By Mery Molenaar, S&TD Administrator
Sadot Márquez and Pedro Valdez, photo published with the speakers’ permission
At ATA’s 2024 Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, I had the opportunity to attend a two-part presentation series by two experts in translation and interpreting within the mining industry: Sadot Márquez and Pedro Valdez. Returning this year to ATA after their well-received presentation “Mining 101: The Basics for Every Translator and Interpreter” last year at ATA64 in Miami, they expanded on their foundational insights with a two-part presentation.
As founders of TISOL, a language service provider for mining and heavy industry in Latin America, and with over 15 years of experience in technical translation and interpreting, Sadot and Pedro are true experts in the field and I was eager to learn from them.
Overview
Having missed last year’s conference, I was excited to be able to attend both sessions this time. The presenters provided an in-depth look at the mining industry, with a special focus on the vocabulary related to the complex mining process, covering terminology in both English and Spanish and equipping translators and interpreters with the essential knowledge to navigate this specialized field.
Key highlights
- Mining Processes Overview: The presenters provided a detailed explanation of the mining cycle, from exploration and extraction to processing and closure. Using colorful slides, they outlined key concepts such as open-pit and underground mining, and shared practical insights from their extensive field experience. “Mining 101” covered exploration and extraction, while “Mining 102” delved into processing, waste management, international standards, and emerging trends like tailings re-processing and mine closure.
- Specialized Terminology: The sessions were a treasure trove of bilingual mining vocabulary, highlighting essential terminology and technical terms in both English and Spanish. Each slide was carefully designed to feature key terms and their equivalents in both languages, providing a clear reference for those working in this field. This bilingual approach not only served to reinforce the terminology but was particularly valuable for translators and interpreters, offering clear references for use in their professional work.
- Practical Applications: Sharing photos from their field experience, Sadot and Pedro illustrated the critical role of interpreters and translators in ensuring safety, compliance, and technical accuracy in the mining industry. From interpreting during site visits, translating technical manuals, or working on legal agreements, their examples demonstrated the importance of precise communication in this field.
- Trends and Challenges: Attendees learned about emerging technologies in mining, such as tailings re-processing and sustainability practices. Advances in technology allow mining companies to recover valuable minerals from old waste while addressing environmental issues. Such developments highlight the importance for translators and interpreters to stay informed about such changes to keep up with new terminology and concepts.
Takeaways
Translators and interpreters working in highly specialized fields such as the mining industry must familiarize themselves with industry-specific terminology, including technical jargon, industry standards and safety protocols, in both of their working languages.
Miscommunication can have serious consequences, which makes the work of translators and interpreters essential for safety and compliance. The sessions underscored the integral role of language professionals in clear and accurate communication in highly technical sectors.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Sadot and Pedro for their engaging and informative sessions. Their expertise and well-organized presentations offered valuable insights into the mining industry. Their beautiful visuals and bilingual content helped attendees to better understand the concepts and provided a valuable resource for translators and interpreters working in this specialized field. I truly appreciate the time and effort they invested in sharing their knowledge with us.
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Mery Molenaar, CT is a freelance English into Dutch translator specializing in technical documents and medical devices, based in Colorado. She currently serves as the Administrator of the ATA Science & Technology Division.