Founded in 1959, membership is open to anyone with an interest in translation and interpretation as a profession or as a scholarly pursuit.[2] Members include translators, interpreters, educators, project managers, web and software developers, language services companies, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.
The ATA represents both "labor" and "management"—that is, both the independent contractors who produce translation and interpreting services and the agencies who purchase them. The ATA does not provide union-type benefits, such as collective bargaining or health insurance, to its freelance members.[2]
Professional developmentedit
ATA's primary goals are to foster and support the professional development of translators and interpreters and to promote the translation and interpretation as professions.[4] The Association offers a variety of programs and services in support of these goals, including webinars and one-day workshops throughout the year and an ATA Annual Conference every fall—all of which feature translating and interpreting education in diverse specialties and languages.
Certificationedit
The ATA currently offers certification exams in the following language pairs:[5]
After passing the ATA certification examination, translators are required to complete a certain number of "continuing education" points in order to retain their certification.[6]
Advocacyedit
ATA is a member of the Joint National Committee for Languages, a nonprofit education policy association that works to raise grassroots awareness of the importance of languages to national security, economic growth, and social justice. ATA has also advocated for translators and interpreters on specific issues affecting the translation and interpreting professions. See ATA Statement Opposing Discontinuing Immigration Interpreting Services, ATA Opposes Lower Interpreter Exam Scores in Texas, and ATA Position Statement Regarding California Assembly Bill 5 and Request for Exemption.
International Translation Dayedit
Since 2018, ATA has celebrated International Translation Day (September 30) by publishing a series of social media posts intended to educate the public about the role of professional translators and interpreters. ATA's 2018 ITD celebration centered on six infographics highlighting "need to know" facts about translation and interpreting services. On September 30, the Association will release a "Day in the Life of a Translator or Interpreter," a short animated video showing how translators and interpreters help power the global economy.
Governanceedit
ATA is governed by its Bylaws,[2] and has a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a nine-member Board of Directors. An Executive Director is in charge of operations.
The ATA Chronicle is a monthly publication available 'online' and in hard-copy format. The publication includes articles on various translation- and interpreting-related issues combined with regular features.
ATA Newsbriefs is an e-newsletter distributed to members twice a month. The publication features national and international news about translation and interpreting.
ATA Translation and Interpreting Compensation Survey is an industry-wide survey providing a comprehensive picture of the market for T&I services. The full report is free to ATA members. An Executive Summary is available at no cost to non-members.
The ATA Compass is a free e-publication for buyers of translation and interpreting services.
Translation: Getting it Right
Interpreting: Getting it Right
ATA Scholarly Monograph Series—Published annually by John Benjamins.
Structureedit
ATA divisions provide members with common interests a way to network and receive career updates. The divisions offer newsletters, online forums, seminars, conference presentations, and networking sessions. ATA offers 22 special interest groups or divisions,[8] based on language or subject-area specialty. Any member of the ATA can belong to any division(s).
Arabic Language Division
Audiovisual Division
Chinese Language Division
Dutch Language Division
Educators Division
French Language Division
German Language Division
Government Division
Interpreters Division
Italian Language Division
Japanese Language Division
Korean Language Division
Language Technology Division
Law Division
Literary Division
Medical Division
Nordic Division
Portuguese Language Division
Science and Technology Division
Slavic Languages Division
Spanish Language Division
Translation Company Division
ATA chaptersedit
ATA chapters and affiliates provide regional information, marketing, networking, and support services to local translators and interpreters.
Association of Translators and Interpreters of Florida (ATIF)
Atlanta Association of Interpreters and Translators (AAIT)
Carolina Association of Interpreters and Translators (CATI)
Colorado Translators Association (CTA)
Delaware Valley Translators Association (DVTA)
Michigan Translators/Interpreters Network (MiTiN)[permanent dead link]
Mid-America Chapter of ATA (MICATA)
Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters (MATI)
National Capital Area Chapter of the ATA (NCATA)
New York Circle of Translators (NYCT)
Northeast Ohio Translators Association (NOTA)
Northern California Translators Association (NCTA)
Northwest Translators and Interpreters Society (NOTIS)
Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association (UMTIA)
Affiliated groupsedit
Association of Translators and Interpreters in the San Diego Area (ATISDA)
Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Association (AATIA)
El Paso Interpreters and Translators Association (EPITA)
Houston Interpreters and Translators Association (HITA)
Iowa Interpreters and Translators Association (IITA)
Nebraska Association of Translators and Interpreters (NATI)
Nevada Interpreters and Translators Association (NITA)
New Mexico Translators and Interpreters Association (NMTIA)
Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (OSTI)
Tennessee Association of Professional Interpreters and Translators (TAPIT)
Utah Translators and Interpreters Association (UTIA)