ATA 57 and Pokémon Go!
Not only will I be at ATA57 this year in San Francisco, but I will have the joy of presenting again! This year will be a bit different as I will be presenting as part of a group presentation, F-8: French-> English Translation Slam with Andie Ho and Eve Bodeux.
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Making the Most of Not Going to ATA
While I have always been enthusiastic about encouraging my fellow translators and interpreters to go to ATA, this year I will be watching from the sidelines. My twitter stream is already filling with #ata56 notifications, but I am going to stay positive! Here is my list of recommendations to make the most of not going to ATA:
- Let technology bring you closer:
- I will be following the #ata56 hashtag on Twitter and looking for new colleagues to follow, ideas to pursue, and software to try out later.
- Relive past ATA Conferences:
- I always tell myself that I need to watch the eConference video for that session I missed or rewatch that great session where the terminology tips were flying past too fast to copy them down, but I never quite find the time. I have pulled out my program for last year and will be reliving a few sessions from Chicago while my colleagues are enjoy the live sessions in Miami.
- Schedule my own personal ATA57:
- After the conference is over, I plan to buy the eConference and attend from the comfort of my own home. The weather will not be as nice as Miami, but my home is climate controlled.
- Stroll the virtual exhibit hall:
- Alas, no one will be passing out free pens in my office, but I can still review the list of exhibitors and contact any that sound interesting.
- Work like a dog:
- Let’s be real. One of the major expenses of ATA is spending the best part of a week away from my desk. I would rather be at ATA, but while I am here I am going to get as much work done as I can.
- Enjoy the flexibility:
- I love the work of translation, but I also appreciate the flexibility that being a translator gives me. I am grateful that I am able to spend more time with family when they need me.
- Plan now for next year:
- Despite my best intentions, the sheer intensity of ATA tends to cause me to push off planning for the next ATA until the next year. I am going to use some of this quiet time to plan session proposals for next year and dust off those rebranding plans I have been contemplating.
Search with Me in Chicago!
I am happy to announce that I will be presenting on “Innovative, Illogical, and Irreverent Search Techniques at ATA 55 in Chicago this year.
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What I Learned about Translation from Singing in a Choir
And the world seems to disappear
All the problems, all the fears
And the world seems to disappear
– Disappear, INXS, Farriss, Jonathan James / Hutchence, Michael Kelland
I should start with a confession. I am a lousy singer. I know many fine translators who feel that their musical aptitude has a direct connection to their abilities as translators. I can’t argue against the advantages of a musical education, but can only struggle on bravely without them.
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San Antonio, Here I come!
I always enjoy attending ATA conferences, but this year holds a special thrill for me. I will be giving a presentation on Acronym Translation Strategies at ATA54 in San Antonio. Are you frustrated by acronyms? You are not alone. I developed this presentation as a result of my own struggles with these tiny linguistic demons. Although I am a French to English translator, most of these tips are equally effective with the reverse pair (EN>FR), other romance languages, and translation into English from other languages.
The session is currently scheduled for Saturday at 4pm, but this is a preliminary schedule so please check your program when you arrive – and come say hi (or bonjour or hola, etc.)!
Trados Certified
I am happy to announce that I am now fully certified in Trados Studio 2011.
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Why Legal? Seven Reasons I Love Legal Translation
It seems that with every translation specialty, there are those who embrace it and those who back away slowly (or run as fast as possible in the other direction). Below are my reasons for loving legal. I would love to hear your opinions as well.
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Finding Translation Clients: A Practical Case Study
Like many freelance translators, I spend a good amount of time and effort marketing my services and trying to decide on the best method to find new clients. There is plenty of advice available, but I thought it might be more useful to analyze some actual results. I reviewed my list of top clients in terms of income 2012. Names, numbers, and other identifiers have been removed, but there is still valuable information to be gained.
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Latin Language Sampler Review
During January, I embarked on a project to study Latin.
Did I learn Latin?
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The New Online ATA Active Membership Review Process: A Firsthand Account
There are two methods to become a voting member of the American Translators Association. The first, and by far, better known method is to pass the certification exam. However, there is also a second method known as “Active Membership Review” which confers voting, but not certified status.
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