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 of the ID between 2016 and 2018, returning to that post for the 2018-2020 term, … [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 members at the upcoming 61st Annual Conference of the American Translators … [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% of our membership responded, representing 41 states and territories. We also … [Read more...]
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 over the years and I remember being disappointed that the session did not go as … [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 required by the state to qualify candidates for testing. The goal would be to help … [Read more...]