Today is the last day to register for the AATIA-sponsored court interpreting workshop to be held this Saturday, August 21st. This all-day workshop will feature two courses* approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR): Code of Professional Conduct in Court Interpreting and Illegal Drugs: Terminology and Other Useful Information. TDLR-licensed court interpreters will receive 8 hours of continuing education credit. 

Click here for program and registration information.

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

AATIA will host two great workshops on Saturday, July 17th:

Getting Started in Translation and Interpreting and Translation Tips and Tricks

Registration ends on July 14th, so register today!

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Interested in becoming certified as a Medical Interpreter and/or learn about the proposed requirements? Or, maybe your interests are in Literary Translation and you would like to hear about exciting upcoming events? Interested in translation/interpreting in general and looking for information/workshops to increase your productivity?

Well… just join us on July 10th, from 1-4 pm, for all the latest news in our field while networking with our distinguished members and enjoying delicious snacks and refreshments.

The meeting will be held at AATIA Headquarters, 201 East 2nd Street. Free parking is available at the Convention Center parking garage, which is on the west side of the building that houses our offices. Enter from Brazos Street, inform the attendant that you are attending an AATIA event, and sign a garage parking record sheet. There is no charge.

Look forward to seeing you all there!

Carolina Modesto
Director of Professional Development

At the May membership meeting, Adriana Bardin-Prestwood’s presentation focused on project management. According to Adriana, for every project, the following 5 steps must be taken:

1. Initiation – which consists of the SCOPE — what type of assignment it is; TIME — when it is due and to whom; COST — compensation per word; and the overall QUALITY which is based on these elements.
  

2. Planning — developing a schedule and estimating the length of the project and the time you will commit to it per day and per week. She cautioned to be conservative because ‘everything takes longer than you think.’
  

3. Executing — the step where you actually start to work = translate. Set up a file structure that includes adding the date every time you edit it and creating several folders in the client’s folder including a 1st, 2nd and final pass folder. Stick to your time commitment!
  

4. Monitoring and Controlling — your review time to confirm the translation is done properly, measure progress, and identify variances from plan/schedule and take corrective action if needed.
  

5. Closing — formalizing acceptance of project. Work on lessons learned, what you could have done differently, what worked and what didn’t, etc., and sending your invoice with a 10-day net.

Adriana is an experienced project manager and consultant and offers free consulting classes at the North Workforce Solutions location.

Board members met on April 24 for their second meeting of the year. Below are key highlights from the meeting.

AATIA 25th Anniversary Party: Preliminary planning has begun to commemorate the association’s 25th anniversary later this year. Details are still being discussed to celebrate this significant milestone.

Professional development: Initial communication has been made with Xosé Castro to bring him to Austin this year. The board is currently working out the logistics for this special guest. Stay tuned for more details.

The Pro-bono project was established as a way to utilize AATIA’s members’ translation skills for the community. AATIA members will donate 100 pages of Spanish translation. Only nonprofit organizations that employ less than 50 employees and provide health, education, social services, or legal services to the Spanish speaking community are eligible. The Board will determine the winning nonprofit. Volunteers are needed to assist with translation for this project, a project coordinator to lead these efforts and editors. If interested, contact any board member.

Office status: Esther Diaz met with City of Austin representatives to discuss the status of our office space. We have been offered a lease for another year at the same rate; however, the association needs to report and show how we are helping the community, show that the space is being utilized by meetings and share our wireless account with other tenants. Our office space might be moved to another spot within the building.
  

Membership: Our overall membership numbers as of April are 230. We had 23 new members as of January 1st.

If you would like to view a complete record of this board meeting, contact Marcela Ramos, Secretary, at secretary@aatia.org.

The registration deadline for AATIA's Medical Translation Seminar has been extended to June 3rd, but don't wait until then to register.  If we don't have enough people registered to meet our expenses by then, we will have to cancel, which would be a real shame. This seminar will be of obvious value to anyone working in the field of medical translation or interpreting, but it will also benefit court interpreters, whose work often involves medical terminology, and generalist translators - because you never know what that next job offer will bring!

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

Are you overwhelmed with multiple projects? Do you want more control in your day? Come to Adriana Bardin-Prestwood's presentation on techniques of Project Management and get organized!

Adriana's presentation will take place at the AATIA Membership Meeting this Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 at the International Center of Austin (see address and directions in column at right).

The Spanish Special Interest Group will also meet this Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00 at the same location. Marta Blumenthal and Joan Tuttle-Vargas, from the Language Services unit at the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, will talk about proofreading your Spanish translations.

Both meetings are open to the public. Free parking is available at the Convention Center parking garage, which is on the east side of the building that houses our offices.  Enter from Brazos Street, inform the attendant that you are attending an AATIA event, and sign a garage parking record sheet.  There is no charge.

The Interpreter’s Special Interest Group will meet on Saturday April 10 from 10 AM to 12 noon at the AATIA headquarters in the International Center of Austin on 2nd street between Brazos and San Jacinto. Joseph Brettell, a Licensed Court Interpreter, will continue his presentation on training materials available to aspiring court interpreters, and the realities and practice of court interpretation. This session will focus on practicing with real texts which are commonly seen in the courts. All interpreters or other interested parties are welcome. See you then!