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If you want to stand out from the crowd as a translator, consider membership of a professional language translation association.
“You’re English, you can translate this” was a phrase I often heard in the past. Today – luckily – more people realise that translation involves more than simply knowing a second language.
However, the online marketplace for German translation puts downward pressure on prices & there is nothing to stop anyone calling themselves a translator. As a result, official recognition of your qualifications and abilities is becoming more important than ever.
Benefits for translators:
• Official recognition of your abilities & language-related qualifications means reassurance for customers.
• Membership is often regarded as a qualification in itself (not everyone can join!).
• Many language translation associations notify members of jobs & publish lists of qualified translators available for work.
• Professional support: surveys, information & advice (e.g. average rates, better rates for professional insurance etc.).
• Access to ongoing educational seminars and courses for life-long learning.
• Peer recognition is a great feeling and confidence booster!
Benefits for language translation services customers:
Members of a professional language translation association:
• Have been judged to be qualified by an authoritative body (membership often requires references as well as exams).
• Have signed up to maintaining professional standards in translation.
If you work in German translation and your language pair is German to English, or English to German, the following associations are probably the most relevant for you:
International
Language Translation Associations
| AITC International Association of Conference Translators | www.aitc.ch |
| EST European Society for Translation Studies | www.est-translationstudies.org Coordinates research into translation & interpreting, forum for exchange and dissemination of new ideas and insights into translation studies. |
| FIT Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs | www.fit-ift.org = IFT, International Federation of Translators, an umbrella body for associations of translators, interpreters & terminologists, designed to promote professionalism in the industry (not for individual members). |
| GALA Globalization & Localization Association | www.gala-global.org International industry association for the translation, internationalization, localization & globalization industry. |
Language translation associations
in English-speaking countries:
United States:
| ATA American Translators Association | www.atanet.org An absolute mine of useful information for translators & purchasers of translation services. Members are sent their periodical ATA Chronicle. The ATA runs its own translation certification exams which are probably the most widely recognized in the US. |
| ALTA American Literary Translators Association | www.utdallas.edu/alta Awards annual prize for literary translation & has a great blog at http://literarytranslators.blogspot.com |
| NAJIT The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters &Translators | www.najit.org Promotes the work of court interpreters & translators. Newsletter Proteus. |
| TTIG The Translators & Interpreters Guild | www.ttig.org (address not working at present!) The national union for translators & interpreters. Provides a translator referral service. |
United Kingdom:
| IOL Chartered Institute of Linguists | www.iol.org.uk The IOL promotes the interests of linguists in the UK & runs its own professional certification exams. They publish a linguist list of members who are available for work. Bi-monthly newsletter, The Linguist,online discussion forums for members. (I’m a member and have taken their Diploma in Translation). |
| ITI Institute of Translation & Interpreting | www.iti.org.uk> Professional membership association & standard setting institute. Referral service for members, publishes the bi-monthly ITI Bulletin. |
Canada:
| ACJT Canadian Association of Legal Translators | www.acjt.ca Can’t for the life of me get the English version of this page up, only the French! Hope you have more luck! |
| ATIO Association of Translators &Interpreters | www.atio.on.ca Promotes the interests of translators & interpreters in Canada. Runs exams for the title of “certified translator” which gives legal recognition of professional qualification across Canada. Directory of members. |
| CTTIC Canadian Translators, Terminologist and Interpreters Council | www.cttic.org National body representing professional translators, interpreters and terminologists, contributes to high quality inter-language and intercultural communication. |
| LTAC Literary Translator’s Association of Canada | http://attlc-ltac.org Advances status of literary translation in Canada, annual translation award. |
Australia & New Zealand:
| AUSIT Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators | www.ausit.org National Australian professional body for interpreters & translators. Publishes quarterly newsletter, runs workshops & seminars, electronic forum for member discussions. |
| NAATI National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters | www.naati.com.au Sets and monitors standards for translation & interpretation in Australia. Runs own tests & officially recognizes qualifications. |
| NZSTI New Zealand Society of Translators & Interpreters | www.nzsti.org National body of translators & interpreters,provides networking forum & represents members' interests. |
Language Translation Associations
in German-speaking countries:
Germany:
| ATICOM Fachverband der Berüfsübersetzer und Berufsdolmetscher e. V | www.aticom.de Association of professional translators & interpreters representing their members‘ interests, directory of members available for work. |
| BDÜ Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer e.V | www.bdue.de Federal Association of Interpreters & Translators. Publishes national databank of around 6,000 qualified translators & interpreters in Germany. |
| DGÜD Deutschen Gesellschaft für Übersetzungs- und Dolmetschwissenschaft | www.dgued.de German Association of Translation & Interpreting Studies. Promoting research into translation & interpreting. |
| VDÜ Verband deutschsprachiger Übersetzer literarischer und wissenschaftlicher Werke e.V | www.vdue.de National association for German translators of literary &scientific works. Website in German. |
| VÜD Verband der Übersetzer und Dolmetscher e.V | www.vued.de Association of translators & interpreters. Around 160 members with university degrees in translation. |
Austria:
| ACCI Austrian Association of Certified Court Interpreters | www.gerichtsdolmetscher.at Promotes the professional & business interests of sworn and certified court interpreters in Austria. |
| Universitas Austrian Interpreters and Translators Association | www.universitas.org This is the primary association representing language professionals in Austria. Members all hold degrees in translation or translation-related subjects. |
| Austrian Association of Literary and Scientific Translators | www.translators.at Website in German. Their goal is to improve the working situation of literary translators in Austria. |
Switzerland:
| ASTTI Swiss Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters | www.assti.ch Website in German,Italian and French. Promotes awareness of the industry & its members‘ interests. |
| VZGDÜ Verband der Zürcher Gerichtsdolmetscher und -Übersetzer | www.vzgdu.ch Association of court interpreters & translators in Zurich. |
Even if you decide that membership is not for you, many of the language translation association websites above are mines of useful information on translation matters in general - so go grab some of the benefits!
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