Quarterly Newsletter of the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc Volume 20, number 4 — Summer 2012 Translator David Colmer explains the key to his award- winning success From welfare to global focus — a potted history of AUSIT Legal interpreting in a non-adversarial system— is it a win-win for practitioners and for justice? Are Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian distinct languages? Will Firth considers the politics Advance your translating and interpreting career At Macquarie University, our Department of Linguistics offers postgraduate degrees by coursework, to give you professional qualifications in either translation or interpreting, or both, that can take your career further. Our research-based curriculum gives you linguistic, technical and professional skills, as well as a solid base in theory and practice in our NAATI approved courses. Our courses: • Use the most up-to-date classroom management, language learning and translation software to enhance your learning experience • Offer an optional practice unit which allows you to gain translating and interpreting experience necessary for professional NAATI accreditation • Provide programs in a number of languages, and can include Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese and Korean. Apply now for 2013 Domestic student applications close 11 January 2013 International student applications close 31 January 2013 For more information: Alice Wu Translation and Interpreting Office, Department of Linguistics T: (02) 9850 6782 E: [email protected] W: ling.mq.edu.au/translating 00002J Code Provider CRICOS 2 A U S I T — I N T O U C H / SUMMER 2 0 1 2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT the focus on professional development. send a piece of information that I Years of maturing followed, thought I had made available via a Advance your translating From the characterised by introspection and number of channels already. It seems numerous brave forays into the wide no matter how hard I try, I still fail to helm... world. Barbara McGilvray’s history reach all the intended recipients of my and interpreting career timeline in this issue outlines AUSIT’s messages. It looks as if many members development. don’t read emails (or e-flashes) or AUSIT at 25 years of age don’t read them beyond the first line. Thanks to the organisational talents I feel proud of AUSIT, now in its 25th At Macquarie University, our Department of Linguistics offers postgraduate degrees by coursework, to give and unceasing work of Daniel Muller, year. Our Institute is of fine character AUSIT Executive Officer, the e-flashes you professional qualifications in either translation or interpreting, or both, that can take your career further. and enjoys modest popularity. Our are now all available online at http:// association emanates quiet confidence Our research-based curriculum gives you linguistic, technical and professional skills, as well as a solid base ausitatwork.com.au/eflash/ This and strength, and this strength comes in theory and practice in our NAATI approved courses. should make it easy to check a date from the inside. It is generated by or a venue, if members would only our members — some of the most remember to go and visit the website! Our courses: outstanding professionals in the industry. To be accepted into AUSIT Goodbye to old friends and • Use the most up-to-date classroom management, language learning and translation software to enhance welcome to the new Dear Colleagues, requires solid evidence of a T/I’s your learning experience capabilities and skills. Once a member, Glancing back at the more recent s it happens, my daughter professionals are expected to prove that past, I see a very busy period. AUSIT • Offer an optional practice unit which allows you to gain translating and interpreting experience necessary was born in 1987, the same they maintain their skills too. members created and attended for professional NAATI accreditation year AUSIT was founded. I A It is often mentioned that AUSIT several interesting PD events and look at her now and marvel at her members come in all shapes and all branches have held their annual • Provide programs in a number of languages, and can include Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese and Korean. transformation from the gorgeous, sizes. Their needs and expectations general meetings in the last two to tiny, ever-hungry baby into a beautiful, are accordingly varied. The latest three months. I’d like to say a sincere successful, ever-busy adult. Was it the Apply now for 2013 satisfaction survey showed that in thank you again to all committee same with AUSIT? Domestic student applications close 11 January 2013 general, the membership is satisfied members who have just retired. Your Bringing up baby International student applications close 31 January 2013 with the services and benefits they work will be long remembered, and Joining our association in 2002, I did receive from AUSIT. Perhaps the we look forward to your continued not know AUSIT in its infancy. My happiest are those members who support of AUSIT, albeit in a less active For more information: colleagues tell me that the birth was a actively sustain AUSIT through their role. I wish to extend a warm welcome Alice Wu relatively easy and joyful experience. volunteer work and who serve in to new members of the committees Translation and Interpreting Office, Department of Linguistics Early development was steady but various committees and councils. and wish you good luck. Hopefully T: (02) 9850 6782 entering into the second decade, The president’s role you will find your engagement in the AUSIT experienced some turbulent association enjoyable and rewarding E: [email protected] As I see it, my job is to coordinate years. Despite the difficulties, the in terms of intellectual satisfaction, W: ling.mq.edu.au/translating the work of my colleagues, facilitate well-liked child was a good performer friendship-building and knowing you decisions and ensure they are made and was admired by friends and foe have contributed to the progress of via a democratic and transparent alike. AUSIT entered the world scene the organisation. Please never hesitate process. It is a privilege for me and a by hosting the XIV FIT Congress to contact me if you think I can be of source of joy to be in touch with fellow in Melbourne in 1996. Adolescence assistance. With Christmas and the end volunteers every day. brought about a growth spurt. Do of 2012 fast approaching I’m sending you remember those enthusiastic The communication conundrum Season’s Greetings to all AUSIT years between 2000 and 2002? The However, communication with the members and supporters. May the new Sydney Olympics, the website and the membership at large still frustrates year bring peace, health, wealth and e-Bulletin, the 1800 phone number and me. It happens when I’m asked to happiness. Annamaria Arnall. Contents The deadline for the Autumn issue is 10 March 2013. Please send any letters, From the helm.......................................................3 Front cover photo: Award-winning Australian articles or images for forthcoming editions translator David Colmer who has travelled to: Interview with translator David Colmer .............4 from his home in Amsterdam to talk at Rachel Judd, In Touch editor A potted history of AUSIT ....................................6 AUSIT’s JubilaTIon 25 conference in December [email protected]. 2012. Charles Qin explores legal interpreting in a non- The editor reserves the right to edit or not to advesarial context ...............................................9 publish any item submitted for publication. Are Croation, Bosnian and Serbian distinct Opinions expressed are those of the authors only languages? Will Firth considers the politics ......11 AUSIT contacts and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editor or those of AUSIT and its executive. 00002J Book review ........................................................ 12 National telephone: 1800 284 181 AUSIT does not necessarily endorse products or Website: www.ausit.org Code Ten tips to ensure you are paid for your work 13 PO Box 193, Surrey Hills Vic 3127 Tel: (03) services appearing in any advertising contained Room with a companion ...................................14 9895 4473 Fax: (03) 989 024 herein. Provider Email: [email protected] This newsletter is printed by Bounty Print and Branch news ....................................................... 15 Yahoo groups: [email protected] distributed by Mailing Matters. CRICOS A U S I T — I N T O U C H / SUMMER 2 0 1 2 3 INTERVIEW The art of translation David Colmer is an award-winning literary translator and writer, known for a chameleon-like ability to traverse different genres. Maurite Fober interviewed the writer prior to his appearance at AUSIT’s JubilaTIon 25 Biennial Conference. ad it been a sunny day, I would probably never have Hfound out that David Colmer has an un-Australian aversion to cars. But it rained the day I met Colmer for our interview, so one of my favourite spots for quiet indulgence, Bracegirdle’s chocolate café, was out. The stand-in was the least noisy, upstairs room of inner-city Cibo’s, a short walk from Colmer’s digs on the leafy side of Adelaide. Not surprisingly, it’s in Amsterdam, where cyclists reign, that Colmer lives and thrives as a multi-award-winning literary translator. David I ask Colmer how many prizes Colmer he’s actually won and he tries to spent learning or using the language. downplay them, but I have another in,’ Colmer objects, ‘you’ll make me Although I was only there for a Dutch translator with me, Claudia sound like an egomaniac!’ few years I was using the language Ait-Touati, and she’s not buying it. Colmer’s humility may be attributed maybe ten or twelve hours a day, so When Colmer says, ‘I’ve won six, but to the shadow which fell over his early it adds up really quickly…And then I they weren’t all big prizes’, Claudia career, one he shares in common with learnt Dutch similarly…The biggest parries, ‘but the David Reid Poetry the likes of Richard Branson, Ralph problem with learning Dutch is that Translation Prize is quite respected’, Lauren, David Geffen, Steve Jobs and the Dutch people aren’t very good at to which he laughingly protests, ‘I Mark Zuckerberg: he dropped out.