The ATA Government Division invites you to spend time with us – virtually or in person – at ATA62. We have information to share regarding government practices and career opportunities for language professionals at the local, state, and federal levels. And we welcome your input on ways the Government Division can support the professional development of translators and interpreters who work for government agencies in staff and contract positions. Please join us for the following sessions and networking events – but be sure to check the ATA app or website for last-minute changes.
Distinguished Speaker: Saturday, October 30, 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. CDT and 3:45 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. CDT
The Government Division is pleased to feature as its Distinguished Speaker Dr. Christopher Mellinger, associate professor in the Department of Languages and Culture Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Mellinger is the managing editor of the journal Translation and Interpreting Studies, co-author of Quantitative Research Methods in Translation and Interpreting Studies, and co-editor of Translating Texts: An Introductory Coursebook on Translation and Text Formation, and vice president of the Society for the Study of Translation and Interpretation, the educational component of NAJIT. His two-part presentation Positionality, Role, and Translators and Interpreters in Governmental Agencies will examine factors that are unique to T&I work in government and the challenges they bring to translators and interpreters who work in these settings.
Other Sessions Linked to the Government Division
“Interpreting and Translation in Rural Communities,” Tammy Berberi and Thomas Genova, Thursday, October 28, 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT – how community translation and interpreting are adapting to ensure language access in rural areas.
“Politics, Discourse Analysis, and Translation,” Nicolas Arizaga, Friday, October 29, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT – how to apply discourse analysis to the source language and deliver the most equivalent message in the target language.
“Interpreting Services Price Quotes for the New Normal,” Judy Jenner, Friday, October 29, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT – what you should include in a price quote for interpreting services in 2021 and beyond.
“How to Learn Everything about Everything Without Being a Know-It-All,” Joseph Mazza, Friday, October 29, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. CDT – lifelong learning tips from the chief of the U.S. Department of State’s Translating Division.
“COVID-19 and Language Services in Schools: The ABC’s,” Natalia Abarca, Saturday, October 30, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. CDT – efforts led by California’s Orange County Department of Education to foster language access in educational settings nation-wide by providing professional training opportunities to bilingual staff.
“Freelance Interpreters and the U.S. Department of State: Supporting Diplomacy Together,” Celine Colvin, Saturday, October 30, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT – overview of the Office of Language Services at the U.S. Department of State and the support freelance interpreters provide to its mission.
“How a New Standard in the Language Industry Can Help You Boost Your Practice,” Romina Marazzato Sparano and Kate Harrison-Whiteside, Saturday, October 30, 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT – discussion of the new ISO standard on Plain Language and its application to translation.
“Remote Simultaneous Interpreting and Beyond: Transitioning to a Post-Pandemic Profession,” Ernesto Niño-Murcia, Aimee Benavides, and Tamber Hilton, Saturday, October 30, 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. CDT – how to promote optimal working conditions throughout the transition to a post-pandemic interpreting profession.
Networking Events
The Government Division’s Annual Meeting will be on Saturday, October 9, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. All are welcome to participate. The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83910052344?pwd=dkt2UHdUK1Y4SjlLTElEemtXQ0JnQT09
If you attend ATA62 in person, please join the Government Division for dinner at The News Room, 990 Nicollet Mall, at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, October 29. No registration fee is required. We have reserved tables in the restaurant’s dining area, and attendees will order from the menu. However, please be aware that a 20% gratuity will be added to the final bill and tables will get one check. If you plan to join the Government Division for dinner, please RSVP Amanda Curry (k.a.curry2@comcast.net) by Thursday, October 28.
The Government Division is proud to welcome military veterans and other conference participants affiliated with the U.S. armed forces to The ATA Veterans Circle. Please join us to connect with fellow military veterans and defense language professionals. The in-person meetup will be on Saturday, October 30, 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. CDT in the continental breakfast area of the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.
