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The Voice of Interpreters and Translators
THE
ATA
July/August 2018
Volume XLVII
Number 4
Includ
with th ed
ATA59 is issue:
Confe
Prelim rence
ina
Progra ry
m
TRANSLATION
SCAMS RELOADED
A Publication of the American Translators Association
■■ If you attended our 2006 conference in American Translators Association
New Orleans, this location will be one 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590
step better—on “the French Quarter Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
side” of Canal Street, so that you can Tel: +1.703.683.6100
walk right out the door and into the Fax: +1.703.683.6122
heart of the action.
E-mail: chronicle@atanet.org
■■ New Orleans truly has something Website: www.atanet.org
FROM THE PRESIDENT for everyone, regardless of your
CORINNE MCKAY definition of fun. Many people limit Editorial Board
president@atanet.org their impression of New Orleans to Geoff Koby (chair)
Twitter handle: @corinnemckay the bars on Bourbon Street. (And Lois Feuerle
they’re definitely there if bars are Corinne McKay
your thing!) But—as someone who
Looking Ahead
Mary McKee
is more into good food and jazz than
Ted Wozniak
late-night partying—I really enjoyed
to ATA59 exploring the historic district on foot,
people-watching in Jackson Square,
Publisher/Executive Director
Walter Bacak, CAE
B
and capping it all off with beignets
y the time you read this, walter@atanet.org
registration will be open for ATA’s and café au lait at Café Beignet (Ted, a
59th Annual Conference, to be New Orleans local, promised me that it Editor
would be “better than Café du Monde,”
held October 24–27 in New Orleans— Jeff Sanfacon
and he was right!).
definitely one of the best conference jeff@atanet.org
destinations in the United States! At each ATA conference, about a third
In January of this year, President-Elect of our attendees are there for the first Advertising
and Conference Organizer Ted Wozniak, time, and about a third have attended advertising@atanet.org
Professional Development Manager five or more ATA conferences. We’re Tel: +1.703.683.6100, ext. 3007
Adrian Aleckna, Executive Director Walter committed to offering a wide range of Fax: +1.703.683.6122
“Mooch” Bacak, and I visited our host opportunities, from our Buddies Welcome
hotel, the New Orleans Marriott, to get a Newbies program to our Advanced Skills Design & Production
feel for what we’ll be experiencing during and Training Day sessions. No matter Blue House Design
the conference. Here are a few highlights: where you fall on the spectrum, don’t www.bluehouse.us
forget to book your hotel room soon
■■ Adrian described the Marriott as “a before the room block fills up, and start The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is published
meeting planner’s dream.” We’ll have a planning your networking time to make six times per year by the American Translators
full ballroom with sit-down tables for the most of your investment in this “face Association, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590,
breakfast, then you’ll walk just a few time” (real face time, not the iPhone
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. Periodicals postage
steps across the hall for the Opening version!) with your colleagues from
paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional
Session and Annual Meeting of All around the world. We expect attendees
Members. The hotel atmosphere is mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address
from throughout the U.S. and over 50
bright, upbeat, and inviting, and the countries, and we need you there too! changes to The ATA Chronicle, 225 Reinekers
session rooms are well situated and easy Thank you for being an ATA member, and Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA.
to find. I hope to see you soon in New Orleans! The American Translators Association (ATA)
was established in 1959 as a not-for-profit
professional society to foster and support the
professional development of translators and
INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION DAY— interpreters and to promote the translation and
START PLANNING NOW interpreting professions. The subscription rate for
a member is $28 (included in the dues payment).
ATA will be celebrating International The U.S. subscription rate for a nonmember is $65.
Translation Day on Friday, September Subscribers in Canada and Mexico add $25;
28. (The official ITD is actually Sunday, all other non-U.S. subscribers add $45.
Single copies are available for $7 per issue.
September 30.) This is a great opportunity to
spotlight the important work of translators, ©2018 American Translators Association
interpreters, and others in the language
Reprint Permission
services industry. Help spread the word. For more information and Requests for permission to reprint articles
ideas on promoting ITD, please see http://bit.ly/ITD2018. should be sent to the editor of The ATA Chronicle
at jeff@atanet.org.
2 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org
CONTENTS July/August 2018
Volume XLVII
Number 4
FEATURES 21
Going Once, Going Twice,
Sold! Is Your Translation
11 Business Sellable?
Volunteering: Making Your “Is my translation business
Investment of Time Worthwhile sellable?” Whether or not you
It’s a “What’s in it for me?” world, have plans to sell your business
so why do people volunteer? in the near future, this question
And more importantly, where do is very important and relevant,
they find the time? Read on to and not just to those on the
learn how to select and manage verge of retirement.
volunteer activities. You’ll also
find out how choosing the right
volunteer opportunity can be a 24
good thing for your career.
Translating Diagnostic Imaging
Translating diagnostic imaging
13 reports can be a challenging
but rewarding aspect of
Translation Scams Reloaded medical translation for which
Taking steps to safeguard the translator must master the
your identity and minimize the technical basics of the diagnostic
risk from scammers is not as imaging modality, the report
difficult as it sounds, but it structure, and the specialized
takes diligence.
13 source and target vocabulary.
16 ADVERTISING DIRECTORY
28 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Translation and Interpreting in www.utrgv.edu/en-us
Mexico: Uncharted Territory, 29 Surrey Translation Bureau
Rich Waters www.surreytranslation.co.uk
The Italia Morayta Foundation,
InterpretAmerica, and the
Association of Public Service COLUMNS
and Community Interpreters and
Translators recently published 2 From the President
the results of a groundbreaking
4 From the President-elect
initiative, the 2017 Survey on
Translation and Interpretation in 5 Letters to the Editor
Mexico—featuring 100 pages of 5 ATA Social Media
detailed information compiled
6 From the Executive Director
from more than 1,000 translators
and interpreters across Mexico. 7 Outreach Report—UN
9 Outreach Report—ACES
19 New Certified Members
27 Business Practices
29 Certification Forum
Looking for Member News
and Humor and Translation? 30 Resource Review
These columns are found in the
Chronicle-Online edition:
www.atanet.org/chronicle-online!
16
Connect www.atanet.org www.facebook.com/
AmericanTranslatorsAssociation
with ATA
www.twitter.com/atanet www.linkedin.com
http://bit.ly/ATA-youtube http://bit.ly/GooglePlusATA
review process to provide you with Android and iOS devices, and the online
training in almost every facet of our version works in all browsers.
profession. In addition to the regular The Food! Nor should you pass up on the
sessions by your peers, 15 distinguished after-hours opportunities! This is “Nawlins
speakers have been invited to impart ya’ll” and we know how to let the good
their expertise and perspectives to you. times roll! If you can’t find a delicious
As we’ve learned from past conference meal in New Orleans, you can’t find your
FROM THE PRESIDENT-ELECT surveys, 91% of attendees report gaining a nose in the dark. According to The New
new skill by attending the conference. Orleans Menu (https://nomenu.com), there
TED R. WOZNIAK
ted@tedwozniak.net Networking, Networking, and More are about 150 restaurants in the French
Networking: While education and Quarter alone. Add in the Central Business
training are great and are alone worth District, the Bywater, Marigny, and the
the registration fee, I know many of you Garden District—all easily reached by taxi
NOLA-Bound: attend the conference to get more work
and expand your client base. Previous
or ridesharing services—and you have
another 200 dining options from which to
ATA59
conference surveys show that 98% of choose. And that’s just the areas quickly
conference attendees made new contacts reached from the conference hotel.
at the conference. To help you get more
A TA59 is less than four months
away so it’s not too soon to start
making plans to come to The
Big Easy for four days of top-notch
professional development training,
work, the Job Fair has been extended to
two nights to allow more time to connect
with representatives from language
services companies. You can also network
NOT SURE?
Still on the fence about whether or not
to attend? Then visit the conference
website (www.atanet.org/conf/2018)
and gain valuable business knowledge at
numerous networking opportunities, and the ever-popular Brainstorm Networking to see what past attendees have to say
the chance to catch up with old friends session and Business Practices Happy about the value of attendance and get
and make new ones. (And let’s not forget Hour, as well as make new contacts at more details about the networking and
the beignets, étouffée, jambalaya, and a the Welcome Celebration and in the education opportunities that await you in
cornucopia of other foods from around Exhibit Hall. Seasoned attendees can also New Orleans. If you still aren’t sure the
the world that will be yours to enjoy only help newcomers by participating in the conference is worth the investment, check
a short walk from the conference hotel!) Buddies Welcome Newbies program. out www.atanet.org/conf/2018/attend for
Conference registration is open, so reserve even more “Reasons to attend.”
your hotel room now at the very attractive So, make your plans to attend ATA59
New Orleans Marriott. Remember, if you
Previous conference surveys and come meet me in NOLA. My
make your reservations at the conference show that 98% of conference investments in attending ATA conferences
hotel by October 22, you could be one of have been paid back many times over. I’m
five lucky attendees selected at random attendees made new contacts at sure yours will be as well!
to win one free night at the hotel! Need
a little more incentive before making a
the conference.
MORE INFORMATION ON ATA59
decision? Here’s just a small preview of
what’s in store for you at ATA59! ATA 59th Annual Conference Website
www.atanet.org/conf/2018
Advanced Training: Advanced Skills and Connect with Attendees Before,
Training (AST) Day takes place Wednesday, During, and After the Conference: ATA59 Advanced Skills and Training Day
October 24. This “conference-before-the- There’s an app for that! Once the www.atanet.org/conf/2018/astday
conference” will offer intensive three-hour conference app is available, make sure ATA59 Networking Opportunities
training sessions on interpreting, technology, you download it and complete your www.atanet.org/conf/2018/networking
neural machine translation, productivity profile, including uploading your résumé.
boosters, and, again this year, preparation AT59 Registration Information
Not only will this put you in contact with
workshops for the Spanish>English and about 1,600 attendees, but also with www.atanet.org/conf/2018/registration
English>Spanish certification exams. (There representatives from language services New Orleans Marriott Reservations
will be two exam sittings at the conference companies. In addition, you can only www.atanet.org/conf/2018/hotel
for those who are ready.) provide feedback on the sessions you
New Orleans Menu
Over 170 Educational Sessions: As attend using the app. Your feedback is
https://nomenu.com
always, ATA’s Annual Conference will be vital and is used every year during the
chock full of educational and networking session selection process for the upcoming New Orleans Official Guide
opportunities. Over 170 sessions have conference, so please submit your session www.neworleansonline.com
been selected through a rigorous peer- reviews. The mobile app works on
4 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org
ATA SOCIAL MEDIA FROM OUR MEMBERS
28,000 13,200 3,900
FACEBOOK FANS TWITTER FOLLOWERS LINKEDIN MEMBERS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Is There a Future in Freelance Translation? may feel comfortable now with looking getting a feel for the room, and having
Let’s Talk About It! | Christelle Maginot down our noses at “mere post-editing,” but materials and access to the technician
Thanks for the very thorough discussion I think that it will become the bulk of our is always helpful, in my 10 years of
of this subject of vital importance to the work fairly soon, and we need to get used professional experience I’ve come to find
profession. I would only add a few thoughts. to it. We need to make it clear to the public that we don’t always get those things most
In my opinion, all the factors mentioned that good translation in the 21st century has of the time.
in the article will have the inevitable effect become not just a process monopolized My technical experience with RSI has
of drastically reducing the demand for by humans, but a partnership between been good thus far, but looking toward
good human translators in countries with machine translation and the people who the future, I’ll certainly miss traveling
higher costs of living. When I started out know how to work with it. to different locations (sometimes exotic
(in the typewriter/snail-mail era), there The nature of the translation industry ones). Having to commute an hour to get
was no machine translation, so everything has changed so much since I entered it into a booth set up in a windowless room
required humans. Also, it seems to me, that I have no idea how I would counsel is very different from traveling from, for
many translation customers in those days someone who is thinking about it as a example, the U.S. to the Netherlands or
were generally better informed about career today. All I could say is that they New Zealand. I can see how some of the
what translation involves and what good should consider very carefully whether it conferences I’ve worked internationally will
translations look like than the large number would make any sense for them to start in move very quickly to adopt RSI technology,
of people who are looking for something on it except as a hobby. but I also know there are some clients who
quick and easy these days, and have no Jon Johanning | Philadelphia, PA will not be doing that in the next five years.
problem settling for whatever Google So, for now, I’ll cherish every trip to an
Translate gives them. Remote Simultaneous Interpreting: assignment location just a little bit more,
Therefore, a large percentage of the The Upside and Downside | Silvana Chaves knowing that tomorrow, instead of getting
“exploding world-wide demand for After nearly 10 years of doing voluntary to see the Tasman Sea for the first time,
translation” we always hear about (I simultaneous interpreting at my local I’ll likely be staring at the rails of the New
have no idea how large, but it must be a church, my first “paid job” as an York subway as I “travel” to do my work.
considerable fraction) is perfectly happy interpreter was at a conference for the Cheers to all those among us who have
with “good enough” translations. What global leaders of my church with over been part of the days when one could
supplied a good deal of demand for 25,000 attendees. As you can imagine, really get excited about “going into work!”
translators’ services when there was no the venue (Orlando Convention Center Everton Morais | Tuckahoe, NY
machine translation is now completely in Florida) was gargantuan. In the main Continued on page 19
unavailable to us. Smartphone apps have hall, our booths were set up behind the
put the old-fashioned phrasebooks out of
business, and this is only the beginning
stage in the main hall. We had two large
LCD screens, one featuring the visual aids
TOP TWEETS
of the trend. Most of the estimates of the being used and the other one a camera
demand for translation and the size of the showing the main speaker. Mom explains why her child
market that we see are probably not to be The organizers showed me how to will be multilingual | Los
trusted, at least if we’re thinking about good operate the console and wished me the Angeles Times:
professional careers. best of luck. My booth partner was more
https://t.co/Z1Y8YfqOut
Even highly skilled and experienced experienced, which gave me some level
JUNE 20 / @ATANET
translators will increasingly have to change of comfort. We performed our tasks for
their work methods from the traditional the next 10 days and everything went Egyptian linguist Hussein
“me and my typewriter/PC, and a few pretty smoothly.
Mahmoud: “‘Translation is
dictionaries to thumb through” to one In my opinion, there’s little difference
in which they routinely work in close between remote simultaneous interpreting the best medium for dialogue
collaboration with machine translation (RSI) today and what my first experience between civilizations”:
systems (which, however much we want in a booth felt like. Although I agree that https://t.co/8dAdtwaMl2
to deny it, are getting more effective). We meeting with the speaker(s) beforehand, JUNE 19 / @ATANET
www.atanet.org American Translators Association 5
ANNOUNCEMENT
7 $$$: The conference is a great way
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walter@atanet.org
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10 Reasons to 8 Earn: For ATA-certified translators,
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Attend ATA59 points for attending the conference. You can
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ATA is once again working with various a one-size-fits-all plan, but a plan that is
registration is open! Join 1,600
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October 24–27, 2018. Here are 10 ATA education sessions.
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1 Inspiration: Learn from the best. See 9 Fun: Seeing old friends, making new
ones, Welcome Celebration, Zumba, professional liability insurance cover?
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reenergized about your love of language
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interpreting services: Covers nearly
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yourself by becoming better at what you
2 Education: 16 masterclass Advance
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companies that are hiring. This year, an open, friendly community. First-timers interpreting services that result in
we’ve added a second night of the are warmly welcomed with veteran
bodily injury and/or property damage.
successful Job Fair. Plus, promote yourself conference goers leading the way.
on the conference app where you can post These types of claims are typically
For more information on the
your résumé and where potential clients conference, please check out the excluded by generic professional
will see it before and after the conference preliminary program and the conference liability policies.
as well. website: www.atanet.org/conf/2018.
Coverage for cyber liability, including
4Exhibits: 70-plus exhibits featuring Register today! See you in New Orleans. ■■
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CHOOSE TO STAY AT THE ATA59
5Division Events: Divisions are a
“home” within ATA for many. CONFERENCE HOTEL—BOOK NOW!
professional services in violation or
breach of the HIPAA and HITECH Acts.
Connect with other division members at The New Orleans Marriott is open
the Welcome Celebration. Attend division for ATA59 reservations. Remember, Visit ata.alliant.com for additional
annual meetings. Look for division social
reservations made before Monday, information.
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into the Stay and Win Drawing. Learn
more and make your reservation today at
Questions? Contact Alliant at
Networking, AST workshops, the Exhibit +1-703-547-5777 or
www.atanet.org/conf/2018/hotel!
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6 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org
OUTREACH REPORT BY LUCY GUNDERSON
ATA at “Protect Translators and Interpreters,
Protect the World”: A Roundtable at the United Nations
O n April 10, 2018, the Permanent
Mission of the Republic of Belarus
to the United Nations hosted
“Protect Translators and Interpreters,
Protect the World” at the United Nations
Headquarters in New York City. The
purpose of this roundtable discussion
was to address the need for greater legal
and physical protection for translators
and interpreters in situations of armed
conflict and post-conflict peace-building.
The event was organized in cooperation
with a language coalition comprised of
Red T, a nonprofit advocacy organization,
and five major international language
associations (Critical Link International,
International Association of Conference
Interpreters, International Association of
Professional Translators and Interpreters,
International Federation of Translators,
and World Association of Sign Language
Interpreters). Red T is dedicated to the (From left): Maya Hess, founder and chief executive officer of Red T, and Lucy Gunderson
protection of translators and interpreters ■■ Maya Hess, founder and chief executive translators and interpreters in situations
in conflict zones and other adversarial officer of Red T. of armed conflict and in the situation of
settings. Led by a team of volunteers, post-conflict peace-building.”2
■■ Linda Fitchett, chair of the Conflict
Red T advocates worldwide on behalf of Minister Dapkiunas also spearheaded
Zone Interpreter Project of the
linguists at risk, raises awareness of the UN Resolution 71/288, which
International Association of Conference
dangers they face, and promotes their recognizes the contribution of language
Interpreters (AIIC).
safety.1 The organization invited ATA to professionals to the maintenance of
send a representative to this event, and I ■■ Kevin Quirk, president of the peace and security and the promotion
was honored to be chosen to attend. International Federation of
of human rights as they assist militaries
Translators (FIT).
and humanitarian organizations, ensure
WORKING TOWARD RECOGNITION ■■ Betsy Fisher, policy director of the due process, and facilitate international
International Refugee Assistance
AND PROTECTION negotiations.3 Incidentally, Minister
Project (IRAP). Dapkiunas and Ambassador Rybakov
In addition to discussing steps for
mitigating risks and vulnerabilities, the ■■ Heidi Cazes, who represented the both trained as interpreters in Minsk
panel also focused on what can be done International Association of Professional before entering the diplomatic service,
to help translators and interpreters in Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI). which is why the #ProtectLinguists issue
conflict zones gain the international is so close to their hearts.
■■ Bill Moody of the World Association of
recognition and protection they deserve. The speakers touched on different
Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI).
The impressive list of speakers on the aspects of the problem of linguists in
■■ Sara de Jong, a political scientist from The high-risk settings, specifically in Iraq
program included:
Open University in the United Kingdom. and Afghanistan. Maya Hess pointed
■■ Ambassador Valentin Rybakov, the out that linguists in armed conflict and
This roundtable grew out of then-
permanent representative of the Republic post-conflict peace-building settings may
Ambassador Dapkiunas’ statement
of Belarus to the UN. not only be indirect victims by virtue of
at the UN Security Council on May
■■ Minister Andrei Dapkiunas, the 25, 2017, in which he urged member their proximity to warfare, but also direct
immediate past permanent representative states “to initiate the elaboration victims as a function of the translator-
of the Republic of Belarus to the UN and of an international instrument that traitor mentality. She emphasized that
the current deputy foreign minister. would enhance the legal protection of despite this double exposure, linguists in
www.atanet.org American Translators Association 7
OUTREACH REPORT continued
conflict zones lack the specific protection The speakers touched on different maintaining accurate records. Hess sought
under international law that is extended to greater professionalism on the part of
journalists and medical personnel. aspects of the problem of linguists conflict zone linguists and their employers
Linda Fitchett went on to explain that through improved training by, for example,
the problem becomes even more acute
in high-risk settings, specifically consulting the international coalition’s
after forces withdraw from these countries in Iraq and Afghanistan. Civilian Translators/Interpreters and Users
and insurgents have free rein to hunt of Their Services, which is available on the
these “collaborators” down. She cited case websites of Red T, AIIC, and FIT.6
histories and casualty statistics, including Finally, Ravi Batri, a lawyer in the
the nine-year-old nephew of an interpreter audience, challenged everyone in the room
linguists are separated from the states
in Afghanistan who was executed because to take their efforts even further. While
for which they are working indirectly
his uncle worked for the U.S. military,4 maintaining that the relocation of linguists
by several degrees, making it even more
as well as instances where the Taliban cut and their families is part of the cost of war,
difficult for them to obtain protection and
out the tongues of interpreters prior to he argued that translators and interpreters
resettlement assistance from these states.
beheading them. should not be compared to journalists,
Finally, Sara de Jong shared some of her
Betsy Fisher, whose organization and that they are entitled to complete
research findings, among them the fact
represents refugees at all stages of the protection and diplomatic inviolability.
that there is no international coordinated
resettlement process, expanded on the Participants came away from this
resettlement program or harmonization
dangers for linguists in combat situations, roundtable energized by new ideas and
among states that are involved in one
adding that they are not provided with convinced of their moral imperative to
collective mission. The challenges
body armor or safety equipment, and help these linguists.
linguists face in relation to their protection
that there is no internationally recognized and resettlement can cause tensions to
symbol like that of the Red Cross or the (Special thanks to Maya Hess for reviewing
arise between people’s sense of belonging a draft of this article.)
Red Crescent that would identify them to a country, societal recognition of that
as non-combatants (which is the basic belonging, and legal status and access to NOTES
idea behind the Red T symbol). Fisher social rights.5 1
To learn more about Red-T, visit
also spoke about how linguists and their Aside from the official panelists, www.red-t.org.
families are frequently denied resettlement participants also heard from Marcus
visas for arbitrary reasons and sometimes
2
“General Assembly Adopts Texts on
Grotian, a German soldier who was on Professional Translation, Multilingualism,
spend years fighting to find safety in active duty in Afghanistan. Grotian chairs Participation by Observers in United
another country. the Patenschaftsnetzwerk Afghanische Nations Oceans Conference” (May 24,
Kevin Quirk addressed the murky area Ortskräfte, an organization that supports 2017), http://bit.ly/Dapkiunas-UN.
of contract linguists working for private Afghan staff that resettled in Germany. 3
UN Resolution 71/28,
companies in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://bit.ly/Resolution71-28.
Unlike linguists who work directly for the
military or a government agency, contract WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE 4
David Williams, David, and Larisa Brown.
THE SITUATION? “Murdered by the Taliban Aged 9 because
A discussion ensued on how to legally His Uncle was an Interpreter for British
enshrine states’ obligations with respect Army,” The Daily Mail (August 21, 2015),
http://bit.ly/Interpreters-Taliban.
to basic protections for linguists. Hess
noted that while the nature of any such 5
Jong, Sara de. “Afghan Interpreters:
legal text remains undecided at this time, Belonging on the Battlefield, Exclusion from
it could take the form of an international the Nation?” OpenDemocracyUK (May 12,
measure, along the lines of the resolutions 2018), http://bit.ly/Afghan-interpreters.
adopted for journalists or an amendment 6
Conflict Zone Field Guide for Civilian
to the Geneva Conventions. The panelists Translators/Interpreters and Users of Their
agreed that they have a long road ahead Services, http://red-t.org/guidelines.html.
in the UN because member states
that use linguists recruited from local Lucy Gunderson is an
communities may be hesitant to back such ATA-certified Russian>English
mechanisms. However, there are concrete translator specializing in
steps that could be taken on the ground human rights, legal
in the meantime. For instance, Fisher documents, and academic
encouraged member states to take a more translation. She is also chair
(From left): Sara de Jong, Minister Andrei active role by providing on-base housing, of ATA’s Divisions Committee and a former
Dapkiunas, Linda Fitchett, Maya Hess, and respecting the right of linguists to remain administrator of the Slavic Languages Division.
Kevin Quirk anonymous, assisting with relocation, and Contact: lucy@russophiletranslations.com.
8 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.org
OUTREACH REPORT BY MADALENA SÁNCHEZ ZAMPAULO
Talking Language to “Word People” at the ACES:
Society for Editing
I t’s always great fun to meet fellow
“word people” and discuss language. I
had the pleasure of doing so recently in
Chicago, when I presented a 60-minute
session at the ACES: Society for Editing
(formerly known as the American Copy
Editors Society) annual conference in
April. ACES is an organization for editing
professionals in various industries, as
well as educators and students.1 Similar
to ATA, its members are word-loving,
friendly, and collaborative. So, I was
delighted when my proposal to present
“What to Know Before You Send Your
Copy for Translation” was accepted.
While I only recently became a member
of ACES, I found that I was not the only
translation/interpreting professional at the
conference. During my time in Chicago,
I met with two other ATA members who
also belong to ACES and who found the
conference to be a good investment in
their professional development. target language. I promoted ATA’s Directory with a translation team, such as active
While I had the advantage of speaking of Translators and Interpreters several times versus passive voice, the use of gender
to an audience of professionals who throughout the session, and those present and pronouns, and formal versus
understand and appreciate the power of were grateful for the resource. informal language use. I mentioned the
carefully placed punctuation and selecting Next, I discussed important ways many advantages of collaborating with
the proper term for a given text, I was also a translation team can support one the translation team throughout the
surprised to find that this audience had its another in gaining insight about the translation process, as good translators ask
own set of questions about what we do and target language. I covered such topics questions to produce the best product. I
how we do it. There were about 35 people as the ability to discuss nuances in the drove these types of messages home by
in attendance during my session—editors source text and how they will translate sharing callouts like this one on my slides:
and copywriters, team leads from mid- to the target language, how to define
“It is better to answer questions
size companies who frequently work with the purpose or goal of the copy to be
during the process itself than to have
translators and localizers, and even some translated, and how to determine the ideal
your copy become lost in translation.”
senior editors from large corporations. readership. I mentioned that all these
There were even some students who factors can and do affect such aspects as As it turned out, these callouts were a
approached me afterward to discuss their word choice, the level or technical nature great idea, as the conference organizers
interest in ATA and in potentially pursuing of language used, and sentence structure. had assigned a hashtag to each session.
a career in translation. All in all, the I also briefly discussed the importance of The hashtag used for my session was
diversity of attendees impressed me and creating a style guide with the translation #ACESTranslation. I thought this
reminded me of the diversity within our team’s assistance. I found the article was a very clever way for everyone to
own organization. by ATA member Carolyn Yohn in the follow along with the sessions they
My presentation was about how to find January/February 2018 issue of The ATA were interested in learning more about,
and work with professional translators Chronicle, “Copyediting for Stand-Out especially those unable to attend.
and editors who specialize in the specific Style in Any Translation” to be a helpful Attendees also posed some thought-
area(s) in which copywriters and editors resource for this audience and shared it provoking questions after my presentation.
produce content. I began by talking to with them.2 They were very pleased to One that stood out concerned the use of
attendees about what it takes to create receive this information as well. machine translation (MT) and its potential
a great translation and how to find I went on to examine other factors to capabilities in assisting copywriters and
professional translators and editors in the consider discussing with when working editors in their work. I mentioned the
www.atanet.org American Translators Association 9
OUTREACH REPORT continued
limitations of MT and why it’s best to avoid In addition to questions from attendees networking lunches on the first full day
it when creating copy that is meant to about my presentation, I also had several of the conference. Attendees were able to
engage, persuade, convince, or inform. The people come up to me afterward to ask choose which networking lunch to attend
discussion was lively! about becoming a member of ATA. It based on the field or industry in which
One attendee, a senior editor from was particularly nice to know that there they work. One networking lunch, for
Apple, was quite skeptical at first about are colleagues in related industries who staff editors, was even added to the list of
some of the points I was making with see the value in being a part of our great options a few days before the conference
regard to collaborating and working association. Throughout the weekend it because the organizers realized there was
closely with a team of skilled human was clear to me that professional editors enough interest to justify doing so. Extra
translators. She said, “I don’t see how this and copywriters face many of the same events like this one allowed attendees to
can work. We translate our materials into challenges as translators and interpreters: spend more time together, share ideas, and
over 20 languages!” But by the end of dealing with educating clients on the even tap into a pool of potential partners
the session she was thanking me for the importance of hiring a professional, for future projects and client work.
insight and helpful information that she taking time off to recharge and plan the Overall, I found those present to be
was going to take back to her colleagues future of our businesses, and continuing very collaborative, diverse, and excited
at Apple. She now understood how vital to take advantage of opportunities for to share what they were learning with
it is to work closely with the translation continuing education while balancing other colleagues who were unable to
teams who handle their copy, and she had a full workload from clients. I found attend. Most of all, they were extremely
real questions about the processes used so many parallels between the topics interested in the work we do as translators
and the limits of MT in producing content discussed at ACES and those we discuss and interpreters. I highly recommend
in other languages for Apple. Perhaps among ourselves as translators and attending if you get the chance! The
a comment made by one of the other interpreters that it struck me—we can ACES 2019 conference is set to be held in
attendees is what truly made her question really learn from these folks, and they Providence, Rhode Island.
Apple’s practices. He said, “It’s often faster can learn from us as well. To conclude
and less expensive to hire a professional my presentation, I left attendees with this NOTES
to translate than to rely on machine point, as I knew it would be something
1
ACES: Society for Editing,
translation alone.” While we all know that https://aceseditors.org.
they could relate to as word people:
poorly translated material—whether the 2
Yohn, Carolyn. “Copyediting for Stand-
“Just as there is no magic formula
result of relying solely on MT or unskilled Out Style in Any Translation,” The ATA
to writing great copy, there is no Chronicle (January/February, 2018), 17,
humans(!)—can be a cost creator, it was
refreshing to see a professional in another magic formula to creating a superb http://bit.ly/Yohn-copyediting.
industry draw this conclusion himself and translation. Both take time, expertise, 3
Zampaulo, Madalena Sánchez. “What
share it with his colleagues. patience, and experience.”
to Know Before You Send Your Copy
I encourage other ATA members to for Translation,” ACES Blog (March 12,
attend and present at events like this one 2018), http://bit.ly/Zampaulo-ACES.
THREE TIPS TO GET THE GIG on a regular basis. Not only was I able to 4
Zampaulo, Madalena Sánchez. “Nine
Want to spread the word about the value of network with high-level professionals in Ways to Stand Out in the Translation
translation and interpreting to a group or a parallel industry, but I was also asked and Interpreting Industry,” The ATA
organization? The following tips will help to write a post for the ACES blog prior to Chronicle (March/April, 2018), 8,
the conference based on the topic of my http://bit.ly/Zampaulo-standing-out.
you gain an edge in terms of getting people
to ask you to speak at their event. session.3 I was glad to do so, as it stirred up
additional interest in advance and prepared
1. Research your target audience and attendees for the topic of the presentation. Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo,
decide how you can provide value to their As I have mentioned in a previous an ATA director, is the chief
work and/or industry with your knowledge Chronicle article, it can be truly beneficial executive officer of Accessible
and expertise. Translation Solutions, which
to look to other industries sometimes to
she founded in 2010. She
2. Approach the organization either as a help you see things more clearly in your
joined ATA’s Public Relations
member or as an outsider who has a own. Doing so can give you new ideas
Committee in 2012 before becoming its chair in
different perspective to share and make and creative breakthroughs while growing 2014. She has also served as administrator for
a pitch. your network as a professional. I believe ATA’s Medical Division (2011–2015). She has a
that this particular conference would be of BA in Spanish from the University of Southern
3. Review ATA’s Client Outreach Kit for more great interest for translators of all levels. Mississippi and an MA in Spanish from the
tips and strategies on getting the gig, While smaller than a typical ATA University of Louisville. She is also a consultant
preparing your presentation for your target conference, the ACES event welcomed for the University of Louisville Graduate Certificate
audience, and more. You can find it here: 700 attendees from many areas of in Translation. You can read more of her articles
https://atanet.org/client_outreach. expertise. There were several extra events on her blog at www.madalenazampaulo.com/blog.
available, such as a set of simultaneous Contact: madalena@accessibletranslations.com.
10 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.orgFEATURE BY JAMIE HARTZ
given back—or perhaps paid it forward!
Another motivation for volunteering
is the simple existence of a need. We
often fill roles as volunteers because we
were either asked to do so or because
we saw a gap and were willing to fill
it. Sometimes we volunteer to gain
experience—perhaps to learn more
about an organization or community,
perhaps to help us master a task or
trade. At times we volunteer as a way
to expand our networks, since some of
the best community-building activities
come about when we serve side by side
as volunteers.
If you see volunteer service
as a hobby rather than a
necessary evil and choose your
commitments wisely, they can
be some of the most refreshing
aspects of your professional life.
Volunteering: Making Your KNOWING WHERE TO LOOK
Investment of Time Worthwhile Don’t know where to start? Within ATA
alone, there are many opportunities for
willing volunteers. It’s just a matter of
Can we, as freelance professionals, really reach a balance wherein paid knowing where to look. The structure
of our organization is such that with
work, continuing education, and volunteering each play equitable roles, all the moving parts and vital programs
all while maintaining a work-life balance? that operate as branches of the parent
association, volunteers are at the core
V olunteers are the cornerstones general work within an organization of nearly every committee, program,
of nearly every nonprofit like ATA or pro bono professional and entity within ATA. Divisions and
organization, and ATA is no services offered to those in need. It chapters, which offer a meaningful
exception. But what motivates a person can also be done digitally or in person. connection for local groups based on
to give their time for free? Can we, as Volunteer work can involve a long-term geographical region, subject matter,
freelance professionals, really reach a or language family, often rely on
commitment, like serving on a board
balance wherein paid work, continuing volunteers to coordinate events, publish
of directors, or a single afternoon spent
education, and volunteering each play information, and share resources.
at the local rescue mission. Most of us
equitable roles, all while maintaining a The School Outreach and Mentoring
volunteer without realizing it, such as
work-life balance? I say yes, and both Programs, which are aimed at ushering
when we step up to chaperone a school in the newest generation of translators
our careers and personal lives can be field trip or lend a hand to someone in
more enriched for it. and interpreters, are built on a volunteer
need in our community. model where members are encouraged to
The motivations for volunteering connect with newcomers or students to
VOLUNTEERING COMES IN ALL come in all shapes and sizes. One facilitate learning and the development
SHAPES AND SIZES incentive is the simple fact that of our profession. The success of ATA’s
As a translator or interpreter, volunteering can make us feel good Annual Conference and its many
volunteering could manifest itself as about ourselves. We feel that we’ve related activities is dependent upon the
www.atanet.org American Translators Association 11VOLUNTEERING: MAKING YOUR INVESTMENT OF TIME WORTHWHILE continued
a blog for newcomers to the profession always be good opportunities that you
OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER or helping to register attendees at a local need to pass up, and it’s okay to
WITHIN ATA networking event, it shows that this say “no.”
industry means more to me than just
ATA Annual Conference 2. Volunteering is great for balance
a job or making a living. These actions
www.atanet.org/conf/2018 on a résumé. There’s no shame in
demonstrate my commitment to
the career. showcasing your volunteer activities on a
ATA Chapters
résumé or LinkedIn profile. You can even
www.atanet.org/chaptersandgroups/index.php The fact that I volunteer my time and ask colleagues you’ve volunteered with to
ATA Committees energy sends a message that I’m no be professional references if you feel they
www.atanet.org/governance/governance_ stranger to hard work. The choice to
have sufficient knowledge of your work
committees.php give of my time for free relates to others
ethic and skill set.
that I don’t shy away from a challenge,
ATA Divisions even when there is no immediate 3. Doing slipshod volunteer work is
www.atanet.org/divisions/about_divisions.php tangible benefit to me. For example, if I counter-productive for everyone. If
ATA Mentoring Program agree to head up a particularly complex you give 100% to your paid work, then
https://atanet.org/careers/mentoring.php or time-intensive initiative within a give 150% to your volunteer work. Treat
committee, this is an opportunity to these commitments as seriously as you
ATA School Outreach Program demonstrate that I take on responsibility would a paid job because they matter.
https://atanet.org/ata_school eagerly and am willing to put my nose You never know who may be watching
to the grindstone. your efforts.
willingness of volunteers to promote, 4. Volunteer commitments can be fun.
host, welcome, organize, and support the There will always be good Treating volunteering as drudgery will
event. Likewise, the many committees only make it more of a chore. If you
that function in line with ATA’s mission opportunities that you need to see volunteer service as a hobby rather
and vision are driven by volunteers. In a pass up, and it’s okay to say “no.” than a necessary evil and choose your
nutshell, ATA runs on volunteers! commitments wisely, they can be some
of the most refreshing aspects of your
WHAT VOLUNTEER COMMITMENTS professional life.
DEMONSTRATE ABOUT US Volunteering within an organization
5. Thank the volunteers in your life.
Once you’ve buckled down and begun like ATA conveys to others that I’m a
There may not be a financial payoff, but
to serve as a volunteer in any capacity, team player. Serving as a volunteer is
the best compensation I can think of
it’s only logical to eventually circle seldom a solo activity—it almost always
involves teamwork. I can learn and grow in exchange for volunteer work is to be
back around to analyze your volunteer appreciated and respected by peers. So,
commitments and reevaluate your as an individual through the teams I
serve alongside. For example, a colleague be sure to thank a volunteer!
decision to serve. It’s at this point that
we have to ask ourselves a question that may join me to do a School Outreach For additional ideas on how to
might sound a little self-serving on the presentation or I could pair up with manage and select volunteer activities,
surface, but that’s actually crucial to another translator to edit my division’s you can listen to a free ATA webinar I
ensuring continuity and reciprocity in monthly newsletter. These opportunities presented on the subject here:
the volunteer process: “What’s in it to develop teamwork skills not only http://bit.ly/ATA-webinar-volunteering.
for me?” shape us professionally, but also display
Happy volunteering!
To get to the bottom of how we our ability to collaborate and cooperate
can really benefit from volunteering, with others.
I propose that we turn this question Jamie Hartz is an ATA-certified
As you see, volunteering can be a
Spanish>English translator
upside down and ask ourselves this very constructive part of managing a
and transcriber. She has
instead: “What do my volunteer professional image, in addition to the
been freelancing since 2013,
commitments demonstrate about me?” many other benefits it offers. You may
specializing in legal and
Here are a few examples to consider as find it helpful to keep in mind this final commercial translations. She
you seek to build the image you want to food for thought as you seek to make the received her MA in translation from Kent State
portray to your network: most of your volunteer commitments and University in May 2015. She serves as secretary
My willingness to serve as a volunteer serve our community: of her local ATA chapter, the Delaware Valley
says I care about my profession. 1. Know how to say “no.” Setting Translators Association, and has been a
When I dedicate my available time to boundaries can be a challenge when we member of the The Savvy Newcomer blog team
furthering the mission of translators and see there’s a need, but there are only since its inception in 2013. Contact:
interpreters, whether by contributing to so many hours in the day! There will jamie@tildelanguage.com.
12 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.orgFEATURE BY CAROLA F. BERGER
FAKE CHECK SCAMS
How It Works: These check scams
proceed according to the following
pattern. The scammer pretends to be a
client in need of language services. The
unsuspecting translator/interpreter sends
a quote to the ostensive client, and the
client accepts the terms. So far, so good,
but then the trouble begins.
The fake client sends a check in
advance for an amount that is quite a
bit larger than the quoted price. The
fake client then contacts the translator/
interpreter about the error, explaining
that it would be too complicated to send
another check for the correct amount
and asks the person being scammed to
wire the overpaid amount from the first
check back to them. The unsuspecting
translator/interpreter wires the extra
money to the fake client and never hears
from them again. Several weeks later, the
check bounces. To add insult to injury,
not only has the translator/interpreter lost
the money he or she wired to the fake
client, but they are also stuck with a bank
fee for the bounced check.
Translation Scams Reloaded This scam exploits the fact that the
payment processor (the payee’s bank)
doesn’t verify the authenticity of the check
Scams are on the rise in online commerce. Learn about the three most at the time of deposit. In fact, it takes
common types of fraudulent schemes in the language industry, along with days to weeks for a check to arrive at the
payer’s bank, where the check is finally
steps to protect against them. cleared or rejected.
M
This type of scam is most often
erriam-Webster defines “scam” as ■■ Nonpayment for services rendered,
“an instance of the use of dishonest attempted by ordering translations of
possibly ordered under a false name and/
methods to acquire something of random texts that are sometimes pulled off
or while impersonating a reputable client.
value.”1 Below you will find a summary the internet. However, interpreters could
of some of the dishonest methods that
■■ Impersonation of reputable translators be similarly defrauded if the check is sent
are unfortunately on the rise in the by the scammer, also known as CV theft. before the alleged interpreting assignment.
language industry and other sectors. I’ll summarize each of these How to Spot It: Most of these fake
This is a continuation and an update of schemes here along with tips on how check scams are fairly easy to spot.
two previous articles that appeared in to recognize them before getting Although the presence of any one of
the October 2014 edition of The ATA defrauded. I’ll also cover new and the following warning signs doesn’t
Chronicle2 and in the Spring 2017 edition sophisticated variants of these old necessarily mean that you are dealing
of Translorial,3 the journal of the Northern with a scammer, a combination of
schemes and the steps you can take to
California Translators Association (the these would be a strong indication that
protect against them.
latter co-authored with Peg Flynn). someone is trying to scam you:
Of course, there are many other devious
schemes out there, including email ■■ The email is sent from a free, quasi-
WHAT ARE THE MOST phishing attempts. For more information anonymous account such as Yahoo
COMMON SCHEMES? on what to watch out for, the Federal or Gmail.
The following schemes are the most Bureau of Investigation and the National ■■ The email is sent to you via blind
common in the language sector: Consumers League maintain extensive carbon copy without a personal
■■ Variants of the age-old Nigerian check lists of the most common fraud schemes. salutation or other details about the
scam, tailored to the language industry. (See sidebar on page 14.) alleged project. This indicates that the
www.atanet.org American Translators Association 13TRANSLATION SCAMS RELOADED continued
Dishonest people who order
RESOURCES ON SCAMS AND IDENTITY THEFT
translation or interpreting
INFORMATION ON PAYMENT PRACTICES OF WHOIS Lookup
LANGUAGE SERVICES COMPANIES https://whois.icann.org/en services under a false name are
Payment Practices (This is another site to obtain information hard to spot, especially if they
http://paymentpractices.net/ about domain registrants and owners of IP
(Fee-based, discount for ATA members) addresses. Just like Domain Dossier, the same impersonate reputable entities.
comments regarding GDPR apply.)
ProZ Blue Board
www.proz.com/blueboard IP Location
(Overview free, details for members only) www.iplocation.net
(An IP address location service)
sent from the domain “.net” instead of the
Zahlungspraxis, Yahoo Group correct “.com” domain.
http://bit.ly/Zahlungspraxis-info WHERE TO REPORT SCAMS How to Prevent It: When dealing with
(Free, German-centric) Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet new direct clients, I recommend asking
Crime Complaint Center for payment, or at least a portion of the
DOMAIN INFORMATION, EMAIL
www.ic3.gov payment, in advance via a payment method
HEADER INFORMATION
Display Email Header National Consumers League where the liquidity of the payer is verified
http://bit.ly/Google-message-headers http://fraud.org at the time of the transaction. Payment
processors such as Paypal or Stripe, bank
Email Headers “Decoded” Federal Trade Commission transfers, money orders, or cashiers checks
http://bit.ly/headers-decoded www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov work well here. Language agencies or larger
(If you copy/paste the entire header here, it corporations will generally not agree to pay
Translator Scammers Directory (For
will reveal the entire email address chain from in advance. In these situations, due diligence
translator CV theft)
sender to recipient. You can plug the originating using the online resources listed in the
www.translator-scammers.com
address into a whois service and an IP address sidebar on this page is recommended.
location to get more information on the registrar ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
of the domain/IP address.) ATA Business Practices Listserv
http://bit.ly/ATA-BP-listserv NONPAYMENT FOR SERVICES
Domain Dossier
http://bit.ly/Domain-Dossier ATA Business Practices Resource Page
RENDERED SCAM
(This site gives you information about the How It Works: The client simply gives
www.atanet.org/business_practices/index.php
registrants of domain names and IP addresses. a fake name and contact information or
ATA Members and Internet Scams impersonates a reputable person or entity.
However, due to the new General Data Protection
www.atanet.org/membership/internet_scams.php This is similar to the scheme described in
Regulation (GDPR), a lot of the information,
the previous section on the latest twist on
including names and addresses, are now
the fake check scam. After delivery of the
obfuscated. Nevertheless, sufficient contact
translation or interpreting services, the
information must be disclosed to report abuse.)
client disappears without paying or sends
a fake check. The fraudsters are usually
the middlemen and sell the language
email has been sent to a large number The Latest Twist: Since people are service to a real end-client. In this case,
of people simultaneously. becoming increasingly aware of these the translator/interpreter doesn’t lose any
types of fake check scams due to the money, only time for services rendered.
■■ The email is written in really bad
aforementioned warning signs, some
English, despite the fact that the sender How to Spot It: Dishonest people who
savvy scammers take extra steps to
uses a (very generic) name indicative of a order translation or interpreting services
obfuscate their evil intentions. They
native English speaker. under a false name are hard to spot,
attempt to impersonate a reputable person
especially if they impersonate reputable
■■ A signature and any other information or entity by emulating the signature of
entities. I recommend always doing
that can identify the sender are missing. that entity, complete with logo in the
your research on new clients using the
email message, and sometimes even set
Even if a potential client has no idea resources in the sidebar on this page.
up a fake web domain from which they
about the process to request language send the message. For example, I recently The Latest Twist: Similar to the fake
services, they usually give you a means received a message that was allegedly check scam, some fraudsters go the
to contact them other than their email from the editor of a reputable newspaper. extra mile and establish a fake online
address. Real clients also know which However, upon closer inspection, it presence, complete with website, logo,
language they need the text translated into. turned out that the message had been etc. A recently established website with
14 The ATA Chronicle | July/August 2018 www.atanet.orgYou can also read
