Professional Interest | ATIF

ATIF – Laws, rules, standards, and regulations: impact and opportunities.

ATIF COURSES — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 18:48:10 +0000

Date: March 26, 2022 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ONLINE

A 2-hour panel discussion on the legal framework that governs translation and interpretation in the country and in Florida. We aim to prompt a review and enhancement of our knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations that define our scope of action as professional translators and interpreters. We also seek to promote reflection on the importance of standards and practices that can help improve our levels of competency and delivery of quality work, which in turn helps foster the confidence and acknowledgment that can bring success to our professional enterprises.

State of ATIF 2015 | Welcome 2016 Board

ATIF WebMaster — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:52:49 +0000

Dear Members,

Your trust and confidence supported us through 2015. This was not an easy year for ATIF, but it was a very effective year – our sixth this past November.

The 2015 Interim Board was tasked with (1) aligning ATIF with its goals, (2) holding elections, (3) increasing membership involvement, (4) delivering the Professional Directory, and (5) making the Hospitality Desk at the ATA Conference a success. We are proud to say that we delivered on all those points.

There were other goals we set up for ourselves that proved to be more difficult to achieve. We were not very successful in the events front, for example, and we learned that policies regarding cancellations (by presenters, attendees and organizers) have to be developed and enforced.

Regarding item (1), we reconfirmed our alliance with Kilgray, MemoQ translation software developer; accepted the National Center for Interpretation’s alliance proposal; CapicúaFM also proposed an alliance which has been active since August 2015 and shall continue through the end of the year; we have also renewed dialogue with Miami Dade College. All other partnerships and alliances remained unaltered.

Items (2), (3) and (4) demanded our attentions jointly. Daniela Guanipa took it upon herself to work on the Directory with the Webmaster (4), Sylvia Korwek together with Edith Oliva kept the social meetings active in Broward County, while Carmen Sáenz held the front in Miami-Dade (3). Those three initiatives culminated in ATIF being able to hold elections this year (2) and a Membership Meeting with members present and actively participating. A third social group got together in Brevard County, and colleagues in Tampa are asking how to go about it. These social gatherings help members get to know each other, create camaraderie and friendships, which strengthen our Association. They are a reflection of our members’ commitment and interest.

There was still one element that needed addressing: Visibility. The new website and social media connections assisted us on that front. ATIF has a very active Facebook page, its Twitter account is less than six months old but our feed has a large following, and our blog is very active.

In November we had the chance to host ATA and its members in our beautiful city. It was an amazing experience and one ATA is not likely to forget soon.

The members of the Interim Board won’t easily forget it either. Miami Dade College T&I Program students, new members and veterans helped us deliver above ATA’s expectations. We are extremely grateful to everyone’s allegiance and dedication.

ATIF is a professional association and non-profit organization. Those two designations put great pressure on both its members and its leadership. As a professional association ATIF must keep its membership abreast of what is happening in our industry and may affect them. The Board needs to be attuned to the membership and listen carefully to its wishes and needs, selecting which ones to heed and when.

We can’t forget that a non-profit organization is a business and as such it must generate enough income to survive and thrive. The Interim Board was very frugal, creating very little new expenses to ATIF. We also have organized the budget in a way that ensures some financial stability for the entity in the future.

The Interim Board delivers the office back to our members and its new leadership with the following legacy:

Membership: 131 Members (as of 12/18/2015) Treasury: bank account balance as of 12/21/2015 (includes last PayPal payments received as of 12/20)

Reserves: $8,816.23
Pro Development: $11,956.60
Operational Expenses: $11,956.60 [to be adjusted based on actual needs]

ATA Chapter status: Active Alliances:

Kilgray: MemoQ CAT tool 30% discount
National Center for Interpretation: 10% discount
De la Mora Interpreter Training: 15% discount
Congress Network: 10% discount
CapicúaFM: mutual promotion of events
International Medical Interpreters Association: mutual promotion of events

Let’s welcome the 2016 Board to guide ATIF into its future under the leadership of Andrés Messulam, President: Vice President, Gerardo Velasquez; Treasurer, Javier Aparisi; Secretary, Muriel Germeil; Directors: Jose Eidelman, Emmy Prieto, and Edith Oliva.

The 2015 Interim Board

Welcome to the Magic City! | The Chronicle

ATIF WebMaster — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 03:42:34 +0000

Whether you only have a few hours or a few days to spare, Miami has something for everyone! Here’s one local translator’s tips on what to see and do in Miami – Itzaris Weyman is a member of ATIF, the ATA Florida Chapter.

Source: Welcome to the Magic City! | The Chronicle

ASTM International Standard for Interpreting – OHCIA presentation | Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters

ATIF WebMaster — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 20:54:54 +0000

ASTM Technical committees are balanced so no excess influence is exercised by any interest group. Producers (interpreters, interpreter companies) are not to exceed users and general interest voters, so that producers listen to the needs of the users when writing the Standard.

Source: ASTM International Standard for Interpreting – OHCIA presentation | Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters

From the NAJIT Blog: Interview with Claudia Villalba

ATIF WebMaster — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 20:36:20 +0000

The need for judges and attorneys to keep in mind that average people do not understand legalese (even when they hear it in their native language) or the court system. As court interpreters, we must be faithful to the register of the source language and we cannot explain or clarify anything even when we feel that the LEP individual is not understanding the concepts. – Claudia Villalba

Source: NAJIT Blog

EXTRA! EXTRA! It’s Just 1, 2, 3!

ATIF WebMaster — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 17:36:41 +0000

1. The Election Period will soon be over. Our Nominations Commitee is expecting your emails with the names of your candidates no later than Saturday, September 19th. ATIF thanks the members of the Nominations Committee for all of their dedication, time and effort to get this task accomplished. The results are almost around the corner. Take advantage of this momentum to update your profile, especially those running for office: your colleagues will want to know more about you! Just click on the link and follow the instructions on the video – it is less than 5 minutes!
2. End of the Summer Double Presentation with Armando Ezquerra Hasbun DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2015 WHERE: FIU – Room GL 100A TIMES: 9:00am – 12:00N and 1:00 – 4:00PM Interpreting in Quasi-Legal Settings, Roles, Ethics, Protocols and Standards of Practice Legal Terminology Localized: How to Research and Find the Linguistic Functional Equivalent when Dealing with Divergent Legal Systems Cost: Members: $35 each session or $60 for the all-day package \|\| Non-members: $45 each session or $75 for the all-day package Continuing Education Credits: ATA = 6 for full day or 3 per session, FL Courts = 7.2 for full day or 3.6 per session Note: ATIF is currently waiting for the approval from FL Courts
3. ATIF’s Annual General Membership Meeting is scheduled for: Saturday, October 3, 2015 from 1:00 to 5:00pm at the Weston Community Center 20200 Saddle Club Road Weston, FL 33327	 A potluck is being planned for this great get-together opportunity.  Names of the 2016 ATIF Board candidates will be announced.  Accomplishments in 2015 will be announced.  Current standing of ATIF funds will be announced.  Pending activities for 2016 will be announced.  Preliminary plans for the turning-over of 2015 ATIF Interim Board to the 2016 Board will be discussed.
Come one, come all! We sure look forward to seeing a nice turnout of members at the Annual General Membership Meeting.

Stepping into the Past through the Eyes and Voices of Others

ATIF WebMaster — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 13:31:19 +0000

It was 1960. They said goodbye with hopes of a reunited future and with only uncertainty leading them. They made a new home, created a new history, and redesigned their futures. Memories, sadness, desire, curiosity, surprise and shock were the substance of reality, and their mission was survival.

Operation Peter Pan is still alive in the memories of many, and it is coming to life in the hearts of many more who are touched by the new exhibit at the History Miami Museum, in downtown Miami.

ATIF is in luck because our Vice-President, Daniela Guanipa, was one of the individuals involved in bringing the exhibit Operation Peter Pan, The Cuban Children’s Exodus to life. The exhibit is a nostalgic and poignant experience for many.

(Two (2) minute video)

Q. Daniela, how did you feel when this project landed on your desk?

I could have never guessed what was in store for me when my neighbor and friend, Gaspar Gonzalez, the producer of the videos that play continuously throughout the exhibition, knocked on my door (literally) and asked if I’d be interested in doing some transcription work for him. As we sat talking about his project, I thought it would be interesting to transcribe these interviews —even though transcription doesn’t particularly appeal to me these days. But I thought, “I can use Dragon® NaturallySpeaking; I don’t have any particularly big translation project at the moment. Why not?” A month after I delivered the transcriptions, Gaspar stopped by again, this time to see if I’d be interested in subtitling the videos in Spanish. Then, a few weeks later, HistoryMiami contacted me directly to see if I could assist with the translation of the main signs and texts that visitors see as they walk around the exhibition.

I used to joke with Gaspar and Mr. Zamanillo that I’d have to add a Kleenex^TM surcharge to the project.

Being able to see beyond the initial project and carefully gauge its potential, the fact that Gaspar is my neighbor, that the project is connected to a local organization, and that it had the potential to make an impact on our community have all been part of making this truly remarkable project a grand learning experience for me as a solopreneur.

Q. I have been to the exhibit and those 40 minutes were dificult. The amount of material I saw represented hours and hours of work. Hard work. Emotional work. How did you manage to get through all that?

You’re absolutely right. It was hard, emotional work. As a Cuban descendant, the stories I had heard numerous times from my mother and grandparents came to life again. That was all magnified by the fact that I, too, am a mother now, and hearing the accounts of these then-children, and those of their parents, was heartbreaking.

And, of course, opening night was absolutely amazing. Seeing all that work being displayed in an exhibition of this caliber was a first for me.

I also got to see footage that didn’t make it to the final cut, which was just as poignant. I could only work for so many hours each day on this project and then I’d have to go exercise, or simply go for a walk to unwind. I used to joke with Gaspar and Mr. Zamanillo* that I’d have to add a Kleenex™ surcharge to the project!
*(Jorge Zamanillo, Museum Director)

Q. What was the best light moment of the project?

Being able to use my Cuban lingo was definitely a perk, and a rarity for me. Gaspar Gonzalez, the video producer, is a Cuban descendant as well, and we’d sit and discuss the best way to say this or that, and would reminisce on what a family member would have said in a particular context. He wanted the subtitles to have a Cuban flavor, without making it hard for Spanish-speakers from other countries to understand. I added the same flavor to the exhibition text.

And, of course, opening night was absolutely amazing. Seeing all that work being displayed in an exhibition of this caliber was a first for me. I had seen the videos, and had a rough idea of the layout, but the experience of walking through the different rooms is something that cannot be described in words.

Q. So now I have to ask, what was the hardest moment of the project?

As with any transcreation project, you develop an intimate knowledge of the material, and an ability to see beyond what is said, in order to convey the message to your audience; that psychological component is what made this experience exceptionally emotional for me.

It is a unique exhibit that cannot be described. It needs to be experienced to feel the powerful story it tells.

Seeing folks who could be my parents, crying like children because they were reliving their childhood experience, and even public figures being so honest about their feelings, tells me how much these experiences affected, shaped, and forever changed their lives, in ways I can only begin to imagine. When I was working on the material, I would come out of my office with teary eyes and hug and kiss my two little daughters. Seeing these accounts really changes your perspective.

Q. How do you feel knowing that thousands of people are walking through that museum and being touched by the words you chose to tell that story of fear, daring and courage?

I feel humbled. From the very beginning, when I was just transcribing the interviews, I wanted to be a part of this project because it was close to my heart, so it was a dream come true when I was invited to play a bigger role. I am very grateful for this opportunity, both as a professional and—and perhaps more importantly—as the daughter of a Cuban exile. It is a unique exhibition that cannot be described. It needs to be experienced to feel the powerful story it tells.

The parents of the Peter Pan niños had a vision fueled by fear, strengthened by love and hope, and supported by history. Change is a constant, and in order to survive we have to adapt, adopt, learn, use and grow. The exhibit, which runs through January 17, 2016, is a tribute to their sacrifice and strength of resolve.

Daniela Guanipa is a freelance language consultant and translator with over 18 years of experience, specializing in biosciences, marketing, and luxury brands from English and Brazilian Portuguese into Spanish. She is the Vice-President of the Florida ATA Chapter, ATIF, and webmaster of ATA’s blog The Savvy Newcomer. For more information, and to connect, go to www.danielaguanipa.com. Twitter: @daguarez.

Brazilian-born Giovanna “Gio” Lester’s career in translation and interpreting started in 1980. Gio is very active in her profession and in the associations with which she is affiliated; she has created and contributed to various T&I publications; and she frequently gives presentations on T&I in the US and abroad. In 2009 she co-founded and served as the first elected president (2011-2012) of the ATA Florida Chapter, ATIF, and is the current President of its interim board. Learn more on Gio’s ATIF Profile or follow her on Twitter: @cariobana

A word in your ear: the interpreters who speak for world leaders | US news | The Guardian

ATIF WebMaster — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:48:32 +0000

What’s it like to interpret for Gorbachev, Ahmadinejad or Deng Xiaoping? Luke Harding hears about rows, headphone malfunctions – and which US president always carried notes

Source: A word in your ear: the interpreters who speak for world leaders | US news | The Guardian

How to define your target clients (for translators)

ATIF WebMaster — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 14:58:44 +0000

When we try to reach our potential customers we have to tailor our message. This message cannot possibly appeal to everyone, so we want to define an ideal customer and tailor our message for him/her.Chiara Grassilli

Source: How to define your target clients (for translators)

Getting Into the Market – part IV

ATIF WebMaster — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:31:30 +0000

This is the last installment of the 4-part series designed and developed by Gio Lester. The series has guided you through your professional image, visibility to customers, social media, tools and approaches for reaching your customers, and now Gio will discuss the anatomy of a project, networking with peers and clients, among other things.

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.