ATA Shares Resources for Those Affected by Southern California Wildfires
Many ATA members, their families, friends, and communities have been impacted by the unprecedented, devastating, and ongoing catastrophe in the Los Angeles area. Our hearts are with all those affected.
On Monday, January 13, 2025, ATA President-Elect Andy Benzo contacted all members believed to be living in the area impacted by the wildfires. On Wednesday, January 15, the chair of ATA’s Advocacy Committee met with fellow advocacy chairs from sister associations and members of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to discuss a coordinated response to the wildfires. Any updates will be shared on the Advocacy and Outreach page of ATA’s website.
In the meantime, Mutual Aid LA Network has compiled a list of resources and volunteer and donation opportunities that are updated regularly. Similarly, The New York Times has published an article with links to vetted online crowdsourcing campaigns and a list of reputable organizations that are accepting donations. Finally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has published a list of organizations providing aid in affected communities in Southern California. Relief organizations requiring language access assistance can get in touch with ATA at advocacy@jishuoba.com so every effort can be made to connect them with potential volunteers who can provide translation or remote interpreting services.
Read the Full Statement from ATA
Call for Speakers!
We are now accepting session proposals for ATA’s 66th Annual Conference, October 22-25, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts!
Speaking at an ATA Annual Conference is a challenging and rewarding opportunity. You’ll gain recognition as an industry leader by sharing your expertise with your T&I colleagues!
Submit Your Proposal by March 3, 2025!
Submission Is Open to Everyone
You do not have to be an ATA member to submit a proposal. ATA66 will feature speakers from around the world – working translators and interpreters (many of whom are also educators), attorneys, physicians, CEOs, and managers. They all have much to share. This is your opportunity to join their ranks, leverage your expertise, build your reputation, and help shape the future of the T&I industry.
All proposals will be assessed through a competitive peer-review process.
Submitting Your Proposal
What is your area of expertise? What topic do you wish to address as an ATA66 speaker? You’ll find the full list of session topics and descriptions on the ATA66 Conference website.
Click here to learn how to submit a session proposal.
Book Your Room Today
A limited number of rooms at the Westin Boston Seaport Hotel (Conference Headquarters hotel) have been reserved at a discount for attendees. ATA rates are available until September 29, or as space allows. Learn more and book now!
We hope you’ll consider sharing your expertise at the premiere conference for T&I professionals and look forward to celebrating with you at ATA66!
Need More Information?
If you have any questions, please contact Catherine (Cat) Kenol, Senior Professional Development and Events Coordinator at ata66speakers@jishuoba.com.
Renew Your ATA Membership for 2025!
Whether you’re an independent contractor, an in-house linguist, or a language services company owner, ATA provides you with the marketing, education, and opportunities you need to be successful in your translation or interpreting business.
Here’s an overview of all the benefits ATA offers!
Take Advantage of ATA’s Divisions
When renewing, please check that you are a member of the divisions you would like to be in and join others that may be of interest. This can be done by logging into your ATA account and clicking on Divisions on the left side. Learn more about ATA’s divisions here.
Trump Administration Shuts Down White House Spanish-Language Page and Social Media
PBS News (1/22/25) by Fernanda Figueroa
Within hours of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the new administration took down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. The website now displays an “Error 404” message.
Hispanic advocacy groups and others expressed confusion at the abrupt change and frustration at what some called the administration’s lack of efforts to maintain communication with the Latino community, which helped propel Trump to the presidency.
The Spanish page of the White House’s X profile, @LaCasaBlanca, and the government page on reproductive freedom were also unavailable. Meanwhile, the Spanish versions of websites for other government agencies, such as the Department of Labor, Justice, and Agriculture, remained available for users.
Asked about the changes, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields responded that the administration is committed to bringing the Spanish translation section of the website back online.
“We are in the process of developing, editing, and tweaking the White House website,” Fields said. “As part of this ongoing work, some of the archived content on the website went dormant. We are committed to reloading that content in a short timeline.”
Trump removed the Spanish version of the page in 2017. At that time, White House officials said they would reinstate it. President Joe Biden reinstated the page in 2021.
Hispanic leaders and communication strategy experts expressed surprise at the page’s removal, given Trump’s popularity with certain Latino voters.
“If the White House is seriously interested in engaging with Latinos, the second largest group in this country, then they need to make sure that updates can also be distributed in Spanish, a preferred language for millions in our community, so that everyone is a part of the civic process,” said Frankie Miranda, president and chief executive officer of the Hispanic Federation.
Albany Father Fights for Deaf Son’s Right to Interpreter at Doctor’s Appointment
CBS 6 Albany (1/13/25) by Lara Bryn
Steve Shepard, a resident of Albany, New York, is speaking out about the challenges he faced in securing an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for his deaf son, Mark, during a recent doctor’s appointment. For 27 years, Shepard has been an advocate for his son, often assisting with scheduling medical appointments due to his ability to communicate more effectively over the phone.
When Mark switched to Albany Family Medicine, a Community Care Physicians practice, Shepard called to arrange an appointment and requested an ASL interpreter. “The person I spoke to at that time said, ‘oh, we don’t do that.’ And I said, ‘well, yeah, I think we have to,’” Shepard said.
Despite multiple calls, Shepard said he was repeatedly told to contact his insurance company for interpreter services. Frustrated, he reached out to his insurance company, which informed him that it was the responsibility of the doctor’s office to provide an interpreter and filed a complaint on his behalf.
Three days before the appointment, Albany Family Medicine assured the Shepards that an interpreter would be available. However, the process was not without its challenges. Upon arrival, it took about an hour for the staff to set up the technology for the ASL interpreter, who assisted via video chat.
While Shepard noted that the interpreter was effective and the doctor understanding, he hopes speaking of his experience will help raise awareness about the rights and laws protecting individuals with disabilities and the importance of self-advocacy in medical situations.
“I have an understanding of what maybe they should do, but it’s obvious from my conversations with these people that they don’t understand what the law says they’re obligated to do, and that’s bad,” Shepard said, referring to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
After Council Vote, Navajo Is Now the Official Language of the Navajo Nation
Arizona Republic (1/7/25) by Arlyssa D. Becenti
Last month, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed legislation designating Navajo (Diné Bizaad) as the official language of the Navajo Nation. The law aims to strengthen language preservation, integrating it into daily life and government activities.
The decision comes after decades of efforts to promote the language. Although Navajo fluency has declined over the years, the language is still widely spoken. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about 372,000 people speak Native North American languages at home. The most common of these languages is Navajo, with nearly 170,000 speakers.
“I feel much gratitude to everyone dedicated to preserving our beautiful language,” Nygren said. “I’m delighted to announce that Diné Bizaad is now recognized officially through legislation as integral to the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation.”
While Diné Customary Law recognizes the inherent right and freedom of the Diné people to have their language taught and preserved, the language has never been officially designated as the tribe’s official language until now.
In his memo to the Navajo Nation Council, Nygren outlined his commitment to implementing new strategies to make Diné Bizaad “the heart” of his administration. He urged members of the Budget and Finance Committee, along with other delegates, to collaborate with his office and Navajo Nation Chief Justice JoAnn Jayne to develop a comprehensive budget to ensure the promotion of the language.
New Illinois Law Requires Interpreters at State Agency Administrative Hearings
Illinois Capitol News (12/23/24) by Danny Connolly
Thanks to a new law, people who need English-language interpreters will now be required to get help at Illinois agency hearings.
An initiative spearheaded by State Senator Karina Villa to secure competent and accurate language assistance during state agency administrative hearings was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker.
The law requires state agencies to provide interpreters for self-represented and low-income individuals with limited English proficiency during all stages of a substantive administrative hearing.
“State administrative hearings are utilized by everyone,” Villa said. “This law ensures that everyone can access the resources our state government offers without facing a language barrier.”
Substantive administrative hearings determine a ruling under the authority of state agencies, which can be very consequential. Villa said it’s important for individuals who need language assistance to be properly informed and understand the government procedures they are undergoing.
“Language access in government procedures is necessary to ensure our communities benefit equitably from state services,” Villa said. “Thousands of people across Illinois prefer to communicate in a language other than English. This will help these individuals receive critical support and information.”
Virtual Reality Project Aims to Preserve Cornish
BBC News (1/20/25) by Jack Silver
A new project aims to use virtual reality to preserve the Cornish language.
Revive, a £2.5m project led by Anglia Ruskin University in the U.K., will focus on two endangered European languages: Griko, which is spoken in parts of Italy, and Kernewek.
The project will use a combination of extended reality technologies and digital archives to bring the language to life through testimonies from local people, photographs, film, and audio.
Fabrizio Galeazzi, a senior research fellow at the university’s StoryLab Research Institute, said languages were “part of our shared heritage,” but that many were disappearing at “an alarming rate.” (The United Nations estimates two Indigenous languages are dying every month.)
“Cornish is what we call an ‘awakening language,’ and is enjoying a resurgence after becoming officially extinct in the 18th Century,” Galeazzi said. He believes the project’s mission will ensure that “every young person in Cornwall is aware of their county’s incredible linguistic heritage.”
Now Accepting Nominations for ATA’s 2025 Elections!
The 2025 Nominating and Leadership Development Committee is pleased to announce the call for nominations from ATA’s membership to fill the following positions:
- President-Elect (two-year term)
- Secretary (two-year term)
- Treasurer (two-year term)
- Director (three positions, each for a three-year term)
Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting of Voting Members during ATA’s 66th Annual Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, October 22-25, 2025.
Who Is Eligible to be Nominated?
Under ATA’s Bylaws, all Active members of ATA are eligible to run for elected office. Active members are those who have passed an ATA certification exam or who are established as having achieved professional status through Active Membership Review or through the Credentialed Interpreter recognition process.
Active members must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. Other member categories are not eligible to serve as officers or directors. However, any member may submit a nomination.
Members of the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee are not eligible to run for elected office.
Submit Your Nomination
Any ATA member may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are also permitted and encouraged.
Members may make a nomination using the online form on the elections page on ATA’s website. Nominations should be submitted as early as possible so the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee can fully consider proposed candidates.
Nominations must be received by March 28, 2025.
Before submitting your nomination:
- Contact the nominee first, explaining your intention and the fact that a nomination does not guarantee a formal invitation to run for office.
- Keep in mind that ATA officers and directors serve on a volunteer basis. Please do not nominate colleagues who express serious concerns about service or who have conflicting priorities.
If a nomination is not put forward by the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee to ATA’s Board of Directors, an Active member may petition to be added to the slate of candidates by submitting the nomination in writing along with the signatures of at least 60 Voting members endorsing the nomination. The petitions must be received by the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee no later than 30 calendar days after first publication by the Board of Directors of the names of the candidates proposed by the committee.
ATA Hosts Free Virtual Event “Best Practices in Emergency Response Language Services”
February 27, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EST
ATA is proud to announce a groundbreaking virtual event, “Best Practices in Emergency Response Language Services” (free to members and non-members). This 90-minute event will take a critical look at the indispensable role of professional translators and interpreters in high-stakes emergency scenarios, providing a holistic view of how language professionals support life-saving efforts in real time.
Panel Highlights
This event offers a unique “wide-triangular-lens” approach, showcasing the perspectives of three critical stakeholders:
Emergency Responders: Insights from law enforcement representatives, 911 dispatchers, and first responders who rely on clear communication in life-or-death situations.
End Users: The voices of those directly affected, providing their experiences and challenges in accessing language support during crises.
Professional Interpreters: Real-life accounts from “on-the-ground” crisis interpreters and high-stakes political event linguists, detailing their crucial role in facilitating communication under pressure.
Key Topics
- Tools, practices, and strategies to optimize the linguist’s role during emergencies.
- Legal, ethical, and practical considerations for leveraging technology in language access.
- Regulatory requirements and industry standards for emergency response language services.
Panelists
The event will feature a diverse and accomplished group of speakers, including representatives from law enforcement and training sectors, active crisis interpreters, high-stakes political event interpreters, and a 911 dispatcher, among others. Attendees will gain actionable insights and learn how to navigate complex emergency scenarios with confidence and professionalism.
Bridget G. Hylak, event co-chair and administrator of ATA’s Language Technology Division, will moderate the discussion, ensuring a dynamic and engaging session.
Click to Learn More and Register!
Apply for ATA’s Mentoring Program
Get the support you need! ATA’s Mentoring Program offers matching services to members at different stages in their careers. Mentees and mentors benefit from this mutually rewarding program. Application Deadline: March 31.
Learn More about the Mentoring Program
The ATA Compass Blog Needs Your Help!
Looking for a SEO Coordinator
ATA’s Public Relations Committee is seeking a volunteer SEO coordinator for The ATA Compass blog. We publish new content regularly and need high-level guidance for SEO optimization, as well as article-specific SEO editing assistance. If you’re knowledgeable about SEO and interested in volunteering with ATA, please contact PR Committee Chair Jamie Hartz at jamie@tildelanguage.com. Thank you!
Learn More about The ATA Compass Blog
Save the Date!
In 2025, the ATA professional development calendar includes a mid-year virtual conference. Learn about the latest in translation and interpreting technology as it affects you today and tomorrow. Join us in the spring to discover up-to-the-minute market research in a keynote by Slator’s Florian Faes, hear from tech-savvy language services providers and linguists, technologists, as well as advocates for the role of humans in language services, and network in live sessions in your time zone.
February 1
ATA Webinar Presented by Chris Guichot de Fortis
“Professional Performance, All the Time! Part 2”
Register Here
February 6
ATA Webinar Presented by Kirti Vashee
“ATA TEKTalks: Is ModernMT the Right Tool for You?”
Register Here
February 20
ATA Webinar Presented by Majd Haddad
“Brain Power for Medical Interpreters”
Register Here
February 27
ATA Webinar Presented by Bridget G. Hylak, Moderator
“Best Practices in Emergency Response Language Services”
Register Here
March 20
ATA Webinar Presented by Devin Gilbert
“Developing Expertise in Interpreting: Reflection, Feedback, and Repetition”
Register Here
March 25
ATA Webinar Presented by Ehsan Etezad and Sam Pournezhad
“Preventing Burnout in Healthcare for Translators and Interpreters”
Register Here
April 8
ATA Webinar Presented by Florencia Russo
“From Words to Workflows: Mastering Translation Tech for Peak Performance”
Register Here
See ATA’s Online Calendar for translation & interpreting events around the world.
Member News
A space dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of our members!
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- EagleEye Trans Inc. is now classified as an ISO-certified service provider for translation (translation, editing, proofreading) and MTPE projects.
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