On your mark! Get set…AATIA is gearing up for the September election of the 2009 Board of Directors. The six positions include: President, Director of Communications, Director of Finance, Director of Membership, Director of Professional Development, and Secretary.

Carlota Grimes will chair the Nominating Committee, which also includes Marco Hansen and Carolina Modesto. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on the Board next year or would like to nominate someone else, please contact a member of the  Nominating Committee by August 2, 2008.

Left to itself, every literature will exhaust its vitality if it is not refreshed by the interest and contributions of a foreign one.
— Goethe, 1827.

This belief that international literature plays a vital role in book culture is one that is shared by all the publishers and booksellers involved in Reading the World, a celebration of literature in translation to be held at BookPeople on Friday, June 6.

Noted Russian translator Marian Schwartz will moderate the hour-long program, which begins at 7 p.m. and will consist of three parts:

1. Liliana Valenzuela reading from her translation from English into Spanish: Cristina Garcia, A Handbook to Luck/Las Caras de la Suerte

2. Cristina Ferreira-Pinto Bailey reading from her translation from Portuguese: Teeth Under the Sun by Ignácio de Loyola Brandão (Dalkey Archive P, 2007).

3. Michele McKay Aynesworth presenting Beacons, the literary journal of the American Translators Association, with readings by the following: Liliana Valenzuela, Tony Beckwith, and Rob Cogswell and his translator, Horacio Peña.

This event is hosted by the Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Association. 

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.

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 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.

AATIA Angels make monetary contributions to the association above and beyond any dues obligations and volunteer activity. According to Director of Finance Al Favela, the following have contributed toward the 2008 budget:

Tony Beckwith, Albert Bork, Michael & Marta Blumenthal, Tomoko Carroll, Sonia Hart, Yolanda Zamarrita Linehan, Ralph McElroy Translations, Leon McMorrow, Rita Pavone, Ezequiel Quijano, Maria Victoria Delgado Ryan, Kathi Stock, Phillip Thomas, Liliana Valenzuela, and Nereida Samuda Zimic.

The Board of Directors expressed thanks to these Angels for their generous support of the association. Others who want to become AATIA Angels, even non-members, may contribute via the PayPal button at the bottom of the membership page.

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State government, the main campus of the University of Texas, and a vibrant high-tech industry all call Austin home. And with the Mexican border just a few miles away, Austin has become a gateway to Latin American trade and culture. No wonder the city has attracted a large pool of highly qualified people who provide translation and interpretation services in many languages.

Since 1985, AATIA has brought together language specialists to share expertise, provide opportunities to learn more about the tools and techniques of professional translators and interpreters, and promote the recognition of translation and interpretation in the larger community. Today—with its strong regional, national, and international ties—AATIA is one of the largest and most active associations of professional translators and interpreters in the country.

Members and guests get together at bimonthly meetings and other events, including those arranged by Special Interest Groups. AATIA also holds frequent workshops on a variety of subjects and periodically sponsors accreditation workshops and exams in conjunction with the American Translators Association (ATA).

AATIA has also cohosted national conferences and seminars with the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA), the National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT), and ATA.

Not yet a member? Review the benefits and download our membership application.

Much of the day-to-day work of interpreters is performed in courtrooms, at meetings, and in medical examining rooms. But occasionally they work in the public spotlight. At the next AATIA member meeting, Tony Beckwith will talk about interpreting the Democratic Presidential Candidate Debates for Univision Television Network.

In addition, Michele Aynesworth and Liliana Valenzuela will report highlights from the recent ALTA conference. According to Director for Membership Maurine McLean, the meeting will include updates on the AATIA website and previews of upcoming workshops, as well as door prizes, refreshments, and networking. Newcomers welcome!

Next AATIA member meeting: 1:00 p.m., January 5, 2008, Austin History Center (9th and Guadalupe) Note: due to scheduling conflicts the meeting will be held the first Saturday in January instead of the regular date.