has ever had an in-house when you could invest time and eration before stumbling into hiring Maori translator—but is now even energy in finding, qualifying, and others to do work for you is how you true for common language combina- maintaining a network of vendors to will go about the crucial task of qual- tions such as Spanish, Chinese, and provide these services? ifying and checking the background Russian. of all your vendors. Think of the In addition to translation vendors, Hiring Vendors hoops your clients have made you translation companies may also need Regardless of the size of your jump through over the years, such as other professionals such as inter- operation, whether you are an inde- requiring you to take paid or unpaid preters, voice talent, localizers, local- pendent freelancer or a large transla- translation tests, asking for refer- ization engineers, typesetters, editors, tion company, hiring other profes- ences, work samples, proof of certifi- and proofreaders. Some translation sionals to do work you cannot manage cation, and having you fill out forms. companies even hire vendors for (because of the subject matter, You must apply the same rigorous project management and sales activi- volume, deadline, or language combi- evaluation process when qualifying ties, although this is much less nation) is not a small step to make. It your new vendor. Be as hard on common. implies important risks and responsi- prospective vendors as your clients By successfully leveraging the bilities, both ethical and financial. For are on you. Simply having a favorable talent of an extensive and varied pool instance, if your client pays you late gut-feeling or liking the vendor is not of vendors, a translation company or not at all, you still have to pay your good enough. A long-term friendship with only a few staff members can vendors on time. It is your reputation is definitely not a good way to ➡
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 17 An Overview of Vendor Management Today Continued qualify a vendor: great friends often mendation is not an appropriate database and testing/selection of new turn out to be disappointing in busi- replacement for a solid vendor selec- vendors is a must. ness. Blindly “farming out” work tion and qualification process. without checking your vendor’s qual- Many companies do not have full- Keep Your Ears to the Ground ifications and processes may possibly time vendor or resource managers. If It is important to know what your bring short-term gain, but will in no your company is unable to have a full- vendors say about your company way ensure that your customers come time vendor manager, then a part-time among their peers. To get a good idea back for more time after time. vendor manager is certainly the next of what the mood is out there, read the best option. A second option is for ProZ Blue Boards, an online forum What do Vendor Managers Say? project managers to also take care of where translators rate companies There are many ways of finding vendor management. Given the stress based on whether or not they would qualified professionals, such as con- level of many project managers in this like to work for them again sulting or even maintaining a vendor industry, this may not be the best (www.proz.com/blueboard). Factors taken into consideration include prompt payment, clear communica- tion, and friendly project managers. After perusing comments on ProZ, In light of the absence of reliable in-house staff, one of the things you will learn is that, from a vendor’s point of view, pay- it is critical for translation companies to develop ment issues are clearly the most and maintain a series of win-win relationships common gripe with companies today. Sadly, many translation companies, with successful vendors. including some industry leaders, put vendors under unnecessary financial strain. Companies who respond to vendor queries with answers such as “that project manager is no longer database, but all require vigilance to option and may result in your com- with the company,” “our client hasn’t ensure that you are able to match up pany getting less than its money’s paid us yet,” or “your translation was the right talent for the job. Ed Zad, worth from its vendor database. substandard” are simply not providing vendor manager for the Americas of Vendor management is definitely not acceptable justifications for late pay- Lionbridge, has likened vendor data- something the president or chief exec- ment or nonpayment to translators. bases to the Zagat Survey, a U.S.- utive officer of a company should be Happily, you will also read about based quality rating guide for deeply involved in, as other more many translation companies that restaurants, hotels, travel, and other strategic matters take higher priority process their payments to vendors in a services. Zad explains that such data- for them. very tidy fashion, which is an excel- bases must be “cleaned, maintained, Regardless of whether there is a lent indicator of the overall manage- and updated,” and that you must, full-time person to handle this task or ment of these organizations. “know what’s on the menu.” These not, it is important to make sure some The Blue Boards also provide are wise words from someone who time is devoted to monitor your vendor companies with the opportunity to networks with over 10,000 vendors network. Even if you feel you already answer any negative comments with worldwide. have enough qualified vendors, do not their own feedback on the vendor’s Zad also recommends that you stop looking out for new resources. performance, attitude, and other fac- “use your best resources to help find You will be sitting on a vendor time tors that impact a working relation- new resources, and ask them who bomb if you do. Vendors go offline, ship. I regularly check the Blue they like to work with.” These they go bankrupt, they die, they Boards, both to verify the likelihood resources must be checked and quali- change professions, they move away, of a new prospect being a potential fied, however, just like all other new and they change their rates. Be pre- “trouble maker” (late payer, nonpayer, vendors. An informal friendly recom- pared! Ongoing maintenance of your insolvent, etc.) and to gauge the
18 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 market in general. A good Blue Board lars on in terms of training opportuni- appeared distant, frosty, or rating is a clear sign that vendor man- ties, computer-assisted translation demanding on the phone turn out to agement is on the right track at that tools, certification, and conferences. be real sweethearts in person. A good talk over a cup of coffee or a brief lunch meeting with a vendor will serve as an excellent ice-breaking opportunity for managers. Training vendors is currently one of the biggest issues Watch the buzz at the 2007 ATA Annual Conference in San Francisco, in vendor management in the U.S. California, October 31-November 3. You will see vendors and buyers hud- dled together chatting animatedly about painful security checks at air- ports, delayed flights, the weather, company. A poor Blue Board rating is In terms of value, I think ATA’s families, friends, children, and a warning to possible future vendors Annual Conference is a good “shop- maybe, just maybe, about rates, dead- and clients alike that something is def- ping opportunity” for everyone lines, subject matters, and volumes. initely going wrong at a company on a involved. Vendors will have the managerial level. chance to meet colleagues, gain It’s All About Relationships Some vendor and project man- insights from a wide range of educa- Once you sort out all the details, agers have expressed resentment tional sessions, and also encounter establish a relationship with a vendor against the Blue Board system, potential buyers of their services. One or a buyer based on consistent quality hinting that there should be a “black of the reasons vendors and managers and compliance with the guidelines list” where companies could tell all attend this conference is to “window for each project. It is also important about their worst vendor nightmares. shop,” filling their ATA tote bags with to make an effort to meet with your No such list exists to my knowledge. business cards, résumés, and vendors personally on a semi-regular This is fortunate, in my opinion, since brochures. There is nothing like face- basis, since this will make it so much companies do not need a forum to to-face personal contact to brighten a easier to resolve any issues that do whine about their worst vendors. vendor-buyer relationship. Often pop up. They can take alternative measures project managers who may have such as providing additional training and/or instruction, negotiating a reduced fee for a job “gone wrong,” or even simply not working with a vendor again.
Holes in Vendor Management Useful Links Training vendors is currently one of the biggest issues in vendor man- agement in the U.S. Many translation Better Business Bureau ProZ.com’s Blue Board companies are afraid to organize www.bbb.org www.proz.com/blueboard training events for freelance vendors, worried that state labor departments U.S. Small Business will force them to hire the vendors as Administration permanent employees. Vendors, www.sba.gov meanwhile, have to make difficult choices about what to spend their dol-
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 19 Band-Aid A Different Approach to Culture Brokering Interpreter By Zarita Araújo-Lane, Edited by Vonessa Phillips or
issues and felt a strong urge to save Culture Thirty years ago I brought a this woman from her monster of a hus- battered woman and her young band. For this reason, I became what I Consultant? daughter to my home after interpreting now call a “band-aid” interpreter. for her at a local emergency room. The The woman and her daughter woman’s husband had hit her in the moved in with me, a decision face and all over her body. This was approved by her providers, who had in not the woman’s first visit to the emer- some ways indirectly encouraged me gency room with similar injuries to “take care of my own.” Everything inflicted by her husband. Despite the was fine until the night the woman’s circumstances, the husband, who had husband followed me home and lived in the U.S. longer than his wife threatened to hurt us all. It was then and spoke English very well, was in that I realized I had put both myself the emergency room waiting to inter- and the patient at greater risk than pret for his battered wife. when we were at the hospital. Luckily, the providers in the emer- I had put a temporary fix on a gency room called for a staff inter- problem I felt no one could solve.
Are we acting according to what is expected of a professional interpreter?
preter and asked the husband to wait Because the patient was a Portuguese outside. In private, the woman told us speaker, a compatriot, and a woman, I that her husband beat her when she wanted to rescue her. This incident refused to have sex with him. She was occurred over 25 years ago, and at now ready to move out of this rela- that time professional boundaries for tionship and was taking her young providers, teachers, clinicians, and daughter with her. interpreters were not as clear as they As an interpreter, I helped the are now. The lines were blurred and providers make calls to shelters for often crossed by even the most caring battered women. Unfortunately, all the professionals. Although my actions at shelters were full. A staff member at the time represent an extreme one shelter told me that they would no example of “band-aid” interpreting, longer accept Portuguese women due how many of you have not felt a cer- to a prior incident when a Portuguese tain amount of outrage when you client got lonely and called her hus- sensed a patient’s basic rights were band, divulging the shelter’s address. being denied? This put the other residents in danger because the shelter had promised a “Fixing” Things Does secret and safe location. Not Make Them Better I was young, new in this country, I believe there are moments when and horrified that even the organiza- every interpreter will feel the urge to tions I trusted were treating our “fix” an unfair situation. For instance, a patients as second-class citizens. I was few years ago at a conference, a well- very supportive of women’s rights respected interpreter told a story that I
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 now summarize for you. A young preg- preter should take before making the do what we think is right. nant Latina underwent her first gynecol- decision to become a patient advocate The interpreters in the two cases ogical exam and was apparently in the triadic encounter. These are: just mentioned felt the need to take nervous about having a provider see and 1. Focus on the inner and outer cir- protective action in favor of their touch her private parts. The provider cles of your professional identity. patients. Their inner circles, or self- made some comments to the effect that 2. Understand the role of the expectations, were based on values he was surprised at her shyness during provider. such as respect and the desire to come the exam, especially since she had not 3. Apply the “Six Ws” as a guide to the defense of persons perceived as been shy about getting pregnant. The when stepping outside the con- powerless. But as much as our inner interpreter felt that the provider was out duit role, (see page 23). circles speak to us, are they in har- of line and did not interpret these com- mony with our outer circles? In other ments to the patient. The interpreter felt The Inner and Outer Circles words, are we acting according to that if the patient were to understand the of Your Professional Identity what is expected of a professional provider’s comments, she would be All of an individual’s decisions interpreter? Do we abide by profes- offended and would likely not return for relate to his or her inner and outer cir- sional standards of practice? Do prenatal care. Thus, the interpreter con- cles. Your inner circle consists of what patients really want us to intervene? cluded her story with the following you expect from yourself, whereas observation: sometimes an interpreter your outer circle is based on your per- Keeping Your Balance needs to step out of the conduit role and ception of what others expect from Our lives as professional inter- be a filter and advocate for the sake of you. As a professional interpreter, you preters are a balancing act. Because the patient. need to understand both of these cir- our profession is in its infancy, the I can empathize with this inter- cles and how they relate to each other. outer circles often determine the qual- preter. We had both felt the urge to Most of us became medical inter- ifications of an interpreter based on provide an immediate “fix” to what preters because we share a strong the outcome of the triadic interview. we saw as a problem no one else belief in providing equal healthcare Interpreters feel this pressure and it could handle, but did our actions carry access to non-English-speaking and moves them to act as “band-aids” in a long-term benefit? Did the battered limited-English-proficient (LEP) pat- the interaction or else as “hunters of metacommunication.” There also exists among some medical providers a phenomenon of “medical laziness,” Conflict can create a feeling of isolation if not in which the provider steps aside from his or her role and allows the inter- processed at the right time, but it can also create preter to assume it, as in the case men- tioned below. a world of opportunities for professional and At a party, I listened to a social worker as she described a “great ses- personal growth. sion” with an interpreter for a local managed care company: women’s shelter change its policy ients. Our profession is not always “I just had a great session with an toward Portuguese women? Did the held in high regard by the outer cir- interpreter. She was so caring, so medical provider ever learn that his cles, as reflected in many comments connected. She knew exactly what to personal views toward teenage made by providers (“I don’t need do, and she talked this Haitian family mothers and Latinas were not wel- you.” “These people are a burden to into joining the hospice program…” come in the exam room? the system!” “Why don’t they learn In this article, I intend to provide English?”). Thus, we are interpreters, “I first tried to explain to the family my fellow interpreters with a set of not because we are supported by the about our services, but the inter- tools for positive change. The article outer circles, but because we feel a preter knew right away that they outlines the first three steps an inter- strong push from our inner circles to would not get it. So they went ➡
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 21 Band-Aid Interpreter or Culture Consultant? A Different Approach to Culture Brokering Continued
into another room and the inter- cate. The interpreter is a conduit!” Curtis1 and the LEARN model, there preter talked and talked to them. I are five actions a provider may take could have never done it by I will never know for a fact if the when listening to a patient: myself!” interpreter smelled like urine, but I can tell you that this accusation left 1. Listen with sympathy and under- I reflected on the social worker’s the interpreter shaken and trauma- standing to the patient’s perception story and then asked her if the results tized. She felt attacked as a profes- of the problem. were not what she had expected. I also sional and as a person. After much 2. Explain your perception of the asked the social worker if she would investigation, however, it became problem. have had such a high opinion if the clear that it was not the quality of the 3. Acknowledge and discuss the dif- interpreter had not intervened for her interpretation that bothered the ferences and similarities. and simply interpreted. The social provider. Rather, it was the fact that 4. Recommend treatment. worker replied that she understood my the interpreter would not consent to 5. Negotiate treatment. point, but that there had been such a persuade the family to accept the rec- racial and cultural disconnect between ommended treatment option. There Even with this model, Howard her and the Haitian family that the was clearly an “anger” emanating Stein2 acknowledges that providers interpreter’s actions were necessary. I from the provider, as expressed by the and patients (and in our case, inter- then asked if she had ever perceived a hospice supervisor, which stemmed preters) develop conscious and uncon- disconnect with other patients or fam- from the outcome of the session. In scious feelings toward each other. The ilies. She answered that she had on a the absence of an outlet for expres- term transference refers to uncon- few occasions. When I inquired as to sion, our interpreter became a target. scious feelings of the patient toward what steps she had taken in those the provider. Countertransferences are cases to bridge the divide, she replied, Understanding the the unconscious feelings of the “Different things, but at least I could Role of the Provider provider toward the patient. Stein speak their language.” It is interesting Interpreters need to trust that most writes that the dynamic of conflict is that this social worker did not try medical professionals have received likely a result of projective identifica- those same “things” in the presence of at least a basic training in communi- tion, or externalization by relocating the interpreter! cation skills. According to J. R. an unconscious feeling that may cause Later, I learned of a similar case in which the interpreter had opted to refrain from “fixing” and stuck to being a conduit. After two hours of an intense session with a hospice nurse and an interpreter, an Italian-speaking family decided not to accept the hos- pice program. Some time later, the Remember: hospice supervisor called our inter- preter agency to complain that the interpreter had appeared disheveled, • Good interpreting is not only based • For any resolution, all sides need to had smelled of urine, and that the ses- on accuracy, but on how the be heard and understood and find sion had not gone well. interpreter manages the dynamics of common ground. the triadic encounter. “Not gone well?” I said. • When tempted to intervene and “fix” • In almost any interaction, there will a dynamic, the interpreter should “Yes, the interpreter was not advo- be some type of conflict. first question the short-term and cating for the nurse.” long-term impact of this action.
“I’m sorry, but the interpreter is not supposed to be a treatment advo-
22 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 pain when re-experienced. People The Circle Chart often rid themselves of this pain by Roger Fisher and William Ury3 attaching it to another person. The fol- developed the Circle Chart to outline Remember lowing hypothetical situation provides a respectful process for conflict reso- a good example of transference, coun- lution. According to this process, one to ask the tertransference, and projective identi- must identify concrete examples of the fication. perceived wrong. Together, both par- A patient goes into shock and dies. ties should go over a list of the prob- Soon after, another diabetic patient lems. Once this is done they enter a Six Ws arrives in the emergency room with second stage where analysis or diag- elevated blood sugar. The provider nosis of the issues may be offered. angrily tells the patient, “You need to The third stage is the approach, where do what I say or next time you’ll leave they begin to work on strategies for the hospital in a hearse (projective resolution. This is done on an intellec- 1. identification)!” The interpreter tual level. As a result of this thinking, Who owns the information? senses the provider’s aggression and, the fourth step, action ideas, takes not knowing the provider’s past expe- place. In the action idea phase, both rience, rebuts with frustration (trans- parties take actual steps toward 2. ference) by saying, “Doctor, as a dealing with the problem. Whose job it is to share the professional, you should know that in The Circle Chart steps are crucial this patient’s culture it is common to to our work as interpreters. The information? seek folk treatments!” process led me to reassess my prior A similar interaction might happen actions as a “band-aid.” Before with any patient who does not follow opening the band-aid box, become a 3. the provider’s recommendations, not consultant and coach to the provider. With whom can I share it? just LEP speakers. With any commu- Remember: a coach does not tell the nication there is always a potential for provider what to do, but rather conflict. Conflict can create a feeling enhances the patient-provider rela- of isolation if not processed at the tionship by adding background infor- 4. right time, but it can also create a mation on specific cultural Who is going to be affected by world of opportunities for professional challenges, thus promoting a healthy my actions? and personal growth. In our hypothet- provider-patient dialogue. ical case, the provider was not a good listener. She may have felt unimpor- The Six Ws 5. tant, or perhaps she cared so much for Working with human beings is not What does the law say? the patient and was pained to see her all black and white, and there are those fade into death. Out of an unconscious moments when an interpreter may feel fear of losing another patient, this that he or she is crossing a boundary. It provider resorted to a defense mecha- is what you do before and after your 6. nism and fought back with the hope of intervention that makes you a profes- Would a professional avoiding another loss. sional. When making your decision interpreter association What was lacking in our provider regarding when and how to intervene in support my action? (and in our interpreter) was an appro- a session, consider the Six Ws, a tool I priate response to conflict. Both developed for medical interpreters. jumped to an analysis of what they perceived as the problem without first 1. Who owns the information? consulting the other parties to the interaction. 2. Whose job it is to share the information? ➡
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 23 Band-Aid Interpreter or Culture Consultant? A Different Approach to Culture Brokering Continued
3. With whom can I share it? will fall off. When it does, the dam- Giving In, Second Edition (New aged skin will still be there. Looking York: Houghton Mifflin, 1992). 4. Who is going to be affected by my back at our cases of band-aid inter- actions? ventions, was the wound ever healed? 4. Isaacs, William. Dialogue and the It is not easy to resist the urge to Art of Thinking Together (New 5. What does the law say? intervene when interpreting during an York: Doubleday, 1999). uncomfortable situation in a triadic 6. Would a professional interpreter encounter with a provider and patient. 5. Cloke, Kenneth, and Joan association support my action? However, this does not mean that you Goldsmith. Resolving Conflicts at cannot take steps for positive change. Work: Eight Strategies for Respecting Boundaries As an interpreter, you may use the Everyone on the Job (San In summary, good interpreting is post-session time and supervision Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass, not only based on accuracy, but on meetings to share concerns and pro- 2000). how the interpreter manages the mote a healthy dialogue that will lead dynamics of the triadic encounter. In to more permanent changes. almost any interaction, there will be Often, it is the work behind the some type of conflict. With any con- scenes of a triadic encounter that flict resolution process, all sides need results in resolution. According to to be heard and understood and find Kenneth Cloke and Joan Goldsmith5, common ground. The band-aid inter- true resolution “requires a shift in how Additional preter acts on the basis of personal we think about conflict and behave in assumptions, and neither the provider its presence…. We reach resolution nor the patient is consulted regarding when we do not run away from con- Reading the nature or resolution of the pro- frontation and no longer see people gram. When tempted to intervene and with whom we disagree as enemies.” “fix” a dynamic, the interpreter should first question the short-term Notes Getting What and long-term impact of this action. 1. Curtis J. R., and Gordon D. Ask yourself, “Is this about a need to Rubenfield, editors. Managing You Want: satisfy my inner and outer circles, or Death in the ICU—The Transition How to Reach is this about the patient and from Cure to Comfort (New York: Agreement provider?” Oxford University Press, 2001). Intervening in a triadic encounter and for the sake of respect is risky. 2. Stein, Howard. The Psycho- Resolve Conflict 4 According to William Isaacs , dynamics of Medical Practices. Every Time “respect means honoring boundaries.” Unconscious Factors in Patient It also means that “when you respect Care (Berkeley and Los Angeles, someone, you do not intrude or you California: University of By Kare Anderson do not withhold yourself or distance California Press, 1985). (New York: Plume, 1993). yourself from them.” A band-aid may be good for immediate relief and can 3. Fisher, Roger, Bruce Patton, and temporarily protect the patient from William Ury. Getting to Yes. germs or infection, but eventually it Negotiating Agreement Without
Maybe YOU should make a presentation at ATA’s 48th Annual Conference. See page 43 for more information.
24 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 Team Interpreting: By Giovanna L. Carnet Does It Really Work?
this intense cognitive activity. without sounding like a complainer The interpreter arrives in I have been interpreting in both the can be quite an undertaking. Many court equipped with the trial informa- legal and medical arenas since 1996. I judges will cite monetary constraints tion, dictionaries, pens, note pads, and a remember when I first started out how as their number one enemy and others host of other essential items for the trial. exhausted I was at the end of a long will express their lack of familiarity Even though the interpreter is well pre- day out in the trenches. All I wanted with interpreters coming in from dif- pared for the task at hand, the fact to do was come home and just sit. I ferent districts. After all, the inter- remains that she will be interpreting the needed to escape to a place where preter just has to talk—how tiring can that really be? The first time I had the opportunity to work within a team format was about It is this constant need to impress that can cause a a year ago. The defendant’s speech pat- tern was very difficult to understand great deal of problems in our profession. As and the interpreter assigned to the case professional interpreters, it is imperative for us to knew that concentrating on that fact alone would be exhausting, so they had understand and accept that we are not superheroes requested the assistance of another interpreter. This relatively straightfor- within the language industry. ward request turned out to be the most difficult obstacle in the entire trial. The court wanted to know why they should grant permission for the use of two entire proceeding without backup assis- there was no noise, no chatter, and no interpreters when in the past one had tance. The court officials and parties voices. I wanted silence. Why was I so been sufficient. Why now? Why this involved in the case have overlooked the tired? Because I was one of those case? What had changed? absence of a second interpreter because pseudo superhero interpreters who they believe that a single interpreter believed I could interpret for hours We Are Only Human: should be more than capable of under- without a break. After all, this is what Mental Fatigue taking this trial with minimum breaks. all great interpreters do, right? Studies have shown that significant Does this scenario sound familiar? errors in meaning occur after 30-45 min- The Team Concept utes on task in simultaneous interpreta- The Need to Impress Team Interpreting (TI) is defined as tion. According to one report studying Many interpreters believe that they the use of more than one interpreter to the effects of interpreter fatigue: “the have to impress those they work with provide communication effectively to interpreters appeared to be unaware of in order to gain respect. They will and from all participants. When TI is this decline in quality, as most of them accept assignments that are entirely too used correctly, it prevents the prema- continued on task for another 30 min- complex in terminology or skill level, ture exhaustion of the working inter- utes…considering that each meaning or agree to continue interpreting when preter, allowing for a seamless flow of error, no matter how minor, does distort they clearly know they need to rest. It the interpreting task through minimal the message, a considerable increase in is this constant need to impress that interruptions. The TI approach is ideal the number of meaning errors after 30 can cause a great deal of problems in for tasks lasting more than two to three minutes on task does represent a signifi- our profession. As professional inter- hours that will be conducted primarily cant decline in output quality.”1 preters, it is imperative for us to under- in the simultaneous mode. Interpreter fatigue is the most crit- stand and accept that we are not There are several things needed for ical element for court officials to under- superheroes within the language the TI concept to work. Promoting the stand, because once they are aware that industry. We are but mere mortals who use of TI is one of the hardest things errors are taking place, they may be need to allow ourselves some down- an interpreter will have to learn to do. more inclined to ask for more than one time within the timelines of our assign- Helping court officials understand the interpreter. Interpreters can process up ments to let our brain recuperate from need for more than one interpreter to 22 cognitive skills while doing ➡
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 25 Team Interpreting: Does It Really Work? Continued their job. Whether it is in the simulta- interpreter strength, these individuals Answering these questions will aid neous or consecutive modes, the brain step out in front of the assignment you in choosing potential interpreting will tire after constant use without train and attempt to stop it all by partners. Once you have picked your proper rest. The court should under- themselves. Why are some of us so team, here are a few suggestions you stand that interpreters do not simply afraid to ask for assistance? can follow: utter words. They must comprehend complete thoughts and ideas, correctly Making the Team ¥ Agree on time breaks. restructure sentences, identify ambigui- The first step in putting an inter- ¥ Agree on signals. ties, decipher speech patterns, take preting team together is identifying ¥ Agree on terminology. notes, preserve register, and block out who will be on that team. Familiarize ¥ Agree on possible discrepancies background noise. Interpreters must be yourself with other interpreters in and how to handle them. familiar with legal terminology, street your area. Court administrators ¥ Agree on equipment. jargon, idioms, and metaphors, and be should have lists of certified and qual- ¥ Work together for the experience (even if not compensated).
The more you work together, the Promoting the use of TI is one of the hardest better your team will be. One of the assets of TI is that it allows the inter- things an interpreter will have to learn to do. preting assignment to run with minimal interruptions. Signals should be prac- ticed among team members prior to using them in court. Visual signals such able to retrieve that information from ified interpreters within the district. as cue cards, hand gestures, or colored the brain archives almost immediately. Making time to actually see these cards can be used. It is crucial for the It is very unrealistic to assume that all interpreters working is very impor- team to practice as much as they can of this can be accomplished without tant. There is a saying in the military, outside the work environment. This will mental fatigue setting in. “You are only as strong as your allow members to hone their skills and weakest link.” Knowing the attributes, master the fluidity needed for the team Adopting a Team Spirit strengths, weaknesses, and style of to be successful. Other areas to be Familiarity is what makes a great your team member is paramount. The addressed include common court termi- interpreting team. In order to work reason you work with other inter- nology, which should be discussed and well with others, you must…well, preters is to aid each other. If one compiled into a user-friendly folder. work well with others. team member is carrying all the Dictionaries should be perused and In my opinion, one of the biggest weight, the point of TI is moot and the marked for easy access or research. The issues facing interpreters right now is stress level for that interpreter has team should obtain as much informa- that they lack a sense of camaraderie been doubled. The following are some tion as possible on the assignment prior at times. In certain sectors, inter- questions to ask yourself: to the work date. This will be important preters compete fiercely against each for the team in terms of being prepared other. There are individuals who are ¥ How many interpreters do you know? to handle areas of concern or confusion. so afraid of losing work to other col- ¥ How many interpreters have you In case of discrepancies with words or leagues that they accept assignments worked with? terminology, the team must remember that border on insanity. They embark ¥ How many interpreters possess your to address these issues outside of the on three to four day trials with min- interpreting style, techniques, etc.? courtroom. It would be a grave mistake imal breaks and no additional help. ¥ How many interpreters would you to argue with other team members in a They accept depositions that last six recommend to others? courtroom full of jurors and court to seven hours, again without any ¥ How many interpreters do you feel officers. TI works wonderfully when additional help. The superhero com- comfortable working with? approached correctly. Professionalism plex I mentioned before sets in and, ¥ How many interpreters feel com- is the key to success in this concept. believing that they have extraordinary fortable working with you?
26 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 When forming a team, ask yourself:
• How many interpreters do you know? • How many interpreters would you recommend to others? • How many interpreters have you worked with? • How many interpreters do you feel comfortable working with? • How many interpreters possess your interpreting style, • How many interpreters feel comfortable working with you? techniques, etc.?
Once you have picked your team, members should:
• Agree on time breaks. • Agree on possible discrepancies and how to handle them. • Agree on signals. • Agree on equipment. • Agree on terminology. • Work together for the experience (even if not compensated).
If They Say “No” Ideally, the interpreter should be prepared whether it is in or out of the As mentioned earlier, one of the allowed to disappear for at least 15 courtroom. Get together with your hardest obstacles you may encounter minutes to have some time to rest team member(s), rehearse, and brain- is convincing your district that TI may away from the courtroom. storm. Network with other inter- be needed for a specific case. You may If you are confident in your preters in your area and try to get encounter several rejections before delivery and have done research on others to participate in TI. Make it a your idea is received, so do not give TI, you will be able to present a very point to work with other interpreters up. One approach is to ask the court if clear and convincing argument to for both the experience and the expo- they are willing to do half-day TI ses- your district. It may take you a few sure to other judges and districts. It sions. If this idea is met with resist- tries, but with perseverance you may will take time, but it will be worth the ance then broach the subject finally win your district over and they wait in the long run. concerning “breaks.” You can stress to may be willing to see if TI really the court that you will need to take a works. Once the opportunity presents Notes break about every 30 minutes. You itself, all of the details involving TI 1. Vidal, Mirta. “New Study on also need to point out that the key for should already be worked out. The Fatigue Confirms Need for a “break” to work is to allow the inter- team concept works, but like anything Working in Teams.” PROTEUS, preter downtime. These breaks should that is done haphazardly, if not prac- Vol. VI, No. 1 (Winter 1997). not be used for attorneys to discuss ticed it will fail. You may only be additional information with their given one opportunity to prove your- clients or to have the interpreter read self; do not wait until then to find out information or answer questions. if you can do it or not. Practice and be
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 27 An Update on Argentine Political Jargon By Rut Simcovich
month, and that the diner will have systematic opposition (for example, in Political jargon tends to good luck if a small-denomination bill the Argentine Congress) to obtain reflect common wisdom and fre- is tucked under the plate. However, the money in exchange for political sup- quently involves humor and a great term has now acquired an added port. It also covers the practice of dose of ingenuity. Perhaps this is meaning. In Argentine politics, it is buying political opponents by pro- because political jargon is created in used to refer to somebody who has a viding them with public funds that an attempt to cope with aspects of public sector job, but who only turns they can use to their personal or polit- reality we find unpalatable or even up (if ever) to collect their salary at the ical advantage, for example, to build public works in their district. The term emerged as an allusion to the money-packed briefcases circulating Political jargon is created in an attempt to cope with in the Argentine Senate that were allegedly given out in exchange for aspects of reality we find unpalatable or even voting for a specific draft law (a case dating back to the year 2000 that is distressing…whether these expressions will stay now before the courts). with us or not, only time will tell. Valijera/o (literally, porter): A per- son who, on behalf of a political leader or sector, collects and carries money distressing. Political cartoonists and end of the month. Appointed as a originating from bribes or embezzle- commentators are sometimes the result of political patronage, ñoquis ment of public funds. source of such jargon, but in other normally keep only part of the nom- cases, its anonymous creators simply inal value of their salary, delivering the Pingüino (literally, penguin): A sup- belong to the rank and file of the rest to their “patron.” porter of Argentine President Nestor people. However, whenever these Kirchner. Kirchner is a native of one of words or expressions persist, one may Esmerilar (literally, to grind, for Argentina’s southernmost provinces, surmise that they serve a social com- example, glass): To chip away at Santa Cruz (part of Patagonia, a region munication purpose. political opponents in order to under- where penguins are abundant). After Many of the terms and expressions mine them, for example, by means of Kirchner took office in May 2003, he listed below have been circulating in covert press campaigns. began being depicted as a penguin by the Argentine political arena for some popular political cartoonist Nik. The time. They are commonly used and Embarrar la cancha (literally, to make term has spawned derivatives such as understood by a wide number of the field muddy): In every language, pingüinismo. people, and can even be found in the many sports metaphors have become written press. Some of them are part of everyday speech. In Argentina, Borocotizar (to co-opt an opposition closely linked to current political most of these metaphors can be traced to politician): This term is derived from events while others have evolved soccer. For example, in political jargon, Borocotó, a nickname given to a politi- according to changing circumstances. embarrar la cancha means to obscure an cian who was elected to the Argentine Whether they will stay with us or not, issue or delay an unfavorable event by Congress on the ballot of one party only time will tell. playing up other issues in order to divert and almost immediately announced people’s attention. that he was switching to another Ñoqui (from the Italian gnocchi): (President Kirchner’s). The term has This tasty pasta dish has long been a Marroquinero/marroquinería política also given rise to a noun (borocoti- favorite of Argentines since it was (literally, leather goods manufac- zación), which is being used in nonpo- introduced by Italian immigrants in turer or store): This expression was litical fields. For example, to football the late 19th century. There is an coined recently, supposedly by writer coaches and players, borocotización Argentine tradition that says gnocchi Jorge Asís, and has gained immediate means being deviously enticed away should be eaten on the 29th of every acceptance. It refers to the practice of by a rival club.
28 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 Cristino: Somebody who supports the presidential candidacy of First Lady Want to learn more Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. A senator, it is rumored she would run if her husband decides not to seek re- about politics in election in 2007. The term is also used as a proper noun (los Cristinos). Argentina? Escrache (from Buenos Aires slang or lunfardo): Whereas originally it meant a mug shot, the derived verb went on to mean “putting somebody in evidence” or “catching red-handed.” Nik: Political Cartoonist In political terms, to stage an escrache www.gaturro.com/politico/politico.html currently involves holding a protest or demonstration against somebody (usu- ally a human rights violator involved General information on Argentine Politics in the 1970s repression) in front of www.politicalresources.net/argentina.htm their house to let neighbors know who www.answers.com/topic/politics-of-argentina they share their daily life with. It is also used as a verb: escrachar. www.argentinaglobe.com
Primerear (from primero, i.e. first): The Economist To “steal a march,” or to gain the upper hand by coming out with a pro- www.economist.com/countries/Argentina posal or idea before your opponents. Newspapers Ningunear (from ningún/ninguno, i.e. none/no one): To deliberately and The Clarin blatantly ignore a political opponent’s www.clarin.com actions or statements with the purpose of making them appear irrelevant. Buenos Aires Herald Judicializar (to bring before the www.buenosairesherald.com courts): Politically, the term is equiva- lent to the strategy of delaying a deci- sion by referring things to a committee. La Nacion In this case, it means avoiding a polit- www.lanacion.com.ar ical decision by taking a matter to the courts, in the knowledge that it will take a long time to be sorted out. La Prensa www.laprensa.com.ar La hiper: A reference to the hyperin- flation that afflicted Argentina in the La Razon late 1980s and early 1990s. www.larazon.com.ar Abrazo solidario (literally, solidarity embrace): A form of protest designed to defend an institution that is ➡
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 29 An Update on Argentine Political Jargon Continued felt to be under attack. It consists of government official who is thought to with little political power. calling on people to convene at an be responsible for a damaging event, Acostar (literally, “to put to bed”): emblematic building, for example, the despite (often frantic) efforts to disas- To make a person the object of an action that is greatly damaging from a political point of view.
Diego (from Buenos Aires slang or Political cartoonists and commentators are sometimes lunfardo): This term has a phonetic the source of jargon, but in other cases, its resemblance to the word “diez” (ten) and carries a reference to the first anonymous creators simply belong to the name of famous Number 10 soccer player Diego Armando Maradona. It rank and file of the people. means a percentage to be collected for doing somebody a favor.
Espada (literally, “sword”): A polit- Ministry of Education, to defend sociate themselves from the incident. ical operator. public schools. Tragarse un sapo (literally, “to As a living reflection of reality, Soltarle la mano (literally, to let go swallow a toad”): This means bearing language is constantly evolving of somebody’s hand): When one- the unsavory costs of some tough thanks to popular creativity, which time allies of a politician who political decisions or unfavorable turn uses current developments in any field becomes embroiled in some sort of of events. to coin new and ingenious ways of scandal abandon him. describing things. I will end this Cajonear (literally, “putting in a update with one last, brand-new Despegarse (literally, to “unstuck” drawer”): The practice of absconding expression. or “become unglued”): Said of a an issue or a request so that it is never politician who makes efforts to dis- dealt with. Plutonizar: This is a verb derived from tance him/herself from an erstwhile the name of erstwhile planet Pluto, ally who is perceived to have become Cuatro de Copas (literally, “four of which was demoted to a “subplanet” by less than an asset. goblets”): The lowest card in the least an astronomers’ conference just a few powerful suit in a hand of Truco, a days before this article was written. In Quedar abrochado—quedar pegado popular Argentine and Uruguayan political terms, it means to strip some- (literally, “to become stapled” or game played with Spanish cards. In body of their rank or political power. “stuck”): This refers to a politician or political terms, it means somebody
Call for Submissions Beacons, Volume 10 ATA’s Literary Division is proud to announce that Michele Aynesworth will be the guest editor of the next edition of Beacons, the division’s annual publication of literature in translation. Submission deadline: March 1, 2007 For additional information or questions, please contact Michele Aynesworth at [email protected].
30 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 Upcoming Events
February 6-8, 2007 May 18-20, 2007 Israel Translators Association National Association of Judiciary Fifth International Conference Interpreters and Translators Haifa, Israel 28th Annual Conference www.ita.org.il Portland, Oregon www.najit.org March 8-10, 2007 Transadaptation, Technology, and Nomadism Concordia University May 31-June 3, 2007 Montreal, Quebec, Canada ATA Medical Division http://etfran.concordia.ca/conf07 First Mid-Year Conference Cleveland, Ohio April 11-15, 2007 www.ata-divisions.org/MD Critical Link 5 “Quality in Interpreting: July 28-29, 2007 A Shared Responsibility” INTERPRETA 2007 Sydney, Australia Buenos Aires, Argentina www.criticallink2007.com www.interpreta2007.org April 21-22, 2007 October 31-November 3, 2007 Institute of Translation and Interpreting American Translators Association 21st Birthday International Conference 48th Annual Conference London, England San Francisco, California www.iti.org.uk www.atanet.org May 4-6, 2007 August 1-7, 2008 ATA Energy & Oil Conference International Federation of Translators Houston, Texas XVIII World Congress www.atanet.org Shanghai, China www.fit-ift.org May 13-16, 2007 Society for Technical Communication 54th Annual Conference Minneapolis, Minnesota www.stc.org/cfp/cfp_GeneralInfo.asp
Scam Alert Websites www.OnGuardOnline.gov The Federal Trade Commission’s educational site about cross-border online fraud, offering information on common scams and tips on how to avoid them. www.tuesdayswithmantu.com Contains information on Rich Siegel’s book, Tuesdays With Mantu: My Adventures With a Nigerian Con Artist.
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 31 The Critical Role of the Medical Interpreter: An ATA Seminar By Ivonne Blandon
Johnson began the presentation with a precision while also being aware of ATA’s Medical Interpreting general overview of the role each of the cultural obstacles affecting clear Seminar took place at the Hilton these individuals plays in the medical communication. In the healthcare set- President in the heart of downtown interpreting session. ting, the interpreter should always act Kansas City, Missouri, on August 26, as a conduit, clarifier, and cultural 2006. The seminar attracted a diverse The limited-English-proficient (LEP) broker, while adhering to the medical number of ATA members in the med- patient: The LEP patient is often from interpreter code of ethics. ical field from around the country. a culture with a more individual and/or The presentation included a role-play After a few words of welcome family-oriented approach toward exercise and group discussion in order for participants to gain a deeper under- standing of each of the parties involved in an interpreting session in a healthcare setting. Participants also received valu- The interpreter should always act as a conduit, able tips on developing clearer commu- clarifier, and culture broker, while adhering to nication in a triadic encounter. the medical interpreter code of ethics. Stress Management for Medical Interpreters Given some of the traumatic expe- riences that interpreters may endure from Rosalie Wells, seminar organizer healthcare. In such cultures decisions when working in mental health set- and a member of ATA’s Professional are made as a family, which explains tings, the second presentation of Development Committee, and Teresa why many patients are accompanied by the day, also led by Janet Erickson- Kelly, ATA Headquarters meeting relatives when they visit the doctor. The Johnson, addressed the issue of inter- planner, it was time for the first of patient sometimes has non-Western preter stress and how to deal with it. three informative sessions. values and different religious beliefs Participants were introduced to the that could impact their compliance with different resources that interpreters Medical Interpreting: the recommended treatment. have at their disposal to help them Achieving Symbiosis with work-related stress. Some spe- This first session was presented by The provider/clinician: The provider/ cific resources and means of stress Janet Erickson-Johnson, the certifica- clinician places greater value on med- reduction were reviewed, such as tion manager for Language Line ical treatment oriented toward Language Line Services’ own peer Services in Monterey, California. Western testing procedures and phar- support program/stress debriefing Erickson-Johnson has been involved maceuticals. The provider’s focus is training. An opportunity was also pro- in the development and delivery of on finding and treating the disease. vided to discuss different mental basic and advanced medical inter- The provider is guided by standards health situations in small groups in preter training in the U.S. and abroad. established by the American Medical order to come to a consensus about Her credentials include a master’s Association and by other rules and how best to handle specific challenges. degree in translation and interpreta- regulations set by the hospital admin- The presentation began with a gen- tion from the Monterey Institute of istration, the medical code of ethics, eral overview of stress. Erickson- International Studies and a California and insurance guidelines. Johnson explained that stress is a State administrative hearing inter- physiological reaction that can be preter certification. The medical interpreter: The inter- either negative or positive. There are The discussion focused on what preter is responsible for providing many misconceptions about what the interpreter and provider/clinician strong bilingual/bicultural skills to stress is all about: that you are weak, need to understand about each other facilitate effective communication that it is all in your head, or that in order to work together to achieve between the LEP and the provider/cli- everyone suffers from stress in the the greatest benefit for the limited- nician. The interpreter must give atten- same way. Stress can be caused by English-proficient patient. Erickson- tion to linguistic accuracy and conflict, boredom, feelings of being
32 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 overwhelmed, or just telling yourself From Medical to Mental Health: function, resulting in productive you are “stressed-out.” Stress can Adjusting Techniques activities, fulfilling relationships with improve your performance in some Cynthia Roat concluded the day other people, and the ability to adapt cases, but it can also impair it. with a workshop designed to teach to change and to cope with adversity Whether it is good or bad, stress interpreters how to adapt their tech- specific to the individual’s culture.” always takes a toll on you. niques to the constantly changing She then went on to discuss the two According to Erickson-Johnson, environment in which many of them most common roles interpreters find stress can be manifested in four ways: work. Roat is a consultant and trainer themselves in and the responsibilities on issues related to language access in each requires. Physical: Experiencing chills, fatigue, healthcare. Certified by the Wash- fainting, chest pain, high blood pres- ington State Department of Social and Medical Interpreting: Roat explained sure, and, the most common symptom, Health Services for medical and that the role of an interpreter during a headaches. social service interpreting, she has medical encounter is to communicate been a medical interpreter since 1992. so the result leads to a diagnosis and Cognitive: Experiencing feelings of She is the principal developer of plan of treatment. The most impor- confusion, having nightmares, becoming suspicious of others, or blaming others, and short-term memory loss.
Emotional: Experiencing fears, The patient sometimes has non-Western values and depression, anger, or denial. different religious beliefs that could impact their Behavioral: Experiencing with- compliance with the recommended treatment. drawal, antisocial behavior, changes in speech, and problems with alcohol and appetite. Bridging the Gap, a medical inter- tant aspect in this encounter is what Stress of any type can affect how the preter training program. Roat helped is said. Since everyone shares a medical interpreter carries out his or her found the Society of Medical common goal, the communication is role. Erickson-Johnson discussed exam- Interpreters in Seattle and is chair of usually collaborative. ples of different situations that impact the advisory committee of the an interpreter’s performance in the med- National Council on Interpreting in Mental Health Interpreting: In ical setting (long hours, the unpre- Health Care. mental health interpreting, the role of dictable behavior of patients, physical Participants learned the difference the interpreter is to communicate so risk to the interpreter in the emergency between interpreting in a medical set- the result leads to a diagnosis. In this room, panic situations during 911 calls). ting versus a mental health setting, case, the most important aspect in the To cope with such situations, Erickson- and how to adjust their interpreting encounter is what is said and how it is Johnson recommended that interpreters approach accordingly. Topics also said. Depending on the goal of the ses- develop peer support groups. It is also included an introduction to what sion, the communication may be col- important for interpreters to know their mental health practitioners are laborative or adversarial. In this limitations. Seminar attendees left this looking and listening for, and an situation, it is important for the inter- session with some very practical tips on overview of specialized vocabulary. preter to learn about what a mental how to deal with varying levels of Roat got attendees involved by health provider is looking and lis- stress, including accepting one’s limita- asking them to define mental health. tening for. Roat explained that tions and making time for activities that The spirited discussion that followed providers normally take note of the relax and diversify life. brought forth a variety of definitions, following when assessing a patient: after which Roat summed up with her visual cues, appearance, and motor own: “Mental health is the state of behavior; the person’s sense of time successful performance of mental and place; mood; and speech ➡
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 33 The Critical Role of the Medical Interpreter: An ATA Seminar Continued and thought process, including rate of where attendees could display their speech, word usage, substitution, frag- résumés, brochures, and business Attention mentation, forms of linkage, and cards, or post job openings available at Advertisers: stringing unrelated words together. their respective companies. ATA also Roat explained that learning to held a certification exam for qualified adjust your interpreting approach to candidates on Sunday. accommodate changing circumstances takes time and practice. Participants left Overall Assessment Reserve your the session armed with plenty of tips This was a full day of in-depth, for improving their performance. advanced-level sessions presented by Roat’s session proved to be a highly experts in their field. Participants def- Spot beneficial conclusion to this seminar of initely came away with a deeper Today subjects focused on building the abili- understanding of what it takes to ties of the medical interpreter. function successfully as an interpreter in both the medical and mental health Increase your company’s ATA Seminars are not settings. The speakers were highly visibility by placing Just About Attending Lectures experienced and did a superb job an ad in The ATA Chronicle. As an added bonus, after the final imparting their enthusiasm for the presentation participants had the profession to seminar attendees, Contact: opportunity to attend a networking ses- making the day a very rewarding Matt Hicks at McNeill Group Inc. sion, where they could meet company experience for everyone. [email protected] owners, seasoned professionals, and newcomers in a relaxed atmosphere. In 215.321.9662 ext. 19. addition, there was a job marketplace,
ATA Language Technology Division Established
ATA has a new division! ATA’s Language Technology Division (LTD) was officially established at the recent ATA Board of Directors meeting in Chicago. The LTD will serve as the meeting point for those interested in technologies and techniques used in translation, interpretation, and related industries.
The division is now inviting all ATA members to join, to subscribe to and participate in its forum, and to contribute to the website content. To find out more about this newly established division, please visit www.ata-divisions.org/LTD.
34 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 ATA Certification Exam Information
Upcoming Exams All candidates applying for ATA certification must provide proof that they meet the certification California Oregon Washington program eligibility requirements. Please direct all San Diego Portland Seattle inquiries regarding general certification informa- March 10, 2007 May 18, 2007 April 28, 2007 tion to ATA Headquarters at (703) 683-6100. Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: Registration for all certification exams should be February 23, 2007 May 4, 2007 April 13, 2007 made through ATA Headquarters. All sittings have a maximum capacity and admission is based on Illinois Pennsylvania Uruguay the order in which registrations are received. Chicago Philadelphia Montevideo Forms are available from the ATA website or January 27, 2007 March 24, 2007 March 10, 2007 from Headquarters. Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: January 12, 2007 March 9, 2007 February 23, 2007
New Certified Members Congratulations! The following people have successfully passed ATA’s certification exam:
English into French English into Spanish German into English Russian into English Dounia Loudiyi Maria A. Litwin Michael Schubert Michael C. Gerrity Bethesda, MD McKinney, TX Vallejo, CA Garden City, SC Catherine Parker Los Angeles, CA Arabic into English Spanish into English Louay M. Abdulla Iris M. Mielonen Guilderland, NY Austin, TX English into Portuguese Luciana Caspisani Juan Vaquer, Jr. São Paulo, Brazil Croatian into English Phoenix, AZ Catherine R. Taylor-Skarica Pacifica, CA
ATA Ethics Course Active Membership Review Congratulations! The Active Membership Review Committee is pleased to grant active member status to: All certified members are required to earn one CE point by completing an ethics course during their first Steven S. Bammel Jisu Kim Nicole A. Lee reporting period. Irving, TX Staten Island, NY Valencia, CA
For details, go to: Teresa E. Susan Y. Kim Lorena P. Martin Fernandez Harbor City, CA Corpus Christi, TX www.atanet.org/certification/online_ethics_overview.php Surfside, FL Yoyo Yong B. Kim Peter B. Yoon Kipyo A. Han Chicago, IL Oakland, NJ Denver, CO
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 35 The Onionskin Chris Durban [email protected] August: The Hottest Month of the Year
This journal’s generally Financial Times, p. 8 (European edition), August 29, 2006 — helpful Business Smarts column Neil Inglis’s sandwich method at work recently suggested that a nervous cor- respondent use the “inevitable mid- summer lull” to tidy up office clutter, “Let the (translation) buyer beware” bone up on new technology, tend the garden, and spend time with friends. Sir, Do we live on the same planet? Paragraph 1: August: As Jon Alterman points out [“A propaganda war that can be lost in translation,”August 22], Time to Build Your Business language is a powerful weapon in the war on terror. And unscrupulous translators—many of them Translators breaking into the amateurs with an axe to grind—can distort issues by tweaking or even bulldozing meaning. market should know that there is Selective quotes, slanted interpretations: who is to know? scarcely a better time to start building a clientele than August—yes, Paragraph 2: August—for the simple reason that But readers of this newspaper should be aware that many business buyers of translation are many professionals are away (tradi- equally at risk, though their battlefields are less bloody. The reason is simple: 9 times out of 10, tion, school holidays, a perceived translation users simply cannot judge what is delivered to them. They are not fluent in Spanish, Swedish, or Swahili—which is why they turn to a translator in the first place. And if they get it summer lull...). wrong, they often do not know until it is too late. One of my own clients, a senior French banker, These days, the wheels of com- once sent a CV stressing his “passionate temper” to contacts in the City. What he meant was his merce turn year-round, and while tempérament passionné, a.k.a. personal commitment and conviction. (He did not get the job.) urgent jobs requiring an expert trans- lator’s input may be (slightly) less fre- Paragraph 3: quent from August 1 to 31, qualified Lessons for translation buyers? Find the right professional translator for the job and put the suppliers, too, will be a lot less thick power of language on your side. Unlike the propagandists Alterman cites, professionals will not on the ground. work for free, but their code of ethics and commitment to their craft are priceless. But to cash in on this bonanza, plan- ning is essential. Start positioning your- Yours sincerely, self in the spring at the latest, Christine Durban 75008 Paris, France networking through your regional group or national events and e-lists to announce your availability. Less brash and perhaps more effective given trans- Veteran translators, too, can make and the family dog as you may do in lators’ innate conservatism, consider good use of the special conditions in other months. (With luck the experi- offering proofreading and other services the summer months to raise their ence will fortify your resolve to raise or even a free (short) internship to estab- prices. Marketing 101 tells us that prices for unsocial hours the rest of lished translators to get the flow flowing there is no better time to up fees than the year, too.) and register your face, name, skills, and when demand outstrips supply—the general efficiency as a potential summer case for texts that need translating in August: Time to backup. Remember that freelance lan- August for a September product Promote the Profession guage service providers are often loners, launch, for example. For once, clients’ Summer is the silly season for many a bit insecure in business matters; poor planning can actually improve regional, national, and international they may prefer a serious newbie to a your quality of life, providing you put media, who embrace news lite, pre- potential heavy duty competitor for their your money where your mouth is. sumably for consumption by beery summer stand-in. And experienced Apply price hikes when a make-or- vacationers—but no doubt also as translators still at the workplace in break text hits your desk in August, filler while their own heavyweights August will have plenty on their plates rather than simply complain about the are on holiday. This is excellent news anyway. ungodly hours to colleagues, spouse, for language and translation issues.
36 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 Not to imply that translation is in any very least for raising the issue in way light, but that language, unlike the first place). Take Advantage of Your industrial fluids, is inherently inter- esting to the general public, and the 2. A second paragraph sticking the Membership Benefits types of mistakes addressed in knife in (correcting errors or obscure, er, specialized columns like expanding on partial information, The Onionskin hit the headlines far with an anecdote if possible). Collection Services/ more easily when there is less pres- Receivables Management sure from “serious” news. 3. A third paragraph with an uplifting Dun & Bradstreet Take the bilingual English/Welsh message or tip to close. Above all, Mike Horoski sign displayed in Glamorgan that was keep it short and focused: screeds (800) 333-6497 ext. 823 7226 flagged by local journalists in mid- over 300 words are canned imme- (484) 242-7226 August this year. A fine example: diately at most publications. [email protected] “Cyclists dismount” was machine- www.rmsna.com translated by a clueless but well- See the box on page 36 for an example meaning underling in the consortium of how the above method fits together. responsible for building the Cardiff As we head into autumn, August Sports Village as Llid y bledren dym- may seem only a pale memory. Never chwelyd or “Bladder inflammation fear; the suggestions in this column upset,” probably due to a confusion can be easily recycled whenever between cyclists and cystitis. Within market conditions lead a large part of hours the story had worked its way up the workforce to roll down the shades to the BBC and out to wire services and close up shop. planet-wide—a priceless client educa- tion opportunity for translators who took the time to craft witty, upbeat let- The Onionskin is a client education ters to the editor or op-ed pieces. Ditto column launched by the ITI Bulletin (a a fluffy ode to machine translation by publication of the U.K.’s Institute of none other than The Economist. Translation and Interpreting) in 1996. To ensure your missive makes it Comments and leads for future into print, adopt Neil Inglis’s sand- columns are very welcome; please wich method: include full contact details. Contact: [email protected] or fax 1. A first paragraph praising the jour- +33 1 43 87 70 45. nalist for her insights (or at the
May 18-20, 2007
National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators For more information: 28th Annual Conference www.najit.org
Portland, Oregon
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 37 Success by Association The Carolina Association of Translators and Interpreters
The Carolina Association of Translators and Interpreters (CATI) is the local chapter of ATA repre- • Acronym: CATI • Mailing Address: senting North and South Carolina. Quick Membership is open to anyone inter- • Established: 1985 Carolina Association of Translators ested in translation or interpretation • Area Served: North Carolina and and Interpreters who supports the aims of the associa- Facts South Carolina c/o Monique Glass tion. CATI currently has close to 200 • Website: www.catiweb.org 215 Old Town Way individual members who speak over • E-mail: [email protected] Simpsonville, SC 29681 30 languages. • Phone: (919) 577-0840 [email protected] Goals ¥ To promote the recognition of translating and interpreting as pro- fessions, and to defend and support the interests and concerns of pro- CATI’s board of directors meets Website fessional translators and inter- four times a year, with the most recent ¥ www.catiweb.org preters. meeting on November 11 in Chapel ¥ Database: Contains member list- ¥ To encourage high-quality service Hill, North Carolina. The website and ings by specialization. Searches and ethical business practice weekly e-mails sent by CATI’s can be conducted by language, among members. administrator keep members informed specialization, telephone number, ¥ To disseminate information to the of new employment and referral city, zip code, state, and/or name. public about translating and inter- opportunities, seminars, conferences, ¥ Members Only Page: Contains job preting. and publications. bank information and other infor- ¥ To facilitate mutual assistance mation pertinent to translators and among translators and interpreters, Publications interpreters. and to provide a medium for col- ¥ CATI Quarterly: Focuses on trans- ¥ Sponsorship Program: Offers ven- laboration with persons in allied lation and interpretation in the dors of translation-related products professions. Carolinas and beyond, with in- and services an opportunity to sup- depth articles and features. port translators/interpreters and the Activities ¥ The CATI Translation Services translation profession in the CATI offers workshops, seminars, Directory: A directory of members Carolinas. CATI offers sponsor- a conference, and social events to pro- (both individual and corporate) that ship at three levels: gold, silver, vide members professional develop- is published in the spring and sold and bronze. ment opportunities and contact with a to various institutions, including ¥ Events Calendar: Lists events and wider circle of colleagues. Net- libraries, government agencies, law news items pertinent to profes- working is an important benefit of firms, hospitals, and international sionals. participation. ATA continuing educa- businesses. Individual members tion points are offered at most work- receive one copy and corporate and shops, seminars, and conferences to institutional members receive two ATA-certified translators. free copies.
Visit ATA chapters, affiliates, and local groups serve translators and interpreters in spe- cific geographic areas. They provide industry information, networking opportuni- www.atanet.org ties, and support services to members at the local level and act as liaisons with the twenty-four/seven national association. This column is designed to serve as a quick resource high- lighting the valuable contributions these organizations are making to the associa- tion and the profession as a whole.
38 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 Business Smarts Repeat Business
This month’s column Dear Always: Instead, you may need to look for addresses the issue of repeat business A steady flow of interesting repeat serious job advertisements in other from a group of steady clients, which is business from a fixed group of friendly venues. Reinforce your networking the goal of many freelance business and well-paying clients is every free- efforts by attending local translator operators. Newcomers who do not hear lancer’s dream and aspiration. That meetings and events, and keep your back from a client after submitting a dream may take a while to come true, résumé updated to send out whenever a job often worry that something went however, so do not despair. If most of promising opportunity arises. wrong. While a lack of communication your current clients send only a few Next, carefully evaluate how you may have nothing to do with the quality jobs, start by taking a good look at your go about processing an assignment. of the translator’s work, it is still worth customers. Where did you make initial Do you tend to ask a lot of questions taking the time to investigate. contact? Were the negotiations based by e-mail or telephone? Project man- on price or on quality? Did the clients agers are frequently under time pres- Dear Business Smarts: provide you with any feedback after sure and prefer that you deal with I have a question I have been hesitant you delivered a job? Identify a handful self-explanatory questions yourself. to bring up in other online discussion of clients with whom you would like to Have you been careful to comply with forums. How important is it to have establish a long-term relationship, and all written instructions, and especially repeat business from the same clients? I contact them regularly with a short, to use reference materials and formats work in a major language pair, but do friendly message saying that you are supplied by the client? Did you not seem to get much repeat business. I available for new assignments. You deliver your assignments with time to started my own freelance business in may also want to consider sending out spare, or at the last minute? Do you 2003. I followed the marketing advice a (brief!) “feedback form” to solicit have the necessary experience in a from our local Small Business opinions about your work from these field of specialization to avoid basic Administration office, along with mar- clients. Another approach may be to errors? Do you back up your termi- keting ideas I read online. I am a request permission to list the client as a nology choices with thorough member of many online translation job reference on your résumé. research? Take stock of your refer- forums and frequently apply for offers. The responses to these efforts can ence materials. Even in the age of However, many clients only send one or tell you a lot. If you hear nothing back, Google, a good translator must have a two jobs and then fall silent, which you may need to reconsider your mar- solid library of dictionaries on hand to forces me to return to my marketing keting efforts entirely and focus on verify terminology. Keep in mind that efforts. How can I find out why I am not companies that value their freelancers mailing lists and forums are no substi- getting more business from past clients? enough to at least stay in touch. tute for doing your own research and Always-new clients in Colorado Advertisers looking only for the lowest establishing your own expertise, espe- price on online auction sites frequently cially since agency owners and lack an appreciation for the kind of project managers also read such lists. skills involved in translation, and will Obvious novices who expect other list Comments? never develop into steady clients. ➡
ATA members can discuss business issues online at the The information in this column was compiled by members of ATA’s Business following Yahoo! group: http:// Practices Education Committee for the benefit of ATA members. This column is not finance.groups.yahoo.com/group intended to constitute legal, financial, or other business advice. Each individual or /ata_business_practices.You company should make its own independent business decisions and consult its own will need to register with Yahoo! legal, financial, or other advisors as appropriate. The views expressed here are not (at no charge) if you have not necessarily those of ATA or its Board of Directors. Send your questions about the already done so, and provide your business of translation and interpretation to The ATA Chronicle—BPEC Q&A; 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314; Fax: (703) 683-6122; full name and ATA member E-mail: [email protected]. Questions must be accompanied by a number in order to join the group. complete name and address, but will be published anonymously or pseudonymously upon request.
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 39 Business Smarts Continued from p. 38 or forum participants to solve all of colleague suggest? communication is—as always— their terminological problems are Lastly, remember that clients have essential. Never be afraid to maintain revealing more than they may realize. to deal with ups and downs in the contact with the people who depend Share your work with a colleague flow of their own incoming work. on your expertise. you trust, and ask for honest feed- Maybe they have not called for a back. Does he or she think your work while because nothing in your subject is appropriate and professional? area and language combination has What kinds of improvements does the come in. But whatever the reason,
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40 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 DOVR 1(:
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The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 41 Compiled by Dictionary Reviews Boris Silversteyn [email protected]
Arabic Business Dictionary industrial psychology: The subtitle of the Arabic Author: Business Dictionary is “American and industrial relations: Miguel Duro Moreno Arabic Business Terminology for the industrial revolution: , Internet Age.” The cover mentions that and Editors: it contains Arabic translations of industrial union: Morry Sofer (general editor) American business terms, including . Adnane Ettayebi (Arabic editor) “business terms for banking, account- ing, insurance, real estate, import- The entry “economic ” is Publisher: export, taxes, business law, computers, followed by: Schreiber Publishing and more.” economic analysis: Rockville, MD The dictionary is readable, with a economic base: www.schreiberlanguage.com clear typeface in both English and economic depreciation: Arabic. Most of its approximately Publication date: 5,000 entries have a single phrase with economic freedom: 2006 no explanation serving as a definition. economic growth: There are no illustrations, charts, or economic growth rate: ISBN: tables, and no grammatical or pronun- 0-88400-322-1 ciation information is given. economic indicators: Abbreviations are alphabetized Price: according to the term’s spelled out economic life: $24.95 (paperback) meaning. Thus, IRA was listed paren- thetically under “Individual.” The use of economic loss: Available from: abbreviations is not always consistent or economic rent: (sic) www.schreiberlanguage.com accurate. For example, “last in, last out” economic sanctions: www.amazon.com is abbreviated LIFO (sic), which is (sic) translated as economic system: , Reviewed by: (Whoever enters last, exits last). and Jeff Hayes economic value: . Usefulness of Content The dictionary’s usefulness is lim- Each of these entries uses the same ited because the majority of the entries word for industrial/economic as the can be found in a standard original entry. Again, these entries English→Arabic general dictionary, could easily be found in a standard such as Al-Mawrid. In addition, there English→Arabic general dictionary, are multiple entries for phrases built especially since the nouns given in on a single word, as in the following Arabic are all common nouns. two examples. The entry “industrial ” is Errors followed by: There were several mistakes I noted industrial advertising: while glancing through this dictionary: industrial consumer: industrial engineer: •“Chief executive officer” (the abbre- industrial fatigue: viation is not given) is translated industrial goods: as (general manager). industrial park: The more common translation is industrial production: . industrial property: •“Change of beneficiary provision”
42 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 is translated as am not sure what “fascism,”“house,” cover and the introduction). (change of the beneficiary’s provi- “treason,”“hush money,” and “kudos” sion) instead of . are doing in a business dictionary. Overall Evaluation Some entries are not specific Based on the errors and uncertain •“Metropolitan area” is translated as enough. For instance, for “mortgage,” accuracy of the terms I did check, I (the capital) and the translation given is , which can would not recommend this dictionary. (the major city). mean pawning, pledging, a security The vast majority of terms it contains deposit, or a mortgage. No mention is could easily be found using a standard •“Corporation” is translated as made of the fact that this term is com- English→Arabic general dictionary. (company), (foundation), monly used in real estate. The inaccuracies and questionable ren- (legal person), and This dictionary is also missing a derings resulted in a dictionary that is (general board). This is normally number of basic business terms that of marginal value at best. translated as . should be in a dictionary of this type, among them: coverage, joint tenant, •“Clause” is translated throughout intellectual property, cash accounting, Jeff Hayes, an English↔Arabic translator, is the dictionary as (condition) money order, checking account, president of Hayes Consulting & Translation rather than, say, or . stagflation, NAFTA, DJIA, Fortune Corporation. He serves as the deputy chairman of 500, NASDAQ, yearly renewable, and ATA’s Arabic/English certification (grading) In addition, a number of other terms Roth. The absence of these terms is workgroup. After over 20 years working in the have translations that the average even more noticeable, given that the Middle East, he now lives in Colorado. Contact: [email protected]. reader may not understand. I also find dictionary claims to focus on some entries puzzling. For example, I American business terms (see the back ➡
Call for Papers 48th Annual Conference of the American Translators Association San Francisco, California • October 31-November 3, 2007
Proposals are invited on topics in all areas of translation and interpreting, including the following: Agencies, Bureaus, and Companies; Financial Translation and Interpreting; Independent Contractors; Interpreting; Language-Specific Sessions; Legal Translation and Interpreting; Literary; Medical Translation and Interpreting; Scientific and Technology; Social Sciences; Terminology; Training and Pedagogy; Translators and Computers. Suggestions for additional topics are welcome.
Proposals for sessions must be submitted on the Conference Presentation Proposal Form to: Conference Organizer, ATA Headquarters, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314; Fax: (703) 683-6122. All proposals for sessions must be in English. Submission deadline: March 9, 2007
There’s no time like the present! Download a Conference Presentation Proposal Form at www.atanet.org/conf/2007/abstract.htm.
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 43 Dictionary Reviews Continued
Chinese-English Medical 1042), which are not specialized med- Dictionary, Second Edition The first edition of the ical terminology per se, but it is still People’s Medical Publishing House’s the largest and most comprehensive Editor: Hàn Y¥ng Y¥ Xué Dà Cí Diaˇn Chinese→English medical dictionary I Jin Kuihe ( ) Chinese-English Med- have seen. ical Dictionary was published in 1987. The Second Edition covers much of Publisher: This popular reference was reprinted the specialized terminology I encounter People’s Medical Publishing House several times, but by 2000, advances in during medical translations, and if I Beijing, China the medical field over the intervening cannot find it here, I often cannot find it www.pmph.com years necessitated a new edition, so a in any of my other dictionaries. During committee was established to a recent anesthesia-related translation, I Publication date: compile the Chinese-English Medical found j¥ soøng chí () “muscle 2004 (Hardcover, 1,960 pages) Dictionary, Second Edition (hereafter relaxation” (p. 537), yaˇng huà yè dàn Second Edition). When the Second () “nitrous oxide” (p. 1504), ISBNs: Edition was published in 2004, it shù t () “dendrite” (p. 1188), t 711706191X (Amazon) included almost 200,000 entries com- chù () “synapse” (p. 1272), and fïn 7-117-05808-0 (People’s) piled by specialists from 60 health and tài ní () “fentanyl” (p. 344). health-related disciplines, an increase While the dictionary provides fairly Price: of about 30% over the first edition’s good coverage of drug names, there are $44.95 (Amazon.com) 140,000 entries.1 As an additional sometimes problems. For example, the $32.00 (People’s) bonus, the Second Edition, which Second Edition has an entry for lˇ pài focuses primarily on Western medicine tóng () “risperidone” (p. 743), a Available from: in the main body, has a separate tradi- less common transliteration, but no www.amazon.com tional Chinese medicine (TMC) sec- entry for lˇ péi tóng ( ), the pre- www.pmph.com tion with 11,000 entries. ferred transliteration.6 There are also some misspellings, such as j¥ng shén Reviewed by: Coverage xìng fïn liè faˇn yìng () Rob Albon By any estimation, 200,000 entries “schizophrenic reaciton [sic]” (p. 640), makes for quite a large dictionary. For but the editing is still superior to many instance, The ABC Chinese-English other mainland dictionaries I have used. Dictionary2, which is about the same size at 196,000 entries, is considered Potential Disadvantages to be one of the larger general-purpose The Second Edition still double Chinese→English dictionaries. Other sorts entries alphabetically by head popular dictionaries, such as the character, just like the Concise Concise English-Chinese Chinese- English-Chinese Chinese-English Dic- English Dictionary3, often have fewer tionary. This means that you need to than 30,000 entries. Major Western know the pinyin pronunciation of each medical references that were used to character in a compound before you compile the Second Edition, such as can look a word up. For example, cháo Dorland’s Illustrated Medical qì lìang () “tidal volume” is Dictionary4 and Stedman’s Medical found on page 130, whereas chÇo q¥n Dictionary5, have 125,000 entries and fïn lí () “transgressive segre- 107,000 entries, respectively. The gation” is found on page 127. This is Second Edition may have inflated its because the parent entry chÇo ( ) and numbers slightly with entries such as all its subentries are listed before the mù biÇo t¥ng zhòng ()“target parent entry cháo ( ) and its suben- audience” (p. 853) and rén zhì tán pàn tries. In a single sort dictionary, such () “hostage negotiations” (p. as the ABC Chinese-English
44 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 Dictionary, which is the first text possible regardless of slight differ- Chinese→English dictionary to sort ences in price. Please also note the sub- 4. Dorland’s Illustrated Medical entries alphabetically by the compre- stantial differences in prices in China Dictionary, 30th Edition (W.B. hensive pinyin spellings, cháoqìlìang and on Amazon.com. The cost of ship- Saunders Company, 2003). would follow chÇoq¥nfïnlí. The single ping books from China is high, so Available at Amazon.com (ISBN: sort alphabetical method is much more expect a substantial mark-up if pur- 0721601464). intuitive for native speakers of chasing outside Mainland China or English, but, unfortunately, has yet to Hong Kong (it is available at the Hong 5. Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, catch on in China. Kong branch of the Xinhua Bookstore, 28th Edition (Lippincott Williams Perhaps most problematic for non- www.xinhuabookstore.com, for about & Wilkins, 2005). Available at native speakers of Chinese is the lack the same price as in Mainland China). Amazon.com (ISBN: 0781733901). of pinyin spellings for subentries. The Many Chinese→English medical first edition’s pinyin readings were translators need look no further than 6. Zhoøng Guó Yào Pˇn Toøng Yòng Míng deleted to conserve space, and the the Second Edition, so, despite the Chïng Chinese Second Edition, despite a 30% above caveats, and in due considera- Approved Drug Names (Chemical increase in content, is still approxi- tion of the lack of a comparable com- Industry Publishing House, 1997). mately the same physical size as the petitor, I heartily recommend it. first edition. It is also pertinent to men- tion here that, no doubt in further Notes efforts to conserve space, entries are 1. Bookschina.com (accessed June 25, limited to translations and provide no 2006). Rob Albon has specialized in medical translation since explanations of meanings, usage, or 1991. His experiences include animal research and even part of speech. This dictionary is 2. Defrancis, John. ABC Chinese- human clinical trials, human and veterinary medicine, → medical devices and package inserts, bottling and pallet Chinese English only and has no English Dictionary (University of loading, pharmaceutical company financial reports, English index. Hawaii Press, 2003). Available at adverse event reports, and copyright infringement. He Amazon.com (ISBN: 082482766X). works in the Japanese→English, Chinese (simplified and traditional)→English, French→English, and Overall Evaluation → I have not actually seen the paper- 3. Manser, Martin H. Concise English- Haitian Creole English language pairs. He is a repeat presenter at both ATA and the International back edition, but my experience with Chinese Chinese-English Dict- Japanese/English Translation (IJET) annual conferences, Chinese references is that the larger the ionary, Second Edition (Oxford and publishes frequently in The ATA Chronicle and text, the easier it is to read. As a rule, I University Press, 1999). Available at Language. Contact information: [email protected]. recommend the edition with the largest Amazon.com (ISBN: 0195911512).
ATA Medical Division Start First Mid-Year Conference planning now! May 31-June 3, 2007 ATA 48th Annual Conference October 31-November 3, 2007 Cleveland, Ohio San Francisco, California www.ata-divisions.org/MD
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 45 The Translation Inquirer John Decker [email protected]
Divine providence gave us a pair of A simple thing like an angry eyes, allowing us to retain our sight if insect can bring a translator back to one eye is lost, but I could not help what is really important in life. A musing on how I would have com- Abbreviations buzzing insect of unknown type stung pleted my assignment if the insect used with this column the Translation Inquirer on the left side sting had produced enough swelling to Cr-Croatian I-Italian of his face, and the swelling, which close both my eyes. We really are mar- began immediately, eventually totally velously constructed creatures, and for E-English Po-Polish shut his left eye for 48 hours. As he us in our profession to do our work, F-French Pt-Portuguese worked on his latest freelance project, many things must all be functioning Fi-Finnish Sp-Spanish he was now forced to look with only perfectly at the same time. And, as I G-German Sw-Swedish one eye at a dual monitor (see The ATA was reminded, it all begins with the Chronicle, March 2006, page 49). gift of sight.
New Queries of course, we need good English to asylrelevante Bedeutung zukommen, round out the query. wenn der Kampf in einer Weise geführt (E-Cr 11-06/1) I hate to start the würde, die auf die physische queries with something as arcane as (F-E 11-06/5) “Appartement à une Vernichtung von auf der Gegenseite this, but a ProZ member wanted to chambre” is not satisfying for this stehenden oder ihr zugerechneten und know how to render the term dry-pen- Lantra-l member as French for one- nach asylerheblichen Merkmalen bes- dant sprinkler head into Croatian. Here bedroom suite, because it does not timmten Personen gerichtet wäre….” is where it came from: Use of male have enough of a hotel-specific sound. What about the two related words? threaded products with special features, What might be better? such as probes, dry-pendant sprinkler (G-I [-E] 11-06/8) This abbreviation is a heads, etc., must be checked for suit- (Fi-Sw [-E] 11-06/6) A Lantra-l user real pain, coming at the end of a patent- ability with the XY piping product being describes the following two Finnish related sentence: “Die geltend gemachte installed. Relatively few of those who queries as being “fun.” The first one 1,6-fache Verfahrensgebühr war auf eine read this are qualified to answer, so if involves the unknown word (6.a) “hili- 1,1-fache Verfahrensgebühr gem. VV you are among them, do not be shy! patapartio.” The context sentence for RVG Nr. 3201 zu kürzen.” What does this is: “paras keino näiden torjuntaan the acronym stand for and what might (E-Po 11-06/2) A chemical spill kit on varmana näkyvä vartija liikkeen the Italian for it be? seems like a useful enough item, and a aukioloaikana. Ei mikään hilipata- habitual user of ProZ wanted to know partio joka tulee paikalle napista tai (I-E 11-06/9) Lorraine Axelson how this might sound in Polish. soittamalla.” The second puzzling pair encountered “conto scalare” in a of words is (6.b) “kuutamo ale,” found banking context specifically regarding (E-Pt 11-06/3) Power line noise sounds in “Kovat myyntipäivät ovat myös accounts involved in the scam known like a term describing an electrical trans- vilkkaita näpistyksille, kuutamo, ale, as kiting. She cannot find an English mission, but in the text that puzzled a isot kampanjat.” Could these be a equivalent and suspects that none ProZ member it referred to medical mat- combination “kuutamoale,” a sale that exists. Can anyone with knowledge of ters: Power line noise is a typical arti- takes place at night? Swedish was Italian banking help? fact problem in ECG monitoring. What wanted, but English will be gladly on earth could this be, and what is the accepted for these two queries. (Sp-E 11-06/10) A ProZ denizen found best Portuguese rendering of the term? “decoración firme” to be a pottery clas- (G-E 11-06/7) In the following long sification for material found in Puebla. (F-E 11-06/4) A user of Lantra-l won- sentence, the words in bold caused a The term is part of a list that includes dered what category of profession Lantra-l user to be at a bit of a loss: what turns out to be matte and lacquer in “donneurs d’ouvrage” applied to. And, “Den Ma§nahmen würden nur dann English. If this is still not enough context
46 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 for you, read on: “Noguera llamó a estos work on this one. The Eichborn transla- feature, a bay or inlet, but he feels it grupos Decoración Firme, Decoración tion is capitalized items, and this seems could not refer to any kind of work the Mate y Decoración Laca.” appropriate. The item is part of the company might do. Perhaps it would be income statement as defined by section best, in translation, to conserve the (Sp-E 11-06/11) The heading “Vino 275 of the HGB, the German name as is in the source language. por un tubo” was troubling for a Commercial Code. But Andreas points Lantra-l member who found that it was out that “aktivierbar” is not exactly the (Sp-E 6-06/11) (quintados): This is, followed by a paragraph that read like same thing as “aktiviert.” It means cap- according to Clayton Causey, 50 hun- this: “No es una frase hecha aunque italizable rather than capitalized. This dred-pounders of cement (50 hundred- tampoco es verdad al ciento por ciento: refers to the fact that some costs for pro- pound containers of cement). Used in son dos tubos. Dos túneles que se des- duction or manufacture must not be an arbitrary way, the “-ados” ending tinan al almacenaje, uno de barricas y activated on the balance sheet for may substantiate the suspicion of the otro de botellas.” The meaning of German law. Example: interdiction to ProZ correspondent that the speaker is “tubo” evidently goes far beyond the include production costs to develop a non-native Spanish speaker. The reference to the tunnels mentioned in software as a balance sheet item. For term may also refer to a container that the text, and can literally be translated other “self-produced” balance sheet would hold a “quintal” of cement. as loads of wine. He wonders whether items, there is a choice, and this is how any similar expression exists in English “aktivierbar” may become “aktivierte On this International Translators’ having to do with wine or pipes. Eigenleistung.” So far, the German law Day, September 30, there seems no does not seem to be very logical, better way to spend at least part of the (Sp-F [-E] 11-06/12) At airports there because you would expect “aktivierte day than to prepare this column, which exists a “departamento de firmas,” and Eigenleistung” on the balance sheet, but will come into the hands of so many its function, explained in Spanish, is it appears as a separate item on the translators and interpreters. If you “…responsible de recopilar toda la doc- income statement only. assisted in what is presented above, umentación así como los servicios solic- pat yourself on the back. itados por las tripulaciones.” What, asks (G-E 8-06/4) (herüberlaufen): Selma a ProZ user, would this be in French? Benjamin suggests constant foot This column is solely intended as a means of facilitating For the purposes of this column, we will traffic for this. a general discussion regarding terminology choices. For gladly accept the English for this. feedback regarding pressing terminology questions, (G-E 9-06/4) (Abrechnungskreis): please try one of these online forums: Lantra-L Ursula Baker found two entries for this (www.geocities.com/athens/7110/lantra.htm), Replies to Old Queries word in the SAP-Wörterbuch: allocation ProZ.com (www.proz.com), or Translators Café group and payroll sub-unit. To judge by (http://translatorscafe.com). (E-Sp 5-06/6) (effective breaths): So the context sentence on page 42 of the far, Selma Benjamin is the only one September issue of The ATA Chronicle, it Address your queries and responses to The Translation who offered an answer to this medical is more likely to be the latter. Of course, Inquirer, 112 Ardmoor Avenue, Danville, Pennsylvania query. Her suggestions: “respiración this means the matter is still open. 17821, or fax them to (570) 275-1477. E-mail address: util” or “respiración a fondo.” [email protected]. Please make your submissions by (I-E 8-06/5) (immobile sociale): This, the first of each month to be included in the next issue. (E-Sp 6-06/4) (grub screw): Clayton asserts Berto Berti, is the building a Generous assistance from Per Dohler, proofreader, is Causey goes with “el tornillo pri- company uses for its headquarters, gratefully acknowledged. sionero” or “la punta con filete.” Both which is usually owned by the company. of these terms, he says, describe a small headless screw such as the type (Sp-E 6-06/10) (aberturas): Oppor- typically used to attach a handle to a tunities, states Clayton Causey, would Visit spindle, among other uses. seem to be the ideal translation for this www.atanet.org as a company’s name, as in Causey (G-E 5-06/7) (aktivierbare Eigenleis- Opportunities. It could (though he twenty-four/seven tungen): Andreas Fischer did his home- doubts it) also refer to a geographical
The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 47 Humor and Translation Mark Herman English Spelling Explicated [email protected]
What we learn in elementary popular silent e (“pale”), and also i neither partner prevailing. But such school—that there are long and short (“pail”), and, of course, l (“Ralph a partnership is realized only infre- vowels, hard and soft consonants, and Vaughan Williams”). Helper letters quently, and then perhaps only with “i before e except after c,”—does not for i, among others, are again e h (“church” and “shore”). But even begin to explain the intricacies of (“fie”) and the teutonic combination beware of words of bad character, English orthography. So, here and gh (“night”). Helper letters can be like “character.” Scholars have long now, for the first time ever, for the ben- distal (“fate”) or proximate (“mael- debated whether the guilty party is efit of native English speakers and strom”). Note that helpers should the c, which overpowers and mutes English-as-a-second-languagers alike, never be pitied, for, self-sacrificing its mate, or the h, which, never I, whose total hatred of proscriptive as they are, they in turn may become belonging to the word in the first rules makes me eminently qualified, helpees (“lead” and “dial”). (For the place, insidiously occupies it as a shall explicate the stuff that English sake of completeness, I must here silent spy (see evil letters below). spelling is made of. mention combinations like æ, though modesty would normally 4) Schizophrenic letters: Oh, poor 1) Rugged individualists: These are the forbid it. Fortunately, English is not diseased distressed creatures! letters that stand alone. Tough and one of those unblushing languages Breathes there a one with soul so muscular, their sound is loud and frequently employing obscenities dead who does not pity the ew that clear. Letters like the a’s in “about,” like æ, where the letters, intimate thinks it is a u (“few”), the o that “pal,” and “car,” the g’s in “gem” beyond proximate, are locked thinks it is an i (“women”), the gh and “get,” the i’s in “wind” and together in unseemly embrace! and ph that think they are f’s. I “wind.” I salute them. Enough said. Such combinations are perverted, as cannot go on. It is too painful! can be seen from words like 2) Letters that need help and the letters “cæcum,” in which helper and 5) Indifferent letters: Some letters that help them: Alas, even among helpee are reversed. (“Cæcum” is an simply do not matter. Do you really the above hardy examples, only the [expletive deleted] backwards word care whether it is “effect” or i in “wind” fully manifests its i- if ever there was one.) “affect?” Does anyone? ness. Many letters, especially vowels, need helper letters to fully 3) Equal partners: Sometimes two let- 6) Evil letters: These are of three realize their true natures. Helper let- ters unite to form a single sound, kinds, each more evil than the next. ters for a, among others, are the harmonizing in an ideal blend with ➡
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48 The ATA Chronicle ■ November/December 2006 a) Redundancies: Consider “freeze.” c) Truly evil letters: These are of pretending that it will manifest Either the second e alone or the two kinds, and so evil that per- the e-ness of an e. Then, when third e alone would suffice to haps those of fragile tempera- least expected, it strikes in the manifest the e-ness of the first e ment had best not continue most sinister way by doing (as in “meet” or “mete”). But no, reading this column. absolutely nothing. What in a shameless display of feath- treachery! What dread! erbedding, both are included. i) Letters that do something Instead of beloved “read,” we Other make-work words requiring wrong: As discussed above, see “read!” immediate labor renegotiation are both e and i can serve to help almost every word with both a c a manifest its a-ness. But and a k, such as “trick,” and words there are renegade e’s and i’s with doubled letters such as that do something else. “mitt,”“mutt,” and “jazz.” Consider “façade” and “plaid.” Shocking! (I, of Herman is a librettist and translator. b) Silent letters: No, I do not mean course, do not include the i of Submit items for future columns via e- letters that help manifest the “said” in the category of evil mail to [email protected] or essence of other letters, such as letters. The ai combination in via snail mail to Mark Herman, 1409 E. the so-called silent e. I mean let- this case is schizophrenic and Gaylord Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI ters that are silent because they do therefore more to be pitied 48858-3626. Discussions of the transla- no work at all, lazy good-for- than censured.) tion of humor and examples thereof are nothings that just lie there, taking preferred, but humorous anecdotes up ink and space. Letters like the ii) Letters that really do some- about translators, translations, and mis- b in “debt,” the m in “mnemonic,” thing wrong: In this most des- translations are also welcome. Include and the t in “mortgage.” Or, per- picable category belongs the copyright information and permission if haps, as was suggested above for evil twin of justly praised relevant. the h in “character,” they are rugged individualist a (see #1 spies, lurking silently and up to above). Evil a deceptively dis- who knows what! tracts the reader or writer by
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