CATI 2020 Conference Sessions
Session 1
1A – Who are the Sign Language Interpreters? Are They My Colleagues?
Presented by Sarah D. Baker (B)
As our respective fields bloom and grow, spoken language organizations and signed language organizations rarely meet; however, we share a common goal. For all languages, qualified interpreters shoulder great responsibility to ensure accurate, free-flowing communication within our world, our country, and our communities. During this short lecture, I will share a brief overview of our nationwide ASL interpreting organization (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf), the ASL/English interpreting certification process, nuances of interpreting for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing clients, Deaf cultural mediation standards, the RID/NAD Code of Professional Conduct, and strategies for teaming with a Sign Language interpreter when a spoken language interpreter is already present. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
1B – Technology has Changed the Language Services Industry: Now What?
Presented by Mike Collins and John Milan (A, C)
This presentation will examine how multiple forces have changed the landscape of the language services industry. We’ll discuss how we got here, what the current industry looks like, and where we might be heading in the near future. We’ll explore some new roles for translators and interpreters as language advisors, consultants, and analysts, while considering the importance of the human element in the work that we do. We’ll also poll attendees on their views of how their occupations are changing and what techniques they are using to adapt. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
1C – Word Matter: Etymology as a Tool for Language Professionals
Presented by Susana Gee (A, B)
“Words have Meaning”, Justice Anthony Scalia.
Language professionals are constantly bombarded with words. When a language professional is in a pinch, it is an invaluable tool to be able to consider a word, assess it and decode its probable meaning. Each word has a story behind it and if the language professional can make connections to quickly decipher a term, the translation becomes easier. This skill will prove to be a fundamental tool for any language professional in any setting. To understand the history of words is to commit the meaning of a word to memory. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
1D – Stay in your lane! (But who’s drawing the lines?)
Presented by Janis Palma (B)
Interpreters in legal settings have a strict code of ethics that prescribes exactly how to navigate the complexities of constitutional protections afforded to persons who do not speak or understand the language of the courts. The law of the land is meaningless and ineffective when such a person faces a criminal prosecution in either a state or federal court without an interpreter. A professional code of ethics provides the ground rules for the interpreters in legal contexts. But who decided how or why an interpreter should perform according to these ground rules? Do they actually help or hinder the true role of a judiciary interpreter? This presentation explores the meaning of accuracy as it pertains to the judiciary interpreter’s role, encouraging participants to exercise their critical thinking skills as the traditional ethical boundaries for the judiciary interpreter’s performance are challenged on the basis of long-standing language and communication theories. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
Session 2
2A – Panel Presentation:
Areas: Translation, Project Management, Business
Moderated by Dr. Mónica Rodríguez-Castro
Presented by Dr. Mónica, Rodríguez-Castro, Ms. Delfina Erochenko; Ms. Yennica Palmer & Ms. Laura Richiez Combas (A, C)
Managing Translation Projects Successfully
Dr. Mónica Rodríguez-Castro
As translation volume and project complexity continue to grow in today’s language industry, the need for advanced project management tools is becoming essential for successful project completion. The role of the project manager is indispensable in handling diverse projects to ensure an effective communication workflow among intercultural virtual teams, particularly in projects with high technical complexity. This panel will focus on mismatched expectations between linguists and project managers with regards to post-editing. The panel will also revisit the role of the project managers in ensuring effective virtual interactions and propose possible communication workflows that could satisfy the needs of culturally diverse teams with the implementation of latest technologies.
Mismatched Expectations of Post-editing in Today’s Industry: Linguists vs. Project Managers
Ms. Delfina Erochenko
Artificial intelligence has been making an impact on the language industry, as a result the topic of machine translation, particularly post-editing, has attracted attention. There is an ongoing debate on whether machine translation is an ‘accelerator’ or a ‘replacement’ for current translation professionals. This presentation will explore the concept of post-editing and its role in the translator’s workstation, as well as mismatched expectations of linguists versus project managers towards the role of post-editing in translation processes. Additionally, the presentation will also provide tips on productivity gains for translators while showcasing the challenges that machine translation continues to face.
Why Cultural Differences are Still Relevant in Today’s Work Settings?
Ms. Yennica Palmer
As the language industry continues its transformation through digitalization, Language Service Providers have seen increasing volumes of work with high project complexity. Often, translation companies have resorted to outsourcing to a network of freelancers working in virtual teams. Virtual teams not only transcend physical spaces but also cultural barriers, and project managers are faced with the challenges of managing complex intercultural communication workflows. The purpose of this presentation is to survey cultural study theories, such as Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural values (2001) and Hall’s approach to high and low context cultures (1992), to understand the communication styles and work values from different cultures. The presentation will discuss such aspects as distinctions in socialization levels, superior–subordinate relationships, etc. and provide possible tips to motivate a diverse workforce for successful team interactions.
Communication Workflows in Translation Virtual Teams
Ms. Laura Richiez Combas
Virtual translation teams are becoming increasingly predominant in the translation industry. Therefore, team members must take into consideration an array of communication strategies. To
that end, translation project managers play a crucial role in comprehending different team members’ communication styles in order to overcome possible misunderstandings while establishing trust and ensuing efficiency. Project managers can design workflows carefully so as to facilitate smooth communication among team members and empower each team member to enhance productivity. This presentation will suggest technologies that could be used to improve collaboration in communication workflows in order to aid project managers in successful project completion.
This panel has been approved for one ATA CEU.
2B – Top Speed Simultaneous Interpreting Workshop: Do you feel the need…the need for speed?
Presented by Lorena N. Devlyn (B)
Participants will improve their speed in the simultaneous interpreting mode and will learn different techniques to interpret judicial proceedings recorded at more than 200+ words per minute. Participants will learn different ways of dealing effectively with judges, attorneys and defendants whose speed makes it difficult to render a full, complete and accurate interpretation into the target language. Utilizing real recordings of federal court proceedings, the presenter will demonstrate how to interpret at a speed of 200 + words per minute. The presenter will give advice on breathing techniques, intonation and delay (EVS or Ear to Voice decalage) to achieve an optimal speed of delivery. The presenter will discuss word expansion and sentencing restructuring on repetitive and formulaic language. The presenter will address coping strategies when fast deliveries lead to lack of comprehension and loss of information and impede the interpreter’s ability to render a complete and accurate interpretation. The presenter will analyze and critique the participants’ renditions. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
2C – Interpreting Child Sexual Abuse
Presented by Jeannette Houchens (B)
Trying to obtain information from children about alleged sexual abuse they may have experienced or witnessed can present many challenges for interviewers and investigators. Now Imagine, having to obtain the information from non-English speaking children with different cultural backgrounds. These professionals must rely on expert interpreters so that the information can be used as evidence in criminal cases. This session will provide participants with the tools needed to understand the forensic interview process and how to interpret accurately, applying the interpreter’s code of ethics, without changing the dynamic of the interview or affecting child disclosure due to linguistic or cultural differences. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
2D – LatinX: A 21st Century Enigma
Presented by Hernán A. Silva-Zetina and Matthew T. Benton (B)
Whether language purists like it or not, Latinx is here to stay. A 21st century social necessity. What it is, how it is used, and its impact in our daily life. We plan to present what it is, its origins and its usage. The mechanics of its interpretation with Hispanic immigrants at U.S. courts and hospitals. The training of interpreters about how to tackle its linguistic twists to render accurate and precise interpretations when giving a rendition in an open court or in a health care setting. Team participation and discussion will be encouraged during the presentation. CEU’s – ATA
Session 3
3A – How to become a State Department Contractor
Presented by Irene Bruno (B)
Ms. Bruno will make a presentation about the Office of Language Services at the Department of State;
she will explain how to become a contractor, either as a translator or an interpreter. CEU’s – ATA
3B – El intérprete y la gramática de la oralidad
Presented by Dr. Santiago García-Castañón (B)
Si la lengua en general está regida por unas normas que denominamos gramática, la lengua hablada se rige por las leyes de la prosodia, o gramática de la oralidad.
Todos los profesionales de la voz (cantantes, actores, locutores) realizan ejercicios para perfeccionar su técnica de dicción. El intérprete, que también utiliza la voz como principal herramienta de trabajo, debe cuidar la prosodia con el fin de ordenar el discurso adecuadamente. Para lograr tal fin, necesita trabajar aspectos como la entonación, el volumen y la velocidad, así como la acentuación, el ritmo y las pausas, elementos de los que se ocupa la prosodia.
En esta presentación trataré de clarificar diversos aspectos prosódicos para que sea posible producir un discurso diáfano y comprensible. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
3C – Overview of ATA’s Certification Exam: Q&As
Presented by David Stephenson (A)
This session will be of interest to attendees seeking a better understanding of ATA’s certification exam and program. The speaker will discuss the nature of the exam, assessment criteria, and recent changes in the program. He will answer questions about certification policies and procedures and provide tips on how to prepare for the exam. CEU’s – ATA
3D – Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Patient Counseling and Spiritual Care: To Recuse Myself or Not to Recuse Myself, that is the Question
Presented by Indira Sultanić (B)
For many healthcare interpreters, patient counseling and spiritual care are especially difficult settings in which to interpret. They fall between a theological, phycological, and a social encounter. Many interpreters are faced with the dilemma “to interpret or not to interpret?”. Some interpreters simply recuse themselves from these or similar encounters, while others may struggle with self-assessing their readiness and with properly employing their code of ethics. This presentation offers a 5-question approach to checking ones’ own readiness before going into these settings, how to best employ the code of ethics when faced with an ethical dilemma, and when, and how to graciously withdraw from assignments. CEU’s – ATA, CCHI,
Cancellations and Refunds – If an individual cancels in writing by or on March 13, 2020, a $25 cancellation fee will be deducted from the registration amount paid. Allow up to 8 weeks for refunds to be processed. No refunds will be made if notified after March 13, 2020. Substitutions are encouraged.