Founded in 1959, membership is open to anyone with an interest in translation and interpretation as a profession or as a scholarly pursuit.[2] Members include translators, interpreters, educators, project managers, web and software developers, language services companies, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.
The ATA represents both "labor" and "management"—that is, both the independent contractors who produce translation and interpreting services and the agencies who purchase them. The ATA does not provide union-type benefits, such as collective bargaining or health insurance, to its freelance members.[2]
Professional development
ATA's primary goals are to foster and support the professional development of translators and interpreters and to promote the translation and interpretation as professions.[4] The Association offers a variety of programs and services in support of these goals, including webinars and one-day workshops throughout the year and an ATA Annual Conference every fall—all of which feature translating and interpreting education in diverse specialties and languages.
Certification
The ATA currently offers certification exams in the following language pairs:[5]
After passing the ATA certification examination, translators are required to complete a certain number of "continuing education" points in order to retain their certification.[6]
Since 2018, ATA has celebrated International Translation Day (September 30) by publishing a series of social media posts intended to educate the public about the role of professional translators and interpreters. ATA's 2018 ITD celebration centered on six infographics highlighting "need to know" facts about translation and interpreting services. On September 30, the Association will release a "Day in the Life of a Translator or Interpreter," a short animated video showing how translators and interpreters help power the global economy.
Governance
ATA is governed by its Bylaws,[2] and has a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a nine-member Board of Directors. An Executive Director is in charge of operations.
The ATA Chronicle is a monthly publication available 'online' and in hard-copy format. The publication includes articles on various translation- and interpreting-related issues combined with regular features.
ATA Newsbriefs is an e-newsletter distributed to members twice a month. The publication features national and international news about translation and interpreting.
ATA Translation and Interpreting Compensation Survey is an industry-wide survey providing a comprehensive picture of the market for T&I services. The full report is free to ATA members. An Executive Summary is available at no cost to non-members.
The ATA Compass is a free e-publication for buyers of translation and interpreting services.
ATA Scholarly Monograph Series—Published annually by John Benjamins.
Awards
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The ATA presents the following annual and biennial awards "to encourage, reward, and publicize outstanding work":[8] Advocacy Award, Alexander Gode Medal, Dynamo Award, Impact Award, Innovation Award, Lewis Galantière Award, Mentoring Award, Rising Star Award, Student Translation Award, and Ungar German Translation Award.[8]
Lewis Galantière Award
The ATA bestows the Lewis Galantière Award even-numbered years for a book-length translation into English, from a language other than German. Galantière was founding member of the association.[9]
The Ungar German Translation Award is given in odd-numbered years, for a book-length translation from German into English.[9]
Structure
ATA divisions provide members with common interests a way to network and receive career updates. The divisions offer newsletters, online forums, seminars, conference presentations, and networking sessions. ATA offers 22 special interest groups or divisions,[10] based on language or subject-area specialty. Any member of the ATA can belong to any division(s).
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