The ATA Podcast

ATA will hold its regularly scheduled elections at the upcoming ATA 65th Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, October 30–November 2, 2024, to elect the following:

For this podcast episode, candidates had the opportunity to submit a recording. Listen to learn:

The Annual Meeting of Voting Members and Elections will be held Thursday, October 31, 2024. This year’s candidates are:

President-Elect | Remaining One-Year Term

Viktoryia Baum

Andy Benzo

Director | Three-Year Term 

Isabel Asensio

Jason Jolley

Jessie Liu

Marcela Renna

Jaime Russell

Yasha Saebi

Marifer Sager

Romina Marazzato Sparano

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

 In the language professions, there is the contradiction to be both regional experts and citizens of the world in needing to share a message with multiple divergent entities. These identities are crucial for multinational companies whose communications can be very time-sensitive and have major implications on everything they do. For this reason, it's important to have a trusted and experienced translator or interpreter for your business.

In this episode of the ATA Podcast, we hear from Marita Propato, who has a career that spans decades working with clients ranging from large tech firms to the International Olympic Committee. From press releases to the classroom and from machine translation to gender-inclusive language, listen in to Marita's journey and experiences that have shaped her accomplished career, and take notes as she advises how to navigate translating corporate and internal communications.

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

When it comes to healthcare, not everyone considers the uniqueness of dentistry in terms of the training and expertise it requires from dentists and hygienists. This distinction manifests itself through the language used in the field, which requires careful research and attention to translate effectively. As well, dentistry tends to be on the forefront of medical advancements, meaning new treatments and terminology develop frequently.

In this episode of Inside Specialization, Anne Conner speaks with Mario Muchacho, DDS, about how he pursued a career in dentistry but wasn't enthusiastic about all aspects of the practice. Eventually, Mario found that his true calling was to work as a translator within this field. Learn how Mario made the transition, what he's learned and experienced, what he would have done differently, and more on this episode of the ATA Podcast!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

ATA presents annual and biennial awards to encourage, reward, and publicize outstanding work done by both seasoned professionals and students of our craft. ATA recognizes our colleagues who, through their daily work, volunteer activities, and careers exemplify the qualities that define excellence in our field or who have made a significant impact on the profession of translation and interpreting.

In this episode of the ATA Podcast, co-host Andie Ho talks to Beth Smith, chair of ATA’s Honors & Awards Committee and winner of the 2020 Rising Star Award, about all the awards that ATA bestows. Beth describes each prestigious honor, how the committee and volunteers work to select winners, and how you can nominate candidates. Nominations for the 2024 awards end May 31, so consider nominating a colleague after listening!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Medical translation is a large umbrella, and it’s important to not overlook the many specialized, unique fields that stem from it! One of them is the important type of medical translation that deals not with human patients, but with our beloved small and large animals: veterinary translation.

In this episode of Inside Specialization, we hear from Veronica Leibaschoff, who started out as a veterinarian and then changed her career through her love of language and culture by becoming a scientific translator and medical interpreter. It wasn't long until her professional backgrounds mixed and she specialized in veterinary translation. Learn about Veronica's journey, the unique space she has occupied, how she has kept current in her niche field by building a community of clients, and how much she is constantly learning and growing as she continues to explore her work.

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Without a mentor, how do you expect to change and grow as a professional? That's where ATA's Mastermind Program comes in! Translators and interpreters often go into business understanding that finding and retaining clients will be hard work. What many fail to see, however, is the difficulty in running a business alone and not always knowing what to do next. ATA’s Mastermind Program offers peer-based mentoring designed to help you learn and develop professionally by working together in small groups to share knowledge on specific topics and work collaboratively to achieve your learning goals.

In this episode of the ATA Podcast, co-host Andie Ho interviews Dolores R. Guiñazú, a two-time participant in the Mastermind Program. Dolores details her experience in the program, the professional and networking benefits she’s acquired, and why ATA members should apply. As a free resource for ATA members, this episode has all the reasons why you should consider applying to be a mastermind!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Sports recreation and entertainment remains a field that unites the world, and the emergence of new video technology and streaming has only made people more able to follow and enjoy the sports they love. With increased access comes an increased need for sports interpreting to allow more audiences to connect and understand what they are watching. Hear from one of those sports interpreters on this episode of Inside Specialization!

Interviewed by Maria Baker with the Professional Development Committee, Anabella Tidona details her journey as a professional interpreter and how she got into the exciting field of sports interpreting. Among many incredible things, Anabella's even shares her experience interpreting for both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Join ATA Podcast co-host Andie Ho as she interviews Tony Guerra, chair of the ATA Membership Committee, about all the benefits that can come from ATA membership! Whether you're a veteran linguist or just starting out in the field, this episode covers the major impact that ATA can have on your career, your sense of community, and how you grow as a T&I professional.

We know joining a professional association can be daunting, especially when there is so much to explore. Listen in to learn more about ATA's mentoring program, Divisions and Special Interest Groups, how ATA changed Tony's career, how to get engaged, and much more!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Do you know the difference between moisturizing and hydrating? In this Inside Specialization interview, we hear from Berenice Font, who has specialized in the beauty and cosmetic industry for more than 15 years as a translator, transcreator, copywriter, editor, and consultant. She tells us about what makes this line of specialization exciting, fun, and interesting; what kind of opportunities are out there for aspiring beauty and cosmetic linguists; and the importance of understanding the nitty gritty of different terms in the business and what they mean in various markets.

The beauty and cosmetic industry was estimated to be worth $49.7 billion in 2022, and shows no signs of slowing down. With such impressive growth, there continues to be a need for high-quality translation and localization in this sector. Hear more about this area of specialization in this episode of the ATA Podcast! 

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

In this episode of the ATA Podcast, we talk to new ATA President Veronika Demichelis and revisit this year of transition for ATA. Listen in as Host Matt Baird asks Veronika about changes in ATA--like membership, the work of our volunteers, the ATA Board, our committees, ATA headquarters, and where ATA currently stands.

Among other things overviewing 2023, you'll also hear about ATA financially, the impact of our advocacy efforts, and the recent statement on artificial intelligence. As we move to the future and take note of challenges we've overcome this year, we are grateful to our membership, volunteers, and leadership, and we look forward to 2024!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Where do linguists fit in the current era of artificial intelligence? In this ATA Podcast episode of Inside Specialization, Daniel Sebesta, ATA's Language Technology Division (LTD) administrator, and Bridget Hylak, LTD assistant administrator, interview Konstantin Dranch, co-founder of Custom.MT, on a variety of topics surrounding machine translation and AI. What are the added value of generative AI and large language models? How can human language skills be future-proofed and marketed today? What about in the near future? All of these questions and more are answered here in this episode of the ATA Podcast!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

This year for International Translation Day, Matt Baird and Andie Ho co-host the podcast for the first time to spotlight the importance of joining professional translation and interpreting associations. This episode's guests, Céline Browning and Marco Díaz, are great examples! Why? Although Céline and Marco have followed completely different career paths, they both have one thing in common: They joined ATA and became active members fairly early in their careers, and they both agree that it had a significant impact on their early success and where they are today.

In this special episode for ITD 2023, listen to find out: 

How Céline and Marco got into interpreting and translation.

Why they attended ATA’s Annual Conference the first time and their experience.

How ATA has made a big impact on their freelance businesses.

Andie and Matt's own ATA Annual Conference success stories.

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

ATA will hold its regularly scheduled elections at the upcoming ATA 64th Annual Conference in Miami, Florida (October 25-28, 2023) to elect a president-elect, secretary, and treasurer for a two-year term, as well as three directors for a three-year term.

In this podcast, each candidate gets a chance to introduce themselves. Listen to learn:

The slate of candidates for the 2023 elections are:

President-elect Geoff Koby Meghan McCallum

Treasurer Robin Bonthrone Marian S. Greenfield

Secretary Eve Bodeux Jaime Russell

Director Yasmin Alkashef Analía Bogdan Jessie Liu Daniel Sebesta Robert Sette Chaowei Zhu 

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

ATA will hold its regularly scheduled elections at the upcoming ATA 64th Annual Conference in Miami, Florida (October 25-28, 2023) to elect a president-elect, secretary, and treasurer for a two-year term, as well as three directors for a three-year term.

In this podcast, each candidate gets a chance to introduce themselves. Listen to learn:

The slate of candidates for the 2023 elections are:

President-elect Geoff Koby Meghan McCallum

Treasurer Robin Bonthrone Marian S. Greenfield

Secretary Eve Bodeux Jaime Russell

Director Yasmin Alkashef Analía Bogdan Jessie Liu Daniel Sebesta Robert Sette Chaowei Zhu 

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Are you at a crossroads in your career as a linguist? Are you thinking about postgraduate education in translation? Do you thrive on learning the ins and outs of a craft from experts in the field? These are all questions to consider as you strive to build a stronger professional profile and expertise as a translator.

In this episode, we interview ATA member Angélica Ramírez, a PhD alumna of the University of Alicante's translation and interpreting program. She began translating in the late 1990s and pursued a postgraduate degree early in her career. Listen as she offers insights about how language postgraduate education has evolved in the 21st century and why it was so important for her. She also shares her insights about her experience specializing in audiovisual translation and expands on the type of skills and techniques that are important for working and growing in that area of concentration.

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

It’s that time of year again – ATA’s Annual Conference (October 25-28) is right around the corner! Whether you work as a professional translator or interpreter, or inspire to be one, this event is made for you! And if you run a translation business or develop language-related software, you won’t want to miss one of the industry’s biggest events.

There are a lot of new and interesting things happening at the conference this year, and ATA Podcast Host Matt Baird and President-Elect and Conference Organizer Veronika Demichelis waste no time giving you the scoop on the latest updates for ATA64!

Even if you’re a regular conference attendee, be sure to listen in and discover what awaits you in exciting Miami!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Announcements: Cris Silva | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Planning for a vacation or special occasion? Want a break from making dinner? Or maybe you're trying to cook a great meal at home? Eating and drinking makes up the rhythm of our days no matter where we are, and there are plenty of written descriptions across industries to help us eat and drink better and happier. In this episode, we interview ATA member and food and wine translator Adam Sachs about the ins and outs of culinary translation. You’ll hear about his lengthy career as a food and beverage professional starting from his early days working in wine country all the way to managing global supply chain integrity for some major players and how he’s now applying that knowledge as a language professional. Listen to the full episode today for some chuckles about restaurant menu translation errors!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

In this episode, ATA Podcast Co-host Andie Ho speaks with ATA President Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo and President-Elect Veronika Demichelis about ATA's accomplishments so far this year and what they're looking forward to in the rest of 2023. For a great overview of all things ATA and all things to come within the Association, be sure to give this episode a listen!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Announcements: Andie Ho | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

In this episode, ATA Podcast Host Matt Baird speaks with Carola F. Berger, PhD, CT about scam types and what scammers are after, such as your information or your money. Carola has helped ATA and language professionals stay knowledgeable and aware regarding scams over the years as they've evolved. Scamming is an ever-present concern for freelance translators and interpreters. Make it your business to learn how scams work and how to avoid them.

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Announcements: Andie Ho | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

The American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation (AFTI) offers a limited number of $500 scholarships to students/recent graduates of translation or interpreting studies programs or related fields to help defray the cost of attending ATA’s Annual Conference.

In this episode, ATA Podcast Co-Host Andie Ho speaks with Halla Bearden, 2022 AFTI First-Time ATA Conference Attendance Scholarship recipient. Halla overviews the reasons why she applied for the scholarship, what it looked like, and what attending her first ATA Conference was like. Halla also shares some tips on what she did to ensure she got the most from her time at the ATA Annual Conference!

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Advocacy for T&I professions is one of the main reasons that ATA exists and a main benefit for our members. The Advocacy Committee was established to advise the Board of Directors on policy and legislative issues affecting translation, interpreting, and related fields.

In this episode, ATA Podcast Co-Host Andie Ho speaks with Ben Karl, Chair of ATA’s Advocacy Committee. Ben covers all facets of the Advocacy Committee and the work they do, as many laws affecting T&I professionals are not one size fits all. Overall, the Advocacy Committee is on your side, and Ben explores what that looks like on the international level.

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Announcements: Cris Silva | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Thinking about taking the ATA Certification Exam? Failed the practice text and wondering what to do now? Then this podcast is for you!

In this episode, ATA Podcast Host Matt Baird speaks with David Stephenson, Chair of ATA’s Certification Committee. David shares insights into the practice test, explains what you should do with the results, and provides a long list of ways to prepare for the exam.

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Announcements: Cris Silva | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

Do machine translation and artificial intelligence have you feeling like your "system" needs an upgrade? Up your game by attending ATA’s one-day virtual conference "Translating and Interpreting the Future: Empowering Professionals to Innovate and Thrive" on Saturday, May 20. 

In this episode, ATA Podcast Co-Host Andie Ho speaks with conference organizers, Robert Sette and Andy Benzo, to find out more about this educational and energizing look into how machine translation (MT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are shaping the translation and interpreting professions. Learn why ATA is organizing this virtual conference, who will be speaking, whether there will be networking opportunities, and much more. 

Show Notes:

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org. Thank you for listening!

Audio Production: Derek Platts | Technical Support: Trenton Morgan

How can ATA help you improve your business practices? Grow your income? Expand into a new specialization? Market to direct clients? It’s called the ATA Mentoring Program, and it’s a fantastic benefit of your ATA membership! Take a minute to listen in and learn more as The ATA Podcast Co-Host Andie Ho sits down with the program’s co-chair Tony Guerra. From how to apply and who can apply to what the matching process is all about and why the program is “mentee-driven”—you’ll get the full rundown on a great way to tap into the unique talent and experience of successful translators and interpreters. And don’t miss finding out how you can give back to the profession as a mentor. This program really has something for everyone, and Episode 83 explains it all!

Show Notes:

Join ATA • ATA School Outreach Contest • Episode 53: How ATA School Outreach Works • ATA 2023 Elections: Call for Nominations • The ATA Podcast Archive • ATA Mentoring Program • ATA Mentoring Experience Video • ATA’s 64th Annual Conference | Audio Production: Derek Platts

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org.

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org.

If helping other people is important to your job satisfaction, then medical translation should be at the top of your list of potential specializations. But wait…don’t you have to be a medical professional to enter this field?

No, not necessarily, says ATA member and medical translator Danielle Maxson. Danielle recently sat down with ATA member and podcast host María Baker for Episode 82 of Inside Specialization. Listen in as she explains how her personal story led to a career in medical translation, how she prepared for the change from teacher to interpreter to translator, and where she found the resources to train for the job. You’ll also learn the types of documents that need translation, the typical clients, and the impact of machine translation on this segment of the industry.

BONUS! Danielle explores how back translation became part of her medical translation business—a excellent lesson in making the most of diversification!

Be sure to let us know what you think! Send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org.

Ninety days after her introduction at ATA63, ATA’s new executive director, Kelli Baxter, sat down with Podcast Host Matt Baird for a quick check on how it’s going. Listen in to Episode 81 for Kelli’s first impressions of ATA and its members, a snapshot of where she’s been in her career, and why she thinks the future is about making the T&I industry more visible. Listeners will also learn about plans for the Association going forward and the possibilities Kelli sees in the inevitability of change.

Show Notes

Join ATA or Renew Your Membership for 2023 • Call for Nominations 2023 • ATA64 Call for Proposals • ATA Mastermind Program Application Deadline • Learn How to Volunteer for ATA Committees • Executive Director Column in The ATA Chronicle • Email ATA’s Executive Director

It’s time to talk about the future of machine translation (MT) and post-editing. No doubt we’ve come a long way since rule-based and statistical MT. Where are we now, and is there a career to be had here? Listen in as Daniel Šebesta, assistant administrator of ATA’s Language Technology Division, talks to Arle Lommel, a senior analyst at CSA Research, about the good, the bad, and the ugly in MT, post-editing, and artificial intelligence (AI). The conversation covers the concern about MT being a race to the bottom for pricing, the case to be made for MT as “eating cookies from the cookie jar,” and whether MT and AI can ever work for translators who are in it for the love of words.

The pandemic years changed the business world—and the translation and interpreting industry—in ways we never imagined. As we head into 2023, it’s time to take stock of where ATA stands in support of members and the community at large in the new normal. Listen in as ATA President Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo sits down with Host Matt Baird to outline the work done by the ATA Board, committees, and volunteers in 2022. From the online certification exam to finances to a changing of the guard at ATA Headquarters, Episode 79 covers what you need to know right here, right now. Click to listen!

Show Notes:

ATA63 Annual Conference Wrap Up Video and Photos • ATA Member Center and Benefits • Get Involved • ATA Student Resources • ATA Advocacy and Outreach • Free Guide to Starting Out as a Translator • ATA Finances • ATA Professional Development • Inside Specialization Podcasts • ATA Certification Exam

The slate is set, the candidates are ready, and the opportunity to learn more about who’s running for the ATA Board is right here in front of you!

In Episode 78 of The ATA Podcast, Host Matt Baird asks the candidates running for Director positions about the T&I work they do, why they joined ATA, why they are running for office, and what is an area of ATA where they feel they can have the most impact if elected as Director.

Click ATA 2022 Elections for candidate statements and photos. And don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast!

Why not make today about sharing the importance of what you do? We’ll help with this repeat of Episode 37 of The ATA Podcast from 2019. Listen in as Host Matt Baird and Judy Jenner—a veteran translator and interpreter, author, and ATA Spokesperson—provide an inside look at the translation and interpreting professions, including why this work is so vital in today’s global village. #ataitd2022 #internationaltranslationday

While every translator needs editing and proofreading skills, you have to have a passion for it and be a true grammar nerd to make this your specialty—and that fits translator Eve Bodeux to a tee. Learn the skills required, the only reason behind every change in the text, and why technology hasn’t replaced humans in the editing, proofreading, and copyediting process when she sits down to talk with Inside Specialization’s guest host Gloria Cabrejos. Eve also offers up one simple tip that goes a long way in proofing your own work—don’t miss it!

Over 160 educational sessions, 15 Advanced Skills and Training Day (AST) courses, 30 subject- and language-specific tracks, industry leaders from around the world, and 1,500 translators, interpreters, students, educators, project managers, and language company owners—what more can you say about ATA's 63rd Annual Conference? Find out as ATA President-Elect and Conference Organizer Veronika Demichelis unpacks ATA63 from beginning to end in this blockbuster episode of The ATA Podcast!

Show Notes

ATA 63rd Annual Conference • ATA63 Registration and First-Timers Save $75 • Advanced Skills and Training Day (AST) • Continuing Education Credits • Job Fair • Networking • Buddies Welcome Newbies • Book, Podcast, and Blog Fair • Exhibit Hall • ATA63 Hotel Reservations • ATA63 Learn from the Locals • Chinese Language Division “Coming to LA” with Ben Karl • ATA 2022 Elections • Become an ATA Voting Member • Board of Directors Meeting Summary • ATA Webinars • Back to Business Basics

We interpret in many areas where we don’t agree with the speaker, and we think nothing of it. We recognize the specialty, build the resources, and train to become fluent in the details. Why, then, do we not do the same for spiritual care? Join Tatiana Cestari and Anne Connor in this episode of ATA’s Inside Specialization series for a discussion of this overlooked specialty. You’ll learn how medicine’s renewed interest in the mind-body-spirit connection is leading to the development of training for this aspect of health care interpreting, how to handle requests when you aren’t prepared, and where to locate the resources you’ll need.

Resources for Interpreters in Spiritual Care Settings:  Bahá’í Faith Prayers • The Book of Common Prayer according to the Episcopal Church • The Book of Mormon • Catechism of the Catholic Church • Catholic Online • Jehovah’s Witnesses • Jewish Prayers and Blessings • The Noble Quran

The ATA certification exam is now available online and on demand, and Certification Committee Chair David Stephenson is here to tell you all about it. In Episode 74, David explains to Podcast Host Matt Baird how “on demand” works, from payment to scheduling to security with real time monitoring and recording. And don’t miss this—David also reveals the top reasons people fail and the best way to prepare to take the exam. But first we begin the podcast with a remembrance of Michèle Hansen, CT, who did so much to make ATA’s on-demand certification exam a reality.

This is not another lawyer-turned-translator story, which just goes to show that there's more than one way to become a legal translator! In this episode of Inside Specialization, lawyer-linguist Paula Arturo tells ATA member Daniel Sebesta about the role passion plays in the decision to become a legal translator and why how much you're willing to learn is key to becoming one of the best. You'll also discover why "follow the money" is the secret to choosing a subspecialty, how you can compete against machine translation, and a surprising skill you'll need to climb this career ladder.

Amanda Williams will be the first to tell you that her entry into international trade translation was through the "school of hard knocks"—and she loved every minute of it! Tune in to this episode of Inside Specialization to hear Amanda explain her job to guest host Andie Ho. From port contracts and technology to customs, inventory, logistics, and warehouse automation, it's way more than bills of lading. It's the knowledge beyond the words on the page that will take you places in this specialty. You can never stop learning.

After more than 6,000 program hours of video, film, and TV, Deborah Wexler has plenty of insight and advice to offer translators interested in audiovisual translation. From the value of networking to the fatal mistake of not seeing the career ladder to the secrets of macros, shortcuts, and typing speed, Deborah's interview with the Professional Development Committee's Deputy Chair Charo Welle is not to be missed.

Even if you're not a gamer, video game localization sounds like fun, right? But is it really? Find out in this interview with top video game localizer Marina Ilari, who talked with ATA member Charo Welle about how she found her niche, the challenges of living in "other worlds," and the best ways to gain enough experience to break into the specialty.

Everyone loves a backstory. And the American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation—or AFTI for short—has one that few people know. So stop and listen to Episode 70 of The ATA Podcast as AFTI Board President Geoff Koby sits down with Host Matt Baird to talk about the foundation's beginnings, its current day focus on student scholarships and T&I awards, and how your donation can make a difference.

So often medical interpreters make the job look easy, and yet it's anything but. There's the constant challenge of new terminology, the administrative procedures of different healthcare settings, and the stress of life and death situations—not to mention actually interpreting the patient-provider encounter itself. Join guest host Anne Connor in Episode 68 of The ATA Podcast to learn more about the skills, training, ethical standards, and commitment to lifelong learning needed to work in this very personally rewarding field. During the interview, Medical Interpreting Supervisor Yuliya Speroff also explains the specialty's ongoing quest for professional recognition within the healthcare community and what individual medical interpreters can do to support the effort. This episode includes two great resources you won't want to miss.

Can a specialization that is broad in subject matter still be a niche market? If you're talking about diplomatic translation, then the answer is absolutely yes! In this episode of Inside Specialization, Joseph Mazza, chief of the Office of Language Services’ Translating Division at the U.S. Department of State, explains the tremendous variety of content, text types, and tasks this work involves, including the necessity to understand past history and cultural allusions. You'll also learn why critical research skills and a thorough knowledge of language and culture are important assets for the job. And then there's the pressure that comes with the responsibility of translating content representing the United States! Don't miss this podcast for an insider's view of a truly unique specialty.

The slate is set, the candidates are ready, and the opportunity to learn more about who’s running for the Board is right here in front of you!

In Episode 66 of The ATA Podcast, Host Matt Baird asks the candidates running for Director positions about the T&I work they do, why they joined ATA, and what skills and vision they will bring to their position on the Board. Be sure to catch the first part of this episode to learn more about the candidates running for President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Click ATA 2021 Elections for candidate statements and photos. And don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast!

The slate is set, the candidates are ready, and the opportunity to learn more about who’s running for the Board is right here in front of you!

In Episode 66 of The ATA Podcast, Host Matt Baird asks the candidates running for officer positions about the T&I work they do, why they joined ATA, and what skills and vision they will bring to their position on the Board. Be sure to catch the second part of this episode to learn more about the candidates for Board Director positions.

Click ATA 2021 Elections for candidate statements and photos. And don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast!

Sustainability and waste management are currently hot topics, but back in 2001, when Abigail Dahlberg began her translation career, they were a bit off the beaten path. Now 20 years into this translation specialty, Abigail joins Inside Specialization Host Andie Ho for a look at careers in this "still very much a niche" market. From the kinds of jobs available and the impact of machine translation to tips for psyching out growth areas in the specialty and becoming the go-to translator in the field, this interview covers everything you could want to know about this highly specialized career path--and then some.

No matter what your language or specialty, whether you are a veteran conference-goer or a first-timer, you'll walk away from ATA's 62nd Annual Conference with practical and realistic ways to build, manage, and grow your business. In Episode 64, you’ll find out more about this opportunity to learn how to get better at what you do. Host Matt Baird speaks with ATA President-Elect and ATA62 Conference Organizer Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo.  Find out about the educational sessions, networking opportunities, precautions being taken to keep attendees safe, and more. Don’t miss this sneak peek at ATA’s flagship event!

From the outside looking in, a career as a conference interpreter can often seem glamorous. Perhaps it's the travel and nights in hotels around the world. Or maybe it's the sense of being part of an exclusive community of interpreters working at high-stakes meetings. It might also be the fact that conference interpreters tend to be paid more. Episode 63 of The ATA Podcast is your chance to find out what it's really all about. You'll learn about the necessary skills and training to the ins and outs of a typical day to the types of clients you'll encounter as Host Veronika Demichelis interviews conference interpreter Andrew Gillies for this installment of Inside Specialization.

As many in the U.S. gear up to head back to school, Episode 62 of The ATA Podcast steps away from association activities to examine translation and interpreting education. Guest Host Michael Schubert interviews ATA members Alaina Brandt and Jamie Hartz to discover how well their T&I courses prepared them for the transition to careers, what they wish they had known before they graduated, and what other alternative career paths current students with a T&I degree might consider. There's a lot to learn from Alaina and Jamie's personal stories, even for those of us who've been out of school for many, many years!

ATA62 Annual Conference • ATA62 Registration • ATA Language Services Directory • Become an ATA Voting Member • ATA Halftime Show: Podcast Episode 60 • Guide to Starting Out as a Translator • Certification Exam • ATA Back to Business Basics Series • Treasurer's Report FY 2019-2020 • The Savvy Newcomer • ATA Mentoring Program • ATA Website • Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) • Kent State University • University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee • ATA Chapters

What's it like to work as a highly specialized technical translator in a hard science? In our fourth Inside Specialization podcast, Host Veronika Demichelis talks with Karen Tkaczyk about how her career literally took off in a matter of months, what kinds of jobs she takes on, and what keeps her going. You'll also learn about some of the basic traits technical translators share, the need to invest your time in the subject matter, and the lucrative sideline of editing non-native English scientific writing. Wondering about the impact of machine translation in this specialty? Karen's insider perspective is just what you need to hear. And finally--we saved the best for last--she reveals what it's like to turn away work because you have too much!

Comments? Email podcasts@atanet.org

Did you hear about ATA's new e-book Guide to Starting Out as a Translator? Will the ATA62 conference be virtual this year? Is it true that ATA's certification exam can now be taken online? How does the new ATA website help members make more of their membership? Why is it never too late to attend an ATA membership orientation session? Why did the number of ATA webinars double this year? And what is the Back to Business Basics series? How is ATA doing financially?

It's the annual Halftime Show where President Ted Wozniak and President-Elect Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo tell ATA Podcast Host Matt Baird what the association has been doing in the first six months of 2021 and where it's going in the last six months of the year. Don't miss this episode!

Don't forget to send comments and questions to podcast@atanet.org!

Show Notes: ATA Compensation Survey • Certification Online Exam • ATA62 Annual Conference • ATA Webinars • ATA Back to Business Basics Series • ATA Professional Development: Podcast Episode 54 • Guide to Starting Out as a Translator • 5 Reasons to Join ATA in 2021 • Inside Specialization Series • Next Member Orientation Session • ATA Website • ATA Advocacy: Podcast Episode 58 • Treasurer's Report FY 2019-2020 • Ted's Membership Column

In this third edition of ATA's Inside Specialization series, we’re talking about the often-overlooked field of educational interpreting and translation. Katharine Allen and Natalia Abarca describe the broad range and diversity of the specialization, the skills interpreters and translators need to work in the field, and the satisfaction that comes from doing work that makes such a difference in people's lives. Katharine and Natalia also have plenty of advice for professionals who are interested in getting started in educational interpreting and translation. Plus, you'll get to share in their excitement about the newly established American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education. So, listen in to learn about careers in the world of educational interpreting and translation.

Show Notes: American Association of Interpreters and Translators in Education • Katharine Allen • Natalia Abarca • ATA Career and Education Resources

Educating government officials and the public about the role of translators, interpreters, and language access in our society is a central part of ATA’s mission to be “The Voice of Interpreters and Translators.” These efforts are led in part by ATA’s Advocacy Committee. In Episode 58, Host Matt Baird speaks with ATA Board Director and Advocacy Committee Chair Lorena Ortiz Schneider about the committee’s campaigns to ensure the availability of independent contractor classification for translator and interpreters as well as early access to vaccinations and safe working conditions for in-person interpreters during the pandemic. Listen now and learn how you, too, can participate and help make a difference!

ATA Advocacy Committee • Stepping Out on Capitol Hill: ATA’s First Advocacy Day in Washington, DC • Advocacy Call to Action in Pennsylvania • ATA Asks Senate to Amend PRO Act • Contact ATA's Advocacy Committee • Joint National Committee for Languages • ATA Advocacy and Outreach • ATA Podcast Episode 19: 2017 Advocacy Day Wrap-Up • Join ATA Today! Special Mid-Year Membership Offer • 5 Reasons to Join ATA • ATA Members Only Free Webinar for June • ATA's Virtual Brainstorm Networking Event

We look forward to your comments! Send to podcast@atanet.org.

In the second Inside Specialization podcast, Host Veronika Demichelis interviews ATA Past President Corinne McKay and current ATA Director Meghan Konkol about translating in the international development market. You'll learn that it's not all the pro bono work you might have thought it was—in fact, just the opposite. You'll also hear about the types of translation work you can expect, the interesting cultural challenges, the somewhat lower barriers to entering the sector, and the many subspecialties within the field that let you find your passion.  Bonus! Both Meghan and Corinne have tips for beginners and experienced translators who want to get into international development translation.

ATA has been in the business of acknowledging outstanding service and professional distinction in the translation and interpreting fields since 1964 when it awarded its first Alexander Gode Medal. By recognizing colleagues who, through their daily work, volunteer activities, and careers exemplify the qualities that define excellence in our industry, the association not only salutes their achievements but also recognizes their substantial impact on our community.

In episode 56 of The ATA Podcast, Honors and Awards Committee Chair Karen Tkaczyk talks with Host Matt Baird about what's on tap for this year's awards season and announces the opening of nominations for the ATA Dynamo, Mentoring, and Rising Star Awards!

Back to Business Basics Webinar: Specialization • ATA Member Center • 2021 AFTI First-Time ATA Conference Attendee Scholarships • Honors and Awards Program • Alexander Gode Medal • Lewis Galantière Award • Biography: Galantière-The Lost Generation's Forgotten Man • Ungar German Translation Award • Student Translation Award • Dynamo Award • Mentoring Award • Rising Star Award • Advocacy Award • Impact Award • Innovation Award • S. Edmund Berger Prize for Excellence in Scientific and Technical Translation • Alicia Gordon Award for Word Artistry in Translation • Marian S. Greenfield Financial Translation Presentation Award • ATA Honors and Awards Committee

Audio Production: Derek Platts. Music tracks: www.bensound.com

Please send comments, questions, or requests about this podcast to podcast@atanet.org

Welcome to "Inside Specialization, an all-new series on specialization and diversification developed in collaboration with ATA’s Professional Development Committee! 

In this first episode, Professional Development Committee Chair Veronika Demichelis sat down with Judy Jenner, an ATA spokesperson and federally certified Spanish interpreter, to find out what it’s like to be a court interpreter—from her typical day to why she made this career choice.

We hope you'll come back for more in the series as members of the committee explore various specializations in one-on-one interviews with those working in translation and interpreting careers. You'll hear from terminology specialists, healthcare interpreters, patent translators, localization experts, and more. They’ll talk about what their work entails, the pros and cons of their specialty, the skills that are needed, and their personal stories and recommendations for getting started. This will be an adventure you won't want to miss!

If you have read ATA Newsbriefs or The ATA Chronicle, followed ATA on social media, or opened one of ATA's email broadcasts, then you’re probably aware of ATA's Professional Development Committee (PDC). Charged with developing continuing education for translators and interpreters—members and non-members alike—this group of hard-working volunteers has picked up the pace to offer more than 50 webinars and virtual workshops in 2021.

To find out more about ATA's continuing education program and where it's headed, listen to Host Matt Baird interview PDC Chair Veronika Demichelis in Epsiode 54 of The ATA Podcast.

Show Notes:

ATA Professional Development Committee • ATA62 Annual Conference • PRO Act • ATA Honors and Awards • Free Monthly Webinar for Members • ATA Board of Directors • ATA Mission Statement • ATA Bylaws • ATA Divisions • Back to Business Basics • Virtual Workshops • ATA Webinars

Schools may be closed, but ATA's School Outreach Program is going strong—in fact, even better!

Listen in to Episode 53 of The ATA Podcast as host Matt Bair interviews Meghan Konkol, coordinator of ATA's School Outreach Program, and Molly Yurick, deputy chair of ATA's Public Relations Committee, to find out how the program has adapted to social distancing. Along the way, Meghan and Molly discuss the program's mission and the goal of supporting both members and schools. They also share their own personal experiences and offer tips for both in-person and virtual presentations. Matt talks about his own school outreach experience, and why the approach he took doesn't require a lot of preparation.

So, don't miss this podcast to discover how you can share your passion for language with students—and possibly win a free registration to ATA's 62nd Annual Conference in the process.

5 Reasons to Renew Your ATA Membership  • The ATA Mentoring Program • The Benefits of Mentoring • Check Out the New ATA Website • ATA62 Call for Proposals • ATA Webinars • ATA Members-Only Free Monthly Webinar • School Outreach Program • Benefits of ATA School Outreach • School Outreach Contest • Getting the Gig • School Outreach Resources • Understanding the Value of Educating the Public • Contest Winner Profile: Denise Fisher • School Outreach Continuing Education Points • How a Virtual School Outreach is Done • Contest Winner Profile: Giovanna Lester • Webinar: How to Give a School Outreach Presentation • Contest Winner Profile: Molly Yurick • Click to email the ATA School Outreach Program • #ataschooloutreach

How did ATA do in 2020? In Episode 52, ATA President Ted Wozniak and President-Elect Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo tell Matt Baird, host of The ATA Podcast, how 2020 became the "year of the ATA volunteer." From membership to advocacy, from professional development to honors and awards, ATA members pulled together to make things happen for their colleagues. And both Ted and Madalena say there's a lot more to come in 2021!

ATA Letter to CDC: Interpreters Need the Vaccine • ATA Members Report How Their Work Changed in 2020 • 5 Reasons to Join ATA • Check Out the New ATA Website • ATA62 Call for Proposals • ATA Webinars • ATA Virtual School Outreach • COVID-19 Best Practices for Interpreters • The ATA Podcast • Free Monthly Webinars • ATA Honors and Awards • ITD 2020 • Changes in ATA Continuing Education Requirements • ATA and California Assembly Bill 5 • Treasurer's Annual Report for FY2019-2020

Most translators and interpreters go into business understanding that finding and retaining clients will be hard work. What many fail to see, however, is the difficulty in running a business alone and not always knowing what to do next. Enter ATA's new Mastermind Program!

What Are ATA's Mastermind Groups? • Introducing ATA's Mastermind Program • ATA Mastermind Program Registration • ATA Mentoring Program • ATA New Member Orientation • The Savvy Newcomer • ATA Urges CDC to Vaccinate Interpreters • Call for ATA62 Conference Proposals • Renew Your ATA Membership • Join ATA!

To celebrate International Translation Day 2020, Podcast Host Matt Baird interviewed ATA Past President Nick Hartmann for a look back at his career and the translation and interpreting industry—from the days of fax machines and modems in the early 1980s to the current age of specialization and machine translation.

Nick also talks about ATA's own story and his experiences in the Association, including that first feeling of being welcomed into an amazing community, the growing professionalism of the Association, his early decision to volunteer with the Sci-Tech Division, and his two stints on the ATA Board.

ATA's first podcast was broadcast in celebration of International Translation Day on September 30, 2015. So, what could be better than to share our landmark 50th episode with International Translation Day once again.

Thank you for listening!

ATA61 is less than a month away! With that in mind, this special edition of The ATA Podcast features an interview with conference speaker Jay Marciano. Jay gives Host Matt Baird a sneak peek into both his presentations, including why translation is a growth industry, how the business model for pricing translation is failing us, and where machine translation and post-editing fit into the future of the industry.

Robert Sette is running for a three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors.  

Lorena Ortiz Schneider is running for a three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors.  

Elena Langdon is running for a three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors.  

Manako Ihaya is running for a three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors.  

Antonio Guerra is running for a three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors.  

Veronika Demichelis is running for a three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors.

Robin Bonthrone is running for a three-year term on the ATA Board of Directors.  

The slate is set, the candidates are ready, and the opportunity to learn more about who’s running for the Board is right here in front of you!

ATA Podcast Host Matt Baird asks the candidates about the work they do, why they are running, and where they stand on opening ATA’s certification exam to non-members. It’s all in Episode 48 of The ATA Podcast.

Click ATA 2020 Election for candidate statements and photos. And don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast!

For many of translators, interpreters, and company owners, ATA’s Annual Conference is the most highly anticipated event in their professional calendar—not just for learning and getting leads on jobs but also for meeting and networking with other translators and interpreters. How is it possible to do all this virtually? Find out when Host Matt Baird interviews ATA President-Elect and Conference Organizer Madalena Sanchéz Zampaulo in Episode 47 of The ATA Podcast.

California Assembly Bill 5 and job loss. COVID-19 and economic crisis. Travel bans and everything going virtual. Few of us could have imagined a year like this one. So, how has ATA responded? And is there anything you may have missed along the way? Find out as ATA Podcast Host Matt Baird interviews President Ted Wozniak and President-Elect Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo for our 2020 Halftime Show.

Translators and interpreters working for the U.S. Government represent a large community of highly trained language professionals, many of whom know little about language careers outside of the government. A number of ATA members wanted to change that, and so they did!

In Episode 45 of The ATA Podcast, Matt interviews Joe Mazza, the administrator of ATA’s Government Division, and Rusty Shughart, chair of the Government Linguist Outreach Task Force (GLOTF), to learn why the ATA Government Division was established, the mission of GLOTF, and what both have accomplished so far.

You’ll definitely want to hear this episode’s special introduction by ATA President Ted Wozniak!

In an epic meet-up between U.S.-based interpreters Elena Langdon and Melinda Gonzalez-Hibner and the hosts of Europe’s Troublesome Terps, Episode 44 tackles interpreting issues on both sides of the "pond," including the impact of COVID-19 and the rise of remote simultaneous interpreting.

On March 27, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2-trillion emergency relief fund to assist Americans during the COVID-19 shutdown.  In this special edition of the ATA Podcast, Host Matt Baird speaks with ATA President Ted Wozniak and ATA President-Elect Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo about the CARES Act and the impact of COVID-19 on language professionals.

Don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast on iTunes, Feedly, and Spotify!

Everything translators and interpreters need to know about AB 5! This blockbuster podcast with Ted Wozniak and Lorena Ortiz Schneider has the answers to your questions! Plus, you’ll also hear from one translator who tackled the issue head-on to save her business. Listen now!

The school of hard knocks is no way to learn business management skills. ATA's Business Practices Education Committee is here to help! Learn more about the committee's programs, including the BP listserv, The Savvy Newcomer, and the ATA Mentoring Program, in ATA Podcast Host Matt Baird's interview with Tess Whitty and Susanne van Eyl. You'll also get an early peek at the new Masterminds program set to begin this year!

Technology is changing the way we work. What does the future hold? Are human translators and interpreters going to become obsolete? Matt interviews Jay Marciano, Katharine Allen, and Barry Olsen for their take on where we're going and how to survive.

Don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast!

The interpreting world is a broad one, so it was fitting to sit down with two ATA60 speakers whose sessions couldn’t have been more different. First up, Matt spoke with Julie Tay about the future and interpreters leveraging “cultural capital” in the digital age. Then he turned to Ewandro Magalhaes for the history of the interpreter's role in war and peace.

Don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast!

Like most translators, audiovisual translators work behind the scenes. But in their case, they literally work behind the scenes – of movies, TV, the performing arts and all the other parts of the film and entertainment industry that most of us haven’t even heard of.

In this podcast, Matt interviewed Deborah Wexler and Ellen Sowchek to find out why this is one of the fastest growing T&I specialties.

Don't forget to subscribe to The ATA Podcast!

Listen in and learn more about the people  running for Board and Officer positions in ATA's 2019 Elections. 

In these podcast interviews, the candidates talk with Matt about how they entered the translation and interpreting profession, what they see as the challenges for ATA and its members, and where they see the Association heading in the future.

Cristina Helmerichs is running for the position of Board Director in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Jamie Hartz is running for the position of Board Director in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Tony Guerra is running for the position of Board Director in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Veronika Demichelis is running for the position of Board Director in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Alaina Brandt is running for the position of Board Director in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

John Milan is running for the position of Treasurer in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Karen Tkaczyk is running for the position of Secretary in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo is running for the position of President-Elect in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Geoff Koby is running for the position of President-Elect in ATA's upcoming elections on October 24, 2019.

Podcast Host Matt Baird interviews veteran translator and interpreter Judy Jenner to get an inside look at how translators and interpreters work.

Don't forget to subscribe!

Clear blue skies. Star-filled nights. Palm trees in the desert. And a mountainside almost close enough to touch. Palm Springs is different!

From the magnificent venue to the session choices to the special events, Conference Organizer Ted Wozniak shares all the reasons why ATA60 will be super in Episode 35 of The ATA Podcast.