As an AATIA member, I occasionally wonder what’s in it for me. I ask myself what benefit I derive from paying my dues to the Association, especially at this time of year when I am deciding whether or not to renew my membership.

One of the factors I always consider is that my membership keeps me connected to the larger world of translation and interpretation beyond Austin and Texas. The AATIA provides me with access to news and information that will sooner or later, directly or indirectly have an impact on my profession, and therefore on my livelihood. Of course, much goes on elsewhere that has little or no relevance to my scheme of things. But sometimes it does, and I appreciate the chance to prove yet again that “forewarned is forearmed. ”

The Spanish for that expression, by the way, is “el prevenido vale por dos” which can be loosely translated as, “when you’re forewarned you’re worth twice as much.” (If you would like to suggest an alternative translation, or to share an equivalent phrase in any language with its English translation, please do so by clicking on “Comments” below.)

Internet scams are just one example of how being forewarned can definitely make a difference. My membership in AATIA allows me to hear about devilishly devious plots designed to take advantage of unwary interpreters (amongst others) on the Internet. Here’s the scenario:

I receive an email from an unknown “client” who claims to have found my address in the online directory and wants to hire me for an assignment. We agree to terms, and they send me a cashier’s check for payment in advance. The check I receive is for more than the agreed amount, so I advise by email and the client gives me some vague explanation and asks me to deposit the check in my account and wire them the difference by Western Union. Since I have a cashier’s check in my hands I am not worried, so I do as they ask. A couple of days later the bank calls to say that the check is a fake and worth nothing. At which point I realize that I’ve lost the money I wired and have no way of getting it back.

If I had in fact been approached in this way (especially if business were slow) I might have fallen for it and then kicked myself forever. But instead I heard about this scam through the AATIA grapevine. Most recently, it is mentioned in the current issue of the ATA Chronicle, which seeks to remind us once again that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The article provides addresses to several helpful websites such as:

• Fake check scams
• Internet Fraud watch
• FBI
• Security Fix

Another benefit of membership is that it keeps me informed on matters of general interest to members of the profession, even though some have no direct relevance to my day-to-day activities. A case in point is the safety of interpreters working with US Forces in Iraq. Current US military policy forbids these interpreters from wearing ski masks to protect their identity in situations where their lives are at risk. The ATA has taken a principled stand against this policy, and the President has written an open letter to the appropriate authorities. When I read it I felt a most agreeable sense of pride in being part of this network of people who, just like me, live along the borders of languages and cultures, doing our best to improve understanding among the inhabitants of this planet.

Anyway, as you have probably assumed by now, I have renewed my AATIA membership for 2009. You may already have done so too, but if not I invite you to renew yours because I believe it is worth it. I have also renewed my ATA membership, for similar reasons.

Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2009 and I look forward to seeing you at the next membership meeting on January 10.

Happy New Year!