Translators Associations

Membership – the best way to demonstrate your qualifications & professionalism!

You should definitely consider joining a professional translators association if you plan to stand out from the crowd as a translator.

“You’re English, you can translate this” was a phrase I often heard in the past. Today – luckily – more people realise that translation involves more than simply understanding a second language.

Even so, the online marketplace for German translation and a growing belief in the power of machine translation is putting downward pressure on prices. Added to that, anyone can call themselves a translator.

Translators have to overcome these obstacles if they want to make a proper living as professional language service providers.

How?

By creating a strong personal brand, specialising in specific translation niches, and demonstrating professionalism through active membership of an official translators association.

Benefits of membership....

Membership of a translators association = official recognition of your abilities & language-related qualifications = reassurance for clients.

Membership is a qualification in itself (not everyone can join!).
Many language translation associations notify members of jobs & publish an online directory of their members for clients to search.
Professional support: surveys, information & advice (e.g. average rates, better rates for professional insurance etc.).
Ongoing seminars and courses for continued professional development
Peer recognition is a great feeling and confidence booster!
Events are a great chance to network and create partnerships.

.... and for buyers of translation?

Members of a professional translators association are:

Judged to be qualified by an authoritative body (membership often requires references as well as exams).
Signed up to maintaining professional standards in translation.

If you work in German translation and your language pair is German<=>English, the following translator associations are the most relevant for you:

1. International translators associations

AITC – International Association of Conference Translators. All members have demonstrated work experience in conference translating. 3 categories ofmembership according to experience.
EST – European Society for Translation Studies This language translation association undertakes research into translation & interpreting, and offers a forum for exchange and dissemination of new ideas and insights into translation studies.
FIT–Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs = IFT, International Federation of Translators, an umbrella body for over 100 associations of translators, interpreters & terminologists from 55 countries, designed to promote professionalism in the industry (not for individual members).
GALA – Globalization & Localization Association: International industry association for the translation, internationalization, localization & globalization industry
Translators without Borders – a non-profit organisation designed to provide free translations for NGOs. Only accept qualified translators. A good one for the CV.

2. Translators assocations in English-speaking countries

United States:

ATA – American Translators Association: An absolute mine of useful information for translators & purchasers of translation services. Members are sent their periodical ATA Chronicle. The ATA runs its own translation certification exams which are probably the most widely recognized in the US.
ALTA – American Literary Translators Association: Awards annual prize for literary translation & has a great blog at http://literarytranslators.blogspot.com
NAJIT – The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators: Promotes the work of court interpreters & translators. Newsletter Proteus.
IGA – The Interpreters Guild of America: The national union for translators & interpreters. Provides a translator referral service.

United Kingdom:

CIOL – Chartered Institute of Linguists: The CIOL promotes the interests of linguists both in the UK and around the world, & runs its own professional certification exams. They publish a linguist list of members who are available for work. This language translation association publishes a newsletter, The Linguist, six times a year, and runs online discussion forums for members. (I’m a member and have taken their Diploma in Translation).
ITI – Institute of Translation & Interpreting: Professional membership association & standard-setting institute. Referral service for members, publishes the bi-monthly ITI Bulletin.
Translator's Association – established in 1958 to represent literary translators. Part of FIT.

Canada:

ACJT – Canadian Association of Legal Translators: the website only seems available in French! For holders of a law degree only.
ATIx regional associations: ATIO – Association of Translators & Interpreters in Ontario (ATIM = Manitoba, ATIS = Saskatchewan, ATIS = Alberta, ATINS = Nova Scotia:, all affiliated with CTTIC) Promotes the interests of translators & interpreters, and runs exams for the title of “certified translator” which gives legal recognition of professional qualification across Canada. Directory of members.
CTTIC – Canadian Translators, Terminologist and Interpreters Council: National body representing professional translators, interpreters and terminologists, contributes to high quality inter-language and intercultural communication.
LTAC – Literary Translator’s Association of Canada: Advances status of literary translation in Canada, annual translation award.

Australia & New Zealand:

AUSIT – Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators: National Australian professional body for interpreters & translators. Publishes quarterly newsletter, runs workshops & seminars, electronic forum for member discussions. Regional branches across the country.
NAATI – National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters: Sets and monitors standards for translation & interpretation in Australia. Runs own tests & officially recognizes qualifications.
NZSTI – New Zealand Society of Translators & Interpreters: National body of translators & interpreters, provides networking forum & represents members' interests.

3. Translators associations in German-speaking countries

Germany:

ATICOM – Fachverband der Berüfsübersetzer und Berufsdolmetscher e. V: Association of professional translators & interpreters representing their members‘ interests, directory of members available for work.
BDÜ – Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer e.V = Federal Association of Interpreters & Translators. This professional association of interpreters and translators in Germany has a membership of over 7,500 qualified translators & interpreters.
DGÜD – Deutschen Gesellschaft für Übersetzungs- und Dolmetschwissenschaft = German Association of Translation & Interpreting Studies. Promoting research into translation & interpreting.
VDÜ – Verband deutschsprachiger Übersetzer literarischer und wissenschaftlicher Werke e.V = National association for German translators of literary &scientific works. Website in German.
VÜD – Verband der Übersetzer und Dolmetscher e.V = Association of translators & interpreters. Around 160 members with university degrees in translation.

Austria:

ACCI – Austrian Association of Certified Court Interpreters: Promotes the professional & business interests of sworn and certified court interpreters in Austria.
Universitas – Austrian Interpreters' and Translators' Association: This is the primary association representing language professionals in Austria. Members all hold degrees in translation or translation-related subjects.

Switzerland:

ASTTI – Swiss Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters. Website in German,Italian and French. Promotes awareness of the industry & its members‘ interests.
VZGDÜ – Verband der Zürcher Gerichtsdolmetscher und -Übersetzer: Association of court interpreters & translators in Zurich.

Even if you decide that membership is not for you, many of the association websites above are mines of useful information on translation matters in general - so go grab yourself some of the benefits!