This past October, the new administrative term (2020-2022) began for the ATA Interpreters Division, and your administrative team is here to serve you. Meet Christina Green, Interpreters Division Assistant Administrator Christina Green is a certified court interpreter (Spanish) and an ATA certified … [Read More...]
Recent blog posts
A look back, a raffle and a fashion show
By Carol Shaw and the Blog & Web Team This time last year, “pandemic” was just a word. Now it has faces and emotions attached. Some of us have lost friends or family. Some have suffered through COVID-19 themselves or helped care for loved ones with the disease. None of us are … [Read More...]
Overcoming accent bias in the courtroom
By Sandra Dejeux Recently, I attended an online seminar about implicit bias in court settings. Among other things, the presenter spoke about accent bias and how, in some cases, it can undermine the credibility of a witness. Later, I read an article that stated that sometimes juries give less … [Read More...]
Lorena Ortiz Schneider elected to the ATA Board
By Helen Eby, ID Administrator It is a great pleasure to learn that Lorena Ortiz Schneider is among the newly elected ATA Board directors. In addition, she has just been recognized with the ATA’s 2020 Impact and Advocacy Awards. Congratulations, Lorena! Lorena served as the assistant administrator … [Read More...]
Andrew Gillies: interpreter, trainer, author
By Helen Eby and Christina Green Andrew Gillies is considered one of the best trainers of interpreters and interpreter trainers in Europe. Now, the Educators Division and the Interpreters Division have the opportunity to bring this master interpreter and educator to share his insights with our … [Read More...]
Taking our financial pulse in the pandemic
by the Blog Team This past August, the Interpreters Division (ID) of the American Translators Association (ATA) sent out a survey seeking insight into the financial impact on our members of the COVID-19 pandemic and possible relief provided by the government assistance programs. A little over 10% … [Read More...]
![[Image of woodblocks and child]](https://i1.wp.com/www.ata-divisions.org/ID/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/michal-parzuchowski-PQWw9ReEWG0-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Cognitive testing using an interpreter
A psychologist and an interpreter find solutions to reduce linguistic confusion By Linda Pollack-Johnson I recently completed an interpreting assignment between a developmental psychologist and an autistic child during which the child was given a cognitive test. I have done many of these sessions … [Read More...]
When training options are limited: Stepping into the gap
By Sandra Dejeux and Marco Hanson Houston Sandra Dejeux: For years, I had thought that court interpreter training to prepare for state and federal exams was essential, but not enough. We needed more. Texas was in dire need of a comprehensive course that went beyond the six-hour orientation … [Read More...]
Acoustic shock: What interpreters need to know
By Maha El-Metwally Acoustic shock can have very serious implications for interpreters but we are not paying enough attention to it. This issue has gained more awareness in the context of remote interpreting but also in the context of colleagues who experienced acoustic shock while working in … [Read More...]
Report from California – AB 5
By Lorena Ortiz Schneider What is AB 5 and why does it exist? Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) was authored by Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego and enacted on January 1, 2020. This bill sought to codify, even as it expanded, the State Supreme Court Dynamex decision of 2018, a wage order … [Read More...]