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ATA CHRONICLE
Jan/Feb 2021 | Vol. 50 No. 1 A Publication of the American Translators Association
TRANSLATION
AS AN
HOW TO GET
YOUR WORK IN
A MUSEUM
Contents January/February 2021 • Volume 50, Number 1
22
8 30
Features
8 13
Connect with ATA Treasurer’s Report Call for Nominations:
There tends to be a lag between ATA Officers and Directors
www.atanet.org
when an economic shock takes place Do you know someone who would
www.twitter.com/atanet and when its effects are generally make a good potential candidate
experienced. As such, while our for ATA’s Board of Directors? If so,
http://bit.ly/ATA-Facebook
finances still look fairly solid in this ATA’s Nominating and Leadership
http://bit.ly/ATA-Instagram report, it’s essential to bear in mind that Development Committee would like
rockier roads lie ahead. to hear from you. Any ATA member
http://bit.ly/ATA-LinkedIn may make a nomination. Here’s your
chance to help shape the future of
http://bit.ly/ChannelATA
the Association!
http://bit.ly/ATA-Pinterest
See more from this issue at
www.ata-chronicle.online.
14 Columns American Translators Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590
How Did Your Work
4
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
Change in 2020?
Tel: +1-703-683-6100
Given the many challenges 2020
From the President Fax: +1-703-683-6122
presented, members of The ATA chronicle@atanet.org • www.atanet.org
Chronicle Editorial Board reached out
to their colleagues (both interpreters and 6 Editorial Board
translators) and invited them to answer From the President-Elect Jost Zetzsche (chair), Paula Arturo, Lois
the following question: How did your Feuerle, Ben Karl, Barbara Inge Karsch,
Ted Wozniak
work change in 2020?
7
Publisher/Executive Director
From the Executive Director
19 Walter Bacak, CAE • walter@atanet.org
The Demands of
On-Demand Interpreting 28 Editor
Jeff Sanfacon • jeff@atanet.org
In a time of increased professional Business Practices
isolation with interpreters working Advertising
from home, here's some light on the 30 advertising@atanet.org
Tel: +1-703-683-6100, ext. 3007
challenges and rewards of the Resource Review Fax: +1-703-683-6122
essential work of on-demand over-
the-phone interpreting.
36 Design & Production
Blue House DC • www.bluehousedc.com
22 Interpreters Forum
The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is
Translation as an Art: How to
Get Your Work in a Museum 38 published six times per year by the American
Translators Association, 225 Reinekers Lane,
Museums have evolved from rather stuffy Certification Forum Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA.
places to lively multimedia experiences Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria,
with exhibitions on anything from art Virginia, and additional mailing offices.
and photography to fashion, film, and
Postmaster: Send address changes to
music. Here are some examples of the The ATA Chronicle, 225 Reinekers Lane,
types of projects you might encounter Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA.
when working for museums, including The American Translators Association (ATA)
some challenges you’re likely to face. was established in 1959 as a not-for-profit
professional society to foster and support the
25 professional development of translators and
interpreters and to promote the translation
2020 ATA Honors and and interpreting professions. The subscription
Awards Recipients rate for a member is $25 (included in the
ATA and the American Foundation dues payment). The U.S. subscription rate for
for Translation and Interpretation a nonmember is $65. Subscribers in Canada
present annual and biennial awards and Mexico add $25; all other non-U.S.
to encourage, reward, and publicize subscribers add $45. Statements of fact or
opinion are the responsibility of the authors
outstanding work done by both
alone and do not imply an opinion on the part
seasoned professionals and students
of the officers or the members of ATA.
of our craft.
Reprint Permission
Requests for permission to reprint articles
Looking for Member News should be sent to the editor of The ATA
Chronicle at jeff@atanet.org.
and Humor and Translation?
These columns are found in the ©2021 American Translators Association
Chronicle-Online edition:
www.ata-chronicle.online!
FROM THE PRESIDENT
A Problem with Membership Classes
Associate member? How A “Brief” History but who were interested in
many Associate members ATA’s objectives. Any non-
of Membership
do you know who are not member deemed worthy
professional practitioners?
Requirements could be nominated to be an
Probably very few. I don’t When ATA was established, Honorary member. (By 1981,
know any. However, of its membership requirements1 the non-member requirement
the 8,831 total members and procedures were very had been eliminated so that
as of June 20, 2020, less “guild-like.” In the 1959 draft existing members could
TED R. WOZNIAK than one-third, 30.4% “constitution,” there were become Honorary members.)
president@atanet.org to be precise, are Active only two membership classes: New members had to be
members. Associate members Members and Associate investigated and approved by
comprise 52.7% of the Members. Members had to the Membership Committee
total membership and be professional translators, (peer review by three to five
Corresponding members defined as “any person who Active members). By 1965,
another 6.9%. How many had made their living, or a the requirements for Active
Associate members meet major part of their living, by membership were changed
the “U.S. person” and translation for at least one slightly to include adherence
professional engagement year.” “Interested persons” to the Code of Professional
O
criteria? I would hazard to could become Associate Ethics, but still required
ur membership
guess almost all of them are Members. Membership was professional engagement,
structure no
professionally engaged and granted by approval of a endorsement by two Active
longer serves our
that most also meet the U.S. three-person membership members (or evidence of
Association as intended.
requirement. Yet they are committee elected by the three years’ professional
There are too few Active
not Active members. They members, and subsequently experience), while Associate
members and too many
Associate members. cannot vote, run for elected ratified at the next regular membership was still for
In basic terms, Active office, or serve on standing membership meeting. As ethical persons interested in
membership is intended committees. There are far too I do not have a full copy ATA’s objectives.
for citizens or permanent many individuals who could of the original Bylaws, it’s Peer review (or approval
residents of the U.S. become Active members, unknown if these provisions by “Masters” to use guild
who are professionally and thus be able to vote and were in effect in 1960. But language) notwithstanding,
engaged in translation play a greater role in ATA, it does show the intent it’s clear that the intent
or interpreting. That but who fail, for whatever that membership would from the beginning was for
describes the vast majority reason, to become Active be controlled much like a professional practitioners
of our members. The members. I, and several past medieval guild. to be Active members, while
Corresponding membership Board directors, think this is The 1961 Bylaws show a persons who were merely
class is for persons who a problem. similar structure and process. “interested” in T&I were
are professionally engaged Or is it? I guess that There were three membership to be (non-voting, non-
but do not meet the U.S. depends on how one views classes: Active, Associate, governing) Associates.
requirement (i.e., non-U.S. ATA in terms of what kind and Honorary. Any person Professional engagement
professional translators and of an association one thinks of “good moral character” remained the sine quo non
interpreters). In contrast, it is (or should be). Is ATA a who was actively engaged in for Active membership,
Associate members are “professional association” translating or interpreting and thus the ability to play
supposed to be individuals designed to promote the T&I was automatically eligible for an “active” role in ATA
who are not professionally professions as we state in Active membership. Associate and its governance, until
engaged in translation our mission statement? Or membership was for those not the early 1980s. As early
or interpreting (T&I) is it a “trade association” eligible for Active membership as 1971 the passing of an
but who wish to further intended to promote the (presumably solely because examination was discussed
ATA’s objectives. T&I industry? Is it a “guild” they were not actively as a requirement for Active
Are you professionally formed to promote and engaged in T&I and not membership, even though
engaged in T&I but still an protect its members? because they were immoral) no such examination existed
4 The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021 www.atanet.org
at the time. Prior to 1982, a matters of the Association, as chairs or members of solution that would not only
new member could join as and we will present this committees simply because continue to meet the needs
an Active member based on request to the Board on March they don’t have a certification of members who are more
professional engagement 18.” A proposed amendment exam in their languages or engaged, but would also
and the endorsement of two to the Bylaws that year haven’t yet passed a mid- meet the lesser needs of
Active members. That began would have extended voting career examination? (On “mailbox” members—and
to change by 1982, when rights to Associate members. a related note, since when possibly attract additional
a “basic level certification Although a majority favored is competence, which is practitioners who are
examination” was included the amendment 262-232, what our exam tests, prima somewhat skeptical of the
in the Bylaws as an additional it failed to meet the two- facie evidence of being benefits of membership?
third eligibility requirement thirds requirement. A second professionally engaged, which What about newcomers to
for Active membership. The attempt, offering two options is the primary requirement the profession who have
requirement for endorsement to allow Associate members to for Active membership?) I say less financial resources
by two Active members had vote, failed the following year. no, and past ATA Boards have and a much smaller client
also been dropped by 1982. In Based on a desire to expand agreed with me. base than established
1988, peer review in lieu of the franchise, a proposal In addition to the question practitioners? Is there a place
passing the “accreditation” to automatically classify of “rights and privileges,” for part-timers, or even
exam was added as a path Associate members as Active recent Boards have discussed “hobbyists” in a “Supporter”
to Active membership. member after three years of whether the current class? Is there a structure
Somewhere down the line, membership was proposed, membership structure that allows us to put most
all new members joined as and failed, in 2017. There has meets our members' needs or all of the “professional
Associate members, and only obviously been resistance and wants. A majority of practitioners” in one place,
after passing the examination from current Active members individual members don’t and all of the “interested
(or more rarely, peer review), to expand the electorate over attend the Annual Conference parties” in another?
could they “advance” to the years. and don’t require continuing The Governance and
Active membership. But far education credits since Communications Committee
One could also legitimately
too many never do even they’re not credentialed. began asking these questions
ask if efforts to expand the
though they’re fully qualified. Many members, especially and looking for answers back
franchise with an eye toward
Thus began the slow those without a certification in 2018 when I became chair.
increasing voter participation
but inexorable process of exam, join and remain in That work has continued, on
are not exercises in frustration
creating a two-tier system ATA for no other reason than and off, for almost three years
and doomed to fail—at least
of membership, with an because their clients see it now, and a report and
in relative terms. Increasing
increasing disparity in the as a sign of professionalism. proposal will soon be shared
the number of eligible voters
relative size of the Active This last viewpoint has been with the Board. If approved by
would likely increase the
and Associate classes. This documented in numerous the Board, the framework will
number of ballots cast in
resulted in the situation member surveys. For such then be opened for member
absolute but not relative
described above. members, just being a comment and debate. We
terms. Many members
member is all they want and hope that there will be
simply don’t care who
sufficient discussion over the
So, What’s the Problem? ATA’s officers and directors need. Is it right to charge
next 12 months or so that will
are. Many don’t even care members who use little or
It’s neither right nor proper
none of ATA’s resources the allow a final proposal,
for such a large number of about contentious Bylaws
same dues as members who incorporating member
professionals engaged in T&I amendments, as is evidenced
avail themselves of most of feedback, to be presented to
to not have a voice in ATA’s by the still-relatively low
the benefits of membership? the Board in due time for a
governance. This was clear turnout on the recent
Is there a more equitable member vote in 2022.
at least as far back as 1995, decoupling amendment.
when Peter Krawutschke, then Is it right to deny the vote
chair of the Bylaws Revision to the majority of practicing NOTE
Committee and president- translators and interpreters
1
There is very limited availability of past Bylaws, especially
elect, wrote: “Over the past in ATA simply because they versions predating computers and the internet. The timeline and
year, it became clear to most may choose not to exercise dates used above are pieced together from the limited sample
members on the Bylaws that right? Is it right to deny of Bylaws, articles, and other material that could be scrapped
Review Committee that ATA the ability to use the together by ATA Headquarters on short notice. (If any “senior”
Associate members should expertise and volunteerism members have full and dated copies of past Bylaws, especially
have the right to vote on of so many professionals from the 1960s through the 1980s, please send me a copy!)
www.ata-chronicle.online American Translators Association 5
FROM THE PRESIDENT-ELECT
A New Year, a New Start
I
t’s a new year, and with it comes a time (both in-person and virtual). Yes, a hybrid
of reflection, as well as fresh and exciting conference is another first for ATA, but we
opportunities. If 2020 taught us anything, know we can pull off a new model with great
it was the ability to accept new challenges results, and I look forward to the challenge
and adapt accordingly. Hopefully 2021 will of planning this year’s event. The call for
be, in many ways, different than last year, proposals is now open, so please submit your
but I think we can all agree that we learned session proposals by March 1. At this time, the
a lot about ourselves and our businesses. We plan is to offer virtual attendees a selection
MADALENA also learned a lot about how our Association of streamed, live sessions offered at the
SÁNCHEZ ZAMPAULO can step up to serve us even during the most conference venue in Minneapolis.
madalena@accessibletranslations.com challenging of times. While we’ve learned a lot about who we are
@mszampaulo • When COVID-19 disrupted our plans to hold as an Association over the course of 2020, we
our Annual Conference in Boston, we pivoted still have a lot more to understand about who
to a fully virtual conference model that our members are and what they want from a
attracted over 1,500 attendees.1 professional association. As immediate past chair
of the Membership Committee, we’ve worked the
• When we saw how swiftly and significantly
past few years on increasing member benefits
the economic crisis affected so many of our
and creating greater value for our members.
members, the Board quickly approved a
But we want to hear from you. We want to
motion not to raise membership dues this
know how we can best serve you. So, we’ll be
year and to offer members the ability to
asking you questions related to the member
If 2020 taught us renew in two installments.2
benefits you enjoy and what you would like
anything, it was the • When we witnessed what can only be
described as a powerful time to reflect on
to see more of. We’ll also be asking you about
ATA’s advocacy efforts and how you would like
ability to accept new the racial divide in our country, ATA issued
a statement3 on racism and inequality,
to be represented by ATA at various levels.
Please watch your inbox for the
challenges and reiterating that we stand by our members Membership Survey and the new ATA
and colleagues who are Black, Indigenous, Compensation Survey and complete them
adapt accordingly. and People of Color. during the window when they are available. By
• When our members in California were providing more information and insights, you
fighting for their right to remain allow the Board to get a better picture of who
independent contractors after the passing we are as an Association, what’s going well,
of California Assembly Bill 5, we stepped up and what areas can be improved in the future.
and supported4 efforts to provide protection Here’s to a year of growth in 2021!
for professional translators and interpreters
in Assembly Bill 2257 (Worker Classification: NOTES
Employees and Independent Contractors). 1
ATA 61st Annual Conference Website,
• When health care interpreters were not https://ata61.org.
treated as essential workers or provided 2
To help those members who find it difficult
personal protective equipment, we signed to pay membership dues in full at this time,
on to support a best practices guide5 with ATA is offering an installment plan in 2021.
other national associations to promote safer Renew online to choose this payment option.
working environments. Visit: http://bit.ly/ATA-member-renewal.
We’ve come together again and again to 3
ATA Statement on Racism and Inequality,
step up and meet these challenges head on as http://bit.ly/ATA-diversity.
an Association and as colleagues. And while 4
Open Letter to the California
it’s certain we’ll be called to do the same in
2021, we’ll do so by looking forward to new
Assembly and Senate (August 2020),
opportunities to adapt and grow. http://bit.ly/ATA-AB2257.
As we look ahead this year, we’ll be 5
Providing Interpreting Services During
planning ATA62 as a hybrid conference COVID-19, http://bit.ly/best-practices-COVID.
6 The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021 www.atanet.org
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The New Year, New Look,
and Board Meeting Highlights
The new year brings hope and opportunity. For ATA, it also brings
a new look. The new ATA website will be online shortly. You’ll find it
visually appealing, the content completely reviewed, and with better
navigation. We have more to do with the directories. In addition to the
website, the new year brings a new look to The ATA Chronicle. This
year marks the 50th anniversary of ATA’s flagship publication. We look WALTER BACAK, CAE
forward to recognizing this milestone throughout the year. walter@atanet.org
T
ypically, the Fall Board meeting New Committee Chairs
would have been held in conjunction The Board approved the appointment of the ATA Petitions CDC to
with the Annual Conference. Instead,
the Board met virtually a week after the
following Committee chairs: Include Interpreters
• Advocacy Committee: Lorena Ortiz Schneider Following the release
conference, October 31–November 1. Here
of the U.S. COVID-19
are some highlights. • Certification Committee: Michèle Hansen Vaccination Program
• Chapters Committee: Yolanda Secos recommendations, ATA
Opening the Certification Exam • Divisions Committee: Daniel Sebesta
and 20 other language
to Nonmembers organizations and
Thank you to the outgoing chairs for associations petitioned the
The Board rescinded the previously approved
all their time and work for ATA: Ted Centers for Disease Control
motions to open the certification exam to and Prevention to explicitly
Wozniak (Advocacy), David Stephenson
nonmembers. The decision followed the failure include on-site medical
(Certification), Tony Guerra (Chapters),
of the proposed Bylaws amendment clarifying interpreters among the
and Percy Balemans (Divisions).
the rights and privileges of membership. listed examples of health
care personnel eligible
Reimagining Membership ATA Monograph Series for Phase 1 vaccinations.
The Board approved Translation in Transition: Twenty other organizations
The Board continued its discussion on changes co-signed the ATA letter.
Bridging Human and Machine Intelligence as the
to the membership structure, including You can read the letter on
next volume in the ATA Monograph Series. The
looking at tiers of benefits and services. The ATA’s website:
Series, published by John Benjamins, is a peer-
Governance and Communications Committee, http://bit.ly/CDC-petition.
reviewed scholarly publication. Recent volumes
led by President-Elect Madalena Sánchez
include The Evolving Curriculum in Interpreter
Zampaulo, is charged with rethinking/
and Translator Education and Innovation and
restructuring membership and strengthening
Expansion in Translation Process Research.
Be Sure to Renew
the value proposition of ATA membership. Don’t go it alone. ATA
provides a community and
The Board meeting summary is posted a professional home. If you
Investigating a National Registry online. The minutes will be posted once haven’t already renewed
and a Basic Credential they are approved at the next Board your membership dues for
The Board approved establishing ad hoc meeting. Past meeting summaries and 2021, please do:
committees to investigate and make minutes are also posted online at www.atanet.org/renew.
recommendations on the establishment of a www.atanet.org/membership/minutes.php.
National Registry of Individual Translators
and Interpreters and a basic ATA credential for
translators and interpreters.
www.ata-chronicle.online American Translators Association 7
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer’s Annual Report
for FY2019–2020
T
his annual report reviews the Association was actually clustered in the second half
ATA’s performance planning both an in-person of the calendar year. As such,
during its most recent and a virtual event, thereby while our finances still look
fiscal year, from July 2019 requiring even more time and fairly solid in this report, it’s
to June 2020. These results energy than normal. essential to bear in mind that
are reviewed by independent Yet, a fully virtual rockier roads lie ahead.
auditors, and any material conference has been held,
JOHN M. MILAN adjustments will be addressed and we dealt with a lot of Revenue and Expenses
in future reports. To get a unknowns. For instance, we
john@milanlanguageservices.com During our most recent fiscal
sense of how the Association didn’t have good data on how year (July 2019 to June 2020),
is doing over time, we begin many people might attend, ATA recorded $2.94 million
with headline figures from the what they would be willing in Total Revenue, while
past three fiscal years. (See to pay, how much value incurring $3.04 million in
the table below.) members might place on a Total Expenses. The result
Like every organization, virtual event, or even what was a negative Change in Net
Like every ATA has been adapting to types of challenges (technical Assets (before investment
organization, ATA our new reality. Though and otherwise) we would face activities) of (-$99,796).1
has been adapting many financial impacts have throughout. As such, from (See Figure 1 on page 9.)
yet to be fully felt, the most a financial perspective, this Even though the
to our new reality.
significant one so far has conference was a learning Association’s bottom line was
However, many been the decision to host a experience, and if, after negative for the fiscal year, it
financial impacts have virtual conference. This was all the expenses have been actually improved year-on-
yet to be fully felt. a major leap, with financial recorded, it breaks even, we year because certain expenses
implications, given that this should consider it a success. were kept in check by the
event normally accounts As mentioned in previous pandemic and economic crisis.
for about one-third of total reports, there tends to be a lag Our biggest source of
revenue for the year. between when an economic revenue continues to be ATA
ATA Headquarters staff shock takes place and when Membership dues ($1.80
and volunteers plan and work its effects are generally million), though it fell
on this event year-round, in experienced. This tendency -2.9% from a year before.
a structure that cannot be is significant because ATA’s Next in importance is the
turned off and on. In fact, two most important sources Annual Conference, which,
given the uncertainty in the of revenue (conference in Palm Springs, brought in
first few months of the crisis, and membership dues) are $868,391, up 5% from New
Year-on-Year Review
2017–2018 2018–2019 2019–2020
Membership (The first number—e.g., 9,616—is membership
at the end of the fiscal year. The number in parentheses is peak
9,616 (10,358) 9,210 (10,004) 8,831 (9,802)
membership during the fiscal year, which usually occurs in a
different month.)
Total Revenue $3.28 million $3.08 million $2.94 million
Total Expenses $2.99 million $3.20 million $3.04 million
Change in Net Assets (Before investment activities.) $286,797 (–$121,302) (–$99,796)
Total Assets $3.07 million $2.86 million $2.73 million
Total Liabilities $1.59 million $1.44 million $1.29 million
Conference Attendance (Final registration from New Orleans,
1,344 1,377 1,503
Palm Springs, and the 2020 virtual conference.)
8 The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021 www.atanet.org
Orleans ($825,401). All other
sources lagged behind, with
Membership (1,800,545, 60%) Publications (3,117, 0%)
Certification ($197,916)
Figure 1 Certification (197,916, 7%) Other Revenue (23,257, 1%)
generating -30% less revenue
year-on-year as a result of Breakdown of Chronicle (9,048, 0%) Dividend/Interest (30,570, 1%)
fewer exam sittings in 2020. Total Revenue Conference (868,391, 29%) ain/(Loss) Investment
G
The good news is that Total July 1, 2019–June 30, 2020 PD—Seminars (0, 0%) (14,264, 1%)
Expenses were also down P D—Webinar/Podcast
-5.3% year-on-year. (See (33,090, 1%)
Figure 2) Program Services
($2.07 million) accounted
for roughly two-thirds of all
expenditures, after overhead
allocations2, and were -7.9% Certification (305,531, 10%) PD—Seminars (25,456, 1%)
lower than the previous fiscal
Figure 2 Chronicle (241,226, 8%) Publications (94,110, 3%)
year. Certification expenses Breakdown of Conference (854,925, 28%) Salaries (415,254, 14%)
($305,531) were down -31% Total Expenses Divisions (117,782, 4%) Gen & Admin (406,261, 13%)
because fewer exams were July 1, 2019–June 30, 2020 Membership (372,863, 12%) P R/Officers/Governance
offered and graded. (145,531, 5%)
P D—Webinar/Podcast
Supporting Services
(56,222, 2%)
accounted for the next biggest
outlay, at $967,046, which is
essentially unchanged from
a year before. These services
include salaries/benefits, Figure 3 Financial Results for ATA Programs (Rounded to the Nearest Thousand)
general/administrative Revenue Expense Surplus (Loss)
expenses, Board meetings,
etc. The only noteworthy 500,000
increase in spending was
3 million
on PR/Marketing (up 400,000 197,916
1,800,545
26%). This increase was the
result of cooperation with 300,000
9,048
the Coalition of Practicing 2 million
Translators and Interpreters 200,000
of California on legislation 305,531 372,863
—
related to California Assembly 241,226 33,090 3,117 868,391
100,000 —
Bill 5, as well as slightly 1 million
117,782 25,456 94,110
56,222 1,427,682
higher PR consultant fees 0
and new spending related to 854,925
(107,615) (25,456) (23,132) (90,993)
(117,782)
graphics for International -100,000
(232,178) 0
Translation Day. 13,466
-200,000
Major Program Results
As noted in my last report3, Certification Chronicle Divisions PD–Seminars PD–Webinars Publications Conference Membership
ATA programs tend to run
at a loss for the fiscal year. shows positive net funds Notice that certain
The most recent results are available ($1.43 million) from programs such as the
presented in the bar chart in membership dues, which are Chronicle and Divisions are
Figure 3. The figures at the used to finance most of the almost entirely subsidized
bottom of each vertical bar Association’s programs. While by dues. Other programs,
represent that program’s the figure at the bottom of including the Conference
annual net gain or loss. For the next bar over shows that and Certification, actually
instance, the bar on the the Publications program is generate revenue that helps
far-right side (Membership) running at a $90,993 loss. offset their costs.
www.ata-chronicle.online American Translators Association 9
During the 2019–2020 fiscal Annual Conference
year, the Conference was the
The 2019 Annual Conference in Palm Springs turned
only program whose revenues
out better than expected. We knew it would be a
covered its total expenses.
smaller affair since it was being held at a resort hotel
However, efforts have been
made to generate more
a bit farther from the large population centers where Figure 4
ATA hosts most of its conferences. Fortunately, the
income from Professional
Association’s planning and hard work paid off, as Annual Conference
Development (seminars and
webinars), and the expectation
we not only covered all direct and indirect costs, but Revenue
actually recorded a small surplus ($13,466) when all
is that these programs will
was said and done. On the whole, it should be viewed
become more self-sustaining
as a success.
in the years to come.
The two pie charts in Figures 4 and 5 show where
the conference generated its revenue and how that Registration (680,660, 78%)
Assets, Liabilities, money got spent.4 Exhibit (93,095, 11%)
and Net Assets As noted under Figure 4, Registration is obviously AST (42,450, 5%)
In terms of ATA’s longer- the main source of revenue, but ATA also brings in Advertising (12,330, 2%)
term status, it remains a money from exhibitors, Advanced Skills and Training
Corporate Sponsor (37,535, 4%)
mixed bag. For now, though, (AST) courses, sponsorship, and even some advertising.
Special Events (425, 0%)
we’re still on fairly solid It’s clear from looking at Figure 5 that Overhead
financial ground overall. Virtual Conference (1,896, 0%)
at ATA Headquarters is clearly the largest slice of
The headline figure from this expense pie, but bear in mind that staff work
our Statement of Financial on the conference year-round to make it happen.
Position (balance sheet) for Other essential costs include everything from Wi-Fi to
FY2019–2020, which can be insurance, speaker honoraria, conference software,
found on page 11, is a (-4.7%) and other similar expenses. Food and beverage costs,
decline in Total Assets, from which cover breakfast and the Welcome Celebration,
$2.86 million a year ago to are typically built into the overall event price and go Figure 5
$2.73 million this year. Total toward paying for the physical conference space and
Liabilities also fell during this Annual Conference
breakout rooms.
same period (-10.4%), from
In the end, the Palm Springs conference generated Expenses
$1.44 million to $1.29 million,
a total of $868,391 in revenue, versus a direct cost
mostly as a result of a gradual
of $524,076, more than paying for itself. In fact,
decline in membership.
the surplus from the event fully covered overhead
The good news, though, is
($330,849), as noted in Figure 5.
that what ATA holds in cash, Travel and Lodging (25,202, 3%)
Turning our sights on the 2020 conference, the
investments, etc., is still worth Audio Visual (83,975, 10%)
biggest financial concern all the way through the
much more than it owes. In
summer had been the perceived burden of canceling Welcome Reception (73,058, 9%)
fact, this difference, recorded
the Boston in-person event outright and/or early ontinental Breakfast (116,646, 14%)
C
as Net Assets—Unrestricted,
because of contractual penalties that had been Breaks (27,403, 3%)
remained nearly unchanged—
estimated at around $450,000. Fortunately, thanks to Breaks—AST (3,649, 0%)
from $1.43 million a year ago
the hard work of ATA Headquarters, that contract was
to $1.42 million this year. This Exhibits (11,105, 1%)
renegotiated, allowing the Association to reschedule
is still a healthy number for an Temp Clerical (15,033, 2%)
the event in Boston for 2025. In exchange, all penalties
association our size.
were waived for the 2020 event. Division Activities (27,525, 3%)
For years now, we’ve noted that when an Annual Other Essential Costs (140,481, 16%)
Conference does well, ATA does well financially as a Overhead Expense (330,849, 39%)
whole. The virtual event in 2020 was no different. Our
reasonable expectation was that this conference would
at least break even. As of this writing, that appears to
be the case. In addition, it has served as an excellent
learning experience and point of reference for future
hybrid/virtual events.
10 The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021 www.atanet.orgLooking Ahead: Preliminary Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2020 COVID-19, Economic Crisis, and Budget As mentioned at the outset, economic crises normally involve a certain lag time until impacts are fully felt. The figures reported here are through June 2020. As such, they don’t yet reflect the total financial impact on membership and the conference. What these numbers do demonstrate, though, is where we stood halfway through this unprecedented calendar year. As of this writing (October 2020), ATA has savings and investments in excess of $2 million, with roughly $750,000 of that in cash. These figures imply that the Association has a financial cushion for the next few months as this crisis impacts our industry and ATA in particular. However, we’ve already started drawing down on those cash reserves, in large part because of cash- flow issues related to the virtual conference. Two trends that preceded the current crisis may be exacerbated by it: declining membership and smaller or even negative net income from the conference. We continue to monitor membership numbers. For now, we expect at least a 5% drop year-on-year. The conference, for its part, is meetings to discuss these would come on the heels more of a mystery since we issues and consider their of the $99,796 loss ATA have no previous experience impact on the budget for the experienced during the fiscal with virtual events of this coming fiscal year (2020–21). year ending in June 2020. size. The prudent approach, We expect the Association Therefore, theoretical then, is to assume that to incur manageable losses. conversations about breaking even would be a Our most likely scenario streamlining the Association, financial success. forecasts a negative change reducing overhead, and The Finance and Audit in net assets on the order of lowering expenses will need Committee has met multiple $225,000 for the upcoming to become practical times in between Board fiscal year (2020–21). That implementations in the www.ata-chronicle.online American Translators Association 11
Preliminary Consolidated Statement of Activities (with overhead distribution) coming months. The Board
and the membership, as a
July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 whole, should be prepared for
some tough conversations,
which will be necessary to
ensure ATA’s continued
financial success.
NOTES
1
As a nonprofit, ATA’s
change in net assets
indicates earnings or
losses during the
fiscal year.
2
ATA allocates part of its
overhead to programs,
such as the conference,
certification, divisions,
etc., based on the
number of hours that
Headquarters staff spend
working on them. This
allocation provides a
more accurate view of
their actual cost.
3
Milan, John. “Treasurer’s
Report: July to December
2019 + Budget,” The ATA
Chronicle (July/August
2020), 7, http://bit.ly/
Treasurer-Report.
4
This is a good place to
point out that the charts,
graphs, and statements
included in this report
were all prepared by
ATA’s very competent
and much-appreciated
accounting and finance
manager, Kirk Lawson.
Please thank Kirk for all
his hard work the next
time you get a chance.
John Milan, CT is the treasurer of ATA and chair of ATA’s Finance and Audit Committee.
He is also an ATA-certified Portuguese>English translator. He is an economist, writer, and
lecturer on the business and economics of language services. He was an adjunct professor
of economics in São Paulo, Brazil, for 10 years. He has been involved in the Carolina
Association of Translators and Interpreters (an ATA chapter) since 2005, spending eight years
on its board of directors, serving as president from 2013–2016. He has an MS in applied
microeconomics from Ohio State University and degrees in international political economy and
Spanish from Indiana University. john@milanlanguageservices.com
12 The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021 www.atanet.orgCall for Nominations:
ATA Officers and Directors
The 2021 Nominating and Leadership Development Committee is
pleased to announce the call for nominations from ATA’s membership BECOME AN ATA
to fill the positions of president-elect, secretary, and treasurer VOTING MEMBER!
(each a two-year term), as well as three directors’ positions Apply for Active
Membership Review
(each a three-year term). Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting
of Voting Members on Thursday, October 28, 2021 during ATA’s Who is eligible
to become a
62nd Annual Conference in Minneapolis!
Voting member?
ATA Associate members
U
nder ATA’s Bylaws, 2021 Nominating your intention and the fact who can demonstrate that
all Active members that a nomination does they are professionally
Form Online engaged in translation,
of ATA are eligible not guarantee a formal
Members may make a
to run for elected office. invitation to run for office. interpreting, or closely
nomination using the
Active members are those If a nomination is not put related fields may be eligible
relevant forms online (www.
who have passed an ATA forward by the Nominating for Voting membership.
atanet.org/elections.php).
certification exam or who and Leadership Development The qualification process,
Nominations should be
are established as having Committee to ATA’s Board called Active Membership
submitted as early as possible
achieved professional of Directors, an individual Review, is free and online!
so that the Nominating and
status through an Active may still petition to be added
Leadership Development Why should I become
Membership Review (see to the slate of candidates by
Committee can fully consider a Voting member?
the sidebar for more submitting the nomination
proposed candidates. The Voting membership
information on this in writing along with the
deadline is March 1, 2021. opens doors to your
process), or through the signatures of at least 60
Submit the form at the participation in the
Credentialed Interpreter voting members endorsing
elections page referenced Association—take
program (http://bit.ly/ the nomination. The petitions
above, or email, mail, or fax part in ATA elections,
ATA-CI-designation). must be received by the
the completed form to: volunteer for Division and
Active members must be Nominating and Leadership
Committee roles, and
citizens or permanent David C. Rumsey Development Committee
Chair, ATA Nominating increase your professional
residents of the U.S. Other no later than 30 calendar
and Leadership networking possibilities.
member categories are not days after first publication
Development Committee Check it out at
eligible to serve as officers by the Board of Directors of
American Translators www.atanet.org/
or directors. However, any Association the names of the candidates
membership/memb_
member may submit a 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 proposed by the committee.
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA review_online.php.
nomination. Members of the All ATA officers and
Nominating and Leadership Fax: +1-703-683-6122 directors serve on a volunteer
Email: Walter@atanet.org
Development Committee basis: please do not nominate
are not eligible to run for colleagues who express
If you plan to put names
elected office. serious concerns about
forward for nomination,
service, or who have
please contact the potential
conflicting priorities.
nominees first, explaining
www.ata-chronicle.online American Translators Association 13Katharine
How Did
Allen
Bishop,
California
Your Work
In 2020,
remote interpreting saved
our livelihood while
eroding a decade of gains in
working conditions.
Change
Before the pandemic,
most remote interpreting
in the U.S. existed in health
care, emergency services,
in 2020?
and the financial world and
was dominated by over-
the-phone (OPI) and video
remote (VRI) consecutive
interpreting. Remote
simultaneous interpreting
(RSI) was a budding area
on the conference side of
our profession. Start-up
platforms were slowly
gaining inroads, designed
to preserve good sound and
provide virtual booths for
team interpreting.
In two short weeks in
March, onsite interpreting
shut down all over the world.
Multilingual communication
moved online. The result?
Existing OPI, VRI, and RSI
platforms, after an initial
dip, experienced huge
surges in demand. Remote
I
One thing t was quite a year. Given unprecedented global health work offset some of the
the many challenges 2020 and economic crisis. Despite losses interpreters suffered,
2020 certainly
presented, members of the chaos 2020 brought, the but the learning curve has
demonstrated is The ATA Chronicle Editorial been steep. The surge has
year provided opportunities
the resilience and Board reached out to their to connect, learn, adapt, and
degraded working conditions,
colleagues (both interpreters especially for RSI where the
adaptability of grow as professionals. We
and translators) and explosion of meetings over
translators and hope the following will serve
invited them to answer the web conferencing platforms
as a reminder of the strength
interpreters. following question: How did not designed for interpreting
to be found in the translator
your work change in 2020? has forced interpreters into
and interpreter community.
The stories they share here endless patchwork hacks that
Many thanks to The ATA strain sound, cognition, and
speak of professional and
personal struggle—as well Chronicle Editorial Board for brain function. But like it or
as some bright spots—while coordinating this article: not, remote interpreting is
navigating the “new normal” Jost Zetzsche (chair), Paula here to stay.
of a global pandemic. A Arturo, Lois Feuerle, Ben As we come out of the
common theme throughout Karl, Barbara Inge Karsch, pandemic, now is the time to
is resiliency in the face of an and Ted Wozniak. be loud, squeaky wheels to
14 The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021 www.atanet.orgprevent poor remote working machine translation systems Interpreting training is from around the country—as
conditions from getting baked for non-critical translations booming. And although some well as Brazil, Egypt, India,
in as the “new normal.” that don’t have to be translation direct clients Mexico, Spain, and the
linguistically “perfect” and are learning about neural U.K.—attended.
Robin edit the machine translation machine translation, they Though 2020 further
output themselves. still need our services. isolated some translators,
Bonthrone
it also opened our world
Austin, Texas
As a German>
Waleska Allison to global collaboration
and solidarity on an
English Bonthrone deFreese
unprecedented scale. I hope
financial-legal translator Austin, Texas Portland, Oregon our interactions will continue
and specialist boutique I’m the owner Many assume in 2021—and beyond!
owner whose clients are all of a boutique little changed
in the German-speaking agency providing health care for literary translators
countries, my business cycle interpreting, translation, in 2020. But the entire
Michael
reflects fluctuations in those and health care interpreting publishing circuit—from Engley
countries’ economies. training services, with a printers to book fairs and Port Charlotte,
In line with the hard focus on Spanish. bookstore distribution—has Florida
lockdowns imposed in When the lockdown hit been unrooted, and with it I began 2020
Germany—my primary Austin, half my local business my translations. comfortably busy during
market—business fell off a collapsed in one day. Onsite While bestsellers are the financial reporting
cliff in April and remained interpreting was not an option readily available online, season, but it didn’t take
more or less stagnant until anymore. I quickly realized small independent presses long for that to change.
late summer. The first half that my local health care have suffered. Four of my The anticipated seasonal
(H1) 2020 financial reports, clients and onsite interpreters publishers shuttered or projects that would normally
which generally arrive in July were not prepared for the delayed publications, some keep me busy through the
each year for translation, abrupt change. I created a until 2021 or 2022. Furloughs spring never materialized
were the exception, but most video remote interpreting included accountants, which as the pandemic ramped up
of them were also shorter (VRI) guideline for all of them postponed payments for earlier in Europe than in the
than usual. in two days and trained the manuscripts I submitted. One U.S. and many employees
Business started picking up onsite interpreters to become of my editors was laid off, of German and Austrian
again in September/October, VRI interpreters in a week leaving my projects in limbo. companies retreated to the
but it’s currently too early to ready them for the “new Sadly, in November an editor safety of their homes.
to say whether the renewed normal” in interpreting. I had worked with for years I was finally called into
lockdown in Germany that What the COVID-19 passed away. My translation action again for some half-
was imposed in December will pandemic taught me directly of María Negroni’s Elegy for yearly reports and was very
significantly impact translation is to always be prepared for Joseph Cornell, scheduled busy for several weeks in the
demand in my markets. change. I wasn’t expecting my for spring, appeared in early fall. However, it has
I’ve identified several online health care interpreting October, but it hasn’t been been “crickets” ever since.
trends I believe to be training to start booming reviewed due to lack of Luckily, I was approved
directly attributable to the during the pandemic, but staffing at publishers, and (after several frustrating
COVID-19 pandemic. First, that’s exactly what happened. all promotional events have attempts) at the last minute
“discretionary” translations Fortunately, I had updated my been canceled. for a Paycheck Protection
(not required by law or one-on-one online training Still, the pandemic has Program loan that helped
another legal obligation) to focus on VRI, which meant eliminated geographical sustain my family through
are recovering slowly but I was already prepared to borders, allowing translators the second half of the year.
may not return to BC (before help my students nationwide to attend global conferences. Fortunately for us, my wife
COVID) levels for a few during lockdown. In 2020, I coordinated a is an “essential worker” at a
years, if ever. Second, the My take on the business virtual conference for the local hospital and very much
pandemic has exacerbated impact of the pandemic is that Oregon Society of Translators in demand.
the price pressures that were local onsite interpreting is and Interpreters (an ATA I’ve taken advantage of
already building up BC. And picking up slowly, with many affiliate), an event usually the unplanned sabbatical by
third, some direct clients are health care providers still not limited to Pacific Northwest spending more time with
starting to understand that comfortable with VRI because and California attendees. my three-year-old son and
they can use the latest neural of their specializations. Speakers and participants honing new skills that I
www.ata-chronicle.online American Translators Association 15Instead of “going with expect will soon enhance my
translation business while
projects related to COVID,
including guidelines, press
calling, which has been very
powerful for me.
the flow,” I found also providing a potential releases, and medical staff 2020 was full of silver
new pillar outside of the training. I even gained linings and I’m looking
myself being more translation industry. Yet, two clients, who initially forward to an even
active and proactive, despite the extra leisure
time, 2020 was exceptionally
contacted me for a COVID-
related project and now
brighter 2021.
researching new chaotic and I looked forward send me projects regularly. Anwar
avenues, working
to its close. Another positive impact of Martinez
the pandemic for me: when
New York City,
hard but enjoying the Anne- a major communication
New York
Charlotte platform moved their annual
process, and feeling Giovangrandi conference online, I got to
Times have
changed considerably.
alive and grateful. Palo Alto,
translate the subtitles of
their keynote speeches.
I know I’m stating the
New challenges are California So, overall, I feel lucky
obvious, but I would have
As a California-based never thought in a million
and grateful!
invigorating—what’s English>French translator years what 2020 had in
working exclusively with store. As I had recently
there not to like? agencies, when I first heard
Ben Karl begun my career as a
of California Assembly
Long Beach, translator and interpreter,
Bill 5 (AB 5) in 2019, I was California my vision of the future
terrified. By January 2020, Last spring, didn’t include a global
my fears had materialized: a friend of pandemic that was going
my two largest clients were mine said that despite all to shut down entire cities
demanding I incorporate the challenges 2020 lobbed across the world.
to keep our relationship. at us, she found it very easy I’m based in New
I adamantly refused, to count her blessings. I York City and work for a
choosing instead to couldn’t agree more. I’m Catholic religious order
advocate for an exemption very thankful for my health, of men dedicated to
alongside the Coalition of my family, my home, and educating young people,
Practicing Translators and my work. especially those who are
Interpreters of California, Last March, less than six disadvantaged. Suddenly,
a nonpartisan nonprofit months after moving to a I found myself wondering
advocacy group. new city in a new state and if I should count myself
Surprisingly, the year just when I was getting a among the disadvantaged as
feel for the lay of the land, my work began to steadily
started strong, thanks to
we were ordered to shelter decrease as the number of
additional projects from
in place. I didn’t have to COVID-19 cases increased.
regular clients who accepted
transition to working from
my sole proprietor status Fortunately, my studies as
home, but I did have to
and supported my fight a graduate student not only
transition to an entirely
against AB 5. And then the kept me busy but provided
home-based existence, my
pandemic hit. me with a community of
usual outlets outside having
After an abysmal April, like-minded individuals who
suddenly closed their doors.
I got a brief stint in were going through similar
With few places to go and
videogame localization, experiences. This renewed
terrified that my clients
a sector that definitely sense of purpose became
would disappear, I threw
benefited from the myself into my work and one of the driving forces
lockdown. Luxury products, nearly burned out in the that has helped me navigate
on the other hand, did not, process. Thankfully, my the murky waters of the
and my regular translations clients are all doing well and pandemic. Hopefully the
of high-end jewelry catalogs I’ve even managed to find situation will improve, since
vanished. However, as a some new ones. I’ve found a translation and interpreting
medical translator, I also new work balance where I’m remain at the heart of what I
started receiving many no longer afraid they’ll stop do and who I am.
16 The ATA Chronicle | Januar y/February 2021 www.atanet.orgJanis Palma business seven years ago. 300 days per year on the hours didn’t change and I
My revenue reached an all- road. Assignments included had many new opportunities
San Antonio,
time high. I enjoyed every trips to all continents and and various assignments. I
Texas
project, from interpreting at practically every state. I was busier in 2020 than any
I was on my
conferences and courthouses lived out of a suitcase, ate year before. Several factors
way back
to translating legal at restaurants, and slept helped significantly to
home from a week of work
documents with my team. in hotel rooms. I loved my achieve this outcome:
at the U.S. District Court in
Then came the coronavirus. lifestyle. All of this ended in • Having a strong positive
Corpus Christi, Texas, when
I was closely following the spring as conferences long-term relationship with
I heard the news on public
China’s situation in January, were postponed, trips an interpreting agency.
radio: San Antonio was
so I wasn’t surprised when canceled, confinement
going into lockdown due to • Having optimal working
a long-time client canceled orders issued, and my work
the pandemic. conditions (e.g., no school-
their U.S. trip. However, soon disappeared. I haven’t
I had no idea what that age children at home).
courthouses in Texas shut left my place since March
meant other than having to
down, businesses suspended 16. A lack of income and • Keeping up to date with
do some grocery shopping as
nonessential employee uncertainty about the compliance requirements.
if a hurricane were about to
benefits (e.g., Mandarin future were exacerbated by
hit. It was March 20, 2020, • Having the necessary
classes), and nonprofits cut a constant stream of email
and there was no way for me technology already in
budgets for recurring projects. and social media postings place at home with
to know back then how long
March through May, my heralding the end of my reliable internet.
this stay-at-home order was
revenue was down 80% year- profession and the triumph
really going to last or how • Having the support and
over-year compared to 2019. of distance interpreting.
my life’s priorities would inspiration of colleagues,
I took the opportunity to I had interpreted remotely
never again be the same. who encouraged me to
focus on business generation. for about two years, which
Finding isopropyl alcohol expand my field of work
became a quest. That I made 60 cold calls to my gave me the peace of mind
and referred me to new
everyday item on drug store ideal interpreting clients over to set my priorities. I fired
services. (That’s how I
shelves became as scarce as the summer. I gained a new bad clients, got closer to the
added a third job as a
work in the courts and regular student thanks to the referral best ones, and discovered
contact tracer to my 2020
income. Overnight I lost track from a current one, both of a never seen attitude of
résumé and created a few
of my colleagues, my friends. whom I enjoy working with. I collaboration among my
workshops for interpreters.)
Everyone was too busy was more available to a client colleagues worldwide.
finding disposable gloves and from 2019 and became her Interpreters have adapted to • Following my business
face masks or figuring out trusted partner for more than the circumstances because plan to continue offering
how to use remote platforms just language needs. I also we’re problem solvers. I still training courses even to
to start a whole new way of started exercising six times a miss in-person work but, smaller groups.
making a safe living away week, organized four online having learned new skills Instead of “going with the
from COVID-19. socials for ATA’s Chinese and selected quality clients, flow,” I found myself being
I gave up waiting for Language Division, and I’m confident I’ll make it more active and proactive,
the courts to call or the created a marriage enrichment during and after this crisis. researching new avenues,
unemployment office to study group with friends. working hard but enjoying
answer my calls. I finally Svetlana the process, and feeling alive
decided to apply for my Tony Rosado Ruth and grateful. New challenges
Social Security benefits and are invigorating—what’s
Chicago, Illinois Portland, Oregon
just stay home. I still miss there not to like?
My life was A memorable
my friends!
affected in year, 2020
2020. The presented many challenges, Carol Shaw
Tianlu loss of family members, tested my strength, and Garland, Texas
Redmon diminished income, stress, taught me—a medical On December
Houston, Texas and uncertainty were all interpreter and trainer—how 31, 2019, I
I’m a Chinese present. The biggest change, to stay in business. made my
interpreter, however, occurred in my While many interpreters first-ever business New Year’s
translator, and teacher. professional life. saw a significant decrease resolution: to make it a point
2019 was the best year As an interpreter before in hours, I had the opposite to learn new skills in 2020.
since I started my freelance the pandemic, I averaged experience. My interpreting Then COVID-19 happened.
www.ata-chronicle.online American Translators Association 17You can also read
