Spanish-to-English translators: This workshop is for you, too!

Download the workshop flyer for more information. Register before September 11th to take advantage of early-bird rates.

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

This time, Xose will focus on English-Spanish translation conundrums. In this interactive hands-on workshop, he will guide participants in resolving problems frequently encountered by English-to-Spanish translators, especially those working in the United States, looking in particular at what rules of Spanish grammar and usage are applicable and when it is not only acceptable but desirable to break those rules in the interests of effective communication. Participants will be encouraged to submit questions and examples of translation dilemmas that they grapple with in their day-to-day work.

Although this workshop is aimed mainly at translators of English to Spanish, translators of Spanish to English will benefit from Xosé’s phenomenal knowledge of the Spanish language and his precise explanations of the finer points of Spanish grammar and usage.

Register for the workshop before September 11th to take advantage of early-bird rates!

Click here for program and registration information.

* TDLR course nos. 5019 and 4763. Provider: Berkana Language Center, Provider no. 1345.

Registration is NOW OPEN and the EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT deadline has been extended until July 15th! Register today and save $20 off of the regular registration. This year, we are also offering 1 day registration as well as group discounts.

To find out more about TAHIT's 4th Annual Symposium on Language Access, download the symposium brochure. 

Contact Graciela Zozaya at acalang@sbcglobal.net if you need additional information about TAHIT's Symposium.

We are looking forward to seeing you in August!

Getting Started in Translation and Interpreting and Translation Tips and Tricks

Registration ends on July 14th, so register today!

Getting Started in Translation and Interpreting
Thinking about a career in translation and interpreting? This workshop is for you! It will explain the difference between translating and interpreting, offer an overview of the knowledge and skills necessary to work successfully as a translator or interpreter, and answer frequently asked questions about translator and interpreter certification. Training resources and job opportunities will also be discussed.

Translation Tips and Tricks

While many translators are self-taught pragmatists, a bit of translation theory can improve their skills. This workshop will cover basic translation theory concepts as well as practical application of these concepts. Topics will include the concept of form vs. meaning, literal vs. idiomatic translation, steps in the translation process, and relationships between lexical items. Come enjoy an afternoon of mental gymnastics for all languages!

ATA-certified translators attending this workshop will earn 3 hours of continuing education credit.

Register now for one or both workshops. Participants registering for both get a discount!

And mark your calendar for these upcoming AATIA-sponsored professional development opportunities:

• August 21: 8-hour TLDR-approved* court interpreting workshop presented by Eta and Alex Trabing
• September 25: Spanish language and grammar seminar presented by Xosé Castro

* Provider: Berkana Language Center, provider no. 1345, courses 5019 & 4763

During this all-day event, Esther Diaz and Michael Blumenthal will reprise the presentations they made at ATA's Medical Translation Seminar in San Diego.  But you don't have to travel to San Diego, and the registration fee is substantially lower. Plus, ATA-certified translators will earn 6 continuing education points. All of which makes this an opportunity not to be missed!

So download the program to learn more and register today!

Registration deadline: June 3, 2010

Questions? Contact AATIA Workshops Coordinator Laura Vlasman

...it helped me a lot. I had already attended one [session] before, during one of the ATA conferences, but the one in Austin was much more detailed and it helped me prepare. Most of all it helped me understand the difference in expectations between the reviewers of the certification exam and my regular every-day clients.

Of course we can't guarantee that everybody who attends an information session will pass the exam, but we can say that these sessions provide valuable information and helpful tips for anyone thinking of attempting it. Our next information session will be on March 20th. The registration deadline is this coming Monday, March 15th.

So, if you've been thinking of signing up, don't delay. Register online now!

The session will include general information about ATA certification and specific tips on preparing for and taking the certification exam. No practice tests will be given during the information session, but sample test passages in a variety of languages will be available for participants to take and use for practice on their own.

This session is intended both for candidates who are planning to sit for the ATA certification exam in Austin on June 12, 2010, and for potential candidates who want to learn more about the exam before taking the plunge.