The Voice of Interpreters and Translators THE ATA Nov/Dec 2017 Volume XLVI Number 6 MARYBETH TIMMERMANN WINS 2016–2017 ATA SCHOOL OUTREACH CONTEST A Publication of the American Translators Association clients. Over the past two years ATA American Translators Association has taken solid steps to strengthen its 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 position with the government through the Alexandria, VA 22314 USA establishment of a Government Relations Tel: +1.703.683.6100 Committee that monitors and responds Fax: +1.703.683.6122 to actions by local, state, and federal E-mail: [email protected] authorities. We also created a Government Website: www.atanet.org FROM THE PRESIDENT Division to bring government linguists at DAVID RUMSEY all levels onboard at ATA. We advocated Editorial Board [email protected] on behalf of military and immigration Geoff Koby (chair) Twitter handle: @davidcrumsey interpreters both through the media, such Jeff Alfonso as The New York Times, and to legislators Lois Feuerle directly. Government outreach reached Corinne McKay a high point with Advocacy Day at this Mary McKee Reflecting on year’s Annual Conference, when some Michael Wahlster 50 ATA members met with legislators on Capitol Hill to voice their concerns. Publisher/Executive Director a Journey of Walter Bacak, CAE Discovery By bringing the books into the [email protected] black, we’re now able to lay the Editor iving on an island in the Pacific Jeff Sanfacon Northwest, the nautical theme to foundation for future programs [email protected] L these columns comes naturally. And and growth. this last one, which I’m writing on a ferry, Proofreader is no different. When I reflect on my Cathy Lada presidency at the helm, I think that it’s safe to say that ATA, the “mothership” as I Advertising Interpreters and interpreting often play describe it, is in good shape. Lauren Mendell a key role in government services, and this The obvious change has been to the [email protected] Association’s financial bearings. By bringing sector of the industry and the Association Tel: +1.703.683.6100, ext. 3001 the books into the black, we’re now able to is growing rapidly. ATA has responded Fax: +1.703.683.6122 lay the foundation for future programs and by forging closer ties with interpreter growth. Structural changes to both ATA’s groups, such as the National Association Design & Production Annual Conference and The ATA Chronicle of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators Blue House Design played a large part in our recovery, and and the National Interpreting Associations www.bluehouse.us the Board is mindful to balance the need Coalition, which includes health care, legal, for financial solvency with the financial and sign language interpreting groups. The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is published pressures of the membership. ATA also attempted to ensure greater parity six times per year by the American Translators Public relations is another area between translators and interpreters within Association, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, that’s running at full steam. The PR ATA by getting interpreter credentials Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. Periodicals postage Committee’s Writers Group has been displayed on ATA’s website. Expanding our paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional published in over 40 different trade umbrella to include all the players within mailing offices.POSTMASTER: Send address publications to educate not just the the language industry makes us stronger changes to The ATA Chronicle, 225 Reinekers general public but the business public— when communicating with the government Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. our ultimate customers—about who and the public. The American Translators Association (ATA) translators and interpreters are and what Communication is at the heart of was established in 1959 as a not-for-profit we do. We reached out in person to our industry and our Association. Over professional society to foster and support the consumers through presentations at trade the past two years we’ve worked hard professional development of translators and associations like the Society for Technical to improve communication with the interpreters and to promote the translation and Communication, International Association general membership. We created ATAtalk, interpreting professions. The subscription rate for of Business Communicators, American a listserv to discuss ATA policies and a member is $25 (included in the dues payment). Chemical Society, and others. Through activities, published targeted Chronicle The U.S. subscription rate for a nonmember is $65. it all, we fielded calls from major media articles to explain issues and decisions that Subscribers in Canada and Mexico add $25; outlets such as NBC and Telemundo and the Association faces, as well as expanded all other non-U.S. subscribers add $45. reached the general public directly in their Single copies are available for $7 per issue. communication channels through social living rooms through our appearances on media such as Facebook and Twitter, CNBC and PBS’ Nightly Business Report. ©2017 American Translators Association and a new YouTube channel and the ATA One of the key consumers of translation Reprint Permission and interpreting services are government Continued on page 4 Requests for permission to reprint articles should be sent to the editor of The ATA Chronicle 2 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2017 www.atanet.org at [email protected]. Nov/Dec 2017 Volume XLVI CONTENTS Number 6 FEATURES 22 “How Long Will It Take You to Type This in English?” 7 An award-winning literary Reading Beyond the Lines: translator takes us on a tour of how The Translator’s Quest for experienced translators organize Extra-Textual Information to meet deadlines and seek to Looking for extra-textual produce an accurate, readable information is an essential version in their target languages. component of translation, albeit one often overlooked or taken for granted. ADVERTISING DIRECTORY 11 Landmark Audio Technologies LLC www.landmarkfm.com 12 13 Across Systems GmbH www.across.net/en Scheduling Translation Projects 14 1-Stop Asia Translators, translation project www.1stopasia.com managers, and any other project 14 1099 Accountant participants should be able to 1099accountant.com draw up schedules to ensure 21 Central Intelligence Agency that they can complete their cia.gov/careers own tasks within the allocated 36 National Security Agency www.NSA.gov/Careers time frame. 7 15 COLUMNS You’re Not Fluent Yet! Speaking the Language of 2 From the President Sustainable Development 4 ATA Social Media Sustainable development is 4 Letters to the Editor a rapidly growing niche for translators. However, to get your 5 From the Executive Director foot in the door, you need to 6 Outreach Report demonstrate to potential clients 26 Our World of Words an understanding of the issues and terminology involved. 30 Geekspeak 31 The Entrepreneurial Linguist 19 32 Resource Review From Beginning to End: 34 Certification Forum The Interpreted Medical Visit 35 New Certified Members During a recent medical interpreting assignment, I was reminded of how difficult this work really is and how flexible we have to be. Looking for Member News and Humor and Translation? These columns and more can now be 15 found in the Chronicle-Online edition: www.atanet.org/chronicle-online! Connect www.facebook.com/ www.atanet.org with ATA AmericanTranslatorsAssociation www.twitter.com/atanet www.linkedin.com http://bit.ly/ATA-youtube http://bit.ly/GooglePlusATA ATA SOCIAL MEDIA FROM OUR MEMBERS 26,784 12,000 3,770 FACEBOOK FANS TWITTER FOLLOWERS LINKEDIN MEMBERS FEATURED FACEBOOK POST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Translation: An Intellectual Pursuit | Jesse Tomlinson American Translators Association Jesse Tomlinson’s article, “Translation: An appears as if it had been originally written October 6 Intellectual Pursuit” (September-October), in that language. is succinct, thorough, and hits to the core. It takes heart because it takes caring. These moms couldn’t find It sets the bar for the profession. Caring to use our intellect and abilities bilingual children’s books, I’ve observed that a step often omitted to express well, research, and continually so they made some in the process of translation is the learn. These are all skills that fit in with “There was no books at translator first reading the source text in our profession so well. that time that I felt really full to gain a complete understanding As Jesse said, the translator needs to represented our Latino of what is being said. Again, this is not be equally adept in both languages and cultures and to make up for anything culture, our elements, our a word-by-word reading, but rather a lacking with research and learning. And of stories and celebrations.” conceptual understanding of the message. Only after that can he or she question course, the linguistic team of editors and proofreaders is what brings in additional Learn more: words that either don’t fit or don’t add intellect, research, knowledge, and http://bit.ly/2xBdcEt clarity to the message. This confusion, experience to make an integral result. found more often in written English these The human factor in general has been days, is the first barrier for a translator. devaluating over many decades, and TOP TWEETS And yes, these unclarities are often this is mirrored in the lack of value for subtle, which is where the intellect of the good, human, intellectual translations. translator first comes in: when reviewing Canadian Grocery Chain It’s unfortunately a sign of the times. the source document. Fortunately, there are still clients/ Providing Indigenous There is an investment of the mind and organizations who value people, and the Translations: http://bit.ly/2zdchrK the heart. This article highlights the value high level of communication that these OCT 16 / @ATANET of such investment to those who need people deserve when reading their source to have their documentation translated documents in translated form.