In observance of World in Translation Month, the American Literary Translation Association (ALTA) has created a poster that contains a quotation from scholar, theologian, and bibliophile Miles Smith (1554-1624), known for his mastery of Biblical languages. Smith was an integral participant in the translation and publication of the King James Version of the Bible. Download the poster (pdf), print up a couple, and post them on your favorite bulletin boards.

Related:
> Wikipedia article on Miles Smith
> Who were the King James Version translators?

Evidently "translations" has become a sexy marketing term. Or does The Container Store mean that translations belong in the trash?

As seen on their website, this $25 wastebasket is "a très chic, environmentally friendly addition to your home. It’s made with authentic Japanese newspapers and magazines that have been beautifully ‘re-purposed.’ Each is a unique work of art."

The store’s marketing department may be a little confused in using the term, since the text on the trashcan is almost entirely Japanese (you can see a few English words if you look closely). Perhaps someone will provide a few translations for us.

At least they don’t call it an interpreting wastebasket.

Thanks to Marian Schwartz for spotting this.

Due to the conflict with the Old Pecan Street festival and the related parking problems downtown, the LitSIG meeting this coming Saturday, May 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. will be held at the home of Marian Schwartz.

Liliana Valenzuela will coordinate a discussion of the April issue of Poetry magazine, which is devoted to translation.  Last we heard, Liliana had two copies left; contact her to obtain a copy and the prospectus for the discussion.

Stupid Interpreter Tricks VIII

“How many here,” bawled out my medical terminology professor, “have any background in health or medicine?” This was one of those huge University of Texas classrooms, and when I looked back and saw that over 200 of the 300-odd students enrolled had their hands upraised, I realized I was done for. At least two dozen of them were actually wearing scrubs or nurse’s uniforms! Luckily for me, technology came galloping to the rescue.

Read the rest of this entry »

The May 2008 issue of The AATIA Letter is now online. This issue, the next-to-last, examines AATIA’s future without our venerable newsletter, a review of the last two month’s entries posted on its replacement, the weblog you are reading now, and an announcement of the May 10 member meeting.

AATIA will offer two great professional development opportunities in coming months. The first, “Business Basics for Freelancers,” will take place on the morning of June 14th. This four-hour workshop will cover general business aspects of freelancing, including basic bookkeeping and record-keeping requirements, ensuring payment, and tax and financial planning. The presenter, AATIA member Ted Wozniak, holds degrees in Accounting and German and has worked as an accountant in both the private and public sectors. Ted is also the owner of the well-known Payment Practices website.

The second event will be a “Translator’s Toolbox” seminar presented by Jost Zetzsche on September 6th. This all-day affair, designed to help you unleash the power of your computer for greater speed and efficiency in your work, will include two sessions, the morning devoted to computer basics and the afternoon to specific translation and terminology management tools. Participants will have the opportunity to register for one session or both. Jost is an ATA-accredited English-to-German translator, a consultant in the field of localization and translation, and a writer on technical solutions for the translation and localization industry, including the Tool Kit newsletter for translators. He is a frequent presenter at ATA and other conferences.

Mark your calendar, and watch this site for further information about these two events. Registration for the Business Basics workshop will begin in mid-May.

You are invited to a bilingual reading by novelist Cristina García (author of Dreaming in Cuban, The Agüero Sisters, and other books and anthologies) and her translator, Liliana Valenzuela. They will read from García’s latest novel A Handbook to Luck (Knopf, 2007), which Valenzuela translated into Spanish as Las Caras de la Suerte (Vintage Español, 2008). García will also read from her new children’s book The Dog Who Loved the Moon. 

7 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2008 at BookPeople (6^th St. & Lamar)

AATIA will observe World in Translation Month at the member meeting on Saturday, May 10, 1:00 p.m., at the Austin History Center, 9th & Guadalupe, according to Maurine McLean, Director of Professional Development.

Tony Beckwith will share insights on translating tangos, with musical examples. Marian Schwartz will point out some key Internet sites for literary translators.

In addition, Frank Dietz will demonstrate how to use RSS feeds from the new AATIA blog, walking us through the process of connecting to this valuable resource.

Refreshments and networking round out the meeting. Language-loving guests are welcome.