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The ATA Bulletin
LinkedIn Translation and Crowdsourcing Controversy
LinkedIn recently emailed a "customer survey" to translators registered with its social networking site. From the survey's second question, it was clear that the "survey" was an attempt to identify anyone who would be interested in translating LinkedIn texts for free -- or as survey stated it -- "for fun."
The concept of volunteers participating in this kind of group project is called "crowdsourcing." You may have read that Wikipedia and Facebook have also localized their websites with similar projects.
Many ATA members are happy to donate time and expertise to charities and non-profit institutions, and ATA actively promotes contributions to deserving pro bono projects. But LinkedIn is a for-profit company. One can only assume that the company employs programmers, marketers, accountants, and legal advisers whom they pay professional rates.
The company's wish to have career linguists work without pay and yet pay other professionals says a lot about the value accorded professional translation by LinkedIn's management.
ATA has registered a strong protest against this treatment with LinkedIn's Chief Executive Officer. A press release from ATA also noted LinkedIn's apparent disregard for the very professionalism the site claims to represent.
Read ATA's press release and President Jiri Stejskal's letter to LinkedIn CEO.
Medical Translation Seminar
Medical translation and interpreting require an unusual depth of understanding—from disease, condition, syndrome to patient encounters and medical records. Attendees at this professional development seminar in San Diego (July 11-12) will continue their education in a variety of areas, including abbreviations, symbols, units of measure, cardiovascular terminology, and intensive care interpreting. An end-of-day session will give attendees the opportunity to network. The seminar is co-hosted by ATA and the Association of Translators and Interpreters in the San Diego Area (ATISDA). Click ATA/ATISDA Medical Translation Seminar for details and to register.
Interpreters Talk in Washington
ATA's Medical and Interpreters Divisions have combined their resources to co-host a one-day conference in Washington, DC (July 18). Educational sessions for both translators and interpreters will be offered, including The Role of Medical Linguists in Disease Preparedness, Interpreting for Speech Therapy-Language, and Ensuring Access and Equal Justice. Click MD/ID Joint Conference Program for details and to register.
Smart Strategies for Tough Times
Attending the Translation Company Division's annual mid-year conference is one of the best business investments you can make. Executive-level seminars offer new strategies for current challenges and tremendous opportunities to network with other company owners. This year's meeting is being held in Quebec City, Canada (July 30-August 1). Go to
ATA-TCD Mid-Year Conference: Smart Strategies for Tough Times for details and to register.
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