Register online now for an information session on the American Translators Association (ATA) translator certification program, to be offered by AATIA on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Registration deadline: March 15. (more…)

The Interpreter’s Special Interest Group will be meeting on Saturday February 13th from 10 AM to 12 noon at the AATIA headquarters in the International Center of Austin on 2nd street and Trinity. In the meeting Joseph Brettell, a Licensed Court Interpreter will present on certification exams for court interpreters, training materials available to aspiring court interpreters, and the realities and practice of court interpretation. We will have a practice session of real texts which are commonly seen in the courts. All interpreters or other interested parties are welcome. See you then!

Register by tomorrow, September 12, for AATIA's court interpreting workshop, to be held next Saturday, September 19. This 8-hour workshop will enable interpreters licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to fulfill their annual continuing education requirement.*

*TDLR course nos. 4127 and 4586. Provider: Berkana Language Center, Provider no. 1345 (more…)

I just received this email, and wanted to post it as a warning to other interpreters, especially those who have recently entered the field:

Hello,
I am Donard Cius. I am an English speaking Spanish. I will be coming over to US on holidays from 20th of September to the 9th of October.2009 for a 21 days vacation with my Spanish wife, daughter and son and they only speak Spanish. We will require the services of a Spanish interpreter for 5 hours daily X 21 days. Please acknowledge if you can offer this service and give me a price quote. We will like to pay in advance of our visit so we can be assured of an escort during our shopping and sightseeing. An early reply will be appreciated.
Thanks.
Mr. Donard Cius

This is an old scam. The writer is laying the bait by saying he’d like to pay in advance. The unwary interpreter provides a quote and “Donard” sends a check for more than that amount. The interpreter writes back and mentions the overpayment, whereupon “Donard” says something about a stupid accountant and asks for the excess money to be wired back to him, inviting the interpreter to keep some of it in payment for the trouble. The interpreter deposits what appears to be a cashier’s check at the bank and wires the extra money to the client. Then the bank calls to say that the check is a fake. By that time, the interpreter’s money has gone and there is no way to reach the swindler.

Tony 
 

We have two great events on the calendar!

The next membership meeting – Saturday, September 12 – will feature a Web 2.0 Technology presentation by Jorge Ungo (*see below).

And there’ll be a special celebration for International Translators & Interpreters Day, scheduled for late September/early October.

Watch this blog for more details on both these excellent opportunities for translators and interpreters!

* Recognition for the healthcare interpreting profession is on the rise, as is the need for skilled interpreters. With training resources usually tailored for the more commonly encountered languages, some interpreters may feel isolated and lacking in language-specific training and resources. In the past decade, however, worldwide internet usage has grown by over 300%, and the new wave of Web 2.0 technology is providing interpreters with easy and cost-effective ways to create and share resources with colleagues all over the world. From wikis and blogs to social bookmarking – this presentation will demystify the world of 2.0 and will demonstrate how interpreters can use technology to connect with colleagues and share important tools and resources.

Jorge Ungo is the Southwest Region Manager for Pacific Interpreters – a nationwide leader in healthcare interpreting. In his regional manager role, Jorge consults with health and social service organizations throughout the Southwestern United States on how to design and implement cost-effective yet highly efficient language access programs. Prior to his work with Pacific Interpreters, Jorge was the director of an international interpreting program, responsible for business operations including sales and marketing, HR administration, operational logistics, and company-wide training. Jorge is President of the Texas Association of Healthcare Interpreters and Translators (TAHIT) and a board member and membership co-chair on the National Council on Interpreting in Healthcare (NCIHC). 
 

Join the Interpreters Special Interest Group on Saturday, August 8, for a live demonstration of an ACC interpreting class.

Participate in exercises for consecutive interpreting and sight translation and talk to current and former students about the course offerings.

When: Saturday, August 8, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: International Center of Austin
201 East 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
Parking: Street parking available. (Garage closed for repairs this day.)

Contact: Esther Diaz mediaz@austin.rr.com

AATIA will offer a workshop for court interpreters on September 19th. This 8-hour workshop is aimed at practicing court interpreters and will enable those licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to fulfill their annual continuing education requirement. Details will be posted in August.

The Translation and Interpreting program at Austin Community College will offer the first course in the series this Summer.

FRNL 1070 - Introduction to Translation and Interpreting is intended for individuals who are fluent in a foreign language and interested in putting their language skills to work. It offers an overview of the translation and interpreting professions and defines the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary to work successfully as a translator or interpreter. Students also gain an awareness of the general problems involved in translating and interpreting.

This class meets once a week for 10 weeks at ACC’s Highland Business Center. There are two sessions available:
18 97482 Wednesdays, 5:30 - 8:30 PM - June 10 - August 12
18 97483 Saturdays, 1:00 - 4:00 PM - June 13 - August 15

Tuition is $175 for students in the ACC District. You may register in person at ACC Highland Business Center, 4th floor, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, M-Th and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday; or by phone at (512) 223-7542.

For further information, contact:
Esther Diaz
Translator and Interpreter Trainer
ATA Certified for Translation from
English to Spanish and Spanish to English
mediaz@austin.rr.com
(512) 731-5266