NCTA at ATA64
The America Translators Association 64th Annual Conference is just around the corner! This year, it is being held in Miami, Florida from October 25-28. Not only is the ATA Conference a wonderful opportunity for continuing education, networking, and catching up with colleagues, but it is a chance for the NCTA to show off some of its wonderful talent! There will be at least two NCTA members presenting every day of the conference! Take a look at what your fellow members will be presenting on:
The Power of Fine Print: Writing Your Own Freelance Contract.
Thursday, October 26
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Presenting Language: English
NCTA Member: Andy Benzo, CT
Abstract: As freelancers, we sign contracts with agencies or direct clients. It’s essential that the contract we sign reflects our values and protects our rights. Understanding contract clauses can help you mitigate risks and limit your liability. The language of contracts is precise and involves distinct elements. Attendees will learn the essential elements of a contract and analyze the four main characteristics of contracts: offer, capacity, consideration, and acceptance. Attendees will also examine sample clauses and discuss using that knowledge to build a freelance translation or interpreting contract that works. Let’s write our own fine print!
Andy Benzo, CT has law and translation degrees from her native Argentina. She has worked as a freelance legal translator for over 30 years. She joined ATA in 1999 and is ATA-certified (English to Spanish). She is an ATA director and a past assistant administration of ATA’s Spanish Language Division. She was an instructor in the T&I Certificate program at University of California San Diego Extension, where she taught legal and business translation and simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. A professional speaker on legal translation, she has given many presentations at ATA conferences and other forums.
Code Blue: Un acercamiento a la interpretación y la traducción médicas
Thursday, October 26
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Presenting Language: Spanish
NCTA Members: Veronica Escobar and William Giller
Abstract: Paging all language professionals: you are needed at this session! Just like any other member of the medical team, staff interpreters and translators constantly face numerous cultural, linguistic, and ethical dilemmas that are mentally and emotionally taxing. We’ll explore the specific difficulties faced by an English to Spanish staff interpreter and translator in the day-to-day routine at a pediatric teaching hospital. This session will be given in Spanish and use examples from the Spanish spoken in California.
Veronica Escobar, a native of Quito, Ecuador, has a degree in business with an emphasis on tourism. She has a certificate in translation and interpreting from the National Hispanic University and a professional certificate in translation from the University of California San Diego Extension. Certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters as a medical interpreter since 2016, she currently serves as the lead interpreter and translator for education and training at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health in Palo Alto, California.
William Giller has a master’s degree in translation (English, Spanish, and French) from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. He has worked as a freelance translator and conference interpreter, but currently works as a lead interpreter and translator for English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health in Palo Alto, California. He serves on the board of directors of the Northern California Translators Association, an ATA chapter, as the digital content director.
Discussing Standards and Best Practices when Managing Quality Assurance Processes in Translation and Localization Projects
Friday, October 27
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Presenting Language: English
NCTA Member: Afaf Steiert (with Rosario Welle, Graciela (Grace) Isaía y Ruiz, and Ray Valido)
Abstract: Businesses of all sizes around the world handle the quality assurance (QA) stage in different ways. This forum will provide an open discussion with attendees to exchange views and share specific criteria to manage the QA process in translation companies and in your freelance business. Discussions will include standards and best practices for ensuring that translation deliverables are accurate and suitable for its target languages. Join us in this enriching brainstorming!
Afaf Steiert is president and co-founder of Afaf Translations. She has a Master of Science degree in plant molecular biology from University of Basel, Switzerland. She works as an Arabic conference interpreter and oversees medical translation services at Afaf Translations.
Tech Talk: Translating for the Tech Industry
Friday, October 27
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Presenting Language: English with German examples
NCTA Member: Michael Schubert, CT
Abstract: The speaker will share his insights gained from living in the San Francisco Bay Area and translating for the tech industry for over 20 years. Topics will include the unique attributes of tech lingo in English and the terminological, structural, and register differences that need to be accounted for when translating from German. Examples will come from software user interfaces, documentation, marketing copy, and more. The speaker will also discuss reliable sources of terminology and tricky false cognates.
Michael Schubert, CT is an ATA-certified German to English translator based in San Francisco providing premium translation services with a focus on corporate communications in the software industry. He is also an adjunct professor for German to English translation at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
Advocacy Strategies: Effective Storytelling for Language Professionals
Friday, October 27
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Presenting Language: English
NCTA Member: Lorena Ortiz Schneider, CT (with Nicolás Arízaga, Ben Karl, CT, Bill Rivers, and Jennifer Santiagos)
Abstract: Attendees will learn proven advocacy strategies to add to their toolboxes and then practice them in realistic role-play settings. Translators and interpreters must organize and make themselves heard in today’s political and legislative landscape. Laws and policies are being adopted, and decisions are being made at every level that affect how we work and earn our livelihoods. We must advocate for policies supporting our professions and the people we serve. This hands-on session will leave attendees feeling empowered and confident to take the next step toward improving.
Lorena Ortiz Schneider, CT, CI is an ATA director, an ATA-certified Spanish to English translator, and ATA-credentialed interpreter. She is a member of ATA’s Advocacy Committee. She founded the Coalition of Practicing Translators and Interpreters of California (CoPTIC) in 2019, a non-partisan, nonprofit advocacy group formed in response to California AB 5. CoPTIC succeeded in earning an exemption from employment status for translators and interpreters. She advocates for linguists everywhere and helps interpreters in California get paid. She has an MA in translation and conference interpreting from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
Got Standards?
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 28
Presenting Language: English
NCTA Member: Andy Benzo, CT (with Alaina Brandt and Steve Lank)
Abstract: Standards are all around us. We don’t think about them, but our phones, cars, and computers were created following standards. What is a standard? A standard provides best practices for professionals related to a specific topic, such as product design, performance, or process and procedure. In a globalized world, we must know what the standards in our industry are! Attendees will learn about ASTM and ISO, as well as requirements for translation services, translation projects, standard practices, quality assurance, holistic standards, and post-editing, among others. Come join us to have an edge on your discussions with providers or with clients!
Andy Benzo, CT has law and translation degrees from her native Argentina. She has worked as a freelance legal translator for over 30 years. She joined ATA in 1999 and is ATA-certified (English to Spanish). She is an ATA director and a past assistant administration of ATA’s Spanish Language Division. She was an instructor in the T&I Certificate program at University of California San Diego Extension, where she taught legal and business translation and simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. A professional speaker on legal translation, she has given many presentations at ATA conferences and other forums.
Approaching Your Role as an Interpreter through a Language Justice Lens
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 28
Presenting Language: English
NCTA Member: Noemi Gonzalez-Rocha
Abstract: Language justice (LJ)-centered interpreters understand the many dynamics that adversely impact the proper delivery of interpreting services in community settings. This session will provide a general level of familiarity with LJ practices. You’ll examine how these lead to greater equity because LJ is an integral component of social justice. You’ll develop ways to educate clients (community-based organizations, government agencies, and other providers of community services and resources) on how to effectively collaborate with interpreters to better serve their communities in a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed manner. Beyond effectively serving underserved communities, this leads to high client retention levels.
Noemi Gonzalez-Rocha is a California court certified Spanish interpreter, a licensed trainer of the Community/Medical Interpreter International program, and a language justice coach and consultant. Aside from her work as an interpreter, she works with nonprofit organizations to help them develop language justice approaches. She is also a distinguished toastmaster, the highest recognition bestowed on a toastmaster for achieving public speaking and leadership mastery. She has served in leadership roles, including at the division and district level. As a program quality director and district director, she played a key role in designing monthly training sessions for district leaders.
What’s Cooking? An Introduction to Culinary Translation
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 28
Presenting Language: English with French examples
NCTA Member: Olivia Singier
Abstract: Over the past few years, interest in food and cooking has become more popular thanks to globalization and the expansion of food-related media. How difficult could it be to translate menus and cookbooks? Chicken with pasta and tomato sauce–that sounds easy enough to translate! The truth is, it’s anything but. Using examples from past projects, the speaker will discuss the various techniques used to translate food and specialized terms in cookbooks. In this interactive session, attendees will receive tips on how to develop their skills and perhaps add culinary translation to their specialties.
Olivia Singier is an English to French freelance translator specializing in culinary translation, education, beauty, fashion, and soccer. She has a master’s degree in translation studies from the University of Portsmouth. She is based in San Francisco and serves as the president of the Northern California Translators Association, an ATA chapter, and is active with ATA’s French Language Division.
