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November/December 2004
Volume XXXIII
Number 11
The
Chronicle A Publication of
the American
Translators
Association
in this issue:
training and pedagogy
N A T I O N A L S E C U R I T Y A G E N C Y
Can you find
in shades of gray?
B E C O M E A L A N G U A G E A N A LY S T A T N S A
Mastering a foreign language is more than simple translation. It’s about nuance, context,
cultural overtones, and dialect.
And at NSA, it’s about national security.
Our Language Analysts have a global impact in providing the fullest and most accurate
intelligence to U.S. policymakers, military commanders, and Intelligence Community members.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn new languages and expand upon current proficiencies
through our Language Enhancement Program.
If you’re ready for the responsibility, join NSA, where intelligence goes to work.
NSA has a critical need for individuals with the following language capabilities:
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> C h i n es e
> Fa rs i
> K o r ea n
And more ...
For a complete list of languages or to apply online, visit our Web site.
U.S. citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an Equal Opportunity
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Employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. C L I C K O N C A R E E R S
in this issue
November/December 2004
Volume XXXIII
Number 11
Features
A Publication of
12 ATA Professional Development Seminar: The Business of Translation and the American
Interpreting Translators
By Caitilin Walsh Association
Why would an experienced freelance translator want to attend a seminar on a subject
that she already knows well? The answers might surprise you—but hopefully not! Editor
Jeff Sanfacon
15 Putting the “Professional” in Professional Translation Jeff@atanet.org
By Keiran J. Dunne
An overview of quality expectations in today’s marketplace in terms of delivery of Proofreader
services, specialization, technical expertise, and due diligence. Margaret L. Hallin
Design/Layout
20 SWOT Analysis: An Effective Method for Students’ Self-assessment
By Silvana G. Chaves Ellen Banker/Amy Peloff
The same SWOT analysis that is carried out by corporations can be applied to Advertising
interpretation students as an inner pathway to self-assessment.
Drew MacFadyen
McNeill Group Inc.
23 The Instrumental Method Applied to the Learning of Portuguese for
Translation dmacfadyen@
By Marco A. Fiola and Alice Tavares Mascarenhas mcneill-group.com
Instructors at the University of Quebec in Outaouais explain the success of a project for (215) 321-9662 ext. 37
learning Portuguese through reading that is based on the Instrumental Method. Fax: (215) 321-9636
26 Starting a Conference Interpreting Course on a Shoestring Executive Director
By John B. Jensen Walter Bacak
Starting a university course sequence in conference interpreting within an established Walter@atanet.org
program directed primarily toward legal interpreting, mostly consecutive, requires some
Membership and
innovation and adjustment.
General Information
Maggie Rowe
Maggie@atanet.org
website: www.atanet.org
Columns and Departments
8 From the Executive Director
9 Profiles in Continuing Education
42 Certification Forum
43 The Onionskin
44 Marketplace
45 Dictionary Reviews
52 The Translation Inquirer
54 Humor and Translation
56 ATA Chapters, Affiliated Groups, and Other Groups
59 ATA Officers, Directors, Committee Chairs, and Division Administrators
60 ATA Certification Exam Information
60 New ATA-certified Members
62 Directory of Language Services
Photo: Jeff Sanfacon ©
American Translators Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 • Alexandria VA 22314
Tel: (703) 683-6100 • Fax (703) 683-6122
E-mail: Chronicle@atanet.org • Website: www.atanet.org
2005 Chronicle The
Editorial Calendar
January
Chronicle A Publication of the American Translators Association
1999 FIT Best Periodical Award Winner
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 (Jeff@atanet.org).
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
August
An Easy Reference To ATA Member Benefits
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) 624-5554 • (402) 342-7600
cjones@hayscompanies.com or www.mutualofomaha.com
October
lmccormick@hayscompanies.com
Focus: Legal
Translating/Interpreting
http://ata.haysaffinity.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
Horoskim@dnb.com Hays Affinity Solutions (HAYS)
(866) 310-4297 • (202) 263-4016
Credit Card Acceptance Program/Professional cjones@hayscompanies.com
Moving? Find an Services Account http://ata.haysaffinity.com
NOVA Information Systems
error with your Reference Code: HCDA Retirement Programs
address? (888) 545-2207 • (770) 649-5700 Washington Pension Center
(888) 817-7877 • (301) 941-9179
We’ve done everything possible to MasterCard
ensure that your address is correct. But MBNA America Website Development
sometimes errors do occur. If you find Reference Code: IFKV Two Rad Technologies
that the information on the mailing label (800) 847-7378 • (302) 457-2165 radtown@atanet.org
is inaccurate or out of date, please let us www.atanet.org/radtown
know. Send updates to:
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
Chronicle@atanet.org more. For more information, contact ATA (703) 683-6100; fax (703) 683-6122; and e-mail: ata@atanet.org.
4 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 200433 A 10-year Retrospective on a Distance Revision Course: Most Frequent
Translation Problems (Part I)
By Leandro Wolfson, Translated by Alicia Marshall The ATA Chronicle (ISSN
Since 1995, the Distance Translation Revision Workshop for English-to-Spanish 1078-6457) is published
translators has been implemented with great success. The following describes how the monthly, except bi-monthly
workshop came about and summarizes some of the most frequent translation difficulties in November/December,
by the American
encountered by participants through the years. Translators Association,
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite
37 T he Société Française des Traducteurs Holds Second Summer Seminar for 590, Alexandria, VA
Financial Translators 22314. Periodicals
By Alan Dages postage paid at
Alexandria, Virginia, and
A seminar providing a good mix of technical material along with current topics and additional mailing offices.
trends in financial translation. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to The
40 ¡Gringo! ATA Chronicle, 225
By Tony Beckwith Reinekers Lane, Suite
590, Alexandria, VA
Why is it that people who can remain perfectly calm while their pedigree is being 22314. The American
impugned can totally lose their grip when called a gringo? Translators Association
(ATA) was established in
41 Not Every Contract is Necessarily a Contratto 1959 as a not-for-profit
By Marica Pariante Angelides professional society to
foster and support the
An analysis of the translation of the English term “contract” into Italian. professional development
of translators and
interpreters and to
promote the translation
and interpreting
Display Advertising Index ATA Financial
professions. The
subscription rate for a
member is $43 (included
60 The Association of Language Companies
Translation and Interpreting in the dues payment). The
www.alcus.org Conference U.S. subscription rate for
a non-member is $50.
61 Binghamton University April 29—May 1, 2005 Subscribers in Canada
www.trip.binghamton.edu and Mexico add $25; all
Jersey City, New Jersey other non-U.S.
39 Cybertec subscribers add $45.
www.cybertecusa.com Single copies are available
for $5 per issue.
ATA will hold its Financial
61 GMT Italian Language Services
www.gmt.ils.ix Translation and Interpreting
Reprint Permission:
Conference, April 29—May 1,
Requests for permission to
55 Japanese/English Translation Conference 2005, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
reprint articles should be
www.jat.org/ijet/ijet-16
sent to the Chronicle editor
This three-day conference will at jeff@atanet.org.
61 Language Matters, Inc.
www.language-matters.com target practicing financial transla-
tors and interpreters seeking
2 National Security Agency (NSA) advanced-level training. A combi-
www.nsa.gov nation of non-language-specific
sessions presented in English
64 TRADOS Corporation
www.translationzone.com and language-specific sessions
will be offered.
63 Terminotix, Inc.
www.terminotix.com More details available soon!
63 WordFinder Software International AB
www.wordfinder.com
Visit us on the web at www.atanet.org
The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004 5About Our Authors...
Marica Pariante Angelides is an Italian Keiran J. Dunne, an assistant professor Alicia S. V. Marshall, an
lawyer providing freelance legal con- at Kent State University, holds a Ph.D. ATA-certified
sulting and translating services in in French civilization from The English→Spanish trans-
Philadelphia. She is ATA-certified Pennsylvania State University, as well lator, is cofounder of
(English→Italian). She holds a Laurea in as a D.E.A. from the Université des TIP-Lab, an organization
Giurisprudenza from the Università La Sciences Humaines de Strasbourg and that created and has
Sapienza in Rome, and a Master of Laws a maîtrise from the Université de Haute- coordinated for the past 10 consecutive
from the University of Pennsylvania Law Bretagne/Rennes II in France. He has years the Distance Translation/Revision
School in Philadelphia. Contact: extensive experience as an Workshop for Spanish translators who
marica@angelides.net. English→French localization reside in the U.S. (with Leandro
subcontractor for Fortune 500 Wolfson as the reviewer). She retired as
Tony Beckwith is a free- companies and other corporate clients, the supervisor of Spanish Translation of
lance translator, inter- and draws upon this experience in his Rotary International in Evanston,
preter, and writer. He was courses at Kent State. His primary Illinois, in June 2003, after almost 18
born in Argentina, and research interests are localization and years of service. She is one of the
currently lives in Austin, project management. He is currently founders and the first administrator of
Texas. Contact: editing a volume on issues in localiza- ATA’s Spanish Language Division. She
tonyhbeckwith@cs.com. tion for the ATA Scholarly Monograph has published numerous articles and
Series. Contact: kdunne@kent.edu. translations of articles on translation
Silvana G. Chaves is a and terminology in the ATA Chronicle
sworn translator, confer- Marco A. Fiola, Ph.D., and other professional journals.
ence interpreter, and co- teaches translation Contact: aliciamarshall@comcast.net.
founder of Chaves & methodology and theory
Romanato in Buenos at the University of Caitilin Walsh is a freelance translator
Aires. She has been Quebec in Outaouais. His living and working in the suburbs of
involved in the private market for 10 research focuses on Seattle, Washington. She’s been around
years, and currently works in both the translation pedagogy. He is a certified long enough to remember typewriters,
Argentine and Spanish markets. She is translator, a member of the Ordre des which only makes her appreciate word
the chair of Technical Simultaneous traducteurs, terminologues et inter- processing all the more. Not above
Interpreting for the Master’s Program in prètes agréés du Québec, and an ATA using her own children as marketing
Interpretation at the Catholic University member. Contact: marco.fiola@uqo.ca. material, she can be found trolling the
of Paris in Madrid. In addition to being hallways at ATA events and shamelessly
an ATA-certified (English→Spanish) John B. Jensen, Ph.D., is Professor of promoting the ATA 2005 Annual
translator, she is also a candidate Modern Languages at Florida Conference in Seattle. Contact:
member of the Spanish Association of International University in Miami. He cwalsh@nwlink.com.
Conference Interpreters. Contact: served as a Peace Corps volunteer in
chaves@chaves-romanato.com. Brazil and holds his doctorate in Leandro Wolfson is an Argentine scien-
Spanish and Portuguese linguistics. He tific and literary trans-
Alan Dages has been a has translated professionally since lator. He has translated
full-time freelance trans- 1967, been a conference and consecu- over 180 books and
lator of French and tive interpreter since 1980, and has numerous articles for
Spanish into English for taught interpretation since 1999. specialized journals,
11 years. He is an ATA- Contact: jensenj@fiu.edu. mostly in the field of
certified French→English social sciences. He has also translated a
translator specializing in financial, Alice Tavares selection of poems from Walt
accounting, and legal topics, mainly for Mascarenhas is a Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, with notes
translation companies in the U.S. and Portuguese teacher, and comments (2nd edition, 2002).
Europe and a few direct clients. He cur- translator, and localizer. Since 1995, he has been conducting
rently serves as treasurer of the She also teaches local- distance translation/revision workshops
Delaware Valley Translators Association ization at the University for Spanish translators who reside in
(www.fortunecity.de/lindenpark/ of Quebec in Outaouais. She holds a the U.S. and other countries. In his
kuenstler/59/dvta.htm). He also leads degree in French language and literature home country, he teaches the Spanish
the Delaware Translators Network, a and is pursuing a master’s degree in translation workshops called “El Placer
group of some nine translators and education. Contact: de Traducir” (The Joy of Translating),
interpreters who meet every month for alicetm@sympatico.ca or and has authored many articles on
lunch to discuss business and other alice.tavares-mascarenhas@uqo.ca. translation. Contact:
topics. Contact: rightword33@cs.com. leandrow@arnet.com.ar.
6 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004ATA Awards Prestigious National Literary Prize
to American-Canadian Poet
he ATA has awarded the 2004 Lewis Galantière Award to
T Roger Greenwald of the University of Toronto for his trans-
lation from the Norwegian of North in the World: Selected
Poems of Rolf Jacobsen (University of Chicago Press). Greenwald
also edited the work.
The Lewis Galantière Award, founded in 1982 to honor the
work of a charter member of ATA who translated many important
writers between the two world wars, is given biennially for a dis-
tinguished literary translation into English from any language
other than German.
The award was presented October 15th at a special ceremony
at ATA’s Annual Conference in Toronto. This year’s award carried
a $1,000 honorarium.
Roger Greenwald accepts the 2004 “It’s been said that writers create national literature, but it is
Lewis Galantière Award from ATA translators who create international literature,” said ATA President
Honors and Awards Chair Marilyn
Gaddis Rose.
Scott Brennan. “The Lewis Galantière Award recognizes the best
in this tradition.”
The judges agreed. One wrote: “The poems are knockouts. Jacobsen is in the same
league with poets such as Milosz, Herbert, Szymborska, Mandelstam, Pasternak, and
Akhmatova. This book has been a very happy discovery for me. The translations func-
tion perfectly as English poems in their own right.” Another judge noted, “Jacobsen
was one of Norway’s foremost poets, and this work offers an English-speaking public
a wide selection of some of his finest work in an updated form. Greenwald’s consul-
tations with Jacobsen also lend this work an authority that, since Jacobsen’s death,
will be absent from other editions.”
North in the World presents 121 poems by Rolf Jacobsen in English and
Norwegian on facing pages, as well as an introduction and notes supplied by the trans-
lator. Rolf Jacobsen (1907-1994) has been called “one of the West’s greatest twen-
tieth-century poets, who may be ranked on a par with Auden, Eliot, and Montale”
(David McDuff, Stand Magazine). North in the World is the fruit of 20 years’ engage-
ment with Jacobsen’s poetry by Greenwald.
Roger Greenwald attended The City College of New York and the St. Marks in the
Bouwerie Poetry Project workshop, and earned graduate degrees at the University of
Toronto. He has won two CBC Literary Awards for his own writing, as well as
numerous awards in the U.S. and Canada for his translations. He has published one
book of poems, Connecting Flight, and several volumes of poetry in translation, most
recently Through Naked Branches: Selected Poems of Tarjei Vesaas, which was a
finalist in the U.S. for the PEN Award for Poetry in Translation.
Roger Greenwald is currently a senior lecturer and director of the Writing Centre
at Innis College in the University of Toronto.
The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004 7From the Executive Director Walter Bacak, CAE
Walter@atanet.org
Board Meeting Highlights
he ATA Board of Directors held Divisions. The Board was updated on Arbitration Association. The Board
T its last meeting of the year,
October 16-17. The meeting was
held in conjunction with the ATA 45th
efforts to establish financial guide-
lines for divisions. In addition, the
Board approved a proposal to support
subsequently approved a proposal to
examine procedures and institutions
for resolving business disputes
Annual Conference in Toronto. Here the Japanese Language Division’s between members, including but not
are some highlights from the meeting: participation in the 16th International limited to external arbitration services
Japanese-English Translation Confer- and conflict resolution procedures.
Ad Hoc Internal Communications ence to be held in Chicago next year
and Governance Committees. The (www.jat.org/ijet). ATA President Member feedback. Board members
Board approved establishing two ad hoc Scott Brennan is scheduled to speak at shared comments they heard from
committees to review ATA’s internal the conference. members throughout the conference.
communications and governance prac- These comments will be incorporated
tices and procedures and to offer recom- Certification. ATA Certification into planning for next year’s ATA
mendations to enhance them. Director Committee Chair Lilian Novas Van Annual Conference in Seattle,
Beatriz Bonnet will chair the Ad Hoc Vranken updated the Board on the Washington, November 9-12.
Internal Communications Committee. committee’s activities, including efforts
Secretary Alan Melby will chair the Ad to replace Deputy Committee Chair The minutes of the meeting will be
Hoc Governance Committee. Both Celia Bohannon, who is retiring in May posted in the Members Only section
committees will report back to the 2005. Related, the Board approved a of ATA’s website (www.atanet.org/
Board throughout the year. The com- proposal to fund a grader trainer for the membersonly). Past meeting minutes
mittees will be disestablished following Certification Program. More on this are also posted on the site. The next
the end of the November 2005 Board position will be advertised once it is set. Board meeting is set for January 29-
meeting unless a motion is presented 30. (The site is to be determined.) As
and passed during that meeting to con- Dispute Resolution. The Board dis- always, the meeting is open to all
tinue the existence of the committee(s) cussed mediation and arbitration members of the ATA.
for an additional period. options available through the American
ATA Election Results James Lochrie, Inspector of Elections
October 14, 2004
Director (three-year term) Director (one-year term)
Three to elect One to elect
Robert Croese: 219 Beatriz Bonnet: 514 Elected
Nicholas Hartmann: 516 Elected Steven Hanley: 74
Dorothee Racette: 450 Elected J. Henry Phillips: 6
Tony Roder: 271 Elected Robert Sette: 2
Robert Sette: 264 Lillian Clementi: 2
Steven Hanley: 81 Jost O. Zetzsche: 1
Beatriz Bonnet: 1 Robert Croese: 1
Luis M. Quesada: 1 Dorothee Racette: 1
Amanda Ennis: 1 Timothy Yuan: 1
Jost O. Zetzsche: 1 Nicholas Hartmann: 1
Lilian Novas Van Vranken: 1 Laura Wolfson: 1
Spoiled ballots: 0 Spoiled ballots: 0
8 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004Profiles in Continuing
Education:
Compiled by Kirk Anderson
Ines Swaney
inesswaney@earthlink.net
Who: Ines Swaney is a freelance translator Minimum Continuing Education) points in
based in Oakland, California. Originally from order to maintain my state certification.
Venezuela, she has lived in the U.S. more than These points also count toward ATA’s contin-
half her life. She holds a Bachelor of uing education requirement. My member-
Architecture from U.C. Berkeley and a ships in the National Association of
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Judiciary Interpreters and Translators, the
the California College of the Arts. She is an Northern California Translators Associ-
ATA-certified English↔Spanish translator. ation, and ATA will also add to the 20 con-
Ines enjoys wearing different hats: a court tinuing education points I must earn over a
interpreter certified in California since 1979; three-year period. Occasionally, I wear yet
a certified federal court interpreter since another hat: I’m also a CIMCE provider—
1980; and a conference interpreter since in other words, an instructor. Some years
1980. She’s also been active as voiceover ago, I developed a workshop entitled
talent in various fields for the past decade. “Improvisation Techniques for Inter-
preters,” which I’ve taught not only in
Where: My work changes with the seasons. California, but also in Seattle and Mexico
This being an election year, I’m currently City. Later, with a colleague, we developed
working on mountains of election-related another workshop: “Depositions and Other
materials that need to be translated into Civil Matters.” Both of these are approved
Spanish for voters who request documentation by the Judicial Council of California. So
in this language. This makes me one of the when I teach, I also earn a limited number of
best informed voters in the area. When trans- points toward my ATA-required total.
lation work is slower, I become a more active For many years now, I’ve been attending
interpreter. Conference interpreting, court, ATA annual conferences. I’ve also attended
depositions, jail visits, and community meet- two ATA professional development seminars
ings are just some of the examples of where offered in my area: one on legal interpreting
my services are needed. and translating (San Francisco) and another
on the entertainment industry (Los Angeles).
How: As a member of ATA’s Spanish Both of these relate to my work as an inter-
Language Division, I’ve been writing the preter and voiceover talent. I look forward to
column “Anecdolines” for Intercambios, the attending other professional development
SPD newsletter, which gives me an outlet for seminars in the future.
one of my passions: collecting tips and anec- Being self-employed, my schedule is in
dotes on all facets of my work. These often constant flux. Last November, about to board
turn out to be eye-openers when shared with my return flight from Phoenix to Oakland
colleagues for the benefit of our profession. I after the ATA conference, I learned that my
plan to continue writing my column, since I flight was overbooked and was given a
know it counts toward ATA’s continuing edu- voucher valid for a year. Fortunately, this
cation requirement. The fact that I’m an year’s conference was in Toronto in
active court interpreter in California means
that I must earn CIMCE (Court Interpreter Continued on p.32
The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004 9ATA 2005 German Translation Award—
Call for Nominations
The American Translators Association invites nominations for the 2005 Ungar German Translation
Award. This award is bestowed biennially in odd-numbered years for a distinguished literary translation
from German into English published in the United States. (The Lewis Galantière Translation Award for
translations from any language except German is awarded in even-numbered years.)
Eligibility for the award, to be presented at the ATA Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington, in
November 2005, includes a published translation that has been translated from German into English and
published in the United States in 2003 or 2004.
The published translation must list the translator’s name on the title page and preferably on the dust
jacket. Preference will be given to published works that provide biographical information about the
translator. The translator need not be an ATA member, however, the translator should have a strong con-
nection with the U.S. through citizenship or permanent residence. The nomination must be submitted
by the publisher of the translated work.
The nomination must include:
• a cover letter with complete publication information for the work being nominated,
• a brief vita of the translator,
• at least two copies of the nominated work with one extra copy of the dust jacket,
• two copies of at least 10 consecutive pages from the original work, keyed to the page numbers of the
translation (this item is essential!), and
• two copies of the translated pages that correspond to the 10 consecutive pages provided from the
original work.
Nomination Deadline: May 15, 2005. Publishers are encouraged to submit nominations early!
Award: $1,000, a certificate of recognition, and up to $500 toward expenses for attending the ATA
Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington, November 9-12, 2005.
Please send your nominations to:
Marilyn Gaddis Rose, Chair, ATA Honors & Awards Committee
American Translators Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590
Alexandria VA 22314
Phone: (703) 683-6100, Fax: (703) 683-6122, Email: ata@atanet.org
2005 2006 2007
ATA Annual Conference Seattle, New Orleans, Miami, Florida
Sites and Dates Washington Louisiana October 31 -
November 9-12 November 2-5 November 3
10 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004Help make an ATA association health plan a reality
ATA sent this letter to all 100 incoming U.S. senators, urging them to vote for legislation that would allow ATA
to offer you affordable, quality health insurance. The bill has passed the House and is pending in the Senate
(http://sbc.senate.gov/108bills/s.545text.pdf). A letter of thanks also went to the bill’s current sponsors.
You can help. Write or call your senators and ask them to support S.545. For more information on Association
Health Plans, visit www.ahpsnow.com.
The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004 11ATA Professional Development Seminar:
The Business of Translation and Interpreting
By Caitilin Walsh
he question begs itself: why end product. Part of a team at Eriksen confessed to posting sticky notes with
T would an experienced freelance
translator want to attend a sem-
inar on a subject that she already
Translations in Brooklyn, she con-
siders her work gratifying, especially
when it comes to serving the minority
eligible “bachelor” translators on her
monitor, she told us that she uses the
database to find both established and
knows well? Indeed, I’ve worked at populations in New York City. new vendors for projects that come
home for years (like Eta Trabing) and But the more things change, the across her desk. Eriksen also uses a
have effectively targeted my market more they stay the same. Leah’s work subjective system whereby vendors
segment (à la Beatriz Bonnet), and consists of reviewing resumes, trying are evaluated not only on the quality
I’ve even taught similar subject mate- to find just the right translator for the of the product they provide, but also
rial. I’ve been through both the project, and keeping the project on on how smoothly things went. Tests
school of hard knocks as well as track. If you can make her life easier, and samples, or a smaller “real”
Courtney Searls-Ridge’s workshop you will be called frequently. project, may also be used by Eriksen
on contracts, and, having worn a for evaluation purposes, and the com-
project manager’s hat before, I’d like pany often invites input from trusted
to think I have a pretty good notion of “…We would be fools to peer reviewers. In addition, project
how a translation company works managers are encouraged to comment
(like Leah Ruggiero). So why go?
think that since we’ve been in the system about how easy a person
Well, to begin with, I am human, doing something for a was to work with. Leah correctly
by definition imperfect. I not only long time that nothing has noted that project managers are often
welcome the chance for continuing short-lived, and these comments will
education, but am excited at the changed, and that we have preserve the relationship between the
prospect of it. I admit to having maxed nothing to learn…” company and vendor, which is a ben-
out my ATA continuing education efit to both parties.
points for the year—before the annual Leah also touched on parts of
conference. I also look forward to any It all begins with the resume, and on Eriksen’s standard vendor contract.
chance to connect with colleagues, a this subject Leah made herself clear: Again, the song isn’t new: contracts
direct result of my hermit-like tenden- no more paper! Leah explained that protect both parties by pointing out the
cies common to our profession. But translators can use the Eriksen website independent contractor relationship,
the deal clincher for attending the to complete a vendor registration form and confidentiality is expected. She
latest professional development sem- and upload a resume (MS Word is the reminded us that subcontracting work
inar (The Business of Translation and lingua franca). This puts a freelancer to other translators and direct commu-
Interpreting in Seattle, Washington) directly into their system, allowing nication with the client should only
was ATA’s reputation for top-notch Leah to find you when she needs you. occur with prior approval from the
educational sessions—and this one She noted that cold-callers are also translation company. Leah got to be
was right in my backyard! referred to this system—so, why not the first of the four speakers to tell us
go there first? As for the resume itself, that it’s not okay to steal a client from
The Translation Company Unveiled she appreciates short, accessible a translation company. She also
Like many freelancers, I started as resumes that are kept up-to-date (this is encouraged us to respect deadlines and
a lowly project manager at a small very important for ongoing clients). A the formatting requirements of a job.
translation company that was, frankly, great tip: if English isn’t your native She closed her talk by equating
uninterested in quality or value-added language, ask at least four native- freelancers to individual project man-
services. The first seminar presenter, English colleagues to review your agers—we must be adept at man-
Leah Ruggiero, turned out to be an resume before you send it out. aging our time, knowing our limits,
embodiment of the maturation of the One of the most revealing insights and saying no if we need to.
industry—a senior project manager at Leah gave us concerned the daily use
a translation company with a reputa- of Eriksen’s proprietary vendor data- Contracts and the Freelance
tion for quality, with systems to sup- base. Once a vendor’s name is in the Interpreter and Translator
port and streamline her work, and database, it serves as a collective Courtney Searls-Ridge was up
processes that add real value to the memory for the agency. While Leah next, presenting her classic contracts
12 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004workshop. Usually a four-hour work- quickly become overly long and cum- knowing yourself. Your knowledge of
shop, the two-hours allotted on the bersome. If you have certain con- your personal and professional
schedule allowed for an overview of cerns you want to have addressed, put strengths and weaknesses will deter-
the subject and for participants to them in writing. However, don’t be mine the best fit for you. With a
gather additional materials and refer- surprised when the client proposes caveat that all generalities are (some-
ences to follow up with. language to protect their interests. what) false, she noted the classic
Courtney delved into what a contract If you were looking for pat example of personality type differ-
was, namely, a bargained exchange for answers to questions about contracts, ences between translators and inter-
some legally valuable consideration. this wasn’t the place to get them. preters: the one introverted and
She reminded us of a contract’s four ele- Instead, we got guidelines. Read detail-oriented, the other extroverted
ments: offer (often a simple phone call); everything carefully. Ask yourself if and conceptual.
acceptance (you say “yes”); considera- you are comfortable with something. With years of personal experience in
tion (often payment, sometimes credit); Have a clearly articulated argument conference interpreting and translation
and prerequisites (you must be legally prepared to back up your requests for company management, Beatriz pro-
able to enter into a contract, and the con- changes. And the biggest one: trust vided us with valuable insights on the
tract cannot require an activity that is your intuition. You are the one who different kinds of documents and situa-
illegal). These elements must all be knows your comfort level, your abili- tions that might present themselves to
present for a contract to exist. In fact, a ties, and your business best. translators and interpreters in various
piece of paper isn’t necessary, but an Not that Courtney only stuck to fields. Personal anecdotes served to
agreement in writing can be quite useful theory. The session packet contained drive points home as well as entertain.
when misunderstandings arise. numerous concrete examples of good Only after a thorough overview of the
One of the best aspects of this work- and bad contracts. She even left space market segments did we delve into
shop, which I have now heard on three in her handouts for us to write down marketing strategies. Once again, the
separate occasions, is that Courtney is our action plans. A few people shared resume (electronic only, please!) was
not trying to deal with absolutes. Do which of her suggestions hit home, key, with an emphasis on getting it to
you absolutely need a written contract? and which techniques they were the right person.
It depends. Is it a long-term agreement? likely to implement. Indeed, this “old She also reminded us of one lesson
Is there a great deal at stake? Do you dog” came away with no less than I struggled with as a newcomer: when
trust the person? Where a contract three new action items. you answer the phone, smile! The
might be intimidating, perhaps a quick person on the other end of the line
note of understanding might do the Market Segments and How to really can tell, and the warmth in your
trick. Trust your gut. Pursue Them voice will set the tone for the conver-
Courtney has a background in the Beatriz Bonnet examined the seg- sation. Beatriz’s words reiterated what
world of publishing, and talked at ments of our industry, and what a Leah Ruggiero had told us earlier,
length about the many concerns that variety it revealed! She started at a reminding us that people do business
arise when a translation is to be pub- very basic level (written or oral?), with people they like. Beatriz adores
lished in book form. While many of moving on through the types of clien- the “translator hero,” that rare soul
these considerations are applicable tele and industry demands. Drilling who answers the phone with a friendly
for any freelance job, there is a per- down through different types of greeting, is professional in all aspects,
manence and public aspect to pub- translation, localization, voice work, and delivers top-notch work—ahead
lished works. As expected, much of layout, interpreting, and other lin- of the deadline!
what a contract deals with is consid- guistic services, she pointed out the The presentation pulled together
eration, which in most instances different skill sets that are needed for ideas on how to target specific
translates into payment (though book each type of work. Clearly, anyone areas, including an enumeration of
translators often deal with credit). who claims to “do it all” is either a what works and what doesn’t.
Contracts can also deal with many linguistic Superman or deluded. Volunteerism was cited as a terrific
eventualities. However, Courtney So how do you decide which of way to do a good deed and gain expo-
reminded us that a contract that tries these numerous market segments to sure for yourself as well.
to deal with every eventuality can pursue? Beatriz pointed out it’s about Beatriz emphasized that ➡
The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004 13ATA Professional Development Seminar: The Business of Translation and Interpreting Continued
keeping your objectives in mind more than that in one day, she can take without him!). In fact, delays due to
should keep you on track. You need a day off!). Tips on marketing our- facility issues gave us all an extra
confidence, but remember that just selves were given, and ethics were opportunity to mill around and meet
because you think you are wonderful touched upon: she likened stealing some of the new faces.
doesn’t mean that you are entitled to clients from a translation company to Due to the lateness of the hour,
a job—you need to earn it. Run a stealing a good babysitter. many folks disappeared right after
business, market your strengths con- Discipline in managing time was the final session, but by doing so they
sistently, and be a translator hero. discussed, as well as the physical missed a time to chat with the
Love what you do, and the money necessities of a home office. She speakers and other attendees.
will follow. dealt with estimating cost and quotes Spouses also emerged from the
for jobs, with a special emphasis on woodwork and lent a collegial atmos-
Running Your Translation/ quality control—a fancy way of phere, aided and abetted by an ener-
Interpreting Business Out of saying you mustn’t get so comfort- getic Marian Greenfield, ATA’s
Your Home able that your work gets sloppy. Professional Development Chair and
Placed in the unenviable position The translator-client relationship seminar organizer, plying speakers
of addressing a room of tired, over- merited special treatment, reminding with liquor. This is the time to share a
heated, hungry folks while trying to us once again that you can catch laugh about the client from hell, with
keep the day from running too long, more flies with honey than vinegar. people who get it.
Eta Trabing gave us her opinions in a Then came the list of musts: you Seattle is slated as the venue for
straightforward and entertaining talk. must accept criticism as constructive; ATA’s 46th Annual Conference in
The session title says it all—it’s not you must turn out a good product; 2005, so this seminar served as a
about working at home, but running and you must enjoy yourself. Your sneak preview of sorts. On this occa-
your business out of your home. She career should not be a nuisance! With sion, the weather cooperated, and the
gave us numerous pointers on the clock running out, Eta delved into ample lunch break gave us a chance to
keeping that businesslike attitude in some of the nitty-gritty: bookkeeping get out of the hotel and enjoy puffy
spite of our workplace’s proximity to and taxes (save 33% of your income clouds over scenic Elliott Bay.
the rest of our lives. for taxes); record-keeping (not in a Attendees appreciated the list of
A brief overview of how to get shoebox!); and filing systems (back nearby restaurants compiled by the
started kicked things off, and much of everything up). Northwest Translators and Interpreters
what she said echoed Beatriz’s advice Lest these subjects sound horribly Society (www.notisnet.org). All this
for choosing a market to pursue. dry, let me assure you that Eta bodes well for a great conference
(Indeed, Eta was Beatriz’s mentor once brought concise information in a experience. We do hope to see you
upon a time.) Good advice abounded: refreshingly opinionated and here in 2005!
don’t try to do housework; don’t let delightful way.
your toddler/dog/elderly parent answer Conclusion
the phone; close the office door; and Lunch and Networking Session Like ballet dancers and other pro-
for heaven’s sake, choose a type of Now why write about the free fessionals who must make a constant
work that you enjoy and are good at! time? That’s not part of the seminar! effort to improve their skills, it does
And always remember that this is a Ah, but yes it is. A wise man once told no harm to take a class in the basics.
business, not a hobby! me that it’s the breaks where things We would be fools to think that since
Eta provided us with a quick happen. This is where you make per- we’ve been doing something for a
overview of the legal and tax ramifica- sonal connections, which remain the long time that nothing has changed,
tions of self-employment at home, single best way to get work. It’s the and that we have nothing to learn.
then moved on to an overview of time where we can decompress and The fact that all four speakers reiter-
finding your niche: translating or (re-)connect with our colleagues, take ated ethics considerations and a posi-
interpreting? What about a specialty? a stroll to enjoy the scenery, and enjoy tive attitude sends a clear signal to us
She emphasized improving your a chat with the friendly bookseller, all. I also note that the growth of
skills—she personally tries to learn Freek Lankhof of InTrans Book
three new words every day (if she gets Service (it wouldn’t be an ATA event Continued on p.19
14 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004Putting the “Professional”
in Professional Translation
By Keiran J. Dunne
he ISO 9000 standard, widely all the necessary questions to uncover sought-after than ever by agencies
T accepted and implemented in
industry worldwide, has estab-
lished the notion that quality must be
and identify the client’s specific
quality needs and expectations prior
to commencing the project. These
(although, unfortunately, strong
demand does not necessarily translate
into higher rates).
defined in terms of individual customer expectations must then be provided In order to optimize quality, agen-
satisfaction. But just who is the “cus- to the subcontractor(s) involved in cies seek to work with translation
tomer” in the agency-subcontractor the project in the form of clear and subcontractors who possess solid lin-
relationship? In the larger scheme of explicit guidelines in all relevant guistic skills as well as advanced
things, the answer, of course, is nei- quality assurance areas (target locale, translation competence, and who are
ther. In fact, the agency and free- terminology, style, punctuation, doc- true specialists with extensive sub-
lancer are both subcontractors ument layout, date/time/currency ject-matter expertise in a limited
performing professional services on format, and so forth). number of vertical market segments.
behalf of the client. As such, both are A vast amount of conceptual, factual,
responsible for satisfying the client’s and terminological knowledge is nec-
quality specifications. essary to be considered a subject-
This contextually determined defi-
“…By cooperating closely matter expert, so agencies will greet
nition of quality poses a twofold and taking a proactive with great skepticism claims that an
problem to agencies and subcontrac- approach to quality, individual possesses true expertise in
tors. On one hand, outsourcing shifts numerous vertical markets. Likewise,
the quality assurance burden from the agencies and excellent research skills are highly
client down the subcontracting chain subcontractors can forge prized by agencies. The better the
to the agency, and ultimately to indi- translator’s research skills, the fewer
vidual subcontractors. On the other
strong working ties and queries she or he will submit (and,
hand, many clients fail to provide optimize their relationship thus, the less time the agency will
clear quality standards, metrics, or for ultimate client need to spend obtaining responses
benchmarks; they simply expect thereto from the client), and the more
“quality,” whatever that might be. satisfaction…” equipped she or he will be to justify
When performing work for such stylistic and terminological choices
clients, both the agency and the sub- in the event of negative feedback
contractor risk being held account- From the agency’s point of view, from the client.
able to quality standards that have quality is defined first and foremost in All things being equal, agencies
been neither defined nor communi- terms of linguistic excellence. may well prefer to work with inde-
cated to the project team(s). Translation quality is the Achilles heel pendent contractors who possess
Moreover, many small businesses of any multilingual services provider. formal translation credentials, such
and middle market companies have Because the agency depends on indi- as ATA certification, a university
no in-house reviewer. Instead, they vidual subcontractors to provide this degree in translation (i.e., the M.A. in
subcontract “client” review to an quality, it can only be as good as the Translation offered by Kent State
external subcontractor or to an in- freelancers with whom it works. From University or the Monterey Institute
country distributor, whose notions of the agency’s perspective, quality pre- of International Studies), or a special-
“quality” may be fundamentally dif- supposes accurate translation, as well ized certificate in translation, such as
ferent from those of the agency and as the use of consistent tone, style, and those offered by the New York
the translation team. terminology appropriate for the target University Continuing Education
Clearly it is in the best interests of audience throughout the target text. If program. Although not a guarantee of
all involved to avoid a Rorschach-test quality is not present in the product quality, such credentials do demon-
approach to translation in which each after the translation stage, it is much strate a certain commitment to pro-
project participant interprets more difficult to get it back in later. In fessional development. Nevertheless,
“quality” differently. Because quality an era of downward price pressures formal credentials should not be
is whatever the client wants, it is and post-Enron budgetary scrutiny, viewed as a means to an end, either
absolutely critical that the agency ask translation expertise is arguably more by the agency or the freelancer. ➡
The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004 15Putting the “Professional” in Professional Translation Continued
The agency should have a system for computer-assisted translation (CAT) 3. Whenever submitting queries, indi-
objectively evaluating the perform- tools from a competitive advantage cate as precisely as possible the
ance of linguists, along the lines of into a necessity. Indeed, the market to location of the element in question
the ATA evaluation framework or the a large extent now expects subcontrac- (file name, page number, context,
quality assurance model of the tors to be proficient in the use of CAT string ID, etc.) and include a screen
Localisation Industry Standards tools. Moreover, most agencies would shot to facilitate resolution.
Association (www.lisa.org). Free- love to see independent contractors Queries must be actionable;
lancers, on the other hand, should expand their offerings to include a
devise and implement concrete wider array of specialized services 4. Do not ever make assumptions; if
strategies for ongoing language and such as localization (L10n), multilin- in doubt about anything, always
subject matter development. Such gual desktop publishing (DTP), func- request feedback. If circumstances
strategies may take the form of reg- tional testing of localized software and leave no alternative but to make
ular, sustained reading of profes- help, terminology mining and glossary assumptions (in the absence of
sional periodicals and publications, compilation, and support for multiple timely responses to client queries,
periodic attendance at conferences in platforms (Windows, Mac, etc.), for example), note them in a log to
one’s field of expertise, as well as among others. However, demand for enable remediation.
specialized coursework or seminars.1 subcontractors proficient in the use of
Perhaps the widest gap in the CAT, L10n, and DTP tools continues The independent contractor’s crit-
agency-subcontractor relationship is to outstrip the supply,2 and even proac- ical perspective and analysis of the
the one that separates the agency’s tive freelancers can have difficulty source materials is another important
technological needs and expectations keeping up with the rapid evolution of component of the agency’s translation
from the actual skill set of the average translation technologies and tools. quality assurance process. The trans-
translation subcontractor. The average The wider the range of services lator must ask as many questions as
freelance translator conceives of independent subcontractors can pro- necessary to resolve ambiguities and
market demand in terms of translation, vide and bundle into the package they ensure full comprehension of the
editing, and proofreading. However, offer to potential agency clients, the source text, especially when working
over the past decade or so, the rapid greater the number of potential rev- on poorly written or even nonsensical
spread of the PC and the World Wide enue streams those subcontractors will source materials, which are an all-too-
Web has facilitated the global expan- have. Nevertheless, merely owning a frequent problem with clients who do
sion of corporations large and small. tool is not sufficient for one to claim not employ a dedicated staff of tech-
This, in turn, has fueled an explosive proficiency in its use. Indeed, inde- nical writers. Nonnative speakers may
demand for the translation of materials pendent subcontractors offer arguably be hesitant to raise questions or cri-
in an ever-increasing variety of media the greatest value to the agency when tique the source text for fear that a
and formats, including not only they are self-reliant and able to trou- large number of queries may raise
“classic” printed documents, but also bleshoot problems commonly encoun- questions about their language ability.
software, websites, video games, tered when using specialized tools or However, the source-language mate-
online tutorials and media presenta- working in complex file formats. rials may well contain terminological
tions, mobile devices, and so forth. In Regardless of one’s degree of tech- inconsistencies, ambiguous turns of
response to the rapid growth in trans- nological proficiency, the following phrase, cut-and-paste errors, bits and
lation demand, new translation-related golden rules should be followed reli- pieces of text from different versions,
technologies have arisen to help main- giously during technology-intensive or worse. If the source-language
tain productivity and profit margins, translation or localization projects: materials have not been subjected to a
provide for reusability, and enable rigorous quality control check, no one
large-scale terminological control. 1. If unsure how to carry out a given involved in the project on the client or
Downward price pressures and procedure, ask for guidance; agency side may even be aware of
the need to continuously do more these problems.
quicker and for less have confirmed and 2. If unsure whether a given string, This situation provides agencies
reinforced the convergence of transla- footnote, etc., requires translation, and subcontractors with an opportu-
tion and technology, transforming request feedback; nity to provide additional value to the
16 The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004client. Given the proper critical stance with regard to timelines and who are perhaps most importantly, after toward source materials, translation willing to negotiate discounted rates accepting a project, the freelancer can function as another global quality for high-volume projects.3 must always deliver on time, except, control pass. To the extent that it is Agencies also harbor a certain of course, when emergencies occur feasible to do so, the team should sys- number of expectations with regard to that make timely completion impos- tematically document any termino- professionalism and due diligence. sible. In such cases, the worst thing logical inconsistencies, typos, errors, Given the time pressures to which the subcontractor can do is to fail to functional problems, etc., and submit projects are frequently subjected, notify the agency that she or he will this error log to the agency, which can timely acknowledgment of and be unable to meet the deadline. then forward it to the client. In the response to communications is highly Honesty and open communication case of localization projects, transla- valued, as is prompt acceptance or between the agency and subcon- tors are perhaps the only people who refusal of project offers. It is the sub- tractor are essential. will ever see the full set of textual contractors’ responsibility to check all Finally, tacit risk management material in its entirety. As such, they receivables against the project offer, expectations are held by many agen- are uniquely positioned to identify to confirm that they have everything cies, which, we would argue, few errors, inconsistencies, and provide they need to work on the project prior independent contractors are in a posi- feedback about overall coherence. to commencing it, and to ask all gen- tion to fulfill. Agencies expect that Such feedback offers substantial eral project-related questions up freelancers have a reliable computer value to the client (the question as to front. It is expected that the inde- and Internet connection, as well as a whether or not the client will act upon pendent contractor will follow direc- dependable e-mail account that such feedback is another matter) and tions (although experience suggests allows them to send and receive large clearly demonstrates a strong com- that this cannot be taken for granted), attachments.4 The key word in the mitment to quality on the part of both and will adhere to the style guidelines preceding sentence is “reliable.” A the agency and the subcontractor. and glossary (if provided). The sub- reliable computer is one whose owner Perspective is also important to contractor should provide feedback follows safe computing practices, the agency in order to ensure that the about obvious errors, but should not which include using a firewall, run- best people are always chosen for a make preferential changes to ning anti-virus software, updating the particular project, and vice versa. approved terminology. Likewise, virus definitions daily, and, in the case From the agency’s standpoint, it is files should not be renamed except as of Windows users, keeping the critical that subcontractors objec- stipulated in the project offer. machine up-to-date with Windows tively recognize their strengths and (Imagine that you’re a managing a patches. In addition, agencies tacitly weaknesses, that they not commit to translation project in five languages expect subcontractors to have a dis- more words per day than they can that includes 120 files; would you aster recovery plan, including reasonably expect to accomplish, and want to rename 600 files?!) storage/backup of critical project files that they not pursue projects in fields After completing the project, the and corollary assets, such as term about which they possess insufficient subcontractor should perform his or bases and translation memories. knowledge. Freelancers who bite off her own quality control check by Freelancers should ask themselves, more than they can chew may jeop- reading attentively for typos and “if disaster struck (i.e., catastrophic ardize the success of a project, and by other errors, verifying formatting and hard drive failure, laptop stolen, etc.), extension, the relationship between punctuation, and spell-checking the could I still finish this project by the the agency and the client. Conversely, work. Finally, before submitting the deadline?” If not, they should formu- freelancers who stick to what they do files to the agency, the freelancer late and implement appropriate strate- best, who always deliver on time, and should verify that the deliverable(s) gies. All possible steps should be who always provide excellent quality being submitted correspond exactly taken to avoid a disaster, but if one will likely become key members of to the file(s) requested. It is also occurs, the subcontractor should the agency’s team (assuming consis- advisable to check compressed inform the agency as soon as possible. tent demand, of course). Similarly, archives for corruption and to scan In sum, dependable translators agencies greatly appreciate subcon- for viruses before submitting via who have excellent linguistic skills, tractors who are willing to be flexible e-mail, FTP, or HTTP upload. And solid subject-matter expertise, ➡ The ATA Chronicle | November/December 2004 17
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