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For a complete list of languages or to apply online, visit our Web site. www.NSA.gov U.S. citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. CLICK ON CAREERS September 2004 Volume XXXIII in this issue Number 9 Features A Publication of 18 Treasury Department Responds to ATA on Freedom to Translate the American By Kirk Anderson Translators Association 19 ATA Medical Seminar: An Attendee’s Perspective By Deb Kramasz Editor ATA’s Medical Translation and Interpreting Seminar in Minneapolis not only provided Jeff Sanfacon specialized and difficult-to-find information, but also gave participants a welcome [email protected] networking opportunity. Proofreader 20 CIATI Conference in Brazil Spotlights ATA Speakers: Focus on Literary Margaret L. Hallin Translation By Alexandra Russell-Bitting Design/Layout Some 900 linguists descended on the Universidade Iberoamericana to explore the theme Ellen Banker/Amy Peloff of “New Times, an Old Art—Translation, Technology, Talent.” Advertising Drew MacFadyen 22 The Proper Care and Feeding of Humans: Human Resources Basics for Translation Companies McNeill Group Inc. By Kim Vitray dmacfadyen@ Your human resources—your employees—are your most important assets. Here is some mcneill-group.com basic information about how to manage their employment process—from hiring to (215) 321-9662 ext. 37 performance evaluations and termination. Fax: (215) 321-9636 27 Translating at the U.S. Department of State: Past, Present, and Future Executive Director By Joseph P. Mazza Walter Bacak The State Department’s Office of Language Services (LS) has been providing translations [email protected] to the nation’s diplomats and policy makers for over 200 years. Generations of staff translators, including many colorful figures, have helped LS develop a high level of Membership and institutional expertise in the rarefied art of diplomatic translation. General Information Maggie Rowe [email protected] Columns and Departments website: www.atanet.org 9 From the President 10 From the Executive Director 11 From the President-elect 16 Marketplace 17 Profiles in Continuing Education 49 Certification Forum 51 The Onionskin 53 Dictionary Reviews 56 The Translation Inquirer 58 Humor and Translation 61 Directory of Language Services 61 ATA Certification Exam Information 61 New ATA-certified Members American Translators Association 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 • Alexandria VA 22314 Tel: (703) 683-6100 • Fax (703) 683-6122 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.atanet.org 2004 Chronicle The Editorial Calendar A Publication of the American Translators Association Chronicle 1999 FIT Best Periodical Award Winner January Focus: Terminology The ATA Chronicle Submission Guidelines Submission Deadline: November 15 The ATA Chronicle enthusiastically encourages members to submit articles of interest to the fields of translation and interpretation. February 1. Articles (see length specifications below) are due the first of the month, two months prior to the Focus: Literary Translation Submission Deadline: December 1 month of publication (i.e., June 1 for August issue). 2. Articles should not exceed 3,500 words. Articles containing words or phrases in non-European March writing systems (e.g., Japanese, Arabic) should be submitted by mail and fax. Focus: Marketing 3. Include your fax, phone, e-mail, and mailing address on the first page. Submission Deadline: January 1 4. Include a brief abstract (two sentences maximum) emphasizing the most salient points of your article. The abstract will be included in the table of contents. April 5. Include a brief biography (three sentences maximum) along with a picture (color or B/W). Please Focus: Client Education Submission Deadline: February 1 be sure to specify if you would like your photo returned. Do not send irreplaceable photos. 6. In addition to a hard copy version of the article, please submit an electronic version either on May disk or via e-mail ([email protected]). Focus: Market Segments 7. Texts should be formatted for Word or Wordperfect 8.0. Submission Deadline: March 1 8. All articles are subject to editing for grammar, style, punctuation, and space limitations. 9. A proof will be sent to you for review prior to publication. June Focus: Public Relations/ Professional Outreach Standard Length Submission Deadline: April 1 Letters to the editor: 350 words; Op-Ed: 300-600 words; Feature Articles: 750-3,500 words; Column: 400-1,000 words July Focus: Science and Technology Submission Deadline: May 1 An Easy Reference To ATA Member Benefits August Focus: Medical Translating Your ATA membership has never been more valuable. Take advantage of the discounted programs and and Interpreting services available to you as an ATA member. Be sure to tell these companies you are an ATA member and Submission Deadline: June 1 refer to any codes provided below. September Business Owners Insurance Life and Disability Insurance Focus: Interpreting Hays Affinity Solutions (HAYS) Mutual of Omaha Submission Deadline: July 1 (866) 310-4297 • (202) 263-4016 (800) 223-6927 • (402) 342-7600 [email protected] or Laura www.atanet.org/mutual.htm October McCormick—[email protected] Focus: Legal Translating/Interpreting www.hayscompanies.com Overnight Delivery/Express Package Service Submission Deadline: August 1 UPS Collection Services/Receivables Management Reference Code: C0000700415 November/December Dun & Bradstreet (800) 325-7000 Focus: Training and Pedagogy Mike Horoski www.ups.com Submission Deadline: (800) 333-6497 ext. 7226 September 1 (484) 242-7226 Professional Liability Insurance [email protected] Hays Affinity Solutions (HAYS) (866) 310-4297 • (202) 263-4016 Credit Card Acceptance Program/Professional [email protected] or Moving? Find an Services Account [email protected] NOVA Information Systems http://www.haysaffinity.com error with your Reference Code: HCDA address? (888) 545-2207 • (770) 649-5700 Retirement Programs Washington Pension Center We’ve done everything possible to MasterCard (888) 817-7877 • (301) 941-9179 ensure that your address is correct. But MBNA America sometimes errors do occur. If you find Reference Code: IFKV Website Development that the information on the mailing label (800) 847-7378 • (302) 457-2165 Two Rad Technologies is inaccurate or out of date, please let us [email protected] know. Send updates to: www.atanet.org/radtown The ATA Chronicle • 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 • Alexandria, VA 22314 ...And, of course, as an ATA member you receive discounts on the Annual Conference registration fees and ATA publi- Fax (703) 683-6122 • cations, and you are eligible to join ATA Divisions, participate in the online Translation Services Directory, and much [email protected] more. For more information, contact ATA (703) 683-6100; fax (703) 683-6122; and e-mail: [email protected]. 4 The ATA Chronicle | September 2004 32 The Embassy Translator: A Connecting Link Between Cultures and Countries By Cheryl A. Fain The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is published Through translating and editing embassy documents with a U.S. reader or audience in monthly, except bi-monthly mind, a translator for a foreign embassy in the U.S. plays a vital role in helping the in November/December, embassy to accomplish its mission and achieve its goals. by the American Translators Association, 36 An Exercise in the Organization of Interpreting Services at High-Level 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA Diplomatic Conferences 22314. Periodicals By Georganne Weller postage paid at This article deals with simultaneous interpreting services at a specific high-level Alexandria, Virginia, and diplomatic event and stresses the key role played by the chief interpreter. additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The 40 Invisible in the Spotlight: Interpreting for Film and Performing Artists ATA Chronicle, 225 By Ellen Sowchek Reinekers Lane, Suite The consecutive interpreter working with film and performing artists has the privilege 590, Alexandria, VA of being able to assist them in communicating their works and ideas to the public. It is 22314. The American Translators Association incredibly rewarding, but it requires considerable preparation and, on occasion, is not (ATA) was established in for the faint-of-heart. 1959 as a not-for-profit professional society to 44 Lunch with a Legend foster and support the By Tanya Gesse© professional development of translators and An interview with Peter Less, who served as an interpreter at the Nuremberg