Celebrating 30 Years of the German Language Division
May 15-16, 2027 in New York City
Mark your calendars for this very special event in New York City celebrating the 30th anniversary of ATA’s German Language Division!
What
The American Translators Association’s German Language Division was founded in 1997. Now, 30 years later, the GLD is celebrating this milestone. Hosted by the New York Circle of Translators (NYCT), an ATA chapter, the conference will bring together members, former members, and others in the German-language community to reflect on the GLD’s history against the backdrop of three decades of change in the German-speaking world, German-American relations, and the translation and interpreting profession – while also taking a hard look at what lies ahead.
The conference will feature a day and a half of educational sessions and networking opportunities (see preliminary program below). While we will take a look back at the history of the GLD, the primary focus will be on the division, the profession, and the German language as we look to the future.
The program will include two keynote speakers, as well as plenary presentations and interactive workshops.
Where
The conference will be held at the Goethe-Institut New York in the Union Square neighborhood of New York City (30 Irving Place, New York, NY).
When
- Educational program: Saturday and Sunday, May 15 & 16, 2027
- Networking & sightseeing (optional): Friday, May 14, 2027
How to register
- Stay tuned! Registration costs and details coming soon.
Questions?
Please reach out to NYCT Treasurer and GLD Web Manager Randal Gernaat at randal.gernaat@gmail.com.
We hope to see you in New York!
Call for Speakers
Proposals
We invite proposals on topics of interest to German-English/English-German translators and interpreters and others working with the German language. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
- German-English/English-German translation and interpreting
- German language, linguistics, regional varieties, and dialects (including Yiddish, Pennsylvania Dutch, etc.)
- Specialized translation and interpreting – for example, medical, legal, technical, or culinary translation and interpreting; genealogy; old German script and handwritten texts; and other specialized fields
- Translation and interpreting technology, including AI
- Literature and literary translation
- Teaching German as a foreign or second language
- Social, historical, linguistic, and cultural developments in German-speaking countries
- The changing business and employment landscape for translators and interpreters
These examples are intended as suggestions rather than an exhaustive list, and we welcome proposals on other topics relevant to the conference audience.
Session formats – 60 minutes
Proposals may be submitted for one of the following formats:
- Presentation – session for either the full conference audience (up to 100 participants) or a smaller group (up to 20 participants)
- Workshop – interactive session for up to 20 participants
- Micro-workshop – highly interactive, hands-on session for up to 8 participants
The program committee will determine the most appropriate setting for accepted presentations.
Proposal requirements
Proposals should include the session title, an abstract (up to 300 words), the target audience/level, one or two learning objectives, and a speaker biography (up to 100 words). You do not need to be a member of ATA or NYCT to submit a proposal.
Selection criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance to the conference audience, practical value, originality or timeliness, demonstrated knowledge of the subject, and contribution to a varied and balanced program. Interactive participation will be an important consideration for workshop and micro-workshop proposals. Sessions should be educational rather than primarily promotional.
Speaker arrangements
Presenters whose proposals are accepted will receive complimentary registration for the GLD30 Jubilee Conference and a $200 honorarium. Speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Submission
Please submit your proposal using the submission form no later than November 30, 2026. Notification of acceptance will be sent by January 15, 2027.
Questions?
Please reach out to NYCT Treasurer and GLD Web Manager Randal Gernaat at randal.gernaat@gmail.com.
Preliminary Program
Friday, May 14, 2027
| Time | Description | Notes |
| 16:30-18:00 | Walking tour (self-pay) | Meeting Point: TBA |
| 18.30 | Networking event (self-pay) | TBA |
Saturday, May 15, 2027
MORNING
LUNCH
| 13:00 | Lunch | Self-pay |
AFTERNOON
| 14:15 | Breakouts | |
| 15:15 | Coffee break | |
| 15:45 | Breakouts | |
| 17:00 | Goethe-Institut overview/introduction | Katherine Lorimer, Goethe-Institut |
EVENING
| 18:00 | Happy hour (included) | Goethe-Institut |
Sunday, May 16, 2027
| Time | Description | Speaker | |
| 9:00 | Keynote: Language vs. Dialect (Yiddish, PA Dutch) | Prof. Mark Louden, University of Wisconsin | |
| 10:00 | Coffee break | ||
| 10:30 | Breakouts, including session on interpreting for the PA Dutch Community in Upstate New York (Mark Louden) | ||
| 11:30 | Breakouts | ||
| 12:30-13:00 | GLD Quo Vadis and farewells | Karen Leube, Viktoryia Baum | |