March 2012 Volume XLI Number 3 The A Publication of the American Translators Association CHRONICLE
In this issue: The Power of Virtual Partnerships Using Speech-to-Text Guidelines for Editing Translations MarketingMarketing Yourself Yourself April 28, 2012 &Your Business Crowne Plaza Hotel Seattle &Your Business An ATA Professional Seattle, Washington Development Seminar
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An ATA Professional Development Event EnhanceEnhance YourYour SkillsSkills == AdvanceAdvance YourYour CareerCareer March 2012 Volume XLI American Translators March 2012 Number 3 Association 225 Reinekers Lane A Publication Suite 590 of the Alexandria, VA 22314 USA Contents American Tel: +1-703-683-6100 Translators Fax: +1-703-683-6122 E-mail: [email protected] Association Website: www.atanet.org FEATURES Editor Jeff Sanfacon Afraid?! Who’s Afraid? [email protected] 11 By Ewandro Magalhães Proofreader Mastery of the most challenging vocabulary will be of little use in the absence Sandra Burns Thomson of the fine stress management skills required to talk your way out of trouble. Art Directors Ellen Banker Making the Whole Greater Than the Amy Peloff 16 Sum of Its Parts: Virtual Partnerships Advertising Caron Mason, CAE Between Freelance Translators [email protected] By Friderike A. Butler and Jeana M. Clark +1-703-683-6100, ext. 3003 Freelance translators have much to gain by proactively seeking and building Fax: +1-703-683-6122 cooperative relationships with their peers. Executive Director 11 Walter Bacak, CAE Training a Dragon: [email protected] 20 Membership and Using Speech-to-Text to Boost Productivity General Information By Andrew D. Levine Kwana Ingram The newest version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking already merits serious consideration [email protected] for many translators. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this software? website: www.atanet.org Guidelines for Editing Translations The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is 24 published monthly, except bi-monthly in By Wendy Griswold November/December, by the American Editing a translation may involve talking to yourself, doing research, and editing Translators Association, 225 Reinekers yourself as well as the translator. Are you improving the text or substituting your own Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. Periodicals postage paid at preferences? Alexandria, Virginia, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The ATA Chronicle, 16 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. The American Translators Association COLUMNS (ATA) was established in 1959 as a not- 6 From the President 8 From the Treasurer for-profit professional society to foster and 7 From the President-Elect 9 From the Executive Director support the professional development of 20 translators and interpreters and to promote the translation and interpreting professions. The subscription rate for a DEPARTMENTS member is $43 (included in the dues payment). The U.S. subscription rate for a 26 The Entrepreneurial Linguist 31 Member News nonmember is $65. Subscribers in 27 Blog Trekker 32 Dictionary Review Canada and Mexico add $25; all other 28 Interpreters Forum 34 The Translation Inquirer non-U.S. subscribers add $45. Single copies are available for $7 per issue. 29 GeekSpeak 36 Humor and Translation 30 ATA Certification Exam Information 38 Upcoming Events ©2012 American Translators Association 30 New Certified Members 30 Active and Corresponding Reprint Permission: Membership Review Requests for permission to reprint articles should be sent to the editor of The ATA Chronicle at [email protected]. 3 Our Authors March 2012
Friderike A. Butler has extensive a graduate certificate in Spanish translation. She completed an internship corporate management experience and a in translation at the U.S. Library of Congress. Contact: background in information technology. [email protected]. She served as the general manager for the American sales office of a German cruise Andrew D. Levine has been a profes- line and the liaison to its German headquar- sional freelance translator since 2007, and ters. She was the manager of a small an ATA-certified French➝English translator software development company for seven since 2009. He is a graduate of Montclair years. An ATA-certified German➝English translator, she has been State University. Contact: freelancing since 1996. She founded Butler Translations, LLC in 2006. [email protected]. Contact: [email protected].
Jeana M. Clark has a BA in interna- tional business management and German. Ewandro Magalhães is an experienced She provides computer-assisted translation conference interpreter with over 20 years of tool training for various companies and experience. He has a master’s degree in institutions and is a contract German trans- conference interpreting from the Monterey lator with the Iowa International Center. Institute of International Studies Graduate She has been a freelance translator and School of Translation, Interpretation and editor since 2003, specializing in business, Language Education, where he is an adjunct information technology, legal, and real estate documents. She is also the professor. He is the chief interpreter at the treasurer of the Iowa Interpreters and Translators Association. Contact: International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, Switzerland, and a [email protected]. former contractor with the U.S. Department of State, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Organization of American States, and Wendy Griswold is a freelance Spanish➝English translator special- several other international organizations. He is the author of Sua izing in legal, commercial, and international development documents. Majestade, o Intérprete - o fascinante mundo da tradução simultânea. He She has a BA in Spanish, a master’s degree in public administration, and is a member of the American Association of Language Specialists. Contact: [email protected].
Send a March 2012 Volume XLI Number 3 A Publication The of the American Complimentary Copy Translators Advertising Association CHRONICLE If you enjoyed reading this issue Directory of The ATA Chronicle and think a colleague or organization would enjoy it too, we’ll send a free copy. 23 Apple, Inc. Simply e-mail the recipient’s www.apple.com name and address to Kwana Ingram at ATA Headquarters— Landmark Audio Technologies [email protected]—and she In this issue: 35 The Power of Virtual Partnerships www.LandmarkFm.com will send the magazine with Using Speech-to-Text Guidelines for Editing Translations a note indicating that the copy 40 National Security Agency is being sent with your www.nsa.gov compliments. Help spread the word about ATA!
4 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 anslators Tr Ass an oc ic ia r t e i o m n A Jane Linguist French into English Certification #123456
C r er to tified Transla
Verify at www.atanet.org/verify ATA-Certified Translator Seal What is the ATA-certified translator seal? The ATA-certified translator seal was developed for the exclusive use of ATA-certified members in good standing. It offers certified translators an opportunity to document their certification for a client or tors translation job. The seal includes a member’s name, unique certification number, and language Ass combination. The seal also includes a link to an online ATA verification system that allows a client oc to confirm the member’s certification. ia t How much does the ATA-certified translator seal cost? i It’s free! o n How is the ATA-certified translator seal used? nguist The seal is available electronically as a JPG image. ATA-certified translators may also want to have their seals made into rubber stamps or embossers. Translators may include the seal as English part of a translation job or affix the seal to a certification of accuracy statement. For information and examples of certification of accuracy statements, please visit #123456 www.atanet.org/certification/certification_seal_how_to.php. What is the ATA certification number? A unique certification number is assigned to every ATA-certified translator. The member must log in r and agree to the terms and conditions of use before accessing the number. A client must have lato the member’s certification number to complete the online verification request. rans How does a client verify ATA certification? The client must have the translator’s certification number in order to make the verification. After that, it’s easy and in real time. To see the ATA-certified translator verification page, visit www.atanet.org/verify.php. How do I get my ATA certification number? If you are an ATA-certified member who would like to access your unique certification number, visit www.atanet.org/certification/check_certification_res_mem.php. How do I get my ATA-certified translator’s seal? If you are an ATA-certified member who would like to download your electronic seal, visit www.atanet.org/certification/check_certification_res_mem.php. What are the terms and conditions of use for the seal? In order to retrieve a certification number, the member must log in and agree to the terms and conditions of use. These terms limit the use of the seal to ATA-certified translators who are currently members in good standing. To read the complete terms and conditions of use, visit www.atanet.org/certification/check_certification_res_mem.php. From the President Dorothee Racette [email protected]
Supreme Court Case Directly Addresses Translation and Interpreting
On February 21, 2012, the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear the case Kouichi Taniguchi v. Kan It was gratifying to see that the brief of the Pacific Saipan, Ltd. The case origi- petitioning party makes extensive reference to nally arose out of a dispute between Kouichi Taniguchi, a former profes- our public relations and outreach materials. sional baseball player from Japan, and a resort in the Mariana Islands. Taniguchi fell though a wooden deck during a tour of the Mariana Resort of Kan Pacific, which also included Supreme Court case makes extensive and Spa and subsequently sued the the cost of translating documents reference to our public relations and owner of the resort, Kan Pacific from Japanese into English. This outreach materials. Cited documents Saipan, Ltd. for damages resulting award was based on the assumption include the two Getting It Right from the corresponding injuries he that “compensation of interpreters” as brochures on translation and inter- sustained. listed in the U.S. Code refers implic- preting as well as materials posted on Section 1920 of 28 U.S. Code itly to compensation for the transla- ATA’s website. defines which types of expense costs tion of documents as well. Taniguchi Additionally, two organizations, can be awarded to a prevailing party appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals the National Association of Judiciary in lawsuits. Among others, such costs for the Ninth Circuit, citing the dis- Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) include clerk fees, fees and disburse- tinct difference between interpreting and Interpreting and Translation ments for printing and witnesses, and and translation. The Court, however, Professors, a group of scholars with “compensation of interpreters.” The affirmed the award for the document expertise in the language services question presented in the case before translation and denied Taniguchi’s industry, have filed so-called amicus the Supreme Court was whether costs petition for a rehearing. Taniguchi curiae briefs, which support the argu- incurred in translating written docu- subsequently appealed, bringing the ment that interpreting and translation ments are included in the category case to the U.S. Supreme Court. require different skills and are not “compensation of interpreters.” As ATA has been working hard to interchangeable terms. The district court that heard the explain the difference between inter- The ruling of the Supreme Court original complaint awarded the judg- preting and translation, it was grati- hearing may affect how translation ment to Kan Pacific, and ordered fying to see that the brief of the and interpreting costs are awarded to Taniguchi to cover the litigation cost petitioning party prepared for the prevailing parties in the future, and ATA will continue to monitor and report on the developments of the case. In our increasingly multilingual and diverse society, the number of Don’t Miss Out! lawsuits involving both translation and interpreting is likely to keep Many of ATA’s announcements, including division newsletters, webinar growing, and a more precise distinc- schedules, and conference updates, are sent to members by e-mail. To be tion between these two types of lin- guist services may be called for in the sure that these messages don’t end up in your spam folder, take a minute U.S. Code. In addition, those of you now to add [email protected] to your “safe senders” list. who have been involved in translation ATA does not sell or rent the e-mail addresses of its members. Also, be sure for court cases may disagree with the to keep your contact information updated. You can make updates online at statement of the legal team for Kan www.atanet.org/MembersOnly or you can send your updated information to Pacific that “awards for the cost of translating documents are typically [email protected] with your ATA membership number in the subject line. quite modest.”
6 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 From the President-Elect Caitilin Walsh [email protected]
Hilton San Diego Bayfront: A Respite of Sunshine
It is a quiet Saturday morning here in San Diego, but there is a definite hum as people start their day. A few It is easy to imagine our group here, clustered folks make their way into the Starbucks, where everyone appears to be in front of in the hallways and spilling out onto balconies a screen, taking advantage of the free wifi that extends to the generous patio. A and the area around the hotel. steady stream of traffic comes and goes in the hotel’s fitness center, which has such a beautiful view of the bay that I am almost tempted to jump on a tread- inland to the nearby Gaslamp District, Diego to attend at least one day of mill. There are even two women in with dozens of restaurants and shops. AMTA’s event to see the other side of Santa hats outside alternating between A trolley can take you throughout the the equation. the pool and sunning themselves. downtown area, or you can take a I reluctantly fly home tonight, to Families and joggers predominate along water taxi to some of the beautiful freezing temperatures and one of the the promenade, enjoying the morning Coronado beaches to watch the sun longest nights of the year. After the new sun and watching the pelicans dip and set over the Pacific (and cross that one year, armed with your feedback on last glide. With so much easy flow between off your bucket list). Further afield, year’s sessions, we will get down to the indoors and outdoors, it is sometimes family activities like the world- brass tacks of putting together the win- hard to tell where the hotel ends and the famous San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld ning educational program that is the park begins. beckon and gracious Balboa Park centerpiece of ATA’s conference expe- As I write this, it is shortly before offers many museums. rience. Judging from the caliber of pre- Christmas, and it seems incongruous Also of note is that the Association sentations the past few years, it makes not only to be able to head outside for Machine Translation in the sense to schedule your few days of without scarves and gloves (and rain Americas (AMTA) will once again well-deserved R&R in the sun for boots) but to have to shed layers. But be holding its annual conference before or after the main event. One Southern California is all about the (October 28–November 1, 2012) conference veteran reminds me that he weather, a respite of sunshine in the immediately following ATA’s Annual always comes away with something bleak midwinter that grips most of the Conference. Look for sessions on from every session, and says he does rest of the world. There may be bare machine translation that continue the not want to miss a single one. trees at home, but Birds of Paradise conversation we began in 2010 in are in bloom here. Denver, and consider lingering in San However, as much as the sunshine beckons, this conference venue is just as impressive indoors. Brand new, contemporary and bright, and already running smoothly. With generous ses- sion rooms, excellent food, and very friendly staff, it is easy to imagine our Are You LinkedIn? group here, clustered in the hallways and spilling out onto balconies and the area around the hotel. The water of San Diego Bay liter- ally laps at the hotel’s back door. Maritime buffs will thrill at container Take advantage of your ATA membership. Joining LinkedIn through ATA gives you an instant and military ships coming and going, community with opportunities to grow your network quickly. Don’t wait—get your online or dream about life on one of the networking underway! To join, just visit beautiful yachts moored nearby. Or www.atanet.org/linkedin.php. turn your back on the water and move
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 7 From the Treasurer Gabe Bokor [email protected] Treasurer’s Report
Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 (All figures rounded to the nearest thousand. Negative figures are in parentheses.)
Our finances improved during While operating expenses exceeded As in previous years, the auditors FY 2010-2011. Membership dues operating revenues by ($56K), an unre- gave the statements presented by exceeded last year’s level by $100K. All alized gain of $42K on our investments Headquarters their unqualified approval, major programs performed better finan- reduced the deficit for the year which is the highest possible rating. cially than in the previous year: The to ($14K)—previous year ($26K)— The full financial statements for ATA Chronicle yielded a net deficit of leading to an accumulated net assets FY 2010-2011 can be viewed in the ($416K)—previous year ($445K); deficit of ($82K). We would have had a Members Only section of ATA’s Certification a net deficit of ($113K)— small surplus for the period, were it not website (www.atanet.org/membersonly/ previous year ($127K); and the Denver for changed accounting rules for office switch.pl/url=p_treasurer_report.php). Conference a net surplus of $63K—pre- rent and inventory, which introduced an After the close of FY 2010-2011, vious year $29K. These figures include extra expense of ($16K). our finances were negatively impacted Headquarters’ expenses allocated to the Our cash flow was positive, with a by a substantial loss from the FIT different programs in proportion of net increase of $162K in cash and cash Congress, mitigated by the positive Headquarters’ resources utilized. equivalents from $384K to $546K. result of the Boston Conference.
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8 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 From the Executive Director Walter Bacak, CAE [email protected] Board Meeting Highlights
ATA’s Board of Directors met was undertaken by ATA to strengthen members would like to see. The January 21-22, 2012, in Washington, further ATA’s Certification Program. clearest message from the survey DC. The meeting followed the The testing specialist contracted by results was that more education needs Board’s Annual Planning Day. ATA reviewed the results of multiple to be done in terms of explaining the The Planning Day allows the focus group discussions to establish the various standards in the works and Board to discuss various aspects of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) how they apply to individual transla- the Association’s activities and gover- required by translators to do their work. tors. The challenge, as discussed in the nance in-depth. These in-depth dis- The report takes these KSAs, looks at Board meeting, is that the material cussions help the Board reach a their relative importance, and incorpo- may be dull and confusing, but stan- consensus on the Association’s priori- rates them into a testing blueprint. The dards do, and will, affect all transla- ties and work through complex Certification Committee will work with tors, so members need to be aware of options for the Association. Here are this information to incorporate it, as these standards. some highlights from the Board appropriate, into ATA’s Certification meeting. Program. The Board meeting summary is posted online. The minutes will be Nominating and Leadership Devel- Standards Survey Results Discus- posted once they are approved at the opment Committee: The Board sion: The Board reviewed and dis- next Board meeting. Past meeting sum- approved the appointment of the mem- cussed the results of the standards maries and minutes are posted online at bers of the Nominating and Leadership survey conducted by Translation and www.atanet.org/membership/minutes. Development Committee: Beatriz Computers Committee Chair Michael php. The next Board meeting is set for Bonnet, Jean Leblon, Connie Prener, Metzger in conjunction with Stan- April 14-15, 2012, in Alexandria, and Courtney Searls-Ridge. Jiri dards Committee Chair Beatriz Virginia. As always, the meeting is open Stejskal, the new chair of the com- Bonnet. The survey, which was sent to to all members, and members are mittee, had already been approved. all individual ATA members, looked at encouraged to attend. the awareness of standards, their Interpreter Certification Feasibility impact, and what, if any, standards Study: The Board agreed to reinvesti- gate offering an interpreter certifica- tion exam. The Board discussed certification programs currently being offered and the needs of interpreters and their clients. The Interpretation Policy Advisory Committee will report back to the Board on this matter We Want You! at the July 2012 Board meeting.
2017 Annual Conference: The Board The ATA Chronicle enthusiastically encourages approved the Washington Hilton in members and nonmembers to submit Washington, DC, as the host hotel for the 2017 Annual Conference, pending articles of interest. For Submission Guidelines, further negotiations. While ATA visit www.atanet.org/chronicle. The ATA Chronicle met in the Washington, DC, area (Arlington, Virginia) in 1989, it has is published 11 times per year, with a combined not held a conference in the city since November/December issue. Submission deadlines 1975. are three months prior to publication date. Job Task Analysis Report: The Board reviewed and discussed the Job Task Analysis (JTA) report. The JTA
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 9 American Translators Association Get Ready 53rd Annual Conference ToGo! Hilton San Diego Bayfront . October 24 ----- 27, 2012 San Diego, California Plan to Register Get Ready Registration begins in July You will receive the Preliminary Program and Registration ToNetwork! Connect with over 1,800 colleagues Form with the July issue of The ATA Chronicle. from throughout the U.S. and around the world. . Renew your motivation by meeting people with similar interests and sharing Book Your Room your experiences. . Build potential partnerships that will help Hilton San Diego Bayfront you personally and professionally. . Listen to the buzz among 1 Park Boulevard, San Diego, California, USA 92101
freelancers, project managers, business owners, and government Special ATA Room Rates (exclusive of tax) representatives. Single = $259 / Double = $279 ATA rates include complimentary Internet These special rates are available until October 1, 2012, or as space allows. Make your reservations online at Get Ready www.atanet.org/conf/2012/hotel.htm. Or call To Learn! Choose from over 175 sessions that +1-800-HILTONS and ask for the special ATA rate. feature a variety of languages, topics, and skill levels. . Focus on practical skills and theory, or join discussions that examine Why Should You Attend? the current state of your profession or offer a look to the future. Videos, slideshows, reviews, & more . Be inspired and challenged to consider new ideas. . Discover Read what past attendees have said, see photos and videos, get a glimpse of what to expect in San Diego, and the lessons learned from colleagues who have dealt with the check out previous ATA Conferences. Learn more at _ exact problems you are currently facing. www.atanet.org/conf/2012/why attend.htm.
Promote Your Company Visit Us Online at Exhibit . Sponsor . Advertise Take this opportunity to reach over 1,800 attendees www.atanet.org/conf/2012 who need your services and products. Learn more at www.atanet.org/conf/2012/advertise.htm. Afraid?! Who’s Afraid?
By Ewandro Magalhães
Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most. — Fyodor Dostoyevsky
In my early days as a linguist, consecutive interpreting was all I did and all I was comfortable doing. That Budding interpreters are very fear-prone. all changed one morning. I showed up for what I thought was They harbor unrealistic expectations. going to be business as usual and pro- ceeded to greet the speaker I would be interpreting. We shook hands and engaged in casual chat, slowly be fine,” she said, glancing at her letting me glide smoothly over beau- drifting toward the back of the audito- watch and looking hurried. tiful meadows, trees, and houses. rium as we spoke. Before I knew it, I Once the parachute opens, it is easy was standing by the door of a fully First Jump to feel empowered. But at the door of a equipped interpreting booth. “We’ll I can still recall the anxiety. The noisy single-engine airplane two thou- start as soon as you’re ready,” she feeling was not new, but the last time sand feet off the ground, there are no said, pointing to the chair in the little I had experienced anything close to it heroes. Not among first-timers, at least. cubicle. I contemplated it for a I was being pushed out of an airplane After a month of intensive training, I second, somewhat puzzled, and tried mid-flight with an awkward backpack had learned how to fold meters of cord to clear up the obvious misunder- tied around my torso. I let my body and fabric and squeeze the bulky lot into standing. At the end of a series of fall into thin air for about five seconds a bag that would hardly accommodate a indistinct expressions of denial on my and was relieved when the knapsack pillow. I was ready for my first jump. part, the speaker cut me short. “You’ll unbolted into a huge green umbrella, And, of course, I was petrified. ·
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 11 Afraid?! Who’s Afraid? Continued
As the plane soared, so did my fear. At that point, the only thing you can do is sit there and try your best to look tough and not panic, all along Learn to love, rather than dread, your wondering how you are going to respond when it is your turn to jump. professional insecurities. Luckily, there is always a “friend” to help you through this fleeting moment of indecision. You do not actually jump off the plane. You are pushed counterpoint of reason, a series of is bold.” Worry not. As you progress in out. But once back on the ground, you overlapping irrational worries start to your career, your fear of failure will be feel you are the bravest guy alive. pile up, eventually triggering a physi- replaced gradually with genuine sym- I wish I could say I felt as brave ological chain reaction in response to pathy for your audience. At some that first day in the booth, but that actual or imaginary threats. This point the true measure of your respon- would be twisting the truth a little. process may easily escalate to a surge sibility—a different kind of concern— Before I could voice any further beyond control. will start to weigh on your shoulders. objection, the speaker was gone. Interpreters are no strangers to This apprehension is positive and Lights went off and the audience fear. Budding interpreters, in partic- comes with experience. It breeds, plunged into the deepest of silences. ular, are very fear-prone. They harbor rather than undermines, confidence. The plane was off the ground and the unrealistic expectations. They tell push had come in the form of a clear- themselves not to fail or draw a blank, Cruising cut command: “Get in there and do lest their career might come to an end Contrary to popular belief, the the best you can.” I sat down and put before it even starts. They panic at the greatest limiting factor in conference on the clunky earphones. I had judgment of others and are quick to interpreting is not linguistic. It is emo- jumped and now felt myself sucked engage in negative self-talk that may tional. Mastery of the most chal- full speed toward the bottom of a ver- spiral out of control. In their semi- lenging vocabulary will be of little use tiginous cliff. paranoid fantasy, Murphy’s Law in the absence of the fine stress man- becomes as ubiquitous as the law of agement skills required to talk your Free Fall gravity and equally unforgiving the way out of trouble. The possibility of Fear is a powerful emotion. Within minute they set foot in the booth. failure increases greatly when you are reasonable limits, it is a healthy dispo- A beginner’s fears are mostly cir- in panic mode. Actions geared at sition that protects and preserves us. cumstantial. They stem from the taming your anxiety should therefore Yet phobic fear is not only unhealthy uncertainty surrounding a craft one be assigned the highest priority. but incapacitating. Jack it up a notch does not quite yet know. Such fears Escaping the stronghold of your and you are in panic mode, fully also tend to be self-centered. Sure, you fears involves confrontation and deprived of your ability to think. That must get it right and deliver a flawless exposure. To progress beyond fear is when the rational mind abandons interpretation, but take an honest, deep you must face it. You must project the boat and leaves at the helm the look at your fears and you will prob- outward and put yourself to the test protobrain we inherited from some ably admit that you are not that wor- until you can draw the line that will distant cousins in the evolutionary ried the message may eventually get allow you to choose consciously trail—an encephalon capable of twisted for those in the audience. As a between flight and fight every time. nothing but the basic instincts of beginner, your stress level does not yet Pressing through and beyond your reproduction and life preservation. afford such an ethical sophistication. fears takes determination and resolve. Under intense fear, we slide back as a Having your shortcomings exposed is It is a yang approach, the disciplined species. We revert to mere primates. what scares you. way. As Michel de Montaigne, one of We fear simply, without the slightest Now, if you are a novice interpreter the most influential writers of the clue as to the origin of our fears, most and feel like you are not afraid of any- French Renaissance, once wrote, “It of which are unfounded. Under thing, mind the words of Greek takes courage to be afraid.” extreme circumstances, without the philosopher Thucydides: “Ignorance
12 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 Courage is the disposition to face Learn to love, rather than dread, your Safe Landing our demons at a time when we feel professional insecurities. Despite your The first three jumps I had logged weakest, without a clue as to our true shortcomings, honor your courage in in my promising career as a skydiver chances of success. Courage is the stepping up to the plate for the benefit did a lot to bolster my self-confidence, deliberate decision to run some of others. Then sit back, relax, and get but a frustrated, nearly tragic fourth serious risks and bear the conse- out of everybody’s way, including dive buried my dreams of Icarus for- quences, and comes from the realiza- yours. Problems and accidents can ever. The dual-engine Navajo darted tion that not doing so may eventually happen to anyone, but between possi- through the dirt runway of the bat- harm us more. Yet, confrontation bility and probability there is an tered airfield on the outskirts of alone does not free us from fear. immense field. This is where you want Brasilia. It had barely taken off the Courage should not be just a call to to be. Admit the possibility, but live in ground when it bumped across and war. It should also be an invitation to the probability. There are no assur- struck and killed a stray horse. In true reconcile, rather than subjugate, our ances in life, but you are free to choose rodeo style, the captain managed to ego. In our quest to conquer fear, a that in which you prefer to believe. jolt the aircraft down to a firm landing softer, yin approach is equally impor- The use of interpreters dates back and slowly taxied us back to safety, tant and far more effective. time immemorial and will probably despite the serious fuel leak we could Adjusting your expectations is a linger for many centuries more, until see and smell through the plane’s good first step. Next time you feel mankind speaks a single language (or open door. anxious, try challenging some of your Apple comes up with an iPhone app Back at the impromptu terminal, beliefs and altering your perspective. for instant interpreting—whatever we deplaned quickly on very shaky First off, imagining that the audience happens first). Until that day comes, legs and sick stomachs. I laid my gear is attending the meeting simply to however, we need to discharge our on the ground one last time, walked appreciate or critique your perform- professional functions conscien- away from the aircraft, and never ance as an interpreter is an unneces- tiously and responsibly. turned back. It was about 7:00 p.m. sary exercise in vanity. Nobody is Do not underestimate the circum- and darkness had fallen. We knew we there for you, believe me. Interpreters stances. Do not overestimate your gear had exceeded the takeoff deadline by play a vital role, but a supporting one. or skills. Gently fold and verify every at least one hour. My recently acquired For the most part, people will be cord and square inch of your parachute confidence was fast turning into dis- oblivious of the interpreter. And what- before a jump. Rehearse your actions plicence. The experience I had just ever fleeting thought they might spare and be sure to carry a reserve canopy. survived was a benign wake-up call. for that poor soul in the booth will Never underrate the importance or May the near-disastrous end of my certainly be a reassuring one. They complexity of a speech. Be diligent in flying career be an equally gentle are not out to get you and they do not your search for information on the talk reminder to you as well. An unex- impose their expectations on you. and the speaker. Prepare your glos- pected or early failure in the inter- They genuinely want you to succeed saries. Anticipate pitfalls. Have a Plan preting booth may prove equally and will forge an alliance with you B. Get the right training and sharpen off-putting. Shoot happens. When it early on, if you let them. This should your tools constantly. Then, and only does, you will want to be ready. help abate your fear a bit. then, practice the desensitizing drills Expect the best, but be ready for Next, train yourself to go beyond suggested here. Only then board a the worst. Keep cool but vigilant, and fighting or resisting your anxiety. plane or enter a booth, with or without remember the skydiving adage: Remind yourself of the true reason fear. You may survive your first couple “There are old jumpers and there are you are there and gently shift the of experiences out of sheer luck, as I bold jumpers, but there are no old, focus away from you. Put the audi- did, but to do it consistently, you will bold jumpers.” All it takes for things ence first and silently reiterate your need to get serious about your passion to go south is one entangled cord, a commitment to serve them in the best or profession. A newly acquired ability minute tear on your gear, or a stray possible way. Ultimately, the antidote to control your emotions is no excuse horse crossing your way. to fear is not brute force, but love. not to prepare.
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To apply, visit http://ata.haysaffinity.com or call (866) 310-4297 Immediate, no-obligation automated quotes furnished to most applicants! Making the Whole Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Virtual Partnerships Between Freelance Translators By Friderike A. Butler and Jeana M. Clark
Most freelance translators and interpreters truly enjoy their craft and the flexibility that comes with being in business for themselves. The cre- We translators tend to spend a lot of time by ativity involved in working with lan- guages, the sense of building bridges ourselves in front of our computers, but we between different cultures, the expo- do not have to feel alone and isolated. sure to a variety of topics, and setting one’s own schedule all add to the sat- isfaction of our profession. We are our own bosses and we like it that way. The flipside is that freelance work recitation of an exceptionally well- answers to questions posted on a face- can get quite lonely at times when it is crafted translation, and no one who less website portal. And what do you just you, your computer and the vast will empathize with you if a project do if you are having a bad case of Internet, and when there is very little does not progress as expected. writer’s block? You may be able to personal interaction other than Support can be hard to find, especially clear your head with a walk around project-related communication with when you are dealing with an uncoop- the block (if your deadlines are clients. There is no friendly office erative computer or have a software generous enough), but that does not banter, no language geek across the issue with a deadline looming, all the necessarily help with producing inter- room who will appreciate a quick while losing valuable time waiting for esting alternatives to express a tricky
16 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 phrase in the source document in the Maybe you are excited about new away with clean and proofread termi- required target language. Or how do marketing opportunities, but do not nology to add to your translation you work up the courage to go for the have the bandwidth to take on addi- memory (with the client’s consent, of desired rate increase when you are tional projects on your own. Why not course). You will have also success- presented with the opportunity to bid on those larger contracts and share fully avoided the risk of having your submit a bid to a new client? And who them with your virtual business work proofread by an unknown editor will care and be there to supply a partner(s)? By swapping or merging who may feel the need to justify her much-needed pep talk if you are translation memories and collabo- existence by marking up more than having a real downer of a day and feel rating during the translation process, what is truly warranted. like this whole freelance business is you will be able to grow profession- just overwhelming? ally and experience the satisfaction of Identifying a Partner A good working partner can be the supportive teamwork. Compatibility and a similar level solution to all, or at least most, of There have been many times when of experience and adherence to trans- these quandaries. Reflecting on four one of us has been swamped but lation standards between potential years of successful virtual partner- another team member was not. If one freelance partners are essential ships, we would like to share our of us is busy, we refer the customer to building blocks for a rewarding rela- experiences, discuss the basis for a another team member and everyone is tionship. Having some overlap of functioning professional relationship, happy. This puts us in the wonderful common interests and a similar skill and introduce valuable tools to help position of not having to say “No” to level is also important. It will get frus- make working with a virtual partner additional inquiries for our services. trating if one person is consistently an enjoyable and productive experi- Peaks and valleys tend to even them- doing the heavy lifting and the other ence. It is our hope that more free- selves out when customer requests is unable to provide professional sup- lancers will feel encouraged to start can be distributed among several team port in return (unless you agree to breaking out of their individual shells members based on availability. In have a mentoring relationship, which to enjoy the rewards of working as addition, we can now go on vacation can be very rewarding for both par- part of a self-managed virtual team. and truly relax. Our individual auto- ties, but this is a different concept and mated e-mail reply directs potential therefore a topic for another article). Benefits of Virtual Partnerships new customers to our partners who It makes great sense to look for The ideal virtual partnership is a are “on call.” This way everything someone who complements your skill win-win situation for everyone stays within the family. set. As a native German speaker involved: the individual team mem- If you can negotiate with your working in the German➝English lan- bers, the team as a whole, your lan- project manager to have your partner guage pair, it is incredibly helpful to guage services providers (LSPs), and be your proofreader, you will have the me to have a teammate who is a native the end clients. Aside from being a rare opportunity to receive unbiased English speaker. This allows me to cheerleader and sounding board and friendly feedback on your work. leverage her native speaker skills and via instant messaging or Skype, the This will give you a chance to reject perspective when I translate into right partner can be the source of con- changes with which you disagree and English, and she can make sure she tinued professional development. For to identify recurring mistakes or captures all of the nuances of the example, while one person spends errors of which you may have been German source text with which she is extra time learning about new previously unaware. Your teammate working. Working with a partner who technologies or better ways to use cur- may also be able to give you a gentle has different areas of specialization rent translation tools, another team but necessary nudge when you have broadens your spectrum of what you member could concentrate on keeping worked yourself into a rut and trans- can offer to customers. It also allows an updated list of new glossaries, dic- lated on autopilot instead of giving you to become familiar with topics tionaries, and helpful websites for your best. Your client will ultimately that you would otherwise not choose particular areas of interest. The end benefit from this cooperative, multi- to work with due to a lack of experi- results can then be freely shared and layered review process by receiving a ence in a particular field. each party benefits from the other’s higher quality product, and you can research. complete the assignment and walk ·
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 17 Making the Whole Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts: Virtual Partnerships Between Freelance Translators Continued
Opportunities for Creating Virtual Partnerships It takes time and effort to develop a trusting partnership. Before we Working with a partner who has different areas started working together on a regular basis, my freelance partner Jeana and of specialization broadens your spectrum of I had plenty of one-project relation- what you can offer to customers. ships, or what we jokingly refer to as “one-night stands,” most of which we gladly left behind when the last word of the project was written and reviewed. But occasionally you work there may be a match with one of your • Skype allows us to talk to each with a person and it just clicks. If you fellow translators that you could nur- other if issues are too complex to are so fortunate to have this experi- ture into a productive working rela- be handled via IM or e-mail. A new ence, make a connection with that tionship. If so, keep in touch! feature for the upgraded version person and try to develop a profes- On those occasions when you have allows us to make our desktops sional relationship with a purpose. more work than you can comfortably visible on the Skype screen. We are If you have the opportunity to find handle, try outsourcing a non-crucial able to look at screen shots out who proofreads your work after piece to test the linguistic and com- together to figure out software you submit it to your trusted LSPs— munication skills of a potential free- issues. take it! Even a casual introduction lance partner (only with the consent will be better than working “blind” on of the project manager or client, of • Same-generation computer-assis- the same project. Let the proofreader course!). Be prepared to not always ted translation tools make it know that you are open to construc- be pleased with the results. Rather easy to exchange files, merge tive feedback. Ask if he or she is than bringing about a happily ever translation memories, and share willing to discuss potential questions after, one-night stands with strangers termbases. with you while you are still working (more often than not) can turn into with a particular text. You may be disappointment. If that is the case, do • Google docs enables team mem- able to break down a roadblock faster yourself and the other person a favor: bers to share documents online so and can avoid recurring issues that let him or her down gently. Provide multiple people can access and edit may otherwise take your proofreader the person with a clean copy of what a document simultaneously. This a long time to polish after the transla- you feel meets your standards, thank allows everyone to see the most tion has been completed. Make sure him or her for the effort, and move on. current document in real time. you take criticism graciously when it is offered and remain open to different Technology There are plenty of other tools perspectives. If the cooperation works Technology is an important aspect readily available to support teamwork well, stay in touch and see if you can of successful virtual partnerships. and the exchange of information identify other opportunities to work Here are just a few of the tools we between collaborating parties. It with that proofreader. have used: would be interesting to circulate a If an agency offers you a long-term survey and develop a more compre- collaborative assignment and intro- • Microsoft Instant Messenger hensive list of useful tools, but this is duces you to the other translators on (IM) works great for day-to-day a topic for yet another article. the team (some LSPs are indeed pro- interaction with team members. We gressive enough to see the benefit of use it as a quick way to ask trusted Challenges direct collaboration between transla- colleagues to double-check trouble- When entering into an informal vir- tors), put your best foot forward, try some sentences and to discuss tual partnership with another person, to be proactive in establishing profes- terminology. keep in mind that you are still oper- sional ground rules and standards, and ating as two separate entities. I need, keep your eyes and ears open to see if
18 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 and want, to respect my partner’s autonomy, her voice, and her indi- vidual style. She manages her own schedule, which she readily shares Virtual Partnerships: with me. We keep in touch so we know what is going on in each other’s lives Dos and Don’ts that may affect our availability or gen- eral state of mind. As stated previously, IM is a great way to do that. Brief status updates like “looking for work,” “totally swamped,” or “out from x to Do y” help to keep communication chan- nels open. • Talk about your team Upholding the highest level of a • Refer your teammates voluntary honor system and making sure that you have each other’s backs • Collaborate are key in establishing a trusting rela- • Agree on general pricing tionship. For us, that means we may have to jump in and rescue the other • Remember that transparency = trust in an emergency without immediate • Share information (e.g., customers, technology) benefit. What goes around comes around, or as one presenter at last • Mentor the other in a new specialization or tool year’s ATA Annual Conference • Keep in touch explained so nicely, this type of sup- port system is like a bank account of • Build each other up goodwill that you deposit into and that you can draw on in time of need. A final thought to keep in mind when thinking about collaborating is that different laws and regulations Don’t apply for different locations. • Criticize a teammate in front of customers Therefore, each team member must operate and manage his or her busi- • Complain without a solution ness accordingly. Make sure you have • Contact your teammates’ customers directly without prior approval blanket nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in place between all partners. • Undercut agreed pricing Also, ask your client to issue NDAs to • Forward irrelevant information or unpleasant customers to teammates individual teammates so you are not liable for their actions if you take on • Interrupt the other’s workday constantly or disrespect their “busy” sign the role of a project facilitator or project manager. At the end of the day, we are still our own bosses, are responsible for our own billing, our own collections, and the deadlines to which we have front of our computers, but we do not power, be better equipped to compete personally agreed. But we can operate have to feel alone and isolated. in the marketplace, and ultimately our businesses in a smarter and more Working together with compatible have more fun doing what we love! powerful way. We freelancers tend to and reliable freelance partners, we can spend a lot of time by ourselves in be more flexible, have more brain-
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 19 Training a Dragon: Using Speech-to-Text to Boost Productivity By Andrew D. Levine
Weary of typing on keyboards for hours on end and seeking a new way to make the words swimming in their Dragon NaturallySpeaking can be used to dictate heads jump onto the computer screen, many translators are looking to speech- text in any application that can accept text to-text software as an alternative to tra- ditional text entry. It has only been input from a keyboard. within the past few years that dictating words into a Microsoft Word document or computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool has become a viable option for pro- is known as Dragon NaturallySpeaking, onds after the words are spoken, with fessionals wanting to expand their soft- and its Mac version is called Dragon perfect spelling, provided it hears the ware tools in a way that benefits them Dictate (not to be confused with Dragon words correctly. directly. Many freelancers missed the Dictation, a mobile app with limited The primary difference between boat in the early adoption of CAT tech- features). The latest version of Dragon Dragon and other off-the-shelf speech- nology, and over the years discounts for NaturallySpeaking (11.5) was released to-text products lies in its “speaker- repetitions in text have become an in the summer of 2011. I have tried it dependent” interface. Unlike the increasingly common requirement of out and am happy to say its accuracy hit-and-miss voice recognition of auto- language services providers. Speech has greatly improved over the version 9 mated telephone answering systems, recognition tailored to an individual’s that I once tried and dismissed out of Dragon requires you to create your own voice is finally fast and accurate enough frustration. user profile, which you customize over to boost personal productivity. In my time. With a bit of hand-holding, the own case, I have been able to achieve Using Dragon software learns the features of your words-per-hour gains of between 20% Dragon NaturallySpeaking can be voice and accumulates a personalized and 40% without sacrificing accuracy, used to dictate text in any application vocabulary of proper nouns and and some others swear by it as well for that can accept text input from a key- uncommon words. The vocabulary that similar reasons. But some limitations in board. It is fast enough in SDL Trados comes with Dragon Premium ($199, the technology remain. Studio or MemoQ, but even faster in compared to the basic $99 Home Currently, U.S.-based Nuance Com- Microsoft Word 2007. The graphical version) is also very suitable for most munications is the only software pub- interface is in the form of a bar that technical translators. Words like “anhy- lisher I know of that has released a docks to the top of the screen and con- dride,” “metacarpal,” and “exculpa- robust dictation engine that offers any tains the features that may be config- tory” are all found in the default advantages over normal typing for indi- ured. It listens as you speak into your dictionary. If you need to add a word or viduals. Nuance’s solution for Windows headset, entering text only a few sec- proper noun that Dragon misheard,
20 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 Dragon will remember the word the next time you say it. (This is done by speaking the commands “Select
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 21 Training a Dragon: Using Speech-to-Text to Boost Productivity Continued forums at KnowBrainer (www.know brainer.com) rather than contacting Nuance’s own support, although the official Twitter feed (@DragonTweets) The primary difference between Dragon and is helpful at answering quick, simple questions. other off-the-shelf speech-to-text products lies Overall, Dragon is most likely to be a boon to those translators who in its “speaker-dependent” interface. think faster than they can type, saving revision and editing for the end. These users will often find that with a little practice, they can dictate their transla- At its price ($99 for the basic tional audience and allows the tions at a very efficient pace. In its Home version, $199 for the Premium importing of translation memory files current state, Dragon is less likely to version with a larger native vocabu- to tune its accuracy, Nuance could be of much use to those whose normal lary and more flexible features), become as much a fixture of the work methods involve typing just two Dragon NaturallySpeaking version industry as Trados or Wordfast. or three words at a time, then pausing 11.5 already merits serious considera- to reconsider word choices. Fluid tion for many translators. If a future speech and complete phrasing are version expands its base of supported essential to using Dragon efficiently. languages to serve a more interna-
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22 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 Apple is looking for qualified individuals for following 40/hr/wk positions. To apply, mail your resume to 1 Infinite Loop 84-GM, Attn: LJ, Cupertino, CA 95014 with Req # and copy Get Your Copy of ATA’s of ad. Job site & interview, Cupertino, CA. Principals only. EOE. Interpreting: Getting It Right Technical Translator - Finnish Today! [Req. #12225744] In order to bring clients to your door, they have to know what you do. That means client education is one of the Perform hands-on translation of Apple products into Finnish. best ways to build your customer base. Req.’s Bachelor's degree, or foreign equivalent, in Translation, For several years, translators have used the Translation: Getting It Linguistics, Philology, Finnish, Swedish, or related plus three (3) Right brochure to do just that. Interpreters now have the same opportunity to market their skills. ATA has published Interpreting: years professional experience in job offered or in a related Getting It Right, a plain-speaking brochure that explains why occupation. Must have academic background or professional hiring a professional interpreter is a good business decision. In a experience with: Fluency in Finnish; Fluency in English; style similar to the very successful Translation: Getting It Right, the brochure is a quick read. computer aided translation tools and systems; computational linguistics systems; large volume technical translations for The brochure can be downloaded from ATA’s website in PDF format at www.atanet.org/getting_it_right_int.php. ATA end-user software products; software life cycle; multi-cultural members can also receive free copies by request. E-mail ATA's issues; linguistic QA and review. Must complete and pass Member Relations and Office Manager Kwana Ingram at [email protected] for details. translation test which will be administered at the time of interview.
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Experience the ATA Annual Conference anywhere, anytime! The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 23 Guidelines for Editing Translations By Wendy Griswold
One of the most important things to remember in editing a trans- lation is to do no harm. If it is not Be very careful about making broken, do not fix it. With this in mind, I have developed universal changes. the following guidelines on the basis of others’ edits of my work and feedback I have received about my own edits. Let me be the first to acknowledge that they are not going to end up with phrases 3. Write a memo. This is especially are subjective. I hope they will generate such as “the agreementing process.” important if you have found serious some fruitful discussion and perhaps issues with the translation you are provide a basis from which each of us 2. Talk to yourself. Take this one as editing. Take that conversation you can take a fresh look at some of our own literally as is comfortable for you. I had with yourself back in point 2 and practices. keep notes as I move through a docu- commit it to paper. The client wants to ment and justify my edits. I am prob- know, and the translator deserves to 1. Be very careful about making uni- ably justified in changing “personnel” know, where you found fault. versal changes. You may have a good to “staff” if that is what the translator reason for changing “contract” to has been using all along, except for 4. Never guess. I have seen editors get “agreement,” but before you implement one instance. But am I comfortable into trouble by not checking the dic- that “universal search and replace” you that he or she did not use “personnel” tionary. For example, they will delete must go through every instance of “con- here in order to avoid some awkward the correct translation of radiodifusión tract” to make sure you are not adding construction or excessive repetition of as “broadcasting” and change it to awkward phrases, such as “it has been the same word or phrase? what they perceive as the closest cog- agreed in the agreement,” and that you nate: “radio broadcasting”—which,
24 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 according to my copy of the Oxford Spanish Dictionary, would be incor- rect. Likewise, you may want to check Ask yourself how the change makes the with the translator on where he or she translation better. found the translation for a given term. Often the translator is right on target. Sometimes he or she is guessing or working from memory. The client always deserves the correct translation. aha!—the meaning of that ambiguous, 9. If it looks wrong, assume that there incomprehensible phrase may just leap may be an error and research the 5. Do not make the translation off the page if you read it in your issue. The translator may have just sound as though it is your own, mother tongue without the interference picked the wrong definition from a long unless you have been specifically that comes with working bilingually. list. One of my favorite obvious exam- asked to do so. Changing “personnel” ples is translating desarrollamiento as to “staff” and “staff” to “personnel” 7. Review the entire document “development” when it means “imple- generally serves no purpose except before you start making changes on mentation.” that of leaving your imprimatur on a paper (or in “Track Changes”). This document. (I will grant you an excep- will save you a lot of perspiration if 10. Sometimes, it just cannot be tion if the subject is Moses and the you realize, on page 15, why the trans- done. Alas, not every translation is Red Sea.) Ask yourself how the lator chose a certain word on page 1. professional or satisfactory. It is your change makes the translation better. Is In other words, review all the lan- job to tell the client that the translation it more accurate? Does it resolve a guage in context before you change cannot be fixed and that he or she “consistency” issue? Does it make the anything. would be best served by having it translation clearer? Less wordy? Are redone. I generally accompany this you making a change for the translator 8. Do not add errors to the text. I once bad news with an edit of at least a few (to correct an error or inconsistency), changed the translation of seguridad paragraphs, so the client can more for the reader (to make it clearer), or alimenticia from “food security” to easily see where the problems lie. for yourself (because you prefer “per- “food safety,” wondering how such a sons” to “people”)? Level with your- brilliant translator could make such an In the best of all possible worlds, self about why you have just picked up obvious error. However, I failed to the translator and editor would work that blue pencil. Distinguish between research “food security,” and in that as a team, bouncing questions and correcting an error and substituting particular context the translator was concerns back and forth. In the real your preference. 100% right and I was 100% wrong. Do world of commercial translation, the your research. Never assume. If you process may become compressed and 6. Sit down and read the document cannot do the research, you owe it to the truncated—which perhaps may make through in the target language. You translator and the end client to ask it even more important to (a) check may be amazed at what jumps out at where he or she came up with that with the translator and (b) proceed you: grammar issues, punctuation apparently questionable term. with caution. issues, consistency issues, and—
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The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 25 Judy Jenner is a court-certified Spanish interpreter and a Spanish and German translator in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she runs Twin Translations The Entrepreneurial Linguist Judy Jenner with her twin sister. She is also the president judy.jenner@ of the Nevada Interpreters and Translators entrepreneurial Association. She hosts the popular linguist.com translation blog, Translation Times
Photo by Ulf Buchholz The Power of Social Media (www.translationtimes.blogspot.com). You can also find her at www.entrepreneuriallinguist.com.
Many readers might know that I you start a blog or start tweeting a lot. Give before you get. Our blog is prob- am a strong believer in social media and Over time, as your exposure grows, so ably my favorite social media outlet. professional networks. For us as small should your business—but there are Granted, a blog is a lot of work, but it is business owners, I think that Web 2.0 is never any guarantees. Consider your also a wonderful opportunity to share the best way to promote our services. It social media efforts a long-term invest- what you know with colleagues, clients, is largely free, but it requires some ment in your business. and whoever reads your blog. Posting to work. Even though I was critical of it in a blog also presents an opportunity to the beginning, as many people are now, Do not engage in hard selling. A few establish yourself as an expert. A dear I was an early adapter of Web 2.0 and weeks ago, I saw a tweet stating, “If friend of mine, who is a CPA, recently social media and quickly became a fan. you need a good Spanish-to-Mandarin started a blog and turned to me to figure Now, many years later, I have been able translator, contact me!” Needless to out why no one was visiting it. I had a to use the power of social media to say, this person did not have many fol- look and realized that all her entries achieve something I never thought lowers on Twitter, as all his tweets were sales-oriented, along the lines of possible. With the help of hundreds of were quite sales-oriented. In general, “Tax season is around the corner. I am cyberfriends, most of whom had never you will be able to build a strong fol- the CPA you have been waiting for!” As met us in person, my twin sister and I lowing on Twitter if you have inter- with tweeting, do not look at a blog— raised almost $10,000 for a colleague in esting things to say (go beyond the “I whether it be a translation blog, a need who had suffered a heart attack. I am sitting in a café” tweets), retweet cooking blog, a gardening blog, or a have never been more convinced of the what others are posting, ask open- Dungeons & Dragons blog—as a direct power of social media than after the ended questions, answer questions that sales opportunity, because it is not. It is overwhelming response from our col- others might have, and find interesting an opportunity for you to build your leagues and friends around the world. links to share. It is all about building brand online, and you have to give Here are some tips for creating a an online community. something for free (read: advice) before powerful online presence while building you can reap the potential benefits of strong relationships with colleagues. Surround yourself with good people. online recognition. Once my CPA friend When I was in graduate school, my started posting entries such as “five Consistency and continuity are key. mentor was the very successful chief things you should know before tax Just like in real life, creating bonds and executive officer of a Las Vegas casino. season starts,” she saw her traffic relationships in cyberspace takes some He gave me plenty of good advice, and increase tremendously. time and effort. Do not set yourself up I particularly like the tip to surround to fail by thinking that you will see an yourself with good people. This was Meet your cyberfriends in person. I immediate increase in business once back in 2000, so my mentor was not go to great lengths to meet cyber- talking about the Web, but his advice is friends in person when I travel or as valid online as it is offline. The Web when they come to Vegas. Make an Yahoo! Business can be a big, scary place, and just like in effort to interact with your contacts in Discussion Group the offline world, you might encounter person and share a meal or a cup of some phonies, flakes, impostors, and all coffee. As wonderful as the Internet is, sorts of want-to-be translators and inter- there is nothing quite like personal ATA members can discuss business issues online preters. You might be judged partially contact. at the following Yahoo! group: by the company you keep, so choose http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/ wisely. group/ata_business_practices. You will need to register with Yahoo! (at no charge) if This column is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or other business advice. Each you have not already done so, and provide your individual or company should make its own independent business decisions and consult full name and ATA member number in order to its own legal, financial, or other advisors as appropriate. The views expressed here are join the group. not necessarily those of ATA or its Board of Directors. Ideas and questions should be directed to [email protected].
26 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 Internet blogs are rich sources of information for translators and interpreters. They allow users to post questions, exchange ideas, network, and read news Blog Trekker Five Reasons and commentary on a specific subject. The topics featured in this column are actual blog postings It is Hard to Say concerning issues pertinent to your colleagues in the field today. For more blog listings, visit “NO” to a Client www.atanet.org/careers/blog_trekker.php.
(And why you should get over many of them)
(Posted by Patricia Lane on her blog, • Burn the midnight oil? That is Sometimes it is feast or famine. Taking Intercultural Zone, http://intercultural risky—if you are tired, the quality on more than you can reasonably zone.lokahi-interactive.com.) of your work suffers (and you are handle is a panic response and not a only as good as the last project you sound business decision most of the hand in). time (the “you are only as good as your I admit it. I have a hard time last project” argument again). Some saying no to my clients. And they • Sacrifice your weekend? Seems like I freelancers fear turning down a client know it, too. They are very good at have done that a lot lately (it was my will mean losing them. pushing all the right buttons. Given choice, so no regrets or frustration). Get serious: clients are not stupid. the onslaught of extra work in the run- If you are really good and at the peak up to a few days off, I have added • Get help on the noncritical project of your learning curve with this client, “working on getting better about this” from a colleague (with your he may take on someone else in a to my list of things to ponder while client’s blessing, of course)? That pinch, but he is not going to start over lazing about. is a good option, provided you from scratch building a relationship These are my five reasons I have a have time to go over the entire job with a new service provider. He hard time saying NO NO NO! with a microscope. would be taking a risk and having to invest time all over again. That is not 1. A Great Professional and Personal 3. Client Insistence: Sometimes a sound business decision. Relationship: It is harder to say no to clients make you feel like they do not Ask yourself one question before faithful clients with whom you have a want anyone else to do the job. taking on that extra “rainy day” terrific professional and personal rela- Sometimes clients really do not want project. Is it tied to anything else? In tionship. Call it loyalty, call it interde- to hand over the job to somebody else. other words, does it contain the seeds pendence, call it a partnership— They know your work and how you for upselling? Is it the first phase of whatever—you are involved in these work. It gives them peace of mind and something larger? What visibility, projects together, you know the com- saves them time. In this too, you pro- inside the company and publicly, pany inside out, and how “this” project vide value. might you derive from taking it on? fits into the bigger picture. So you explain why it would be Or is it just a one-shot, stand-alone It is no struggle for me to say no to unprofessional for you to take on their number that is not terribly critical? prospects or previously one-shot clients project because of X, Y, and Z, or that The value of a project to the service with whom I have not shared anguish you would have to charge them provider is not simply how much it over a turn of phrase or met in the flesh. double time to get it done (knowing may earn you. But clients I like and with whom I have full well they do not want to spend been in the trenches? It pushes my guilt even more). When the client strives to 5. Believing You CAN Fit that Extra button. tweak his calendar to suit yours, it Bit into Your Schedule: If you are like really is tough to say no. me, you make sure your schedule has 2. Interesting and Rewarding Pro- buffer time just in case a project turns jects: As luck would have it, is it not 4. The “Grab the Job in Case Tomor - out to be more difficult than you often the case that the juiciest, most row is a Rainy Day” Argument: interesting projects show up in your lap Freelancing can be unpredictable. Continued on p. 31 just when you have no or little avail- ability? It is easier to walk away from a run-of-the-mill project where the added value you can bring is limited (such as a quick translation for information) than For more information, visit something more challenging and www.atanet.org/webinars rewarding, such as adapting a text for Live and On-Demand Training for publication or writing a speech. So Professional Translators and Interpreters what can you do?
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 27 María Cristina de la Vega is certified as a Spanish↔English interpreter by the Admin- istrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the State Interpreters Forum María Cristina de la Vega of Florida, and the National Association of [email protected] Judiciary Interpreters and Translators. She is president of ProTranslating, Inc., a language services provider in Florida. She blogs at The Interpreting Journal Club on Twitter http://mariacristinadelavegamusings. wordpress.com.
What is it? The Interpreting to open a Twitter account, which is 2012. He said that he would like partic- Journal Club is defined loosely as a very easy. ipants to “strive to get people involved group of people, usually profes- who recognize themselves as part of the sionals, who meet on a regular basis A Conversation with the Founder public interpreting sector,” so that all to discuss literature that has been pub- I recently asked Lionel what areas of interpreting can be represented. lished in the field of interpreting. prompted him to sponsor this He is confident that #IntJC has begun to The group was established last endeavor. He explained that he play a role in promoting profession- September through the initiative of believes the group can serve as a alism, understanding, and camaraderie Lionel Dersot, a liaison interpreter in vehicle to allow professionals, from among participants. He is also very Tokyo, Japan. Lionel sent out an invita- beginners to veterans, to “exchange happy with the promotion the tweetchat tion on Twitter welcoming anyone experiences, thoughts, concerns, and is getting as more and more contributors interested in the field of interpreting to recommendations,” in an environment spread the word and the audience join in discussions on topics pertaining of mutual respect. Lionel feels the increases. to the field. The group met eight times group’s format is ideal because you The group is open to anyone and no over Twitter last year, with each session can be present and not feel obligated advanced registration is required. To lasting from an hour to an hour and a to participate. He believes the group learn the meeting dates and subjects half every two weeks. Membership has has also helped create a bond among a to be discussed, please visit http:// always been unrestricted. number of participants who would not sites.google.com/site/interpretjc/home. How does it work? The group is have met otherwise. asked about potential subjects or issues I asked Lionel if there was anything they would like to discuss. Once the that he would like to do differently in topic is decided, links to background material are provided and a list of five questions to be debated is created. This year, subject matter experts will also be invited to participate. To see the dis- Interpreter Blogs cussion archives and learn more about #IntJC, the hashtag the group uses on Twitter, visit http://sites.google.com/ Aventuras de una traductora-intérprete en Madrid site/interpretjc/home. http://aidagda.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/si-escribes-un-blog-ellos-vendran Participating in this group is a great way to learn what is happening in our field and to meet practitioners Bootheando from all over the world. There is usu- www.bootheando.com ally a core group of between 10-12 participants at each meeting, made up In My Words of interpreters, trainers, and students http://interpreter.blogs.se/ in countries such as the U.S., Japan, Belgium, Spain, Venezuela, France, La Asociación Venezolana de Intérpretes de Conferencias and Slovenia, which makes for lively http://elblogdeavinc.blogspot.com conversations. (To get an idea of the range of specialty areas members rep- resent, please see the list of blogs on The Interpreter Diaries the right.) It is very easy to participate http://theinterpreterdiaries.com through Twitter. If you want to follow the conversation without partici- The Liaison Interpreter (Lionel Dersot’s blog) pating, you can do so without a http://japaninterpreter.blogspot.com Twitter account. If you wish to partic- ipate in the tweetchat, you will need
28 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 The GeekSpeak column has two goals: to inform the community about technological advances and at the same time encourage the use and GeekSpeak Jost Zetzsche appreciation of technology among translation [email protected] professionals. Jost also publishes a free technical newsletter for translators Dedideheril Versus Dedideherilid (www.internationalwriters.com/toolkit).
Every so often I will meet a reader can also find this same ultimate answer How about this geeky alternative? at a conference who refers to me as by typing the answer to life the universe There has been a flurry of articles on “geeky.” In today’s techno-world, I and everything into the search engines artificial languages lately (you know: know that this is not an insult (and as the Google, Bing, or—I kid you not—the Esperanto, Klingon, Elvish, etc.), and I author of the GeekSpeak column, I very serious WolframAlpha computa- had a ball doodling around with a very surely have only myself to blame). In tional knowledge engine. feminine language called Láadan. I my own defense, however, I must I find this fascination (or obses- had to wait until our youngest had protest. I am not really into science sion) interesting because of transla- gone to bed to read some of the words fiction so loved by geeks—aside from a tion, of course. Do you remember the and their meanings to the rest of my very intense early-adolescent Jules Universal Translator from Star Trek? family a couple of weeks ago, but we Verne episode—but I have long been Mega-hyperpolyglot C-3PO of Star certainly had a fun time with it (check intrigued by the fascination that some of Wars fame who spoke six million lan- out a translation for this column’s the science fiction classics from the guages? And the babel fish from the heading at laadanlanguage.org). 1960s and 1970s hold for a good Hitchhiker’s Guide? In each of these But here is what I have been won- number of the folks who determine our sci-fi worlds, automatic translation dering about in the context of artificial Internet experience today. was solved. For good. languages. Read the recent Huffington Take Google, for instance. The If you take a look at the other pre- Post article on the resurrection of Googleplex, Google’s headquarters, is dictions from these retro classics— Wampanoag (http://huff.to/tHuvmR), or named after a character in The space and time travel, de- and rent the beautiful documentary We Still Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. What rematerialization (“Beam me up, Live Here (see makepeaceproductions. was the first building on the Googleplex Scotty”), and interaction with alien life com/wampfilm.html), and then consider that Google used? Building 42. Now, if forms—it is clear that the translation this humble proposition: Why don’t we you are an über-geek, or even reason- component has come a lot closer to ful- invest all that linguistic and sci-fi energy ably well-read, you will naturally know fillment than any of the other futuristic evidenced above into restoring dead that, according to the Hitchhiker’s technologies, regardless of how inade- languages rather than coming up with Guide, “the answer to life, the universe quate most machine translation still is. new ones? Just asking. and everything” is 42. Bizarrely, you Not a very pleasant thought?
Over the past three decades, translation has evolved from a profession ATA Scholarly Monograph practiced largely by individuals, to a cottage industry model, and finally to a formally Series XVI recognized industrial sector that is project-based, heavily outsourced, and encompasses a wide range of services in addition to translation. As projects have grown in size, Translation and Localization scope, and complexity, and as project teams have become increasingly distributed across the globe, formalized project management has emerged as both a business Project Management: requirement and a critical success factor for language services providers. In recognition The Art of the Possible of these developments, this volume examines the application of project management concepts, tools, and techniques to translation and localization projects. The Edited by contributors are seasoned practitioners and scholars who offer insights into the Keiran J. Dunne and Elena S. Dunne central role of project management in the language industry today and discuss best-practice approaches to translation and localization projects. John Benjamins To order: http: //bit.ly/ATAseriesXVI Publishing Company
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 29 All candidates applying for ATA certification must provide proof that they meet the certification program eligibility requirements. Please direct all inquiries regarding general certification information to ATA Headquarters at +1-703-683-6100. Registration for all certification exams should be made through ATA Headquarters. All sittings have ATA Certification Exam Information a maximum capacity and admission is based on the order in which Upcoming Exams registrations are received. Forms are available from ATA’s website or from Headquarters.
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30 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 Member News Send your news to Jeff Sanfacon at [email protected] or American Translators Association, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314.
• The following ATA members have Ireland, under the name CETRA 184-page monograph Les fossiles been elected to serve on the 2011- Ireland Ltd. The company is located du Liban - Mémoire du temps (The 2013 board of directors of the at the Limerick Institute of Fossils of Lebanon —Memory of Association of Translators and Technology Acceleration Centre. Time) has been published by Interpreters of Florida, ATA’s Adverbum Editions. newest chapter: Giovanna Lester • Para-Plus Translations, Inc., of (president); Olga Santiago (interim Barrington, New Jersey, received the • Olga Rojer’s co-translation (with vice-president and membership 2011 Small Business Growth Joseph Aimone) of Carel de Haseth’s chair); Deborah Spector (interim Success Award from the New Jersey novella Katibu di Shon (Slave and treasurer); Emmy Prieto (secre- Small Business Development Cen- Master) has been published by Peter tary); Gloria Nichols (director); ters. The annual award honors small Lang Publishing as part of its and Yilda Ruiz-Monroy (director). businesses that have demonstrated Founding Fictions of the Dutch exceptional development and success. Caribbean series (volume 17). • CETRA Language Solutions, of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, has • J.V. Guy-Bray’s English transla- established a subsidiary in Limerick, tion of Mireille Gayet’s illustrated
Blog Trekker Continued from p. 27 thought. In case your Internet connec- • Giving up my wiggle room is not think I can manage to overcome tion goes down. In case your computer good for my creativity. points 3, 4, and 5 by putting a greater crashes. Or simply because you refuse to priority on my overall well being on take on an assignment under the kind of • Projects often take longer than you the one hand, and signaling a much stress that can damage your work. think (optimistically). firmer “No” on the other. Points 1 and So, yes, sometimes I will take on 2? Ouch. They are intimately tied to that extra bit because I do have wiggle • If others are involved in the out- why I love being an independent pro- room and I like being able to do a come, you do not control their fessional (choosing clients and pro- favor for a client in a pinch. That schedule. A slight delay on their fessional relationships) and am often turns out to be a dumb decision. end could put you in a real jam. passionate about the work I do. What about you? When and how is • Giving up my wiggle room is not Cemeteries are full of irreplaceable it hard for you to say no to clients? good for my Zen. people. Public transport is filled with commuters on the verge of burnout. I
ATA eCONFERENCE Couldn’t make it to ATA’s Annual Conference last year? No problem! Many sessions at ATA’s 52nd Annual Conference were audiotaped, synchronized with supporting slides, and integrated with handouts to create an online multimedia experience. To learn more, visit www.atanet.org/conf/2011/dvdrom.htm.
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 31 Compiled by Dictionary Review Peter A. Gergay [email protected]
Catalan Dictionary & The Catalan Dictionary & of 25 common verbs that can be used as Phrasebook Phrase book is a welcome pocket-size a model. (Catalan-English/ dictionary designed specifically for travelers to Catalan-speaking regions. Content English-Catalan) This uncommon and compact dic- It is a valiant endeavor to abbre- tionary contains a brief explanation of viate Catalan pronunciation and Reviewed by: the Catalan language and culture, 4,000 grammar for foreign speakers in 14 Anna Alsina Naudi entries with pronunciation and grammar narrow pages. However, I must say tips, and a useful phrasebook. that the author is quite successful Author: The dictionary’s size and light- when it comes to explaining basic A. Scott Britton weight shape make it portable every- tips. Readers will be able to make use where. It is only about 7 inches high of the phrasebook and dictionary Publisher: and 3.75 inches wide, yet its content entries immediately. The inclusion of Hippocrene Books, Inc., New York is quite complete. The nice quality of some pronunciation tips at the end of the paper, the legible fonts, and the every dictionary page also makes it Publication date: beautiful softcover (with a picture of very practical, and the conjugation of 2011 architect Antoni Gaudí’s Parc Güell in 25 common verbs in the appendix Barcelona) make this dictionary very facilitates language use even further. Number of pages/entries: appealing for its intended audience. The amount of entries also reflects 213 pages/4,000 entries the objective of this dictionary. It does Structure not seek to provide the audience with ISBNs: The dictionary has a very brief but encyclopedic information, with syn- 978-0-7818-1258-0 accurate introduction to the Catalan lan- onyms, or with exceptions or differ- 0-7818-1258-5 guage and the regions where it is ences due to dialects or social levels. spoken, followed by abbreviations and Instead, it is targeted to tourists who Price: a summary of Catalan pronunciation want to travel to Barcelona, Valencia, $13.95 and grammar. These preliminary pages or Mallorca and the surrounding areas, give way to the dictionary proper, con- to business people working in these Available from: taining both Catalan-English and places, and to students who only need www.hippocrenebooks.com English-Catalan entries. Each section a brief introduction to Catalan and no starts with a page that is framed with a further knowledge. darker border, which makes it easy to There are quite a few common look up entries. Another dark border words related to food (e.g., “eggplant,” separates the actual dictionary from the “flan,” “ham,” “parsley,” “fig,” section containing the phrasebook. The “clam”), animals (“slug,” “tick,” “lady - phrasebook’s format is convenient bug”), physical pain (“headaches,” because it is divided into different “toothaches”), and many other practical topics that cover the most basic things entries (“credit card,” “be hungry,” “be that readers are likely to need or want to afraid”). Other entries associated with express, for example, essential phrases, tourism, though, are not included, such greetings, exclamations, accommoda- as “hostel,” “sightseeing,” or “car tions, transportation, directions, food, rental.” entertainment, people, clothing, colors, Each entry contains a label that technology, weather, the environment, indicates the part of speech and noun animals, and emergencies. The final gender. For adjectives, there is a refer- pages of the phrasebook also include a ence on page 15 that contains a short practical reference to numbers, time, grammar clarification. The phrase- dates, measures and conversions, and book aims to give readers the basic the appendix provides the conjugation tools to start using Catalan immedi-
32 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 ately. Essential phrases such as “I than a simple typo, is found in the to a dictionary like this previously. need,” “I have,” “Is there?”, and blurb on the cover and on the pub- The other Catalan-English/English- “What is this?” can make life much lisher’s website. On the back cover, Catalan dictionary, the Hippo crene easier for people who really want to there is a brief explanation about Concise Dictionary by Sabater and approach the language in a short time. where Catalan is spoken: Catalonia, Freixenet, was much bigger, had a For example, the entries on numbers, Valencia, and Andorra, which are cor- long list of words that might not have time, and dates are explained very rect. Then it includes the Basque been that useful to readers, and did clearly and concisely. For size, Country and Galicia. This is an inex- not have the pronunciation tips. An volume, mass, and temperature meas- cusable mistake, since an entirely dis- added bonus of the current dictionary ures, the English entry is translated tinct language is spoken in the Basque is its phrasebook, which allows into Catalan and followed by the Country, namely Basque, a pre-Indo- readers to function in the language (at equivalent in metric or Celsius. European language that belongs to a a beginner’s level) even without The dictionary contains up-to-date completely different culture. Galicia, extensive knowledge of Catalan. Of terminology, with words like “e-mail,” for its part, is located at the very far west course, this is also a shortcoming. “computer,” “DVD,” “Internet,” and of the Iberian Peninsula, and its lan- While a godsend to tourists and “cybercafé.” In terms of vocabulary guage, Galician, descends from the business travelers, the dictionary is related to food, I found “frankfurter,” medieval Galician-Portuguese. Galician too concise and basic to be of use to “cheeseburger,” “ketchup,” but, inter- has something in common with advanced students. It is entirely estingly, no “chicken nuggets.” The Catalan because it is a Romance lan- unsuitable for translators. All in all, common expressions and phrases guage (like Portuguese, French, or though, the dictionary is an excellent, given are used widely and will gener- Italian), but Basque is unique. practical, brief introduction to Catalan ally be understood, although in Andorra, Fortunately, this huge mistake does for American-English speakers, and I Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, food not appear in the dictionary. Actually, highly recommend it for tourists, vocabulary varies notably within each the author is very accurate in the brief business people, and students. region. The essential phrases provided introduction when he states that are ones that can be heard readily on any Catalan is spoken by over seven mil- street. This will allow the traveler to lion people in Catalonia, Valencia, understand much more of the culture Spain’s Mediterranean islands, French Anna Alsina Naudi is an ATA-certified and people of these places. Roussillon, and the city of Alghero in English➝Spanish translator and a lecturer at Sardinia. The error in the blurb on the Princeton University, New Jersey. She has a BA Typos/Shortcomings cover and website might have been in law from the University of Barcelona Typos are rare, but attreure should introduced by the publisher, but it (Spain), an MA in international relations from be atreure (pages 23 and 81), cuart should definitely be changed. San Francisco University, a PhD in European should be quart (pages 33 and 116), law from the University of Tübingen and rímmel should be rímel (pages 63 Overall Evaluation (Germany), and a certificate in translation and 107). The worst erratum, how- The Catalan Dictionary & Phrase- from New York University. Contact: ever, which should be modified book will be a welcome tool for all [email protected]. immediately because it is much worse those travelers who did not have access
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The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 33 The Translation Inquirer John Decker [email protected]
Family comes first, and the Trans- surgery. So, your January column lation Inquirer got swept up in a became your February column. Here I firestorm around November 22 and the present the March version, and trust Abbreviations days immediately before it and after, that a month’s absence did not kill the used with this column when his father-in-law needed a lot of column. help of all kinds at home following E-English G-German [E]-English Po-Polish acceptable as an Pt-Portuguese answer, but the R-Russian New Queries mique dû à l’opération de soudage qui original query did Ro-Romanian (E-F 3-12.1) “Trial time points” va suivre. So after all that, what is it? not involve SI-Slovenian appeared on the x-axis of a graph English Sp-Spanish regarding various visits during a trial (G-E 3-12.6) The context is the world F-French study. What are they? The context sen- of transport, and Direktladungsquote is tence speaks of them in a way that seems the problem. Here is some context: to make them identical with the visits. Maximale Verringerung der Direkt - What would explain this in French? ladungsquote um 5% (bedeutet, dass kaum Mehraufwand durch die Pro zess - words in bold print mean? The troubling (E-Po 3-12.2) “Range of motion” is an änderung entsteht). What might it be? phrase reads: Acta de capacitación de extremely widely used medical term, muestra por renta de licores. but what about “acceptable functional (G-Sl [E] 3-12.7) In the following con- arc of motion?” In a text about a brain text paragraph, Bruttowertschöpfung (Sp-E 3-12.10) In the world of invest- seizure with the extremities affected, it is the problem word. Here we go: ment, guayabera is a puzzle, and the is mentioned that “active ROM may Unternehmen des produzierenden literal meaning of “shirt” only serves correlate with the available functional Gewer bes mit hohem Stromverbrauch to make the query more intriguing. So, arc of motion,” leaving the impression (seit 1. Januar 2012 (EEG 2012) 1 here we go with the context phrase in that this term is not identical with Gigawattstunde im letzten Geschäfts - hopes it will help: nos joden por el ROM. Who can render this into Polish? jahr bei 14 Prozent der Brutto - lado del pricing de mercado después wertschöpfung) können auf Antrag de que ellos son los que dan la infor- (E-Pt 3-12.3) In a fixed firefighting beim Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und mación, y nos volvemos a quedar manual, one of our colleagues found Ausfuhrkontrolle weitgehend von der como la guayabera, con riesgo “Unitor Fixed Local Application Fire EEG-Umlage entbunden werden. financiero y de reputación. Go for it if Fighting System.” Try rendering this you can. into Portuguese if you can. (Ro-E 3-12.8) I have an impossibly long paragraph involving shipping (Sp-E 3-12.11) In a text having to do (F-E 3-12.4) This query seems to containing the problem Romanian with a control system for a solar power relate to the terminology of naming term talonarea semicumpenelor, and plant, las cajas repartidoras de fibra files, as in “My_file_name.” The term can only hope that, not knowing that óptica (the problem phrase) is fol- is barre soulignée, and beyond that, I language, I pick the section most lowed by serán capaces de albergar cannot provide any more context. Is helpful for those who can solve the 16 conectores de fibra. El tipo de there a term in English for it? problem. Here is some context: conector será ST si la fibra óptica Talonarea’ am mai întâlnit-o cu empleada es multimode y SC si la fibra (F-Po [E] 3-12.5) The metal-casting referire la macaz, cu sensul de atacare empleada es monomodo. How would term dégourdissage should not be too falsă a macazului în direcţia vârfului, you deal with this? difficult to translate into Polish (or care ar fi “trailing,” dar cu semi- English) with the following definition: cumpăna nu ştiu care-i sensul. (Sp-G [E] 3-12.12) The term in bold Préchauffrage réalisé à basse tem- print below was the sticking point in a pérature (inférieure à 100 °C) afin (Sp-E 3-12.9) In a patent regarding the paragraph that otherwise was relatively d’atténuer partiellement le choc ther- food and dairy industry, what do the easy for this colleague. Here is the con-
34 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 Address your queries and responses to The Translation Inquirer, 112 Ardmoor Avenue, Danville, Pennsylvania 17821. E-mail address: [email protected]. Please make your submissions by the first of each month to be included in the next issue. Generous assistance from Per Dohler, proofreader, is gratefully acknowledged. text: Debo condenar y condeno a esta a (R-E 11-11.7) (доверительное управ- pagar a la entidad actora la cantidad de ление): Katya Howard says Lingvo’s 67.531,92 €, en la persona de su repre- Russian-English Law Dictionary calls sentante legal, intereses conforme a lo it an “entrusted administration.” The establecido en el anterior fundamento Russian Federation Law on the de derecho cuarto que se considera Securities Market provides the defini- parte integrante del presente fallo. tion. It appears to be analogous to port- English is acceptable for this query. folio management.
Replies to Old Queries (Sp-E 10-11.8) (traspaleros): Cindy (E-Sp 11-11.2) (double layer surface Coan suspects this is a typo and should complexion adsorption model): Denzel be traspaleos. In its singular form, as Dyer helps us along the path to a an online search revealed, it means proper Spanish rendering by pointing “transshipment.” Thanks to Cindy for out it is “complexation,” not “com- the careful sleuthing. plexion.” Now, with that settled, the reply is recycled into a renewed query (Sp-E 11-11.8) (adscripción sanitaria): that deserves a reply. Leonor Giudici says this is related to the tendency of the Spanish national (Pt-E 10-11.7) (Patrimônio de Afeta - health system to assign services to spe- ção): Andrei Winograd says this phrase cific medical departments. Specializing is not related to surveying. It is a physicians have to stay within their Brazilian legal and accounting con- specialties. Where more than one spe- cept. Perhaps “detached assets” comes cialty could apply to a patient’s case, close. The “detachment” mentioned is the term could be referring to who or a detachment of, say, a piece of real what kind of institution can deal with a property from being subject to the certain pathology or case. pecking order of creditors should the seller or builder go bankrupt before (Sp-R [E] 11-11.9) (por oposición de the deed of sale is executed. This esta Capital): Here, says Leonor FOLLOW ATA ON always happens after a time lag for Giudici, the notary is making it clear one reason or another. Thus, the that she has obtained her position by “detached asset” becomes a separate passing a public examination, rather What’s happening? Follow us on Twitter today! entity with its own tax inscription than becoming a notary by decree; thus, To learn how, visit http:// twitter.com/atanet number. This should make the buyer the notary establishes herself as more feel more secure about this purchased bona fide. Isabel Fierros adds some asset. Andrei will be glad to answer interesting details to the above. further questions about this at Oposiciones are the much-dreaded [email protected]. examinations that Spaniards must take to compete for a government job. The (R-E 9-11.9) (1 гр.): Taking an approach document does not need to state that the quite different from the other respon- notario passed this examination. She Mark Your Calendar ders, Angelina White says that in the suggests that a good translation of the context of tuberculosis treatment, this phrase is “ZZZ, head of this office in May 18-20, 2012 refers to “1 Gy,” which is 1 Gray, a unit this Capital City.” for measuring absorbed radiation doses National Association of Judiciary used experimentally to treat tubercu- Thanks to all the contributors to this Interpreters and Translators losis. She had experience with this while column, and I only regret that their 33rd Annual Conference translating medical research data and pieces had to wait an extra month to Cambridge, MA experiments regarding patients who see the light of day. www.najit.org underwent UV blood-irradiation therapy due to pneumonia complications from severe blood poisoning.
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 35 Humor and Translation Mark Herman [email protected]
I Can Write a Washing Bill …
“I can write a washing bill in Baby- was used by the creator of the Epic of who might be talking about a new lonic cuneiform …” So sings the Major- Gilgamesh, the oldest known master- child in the family, or another tablet General in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The piece of world literature, and by that might be about a loan until harvest Pirates of Penzance. Nebuchadnezzar II when he promised time. You’d realize that this was a cul- Well, now he actually can! And so his homesick wife that he would culti- ture not just of kings and queens, but can you! vate the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. also of real people, much like our- Because, after 90 years of work, a And Akkadian was also the lan- selves, with similar concerns for 21-volume dictionary of the language guage used for everyday communica- safety, food, and shelter for them- of the ancient Semitic language of tion, though perhaps not for an actual selves and their families. They wrote Mesopotamia has finally been com- washing bill. It was the language of these tablets thousands of years ago, pleted by scholars at the Oriental enterprise, of agriculture and the irri- never meaning for them to be read so Institute of the University of Chicago. gation of lands and shipments of grain, much later, but they speak to us in a The language, Akkadian and its and of instructions on how to read a way that makes their experiences Babylonian and Assyrian dialects, has sheep’s liver to divine the future. come alive.” not been spoken for 2,000 years. It is According to dictionary editor The project’s formal name, the the earliest known Semitic language Martha Roth, the most surprising Chicago Assyrian Dictionary Project, is written in cuneiform, and is probably results of the project are the similari- actually a misnomer because the basic the first written language anywhere. ties discovered between then and now. language in question is Akkadian. The The dictionary is encyclopedic in “Rather than encountering an alien misnomer dates from 1921, when the range, incorporating the work of more world, we encounter a very, very project was started by Oriental Institute than 90 experts from around the world. familiar world.” founder James Henry Breasted, and It required almost two million index Matthew Stolper, a University of much of the available written material cards, includes some 28,000 words Chicago professor who devoted—on was attributed to Assyrian rulers. Also, deciphered over the past two centuries, and off—30 years to the dictionary, biblical references had left the impres- and comes complete with extensive told the Associated Press that, “a lot sion that the term “Assyrian” was syn- references to original source materials. of what you see is absolutely recog- onymous with most Semitic languages These source materials are scien- nizable—people expressing fear and in antiquity. “Assyrian” is still some- tific, medical, and legal documents; anger, expressing love, asking for times used as an umbrella term for the love letters; epic literature; and mes- love. There are inscriptions from entire field of study. sages to the gods preserved on clay kings that tell you how great they are, The complete 21-volume dic- tablets and in stone inscriptions made and inscriptions from others who tell tionary is purchasable for $1,995, but between 2500 BC and 100 AD. you those guys weren’t so great. every volume is also downloadable for Although the project is officially over, There’s also a lot of ancient versions free from the website of the Oriental the dictionary will continue to grow. of ‘your check is in the mail.’ And Institute at the University of Chicago There are words whose meanings are there’s a common phrase in old (http://oi.uchicago.edu/research/pubs/ still unknown, and new discoveries Babylonian letters that literally means catalog/cad). are still being made. ‘don’t worry about a thing.’” Note that Mesopotamia, from the Akkadian was the language in Robert Biggs, professor emeritus at Greek “meso,” meaning “middle” or which Sargon the Great, king of the Oriental Institute, spent almost 50 “between,” and “potamos,” meaning Akkad in the 24th century BC, com- years on the project, as an archaeolo- “river,” refers to the ancient land manded what is reputed to be the gist on digs recovering tablets as well between the Tigris and the Euphrates world’s first empire, and in which as on the dictionary. He said, “You’d Rivers, more or less the site of modern- Hammurabi proclaimed the first brush away the dirt, and then there day Iraq. Gil Stein, director of the known legal code around 1700 BC. It would emerge a letter from someone Oriental Institute, in an Associated ·
Herman is a librettist and translator. Submit items for future columns via e-mail to [email protected] or via snail mail to Mark Herman, 1409 E Gaylord Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858-3626. Discussions of the translation of humor and examples thereof are preferred, but humorous anecdotes about translators, translations, and mistranslations are also welcome. Include copyright information and permission if relevant.
36 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 2011–2012 ATA School Outreach Contest
Make a School Outreach presentation this year, and you could win free registration to ATA’s 53rd Annual Conference in San Diego, California, October 24-27, 2012. Here’s how to enter.
Visit ATA’s School Outreach Resource Center at www.atanet.org/careers/school_outreach.php and click on Presentation Resource Materials.
Choose the age level you like the best and download a presentation, or use the resources on the School Outreach page to round out your own material.
Speak on translation and/or interpreting careers at a school or university anywhere in the world between August 1, 2011 and July 18, 2012.
Get someone to take a picture of you in the classroom. For tips on getting a winning shot, visit the School Outreach Photo Gallery on ATA’s website at www.atanet.org/ata_school/photo_gallery.php and click on Photo Guidelines.
E-mail your photo to Meghan McCallum ([email protected]) with the subject line “School Outreach Contest,” or mail your entry to 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314. Please include: your name and contact information; the date of your presentation; the school’s name and location; and a brief description of the class. You may submit multiple entries.
The deadline for submissions is midnight on July 18, 2012. The winner will be contacted no later than August 20, 2012. You must be a member of ATA or an ATA-affiliated organization to enter.
Humor and Translation Continued from p. 36
Press interview, called Mesopotamia lyrics of the 2007 song “The Material for this column was com- “the world’s first urban civilization. … Mesopotamians” by the band They piled from the June 2011 issue of ATA Virtually everything that we take for Might Be Giants, a few of the lyrics of Newsbriefs and several other online granted … has its origins in Meso - which are: sources. potamia, whether it’s the origins of cities, of state societies, the invention of We’re the Mesopotamians the wheel, the way we measure time, Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, October 24-27, 2012 and most important the invention of and Gilgamesh American Translators Association writing. If we ever want to understand Then they wouldn’t understand a our roots, we have to understand this word we say 53rd Annual Conference first great civilization.” So we’ll scratch it all down into San Diego, CA The dictionary will facilitate such an the clay www.atanet.org/conf/2012 understanding, more perhaps than the
The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 37 Upcoming Events
Visit the ATA Calendar Online www.atanet.org/calendar/ for a more comprehensive look at upcoming events.
April 28, 2012 May 18-20, 2012 October 24-27, 2012 Carolina Association of National Association of Judiciary American Translators Association Translators and Interpreters Interpreters and Translators 53rd Annual Conference Annual Conference 33rd Annual Conference San Diego, CA Winston-Salem, NC Cambridge, MA www.atanet.org/conf/2012 www.catiweb.org www.najit.org October 28- April 28, 2012 June 1-2, 2012 November 1, 2012 American Translators Association Iowa Interpreters and Association for Machine Professional Development Seminar Translators Association Translation in the Americas “Marketing Yourself and Your Business” 8th Annual Conference 10th Biennial Conference Seattle, WA Orange City, IA San Diego, CA www.atanet.org/pd/market www.iitanet.org/Annual_ www.amtaweb.org Conference_Q1B5.html May 5, 2012 November 16-18, 2012 New England Translators Association June 15-16, 2012 American Council on the 16th Annual Conference InterpretAmerica Annual Conference Teaching of Foreign Languages Boston, MA 3rd North American Annual Convention and www.netaweb.org/cms2 Summit on Interpreting World Languages Expo Monterey, CA “Many Languages: One United Voice” May 5, 2012 www.interpretamerica.net Philadelphia, PA Colorado Translators Association www.actfl.org Mid-Year Conference September 8-10, 2012 Boulder, CO Tennessee Association of Professional www.cta-web.org/2012-conference Interpreters and Translators Annual Conference May 16-19, 2012 Nashville, TN Association of Language Companies www.tapit.org Annual Conference New Orleans, LA http://alcus.org/education/ conference.cfm
38 The ATA Chronicle n March 2012 Get Ready To Go! American Translators Association
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