Taking over the baton from Junqiao, the founder of the CLD Podcast, the new podcast host of CLD, Jessie Liu will continue to bring to our members, in an engaging and informative way some of the latest trends, interesting topics, hot news, etc. of the language industry with a slight focus on the Chinese language. In each episode, a guest will be invited to talk about his or her view or experience in an area of interest to our members. Every 8 weeks we will publish a new episode. Please feel free to let us know what you are interested in and would like to know more about or even whom you’d like to hear from.
Latest Episodes
Ep 20. Special Conference Series (4) A Chat with Liming Pals
November 18, 2024
In this finale episode of the special conference series, Jessie sits down with Liming Pals, the current Administrator of the Chinese Language Division (CLD) at ATA, live from ATA65 in Portland, Oregon. Liming shares her journey from assistant administrator to division leader, reflecting on how volunteering shaped her professional growth and leadership skills. She also discusses the evolving trends in technology, including AI and video localization, and the opportunities to bridge gaps between freelancers and buyers in the translation industry. Tune in to learn about her vision for CLD and the role of confidence and collaboration in driving success. Don’t miss the exciting discussion and a glimpse into the future at ATA66 in Boston!
Ep 19. Special Conference Series (3) A Chat with Tianlu Redmon
November 13, 2024
Jessie hosts Tianlu Redmon in the third installment of the ATA Chinese Language Division (CLD) conference series from the ATA65 conference in Portland, Oregon. Tianlu shares her volunteer journey, starting in local ATA chapters and leading the CLD with a “family-like” spirit through initiatives like monthly online socials during the pandemic. She reflects on the professional rewards of her involvement and her “gentle yet firm” leadership style, which inspired many to engage more deeply with the ATA. Tianlu describes her pride in seeing the next generation of linguists connect at the conference, including at the well-attended CLD dinner. Though stepping down as CLD administrator, Tianlu plans to stay active in AFTI and the certification exam program to support and mentor upcoming translators and interpreters.
Ep 18. Special Conference Series (2) A Chat with Aaron Hebenstreit
November 12, 2024
Long-time CLD member and ATA certification exam grader Aaron Hebenstreit joins Rony Gao in discussing his career journey and the challenges and advantages of being a non-native Chinese speaker working as a Chinese-English translator and interpreter. He shares memorable projects such as translating UN documents and emceeing bilingual events in the local Chinese community. Aaron emphasizes the value of ATA certification, advising potential candidates to familiarize themselves with grading standards and take practice tests. Aaron and Rony also highlight the practical nature of the ATA annual conference and encourage fellow CLD members to submit proposals to present at future ATA conferences.
Ep 17. Special Conference Series (1) A Chat with Hongyan Xu (Jack)
November 11, 2024
Rony Gao interviews Hongyan Xu (Jack), a seasoned language professional with over 12 years of experience both in managerial roles at a mid-sized LSP and as a freelance translator and interpreter. Jack discusses the evolution of the language services industry in Canada, recounts memorable experiences in his multi-pronged career, emphasizes the value of freelancers’ insights for LSPs and shares his experiences with the ATA annual conferences.
Ep 16. It’s Time to Have “The Talk”! with Tony Rosado
October 14, 2024
Artificial intelligence, it matters less whether it is a friend or a foe than the fact that it is already here.
In this 15-minute chat, Jessie and Tony explore the more important questions concerning the T&I realm, i.e. What changes is AI effectuating in the T&I market? What do we tell our existing and potential clients about AI so that they can make an informed decision? And most importantly, how do we want our profession to be perceived by the relevant stakeholders in the age of AI? All that depends on us starting the right dialogue with the outside world. It’s time to have “the talk”. A colleague once said that at the time of this AI uncertainty, if you aren’t at the table, you are on the menu. Tony Rosado and his 4-decade experience will show us the way to the table.
Ep 15. The Compound Effect of Interpreting Practice with Luyi Yang
April 20, 2024
Practice makes perfect. Although it’s rare to achieve absolute perfection when interpreting, practice does make it better. If you don’t yet have dedicated simultaneous interpreting practice time scheduled on your daily, weekly or even monthly routine, let this episode be the push that gets you practicing.
Ep 14. ATA64 Annual Conference Special Edition
September 21, 2023
A special episode dedicated to the upcoming ATA64 annual conference. This 10-minute short episode highlights the conference presentations by CLD members as well as the division dinner details. The show notes link in other essential resources and information for the annual conference held in Miami FL.
Ep 13. Talking about Turning Lemons into Lemonade! with Xiaochuan Cao
September 1, 2023
Whether you are transitioning into the T&I profession or have been in it for a while, the journey is anything but predictable. When the unexpected happens or when we feel lost, What do we do? In this episode, Jessie and Xiaochuan explore different resources to help our T&I colleagues find their bearings in overwhelming situations. Through the lens of Xiaochuan’s personal experience, we wish to send the message that there is always hope. Let the professional community be your backbone to carry you through challenging times. Jessie has also made this episode a little special in the spirit of professional community as the ATA annual conference is only two month away. Take a listen to find out!
In this 23-minute chat between Jessie and Corinne, they demonstrate through their own experiences to freelance translators having outstanding invoices the strategies and tactics used to successfully collect on outstanding invoices, which could have been otherwise written off. Give it a listen and you might be inspired to be even more creative with your own collection efforts.
Ep 11. Ka-Ching! Money Money Money! with Judy Jenner
February 02, 2023
If you are a freelance interpreter or translator, chances are that you have been stuck at this question of how to quote a potential client for your service, especially if you are new to the field. People aren’t comfortable talking about their rates for various reasons but that may not be the healthiest thing to do individually or collectively as a profession. We should have open and transparent dialogue about how much we charge so not only we are happier, in the long run it also helps shape the public’s perception of the high value of our profession. But how do we have those conversations? Isn’t that price fixing which is illegal? Tune in to this 20-min chat between Judy and Jessie to find out the whys and the hows.
Ep 10. What Does Zoom Automatic Interpretation Recording Mean to Interpreters Offering RSI? with Maha El-Metwally
November 21, 2022
In this unscheduled episode, seasoned conference interpreter and interpreter trainer Maha El-Metwally shares her insights into Zoom’s latest update on November 6th, which includes a baffling feature that automatically records the interpretation channel when the main meeting audio is recorded. She also puts it in perspective for fellow interpreter colleagues as to how this feature impacts our work and how it may even potentially infringe on our rights. While it looks like Zoom is promptly responsive to the open letter that Maha wrote to them on LinkedIn, in the meanwhile, Maha gives actionable tips and advice to help the affected interpreters navigate through this feature with their clients without putting their protected work at risk.
Ep 9. All the Hidden Dragons and Crouching Tigers of the Chinese Language Division with Barbara Hong Li
November 6, 2022
In this episode, professional interpreter and published author Ms. Barbara Hong Li shares with us her experience and takeaways from attending her very first ATA annual conference, the ATA 63rd in Los Angeles. Barbara has been in the profession for 20 years already. Are you curious why Barbara just decided to make her way to the very first conference? Do you want to know what her takeaways are given the 2-decade experience under her belt, and based on which she even wrote and published a book? Come on in and give it a listen. This 17-minute chat between Jessie and Barbara may offer you a new perspective to attending professional conferences, which Barbara has summarized as “hidden dragons and crouching tigers”.
Ep 8. What’s Internationalization and Localization and How’s That Relevant to Me as a Translator? with Joel Sahleen
September 15, 2022
In this episode, the distinguished guest speaker of our division at The ATA 63rd Annual Conference, Mr. Joel Sahleen is giving us a preview of his talk on software internationalization and localization. While the topic of the talk is quite tech-oriented at the first glance, it may just surprise you how relevant internationalization and localization to our work as translators, and the new job opportunities that lie within this growing area.
Ep 7. Are You Ready to Have a Ton of Fun in LA at the ATA63 Annual Conference? with Ben Karl
July 14, 2022
In this episode, instead of talking about the industry and profession-related topics, Jessie, who considers herself a LA local invites Ben Karl who is also based in the Los Angeles area to the show to chat about some tips and tricks about visiting LA this October for the upcoming flagship event of the Association – The ATA 63rd Annual Conference. As the board member of the ATA, Ben shared with the audience how LA got picked as the conference city and why Westin Bonaventure Hotel is able to win over the hearts of those who work so hard to plan this conference. The pair of Angelenos made some specific recommendations to conference attendees on transportation, food options, and activities, hoping to provide some helpful information as people make their way to the city of angels to enjoy the professional festivities.
Ep 6. Do you Want a Website But Have Been Dragging Your Feet to Get Started? with Zoe Qian
April 14, 2022
In this 16-minute episode, while Jessie sets the stage and explores some possible reasons why many freelance linguists haven’t started building their websites even though it has been on their minds to do so, Zoe shares very practical tips and perspectives from her own website building experience to make this seemingly massive and overwhelming task manageable, and to help translate the will of having the website to actually build the website. Zoe’s website (www.zoelingo.com) has served as an inspiration to many as it is an example of the perfect balance between visual simplicity and informational functionality.
Ep 5. The Tears and Joys of Court Interpreting in California in its 40+ Years and Counting with Holly Mikkelson
Jan 31, 2022
In this episode, we take a stroll down memory lane with Professor Holly Mikkelson as she recounts her experience starting out as a court interpreter. It may have been the only career option available to her back then, but her passion and dedication to the then-infant profession, along with the support of various professional associations and organizing bodies, has nurtured the growth and development of court interpreting. Join us for the 21-minute ride to relive the tears and joys, twists and turns, of court interpreting in its 40 plus years and counting!
Ep 4. Is long Consecutive Interpreting and Note-taking Skill Overrated? with David Violet
December 15, 2021
In this episode, David Violet discusses the history, pedagogical value of long consecutive interpreting, and why long consecutive interpreting and note-taking skills are essential to master for professional interpreters. David shares with us the free resources available for interpreters to take advantage of. At the same time as practicing hard interpreting skills with a top-notch interpreter in the field, how about expanding your professional network also? To register for the free practice sessions, go to https://www.davidviolet.com/practice-sessions-link.html
Ep 3. Machine Translation as the New Kid on the Block, Does It Play Well with Patent translation? with James Philips
November 08, 2021
In this 15-minute chat, Jessie and James Philips, director of the PCT Translation Division at WIPO, talk about the type of translation tasks done at WIPO and the language pairs needed, with a deep dive into how machine translation fits amongst all these moving parts in the world of patent and technical translation. A great opportunity for translators who wish to get in on the patent and technical translation action is also discussed at length.
Ep 2. A behind-the-scenes Tour of the Interpreter Programs at the Olympics with Maureen Sweeney
September 22, 2021
In this episode, Ms. Maureen Sweeney, Deputy Chief of the Interpreting Staff of the Tokyo Summer Olympics 2020, takes the listeners on a behind-the-scenes tour of the interpreter programs at the Olympics. She talks to the audience about how the quintessential International sports event engages and interacts with linguists in this largely remote working environment that we are seeing as the new normal, and how she and her team have been creatively responding to the ever-fluid situation.
Ep 1. Continuing Professional Development with Rony Gao
June 04, 2021
In this 15-minute interview, Rony Gao chats with fellow ATA member and classmate, Jessie Liu, about the experience of going back to school in an unusual year, remote interpreting, and continuing professional development.
Pilot Episode with Prudence Miller
May 19, 2021
As a veteran Chinese interpreter, translator and linguist, Prudence‘s Chinese learning experience dates back to the 1980s! In this introductory episode, Prudence shared with June stories about how her aunt inspired her to learn Chinese, how she continued this path by traveling to another continent for enhanced study, how she views her career now and more!
