Once a year, most court interpreters take a continuing ed. class to keep up to date with our profession and to earn the points we need to renew our license. Last year I took mine at Eta Trabing’s workshop in Austin and I did it again this year on August 21. I’m glad I did.

We spent the morning waist-deep in a review of the “Code of Professional Conduct in Court Interpreting.” This might sound like a weighty subject, but Eta is skilled in the art of entertaining and educating at the same time.

Alex Trabing led us through the afternoon’s presentation on “Illegal Drugs: Terminology and Other Useful Information,” and I must say that his style and his material were engaging and interesting enough to keep me awake after a most agreeable round-table lunch at PF Chang’s.

A workshop teaches many things, and I enjoyed the chance to have lunch with some colleagues whom I don’t often get a chance to see. Talking shop over a bowl of sesame chicken with an eclectic group of interpreters is always a stimulating experience.

The AATIA board should be commended for bringing talent of this caliber to Austin. Eta has long been an active interpreter, and has contributed to the store of knowledge available to other interpreters through her dictionaries and books as well as through her lectures and workshops.

Just the other day — this is the truth — I was translating a text that referred to the meat packing industry, and it wasn’t long before I took Eta Trabing’s English-Spanish “Red Meats Glossary” off the shelf and found what I was looking for.

Last but never least, the snacks & bevs at the workshop were delightful and the room was comfortable. Round of applause for the organizers.

There’s an opportunity to experience another powerful shot of education and entertainment on September 25, when Xosé Castro will be presenting his English-Spanish translation conundrums — see previous post, below. Workshops of this kind are among the benefits of membership in the AATIA.

Tony