Productivity Strategies and Tools for Remote Translation Project Managers (TPM) by Cynthia Penovi Translation Project Managers are an essential link in the workflow of the translation process. In small translation agencies, they are in charge of dozens of daily communications; managing complex projects; checking statuses and progresses; and mediating between vendors, partners, clients, reviewers, and proofreaders, among other responsibilities. They are the ones responsible for projects that do not go so well or deadlines that are missed. Without them, we would not be able to accomplish our final goal to communicate without borders in an efficient and effective way. Translation Project Managers can be faced with additional difficulties to accomplish all of these tasks when they are working outside of an office environment, due to issues related to poor work organization, lack of productivity, inefficient processes, team communication problems, and procrastination. Luckily, there are numerous resources and strategies that can be used to address these challenges. Below are some of the ones I consider the most useful and a few tools I recommend. Break down your tasks into smaller steps An effective way to avoid getting overwhelmed when facing daunting tasks is to break them down into smaller ones and organize them in a list by priority. My favorite...
Learn MoreReaching the Future of Localization by Meg M. Murphy As a volunteer for the ATA-TCD, I was asked to create and pilot an informative presentation on localization for high school students with the goal of sharing career opportunity possibilities to the rising workforce. A formidable challenge it may have been, but I met it with brazenness. A presentation given to 29 students from North Branch Area High Schools in Minnesota on December 17, 2019 was likely the first localization outreach presentation given in the United States. Skopos At first, I was a little nervous; high schoolers can be a tough crowd. Keeping the attention of 29 high schoolers is challenge enough. How would I interest and inform them? I had the needed knowledge to impart, but could I present it in an applicable way? In localization and translation, we often refer to the skopos of a project. Skopos (σκοπός in Greek) means “purpose.” The skopos theory, originally conceived by Hans Josef Vermeer, states the following: “Each text is produced for a given purpose and should serve this purpose… to function in the situation it is used and with the people who want to use it and precisely in the way they want it to function.” I employed the skopos...
Learn MoreISO 18841:2018 Interpreting services – Requirements and recommendations By: Monika Popiolek, ATA TCD Newsletter and Blog contributor and ISO/CEN industry standards expert Standard information: Published: 2018 (Ed. 1) Due for review: 2023 Number of pages: 16 Type of standard: requirements and guidance document Technical Committee responsible: ISO/TC 37/SC 5 Translation, interpreting and related technology WG 2 ISO 18841 lays down the basic requirements for provision of interpreting services as well as recommendations of good practice. The standard was developed in response to the need to provide general service requirements for the provision of quality interpreting services and was conceived as an ‘umbrella standard’ for a series of ISO standards on interpreting. ISO 18841 provides requirements and recommendations for the delivery of spoken and signed communication across languages and societal contexts and references interpreting specializations. The standard may be used in conjunction with other interpreting specialization standards. The key areas covered by the standard are interpreting-related terms and definitions, minimum competence and qualifications requirements for individual interpreters and minimum requirements for Interpreting Service Providers (ISPs) operating as agencies. The concept of ISPs includes self-employed interpreters who are sole-traders and operate as small agencies. As a generalist standard, ISO 18841 is considered to be a good source of information for all...
Learn MoreISO 13611:2014 Interpreting – Guidelines for community interpreting By: Monika Popiolek, ATA TCD Newsletter and Blog contributor and ISO/CEN industry standards expert Standard info: Published: 2014 (Ed. 1) Due for review: 2019 Number of pages: 15 Type of standard: guidance document Technical Committee responsible: ISO/TC 37/SC 5 Translation, interpreting and related technology WG 2 ISO 13611 establishes criteria and sets recommendations for community interpreting during oral and signed communication that enables access to services for people who have limited proficiency in the language of such services. Community interpreting occurs in a wide variety of private and public settings and supports equal access to community and/or public services. The ISO 13611 guidance document addresses community interpreting as a profession, not as an informal practice (such as interpreting performed by friends, family members or other people who do not have the competences and qualifications or who do not follow a relevant code of ethics). The standard also establishes basic principles and practices necessary to ensure quality community interpreting services for all language communities, for end users, as well as clients (requesters) and service providers. Furthermore, it provides general guidelines that are common to all forms of community interpreting and is applicable to settings where speakers of non-societal languages need to communicate...
Learn MoreInterview with Ray Valido on the Newly Formed Project Manager Special Interest Group of the Translation Company Division Ray Valido proposed the creation of the Project Manager Special Interest Group, nested under the Translation Company Division of the ATA. A translation project manager of the Office of Language Services of the U.S. Department of State, Valido holds a Master of Arts in Translation and Localization Management (Spanish) from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. His language pairs are Spanish to English and Filipino to English. ATA TCD: How long have you worked in your field? How did you get started in the field of translation and/or interpretation? RV: I have been working as a translation project manager (PM) with the Office of Language Services at the State Department since 2008. However, I first worked as a Spanish translator in various jobs from 1996 to 2000, and also held positions in localization and tech support for a few Silicon Valley startups between 2000 and 2002. I worked for an international corporation in Madrid, Spain from 2002 to 2004, and after returning to the U.S., I discovered the localization project management degree program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Since I was already familiar with the...
Learn MoreATA TRANSLATION COMPANY DIVISION WELCOMES YOU DURING ATA’S 59TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE! Join language companies and translators for food, drinks, and networking. This is a great opportunity to share ideas with colleagues, forge collaborative partnerships, and meet prospective customers. Learn more about the Translation Company Division and get involved. Members and non-members of the Division are invited. When: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Time: 7:30-10:00 p.m. (after the Welcome Celebration) Location: Oceana Grill (a short walk from the conference hotel) Address: 739 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70130 Menu: Mardi Gras Buffet Package with drinks. Price: $60 per person, including tax and gratuity Tickets must be purchased IN ADVANCE here: https://www.picatic.com/event15331535205885 Register early, limited seating! Reservations accepted on a first come, first served basis. Questions? Contact: [email protected] We are excited to meet you in person! Marina Ilari, Division Administrator Alaina Brantner, Division Assistant Administrator Susanna Mitton, Leadership Council Virginia Joplin, Leadership Council Ray Valido, Leadership Council Milly Golia, Leadership Council Claudia Marchena, Leadership Council Monika Popiołek, Leadership Council KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TCD Website: http://ata-tcd.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ataTCD LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/LinkedInTCD Mailing List: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ataTCD/info Twitter: https://twitter.com/ata_tcd ATA 59TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE: OCTOBER 24-27, 2018, NEW ORLEANS ATA59 offers specialized opportunities for dedicated translators and interpreters to connect and collaborate while they shape the...
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